Orange County Real Estate: Balanced or Not...

Orange County Real Estate

Are We in a Balanced Real Estate Market in Orange County? Not Exactly.

While it may feel like we’re in a balanced Real Estate Market across Orange County, the numbers still point to a seller’s market — though that status can shift drastically depending on the neighborhood.

Real estate is increasingly local. Micro-markets are performing very differently, which makes it more important than ever to understand your specific community, not just the headlines.

📊 As of July 1 (South OC):

• 1,184 Active Listings

• 383 Pending Sales

• 418 Homes Sold in June

• 35 Avg. Days on Market

• ~3 Months of Inventory

  
  

With under 5 months of inventory, we’re technically still in a seller’s market. For perspective: If ~400 homes are selling each month, we’d need 2,800 active listings to reach a buyer’s market. Right now, we’re less than halfway there.

🔍 Neighborhood Breakdowns

Ladera Ranch

• 51 Active | 19 Pending | 27 Sold | 27 DOM

• 2 Months of Inventory → Strong Seller’s Market

  
  

Ladera Ranch homes are selling in under a month on average. With a median price of $1.225M, it’s more accessible than many South OC communities, and demand remains strong. Inventory stays low because many homeowners have lived here for over 10 years and aren’t moving, further tightening supply.

San Clemente

• 171 Active | 53 Pending | 59 Sold | 28 DOM

• 3.5 Months of Inventory → Soft Seller’s Market

  
  

Homes in San Clemente are also moving quickly — if priced right. But higher-priced homes or those needing work are sitting longer, inflating the inventory numbers. Many homes are older with deferred maintenance, and with today’s higher interest rates, buyers are less willing to take on costly renovations unless the price reflects it.

Laguna Beach

• 232 Active | 28 Pending | 29 Sold | 61 DOM

• 7 Months of Inventory → Soft Buyer’s Market

  
  

Laguna Beach is clearly in buyer’s market territory. Why? Price point and buyer pool. While the average sold price in June was $2.9M, the average active listing is $7.5M — with some as high as $55M. That’s a big gap, and with such a small pool of buyers for ultra-luxury, many homes simply sit.

💡 Takeaway

This is why local insight matters more than ever. South OC trends are helpful, but your neighborhood — and even your street — tells its own story.

If you’re thinking about buying or selling, I’d be happy to provide a personalized breakdown based on your property and current market trends in your exact area.