Orange Co. Real Estate~Lynda Eisenmann, Broker-Owner, CRS,CRB,GRI,SRES, Brea, CA

If you're a home buyer in California it's important to have an understanding of our current real estate conditions. For some the "Golden State" may not seem so gold, yet for others CA homes prices in some areas are upper end for coastal communities while others are more affordable inland.

Here's a snapshot of the CA real estate market from CAR, the California Association of Realtors.

Today the CA median price of a home is $350,140, compared to $588,670 just one year ago. It's no surprise this represents a record setting decline in the median price year-to-year.

It's also interesting to know that by mid-year 2008 72% of the total sales statewide were under $500,000, hence the lower median price. It's something we've also noticed in our own brokerage in So Cal. As the broker and owner, I track our numbers on a regular basis and I've watched our median price drop in our own local market in Orange County.

As for the two extremes in the state here are the facts:

• Highest priced region is Santa Barbara Coastal at $930,000.
• Lowest median price is the "high desert" at $169,000

As a CA REALTOR this was not surprise. The facts were pretty much the same the past few years for the highest and the lowest priced areas in our state.

Santa Barbara is one of the most beautiful places I've experienced in CA so it's easy to see why it's so desirable. And it seems to me like I remember hearing a few years back the Santa Barbara coastal region had a median price of over $1,200,000 million dollar range at that time. And that was the median price. Maybe that's why Oprah chose this area for an estate of her own.

The high desert has experienced a lot of growth in the area of affordable housing, therefore it's one of the hardest hit areas in our state. With the added burden of high gas prices. commuting is not always an option, further adding to the problem.

With all that said California remains a great place to live for many of us. Is it crowded? In many places, yes. Do we continue to have some of the highest prices nationwide? In many places yes. Do we have year-round outdoor enjoyment? In most places, YES.

If you're a home buyer interested in California real estate, it's important you work with a local REALTOR. You need a professional who understands your local market. If you would like a personal recommendation of a knowledgeable in your neck-of-the-woods, contact me at Lynda@PreferredHomeBrokers.com.

The professionals at Preferred Home Brokers have been serving home buyers for more than 25 years. Preferred Home Brokers CA Department of Real Estate License #401040.

Data source: The California Association of REALTORS, a professional trade organization.

La Mirada, CA ~ Home Sale Report ~ Market Update for September 2008, activity of single family homes and condominiums re-sales.

It was a rough month for home sellers in La Mirada, sales declined dramatically in September compared to one month ago. While the inventory has declined, it's been ditto for home sales and prices.

La Mirada, CA is located in suburban Eastern Los Angeles County, with nearby Orange County bordering on the east side of the city. If you lived in La Mirada you would be one of approximately 50,000 residents.

Single family activity for September: Home were priced from $299,000 to $1,095,000. It should be noted of 108 homes for sale at this time only one is priced over one-million dollars

• 108 re-sale homes currently for sale in the city, down approximately 30% from last few months, and far fewer than the beginning of the year.
• Average asking price is $475,000 for a 3 bedroom/2 bath home, 1,677 square feet.
• 19 pending sales (in escrow) only about 1/3 of the sales of last month.
• 20 homes closed escrow, also down from compared to 31 and 37 for the last two months.

Condominium activity for September: Condo prices for the month ranged from $120,000 to $570,000.

• 31 condos are currently for sale, compared to 26 last month and about the same as July and down around 18% from early 2008.
• 4 pending sales, (in escrow) compared to 6 in August and 1 in July and a little higher than prior months.
• 3 properties closed escrow, compared to 4 last month.

***The City of La Mirada has a 5.4 month supply of homes for sale, down exactly 30 days from last month and down 60 days from July. That's the length of time it would take to sell the existing inventory of homes for sale, provided sales continue at the same pace this year as in 2007, and providing no new listings enter the market place.

View the most recent La Mirada Bank Repo's for July to compare foreclosure properties and short sales for sale in La Mirada, CA.

If you lived in La Mirada, California you would be approximately:

• 27 miles east of LAX ~ Los Angeles International Airport ~ Los Angeles, CA
• 23 miles north/west of John Wayne Airport ~ Santa Ana, CA
• 36 miles west of Ontario International Airport ~ Ontario, CA
• 10.5 miles north/west of the "Happiest Place on Earth" Disneyland ~ Anaheim, CA

The city has been a favorite since very early in my early days in real estate. The city is also home to Biola College and the famous La Mirada Theater, home to outstanding theatrical productions.

To learn more about real estate if the great City of La Mirada, contact me, Lynda@PreferredHomeBrokers.com or visit my Living In La Mirada and see why La Mirada was also named 'One of the best places to live in 2007" by Money Magazine.

Preferred Home Brokers, successfully serving home buyers and sellers for more than thirty years. ~ CA DRE License #00402040.

• -Data source, SoCal MLS ~ 2008

La Habra, CA 90631 home sale report for September 2008 ~ Sales are down compared to the last two months of residential activity. Check out these numbers.

• Single family homes range in price from $200,000 to $1,675,000.
• 129 homes are currently for sale, down as compared to 149/153/182/216 the past few months.
• 18 pending sales in escrow during down from 24 last two months, and compared to 25, 34 and 37 last few months.
• 32 homes closed September up from 27 last month and 14/25/26 prior months.

• Condominiums range from $114,000 to $475,000.
• 63 condo/town-homes are currently for sale, down from 82exactly the same as last month and up about 15% from the past 90 days.
• 23 pending sales (currently in escrow) in escrow, up for the the month, compared to 11/6/5 for the last three months.
• 10 condos closed escrow, up from 10/3/8/10 last four months.

