WHAT WERE THE EXACT NUMBERS?

The total number of houses sold in Orange County for December, (the last full month available), was 3,089.  That number shows a .6% increase in sales volume, but is very deceptive.  The number of single-family resale homes was 1,730 which was a 13.9% decrease from December of 2012.  Condos came in at 777 which was down 2.4%.  It was not hit nearly as hard because entry level buyers often find themselves in a condo, and that market segment has been very steady.  Million dollar plus homes have also seen record numbers, as reported here last month.  The missing segment has been the move up buyer or move down buyer.  As more and more homeowners get their equity position back, and new construction ramps up, giving those specific buyers a new place to go to, expect to see the middle price range come into its own in 2014.  Speaking of new homes, the number of sales for December was 582, a 120% increase year over year.  Distressed sales accounted for 24% of the December 2012 market, while in 2013, distressed sales numbered only 14%.  The median price for all house rose 21.3% to $570,000.  Separating out the condos, the median price was $372,000 a 22% rise and single-family resale was $639,000, rising 21%.  All figures are comparing December 2012 to December 2013.  More information is available at www.dqnews.com.