The turkey trots in Orange County and LA County in 2026 run from Saturday, November 14 through Sunday, November 29. This guide lists 16 races: 5 on the weekends before Thanksgiving, 8 on Thanksgiving morning (6 in Orange County and 2 in Los Angeles County), and 3 on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday after.
Most races start between 7 and 8:30 a.m. Many offer a 5K, a 10K and a short kids’ race, and some add a 15K or a half marathon. Listed prices rise as race day gets closer.
Christine Almarines is a top real estate agent in Buena Park and Cerritos helping homeowners sell in Orange County and Los Angeles County. This guide sorts the races by date so you can pick the one that fits your holiday week, then confirm the details with the organizer.
Dates, times, venues and listed prices in this guide come from event organizers and local event listings as of November 3, 2026, and can change, so confirm with each organizer before you go. This list is not an endorsement of any event, and Christine is not affiliated with any of the events listed.
They run from Long Beach and Griffith Park down to Dana Point and Rancho Mission Viejo, in three date windows. Pick your window first, then your race.
| Date window | Races listed | Cities |
|---|---|---|
| Weekends before Thanksgiving (Nov 14, 21 and 22) | 5 | Fountain Valley, Long Beach, Seal Beach, Anaheim, Los Angeles (Griffith Park) |
| Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, Nov 26) | 8 | Dana Point, Irvine, Tustin, Huntington Beach, Rancho Mission Viejo, Anaheim, Downtown Los Angeles, Van Nuys |
| Weekend after Thanksgiving (Nov 27 to 29) | 3 | Long Beach, Anaheim, Irvine |
No Thanksgiving race was confirmed for Cerritos, Lakewood or Whittier in the listings reviewed for this guide, so none are listed here. If one is announced later, the city’s website is the place to check.
Five races run on the weekends of November 14 and November 21 to 22. They work well if Thanksgiving morning is already spoken for.
| Date | Event | City | Time | Venue and what to expect | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, Nov 14 | Stuffing Shuffle | Fountain Valley | Half marathon 8 a.m., 5K and 10K 8:30 a.m. | Mile Square Park, Lot D | Listed 5K $29.50, 10K $34.50, half $45 through Nov 12, higher after |
| Sat, Nov 14 | Huffin for the Stuffin | Long Beach | 8 a.m. | 5400 E Ocean Blvd, Belmont Shore area. 5K, 10K, half marathon and a kids dash | Listing prices on one site run from about $16.90 to $63.53. Confirm details with the organizer |
| Sat, Nov 21 | Seal Beach Turkey Trot | Seal Beach | 5K and 10K 7 a.m., kids’ 1K 8:45 a.m. | Main Street at Central Avenue. Kids’ 1K for ages 10 and under, plus a Gym Challenge | Listed 5K $40, 10K $45, kids’ 1K $15 |
| Sun, Nov 22 | Anaheim Turkey Trot 5K/10K and Fun Run (Caren Ware Events) | Anaheim | Rolling 5K/10K start 7:55 to 8:10 a.m., 1-mile fun run 8:11 a.m. | Santa Ana River Trail north of Katella Ave and S. Douglas Rd | Listed 5K $46.70, 10K $57.20, fun run $33 |
| Sun, Nov 22 | LA Classic Turkey Trot | Los Angeles | Not confirmed | Griffith Park, start and finish at Shane’s Inspiration. 15K, 5 miles and 5K (the 5K is open to runners and walkers) | Confirm the start time with the organizer |
Six Orange County races run on Thursday, November 26, from Anaheim to Dana Point. Four of them raise money for a named cause.