Overall Data Shows:

• La Habra's current housing supply* is 7.5 months ccompared to 9.5 the last three months and 11.7 four months ago.
• Active Listing Price ~ $287 Per Square Foot (Both single family and condos) almost identical to last month of $288 down from $292 and $299 in prior months.
• Closed Prices ~ Per Square Foot for closings in the past 12 months was $293, compared to $301 $306 last few months.
• Calculations apply to both single family homes and condos.

Check out August 2008 report here.

La Habra is well known for the lively Children's Museum, click here to see more, we've been there many times ourselves with our family If you're interested in learning more about La Habra check out Living in La Habra, and see why La Habra is a city with a heart.

Want to know more about La Habra Real Estate? Contact me Lynda@PreferredHomeBrokers.com, view Preferred Home Brokers and see why we're one of the longest established independent brokerages in Orange County under the same ownership

If you are thinking of selling your Orange County home consider this:

• 84% of all home buyers begin today with the Internet for their home search.
• 80% of Orange County is on-line.
• The average age in Orange County is 36 and I don't know of a "thirty something" person in Orange County who is not on line.
• For the maximum on-line marketing exposure contact me Lynda@PreferredHomeBrokers.com

Brea CA Real Estate Report 2008 ~ Home Sale Report for September 2008 (edit/delete)

Brea, CA Residential Real Estate Sales Report ~ Home Sales for September 2008 ~ Single Family Home Sales Up Again!

September brought about the highest number of closings for single family homes for the year, and condo/town homes pending sales were the highest in months continuing the pattern.

Single family sales activity for September, prices range from $340,000 to $2,300,000 athough 90% of the homes in the city are priced under $1,000,000.

• 87 re-sale homes currently for sale, this represents a 20% decrease in the monthly average for 2008.
• 36 pending sales, currently in escrow, the highest in 10 months. Compared to 30/27/27/24/17/23/12/6 in prior months. This represents an 31% increase over the monthly average number of sales for 2008.
• 22 homes closed escrow in August compared to 28/30/24/20/14/21/13/8/8/13/13/23/15, respectively in prior months.

Condominium sales activity for September ~ Condos/town-homes range from $285,000 to $528,000.

• 10 condo/town-homes are currently for sale, that's about 28% fewer condos than the monthly average for 2008.
• 5 pending sales went into escrow in September as compared to 7/2/1/1/5/2/2/0 since the beginning of 2008.
• 4 condos closed escrow for the month, the same as long month and compared to 2/5/4/2/2/0/3/3/2/4/6/4, respectively in preceding months.

Brea is a City is well known for excellence in education. The schools have been a strong attraction for residents in our community. Like to shop? We've got it here, the Brea Mall is the second highest grossing mall in Orange County. It's often said Brea enjoys some of the bigger city benefits, yet maintains a small town atmosphere. Many of us who live here feel it's the best of both worlds.

Brea, CA is very well located in Northern Orange County ~ If you lived in Brea, California you would be approximately:

• 30 Miles east of downtown Los Angeles, CA.
• 39 Miles from LAX ~ Los Angeles International Airport,
• 16 Miles from John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, CA
• 10 Miles from the "Happiest Place on Earth" Disneyland ~ Anaheim, CA.

To learn more about Brea take a tour around our city at All About Brea~ Brea, CA 92821 & 92823 and view Sunset Magazine, Brea The Best of The West and you will see why Brea's the Place to Be. Looking for family entertainment in the City of Brea?

Brea is national headquarters for severl majory companies also known for a strong financial community, view Brea Means Business to learn more.

Planning on spending a day or two here? Check out, Brea ~ CA as Featured in Westways Magazine for day tripping around town. If you're want more on Brea real estate contract me, Lynda Eisenmann at Preferred Home Brokers for Real Estate Help, we're one of longest established real estate companies in Orange County under the same ownership.

Contact me Lynda@PreferredHomeBrokers.com, or direct or call (714) 595-1494. CA Department of Real Estate License number 402040.

It's time for the "Taste of Brea" at the Brea Business and Community Expo in down town Brea on Birch Street.

Downtown Birch Street is the place to be on Wednesday, October 8^th 4:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Presented by the Brea Chamber of Commerce this event proves to be a great time for all. The "Taste of Brea" at the expo offers participants an opportunity to sample some of our local eateries.

• Attendance and parking is FREE ~
• "Tastes" are available with the purchase of a wristband.

The City of Brea will also be on display with special departments participating like public safety, economic development and others.

This is always a great event. The photo bottom right is me with the beautiful Miss Brea at the 2007 event. In case you were wondering she's the one on the right with the crown. (LOL)

Brea's Downtown on Birch Street is a unique area of Brea with shops, movie theaters and eateries, in addition to the famous Improv. One of my favorite is Carvao Grill, Coli Piaggio is the proprietor is a wonderful host to. The nearby Fitness Grill is on Brea Blvd. in the downtown area. Another great Brea business with a heart, Jo Jo's Pizza Kitchen on Brea Blvd. and see why they're special.

If you're interested in learning more about our fine community of Brea check out: All About Brea~ Brea, CA 92821 & 92823 and view Sunset Magazine, Brea The Best of The West and you will see why Brea's the Place to Be. Brea is also known for a strong business and financial community, learn more here by viewing Brea Means Business.

If you want info on Brea real estate contact me, Lynda Eisenmann at Preferred Home Brokers for Real Estate Help, we're one of longest established real estate companies in Orange County under the same ownership.

Brea is located in Northern Orange County and is 30 miles east of downtown Los Angeles and 10 miles north of the Happiest Place on Earth ~ Disneyland, Anaheim CA.