A Dive Into Housing’s Strengths?
Yet, 2020 has been nothing close to ordinary or typical. What should have been the Spring Market, March through May, turned into one of the slowest springs in memory. The “Stay at Home” order and initial shock and anxiety of the Coronavirus kept buyers from buying and homeowners from selling. As the real estate industry adapted becoming an essential service, and the shock of the virus that included social distancing, sanitizing, and dawning a mask waned, housing surged. The Summer Market became the Spring Market in 2020. It appears as if the Autumn Market is going to be the Summer Market in 2020, not quite as hot as June, July, and August, but still quite busy with homes flying off the market and generating multiple offers. All signs point to an extraordinary September, October, and first half of November.
Supply and Demand: The active listing inventory is at its lowest August level since tracking began in 2004, and current demand is at its highest level since 2012. Year over year, the active inventory is down by 41% and demand (the number of pending sales over the prior month) is up by 30%. In taking a deeper look, the hottest price ranges are between $500,000 and $1 million. From $500,000 to $750,000, there are 927 fewer FOR-SALE signs compared to last year, 54% less, yet demand is up by 120, 13% more.
Click on the image below the Read the Orange County Housing Report.