| Date | Event | City | Time | Venue and what to expect | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, Nov 26 | Dana Point Turkey Trot | Dana Point | 10K 7 a.m., 5K 8:30 and 9:30 a.m., 5K Family Walk/Run 10 a.m., Gobble Wobble 10:30 a.m. | Dana Point Harbor. The 49th year. Kids’ Gobble Wobble is 1 mile for ages 2 to 12 | Benefits Boys & Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley and the RH Dana Elementary School Booster Club. Listed 5K $48, 10K $54, combo $63 |
| Thu, Nov 26 | Irvine/Orange County Turkey Trot | Irvine | 1 Mile Turkey Dash and Combo 7:30 a.m., 5K 8 a.m., kids’ races from about 9:10 a.m. | Irvine Valley College, 5500 Irvine Center Dr | Listed 5K $42.80, 1 Mile $33 |
| Thu, Nov 26 | Turkey Trot OC 5K | Tustin | Refreshments 6:30 a.m., 5K 8 a.m. | Orange County Rescue Mission, 1 Hope Dr | Benefits the Orange County Rescue Mission. Listed $45.80 through Nov 22, higher race morning |
| Thu, Nov 26 | Huntington Beach Turkey Wobble | Huntington Beach | 5K/10K waves every 20 minutes from 7 to 9 a.m., kids’ fun run 7:30 and 8:30 a.m. | Entrance at Pacific Coast Hwy and Beach Blvd | Supports clean-water wells in developing countries. Listed ages 13 and under $20, ages 14 and up $50 online through Nov 22, $55 race day |
| Thu, Nov 26 | Turkey Trot on the Ranch | Rancho Mission Viejo | 10K 8 a.m., 5K 8:30 a.m., Little Gobbler’s 1K 10 a.m. | Starts at The Pavilion, finishes at Sendero Field | Benefits The Nature Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo. Listed 10K $48.70, 5K $43.40 |
| Thu, Nov 26 | Plymouth Rock n Run | Anaheim | 10K 7 a.m., 5K 8 a.m., kids’ races from 9 a.m. | Yorba Regional Park. Includes a 100-yard Tot Trot | Listed from $43.40 and rising in stages as race day approaches |
Two LA County races are on this list for Thanksgiving Day: Turkey Trot LA downtown and the Lake Balboa Turkey Trot in Van Nuys.
| Date | Event | City | Time | Venue and what to expect | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, Nov 26 | Turkey Trot LA | Downtown Los Angeles | Race Roster lists 5K starts at 8 and 8:15 a.m., 10K 9 a.m. | Festivities at Grand Park. 5K, 10K, a one-mile dog jog and a kids’ quarter-mile “Widdle Wobble” | Listed 5K $45, 10K $50, combo $65. One listing shows an earlier 6 a.m. start and sources differ on the start area, so confirm start times and location |
| Thu, Nov 26 | Lake Balboa Turkey Trot | Van Nuys | 8 a.m. | Woodley Park. 5K, 10K, 15K and half marathon | Confirm prices with the organizer |
Yes. Three races run Friday through Sunday, November 27 to 29, and each offers a 5K, 10K, 15K and half marathon at 7:30 a.m.
| Date | Event | City | Time | Venue and what to expect | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri, Nov 27 | Turkey Trot Friday | Long Beach | 7:30 a.m., check-in 6:45 to 7:30 a.m. | 5400 E Ocean Blvd, Belmont Shore beach path. 5K, 10K, 15K, half marathon | Confirm prices with the organizer |
| Sat, Nov 28 | Turkey Trot Saturday (A Better World Running) | Anaheim | 7:30 a.m. | Yorba Regional Park. 5K, 10K, 15K, half marathon | Race day listed $35 (5K), $40 (10K), $45 (15K), $50 (half) |
| Sun, Nov 29 | Turkey Trot Sunday (A Better World Running) | Irvine | 7:30 a.m. | Bill Barber Memorial Park. 5K, 10K, 15K, half marathon | Race day listed $35 (5K), $40 (10K), $45 (15K), $50 (half) |
Start with who is coming and how far they want to go. Then pick the date.
Confirm the details with the organizer the week of the race. Listings change, and the organizer has the final word.
