The most recent numbers for the Orange County real estate market is for the month of March. Lets take a look at them now.

Lets take a look at numbers for March on homes up to 600k.

For sale is down, but only 0.3% sold is up 32.2% and pended is up 46.6% (pended is all property that is in the final stages of closing in the current month) The median price is $425,000 which is $25,000 higher then February and the highest it has been in the last 5 months. Days on market is at 93. Sellers are getting 91% of there original list price, and 97% of there current list price. Months of inventory is at 4.8 February had 6.3 months of inventory. This tells me the market is beginning to pick up for the spring months.

A neutral or balanced market is where the months of inventory is 5.5 to 6.4 months.

A buyer’s market exists when the months of inventory is equal to or greater than 6.5 months. With a buyer’s market there is numerous properties for sale and the sellers are more flexible with their price or the offer they will accept. Or, supply exceeds the demand. Basically, the buyer is in the driver’s seat.

A seller’s market exists when the months of inventory is equal to or less than 5.4 months. With a seller’s market there are fewer properties for sale and the sellers are less flexible with their price or the offer they will accept. Or, demand exceeds the supply. Basically, the seller is in the driver’s seat.

Keep in mind that the above statements are a general rule and does not always hold true. I believe the city the property is located in, exact location with in the city, condition of the house, days on market, and the type of sale will dictate who is in the driver’s seat and how a buyer should proceed with an offer.

Keep in mind that these numbers are for all of Orange County.