In a small way, yes. A harbor walk, a park trail or a beach path on a holiday morning shows you a side of a city you may not see on a weekday drive. If a race has you thinking about where you might want to live next, Christine is happy to talk it through with you.
If a move is on your mind for the new year, the first step is a conversation.
Enjoy your race, and message Christine when you are ready to talk about your next move.
Where are the turkey trots in Orange County and LA County in 2026?
The turkey trots in Orange County and LA County in 2026 run from November 14 through November 29 in cities including Fountain Valley, Seal Beach, Anaheim, Dana Point, Irvine, Tustin, Huntington Beach, Long Beach and Los Angeles. Most are on Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, November 26.
Is there a turkey trot in Cerritos, Lakewood or Whittier?
No Thanksgiving race was confirmed for Cerritos, Lakewood or Whittier in the listings reviewed for this guide. If one is announced later, check the city’s website.
Which turkey trots have races for kids?
Most races on this list include one, including Dana Point, Seal Beach, Irvine, Huntington Beach and Turkey Trot LA. Age limits differ, so check the organizer’s page.
Are the dates, times and prices in this guide confirmed?
They come from event organizers and local event listings as of November 3, 2026, and can change. Prices are listed prices that rise closer to race day. Confirm every detail with each organizer before you go.
Where can I find more November events in Orange County?
Christine’s November events page lists more ideas for the month: 100+ Things to Do in Orange County in November 2026.
Who can help me if I am thinking about a move in Orange County or LA County?
Christine Almarines of CA Real Estate Group, licensed since 2004, helps homeowners sell in Orange County and Los Angeles County and helps buyers plan their next move. Book a consultation or get your complimentary market evaluation.
Source: Event dates, times, venues and listed prices come from the event organizers’ websites and local event listings (Enjoy Orange County, The Guide OC, Venture OC, race registration pages and Los Angeles-area event guides), reviewed November 3, 2026. Details can change. Confirm with each organizer before you go.
If you’d like to talk about your next move in Southern California real estate, I’d be happy to help.
By Christine Almarines | Updated November 2026
Looking for holiday events in Orange County this season? Here’s a current guide to boat parades, light displays, holiday markets, theater and family activities for 2026 — with confirmed dates where organizers have published them, and an honest note where they haven’t yet.
The big ones this year: the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade runs December 16–20, Winter Fest OC opens November 27, and Knott’s Merry Farm starts November 20 right here in Buena Park. The Buena Park city tree lighting is Friday, December 4, and it’s free.
Some December organizers won’t publish dates until October or November. Events in that situation are listed below and clearly marked, rather than left out.
If you’d rather not drive an hour, start here. These are all roughly twenty minutes or less.
| Event | City | 2026 dates | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knott’s Merry Farm | Buena Park | Nov 20 – Jan 3 | Park admission |
| Buena Park Tree Lighting | Buena Park | Fri, Dec 4, 6pm | Free |
| Cerritos CPA holiday concerts | Cerritos | Dec 16–20 | Ticketed |
| Fullerton Winter Market | Fullerton | December, TBA | Free |
| The Muck Holiday Festival | Fullerton | Sun, Dec 13 | Free |
The park-wide holiday overlay: Snoopy’s ice show, snowfall on Ghost Town, and the Christmas Crafts Village. November 20, 2026 through January 3, 2027, included with park admission. Knott’s events
At Buena Park City Hall, Friday, December 4 at 6pm, with rides and food from 5pm. Free. This is the easiest holiday outing on the list if you live nearby. buenapark.com
Home for the Holidays on December 16, Dave Koz Christmas December 18–19, and the LA Symphony on December 20. Check the venue calendar for individual show times. ccpa.cerritos.gov
The 118th annual parade — around 100 decorated boats on a 14-mile harbor route, with opening-night fireworks on December 16 and nightly drone shows. December 16–20, 2026. Free to watch from shore; Marina Park is the largest free viewing area. christmasboatparade.com
If you’d rather be on the water than watching from it, both Davey’s Locker and Newport Landing run 75-minute narrated cruises nightly through December, roughly $20–40. Book early for parade week.
Snow play, ice tubing, skating and 30+ rides at the OC Fair & Event Center. November 27, 2026 through January 3, 2027 on select dates. Early-bird tickets are already on sale. winterfestoc.com
The 35th annual edition: 180+ artists, artificial snow, carolers and Santa. November 20 through December 20, 2026, Fridays through Sundays, 10am–7pm. Ticketed. sawdustartfestival.org
The long-running production, November 28 through December 27, 2026. There’s a sensory-friendly performance on December 1 and an ASL-interpreted performance on December 5, which is worth knowing if you need either. scr.org
This year’s Lythgoe family panto is Aladdin & Yasmin’s Winter Wish, running December 4–27, 2026. If you’ve been before, note the show changes annually — it isn’t the Cinderella production from past seasons. lagunaplayhouse.com
Mission San Juan Capistrano lights up with a tree lighting, Dickens carolers, a nativity and a new projection show. December 18–30, 2026 on select days. Tickets are online only and went on sale in August. missionsjc.com
The 64th annual 50-minute narrated boat tour through the decorated harbour, benefiting Philharmonic Society music education. December 12–13, 2026. Reservations required. cruiseoflights.org
The Christmas Train and Train of Lights run November 27 through December 23, 2026, roughly $22–37, with tickets that went on sale November 2. Santa’s Village is free. Reliably one of the best picks for younger kids. irvineparkrailroad.com
A large family-owned craft show at the OC Fair & Event Center. November 6–8, 2026 — note that’s considerably earlier than everything else here, so put it on the calendar now if you shop the craft fairs. ocfair.com
These run every year and are very likely to return, but had no 2026 dates posted as of mid-September. Some now list dates, noted below; the rest still hadn’t posted as of November 2, so bookmark the links and check back.
This is the part most roundups get wrong, because they copy last year’s list forward. Several holiday events in Orange County are genuinely different in 2026:
Plenty of this season costs nothing:
Looking further afield? The California fall colors map is worth a look before the leaves go, and there’s more to do around Orange County year-round.
December 16–20, 2026, with opening-night fireworks on December 16 and nightly drone shows. It’s free to watch from shore, and Marina Park is the largest free viewing area.
Knott’s Merry Farm in Buena Park (November 20–January 3), the free Buena Park city tree lighting on December 4, holiday concerts at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts in mid-December, and the free Fullerton Winter Market and Muckenthaler holiday festival, both about twenty minutes away.
Yes. Watching the Newport Beach boat parade from shore, the Buena Park tree lighting, the Fullerton Winter Market, The Muck Holiday Festival, and Santa’s Village at Irvine Park Railroad are all free.
It no longer runs as a standalone event. Created as a drive-thru display during COVID, it has been folded back into Winter Fest OC at the OC Fair & Event Center, and its former website now redirects there.
Irvine Park Railroad’s Christmas Train, Winter Fest OC, Knott’s Merry Farm, the Laguna Playhouse panto, and Noon Year’s Eve at Pretend City in Irvine, which holds midday countdowns for children who won’t stay up until midnight.
November 27, 2026, running through January 3, 2027 on select dates at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa. Early-bird tickets are on sale.
If you spot an event that should be on this list — or one that’s moved again — let me know and I’ll add it.
And if a move is on your mind for the new year, whether you’re upsizing before the next round of family holidays or finally downsizing, I’m always glad to talk it through.
If you’d like to talk about your next move in Southern California real estate, I’d be happy to help.
You can buy your next house while selling your Buena Park home without betting on one order or the other. The third option is a calendar built on purpose, with both closings and move day lined up before you shop. Contingent offers, bridge loans and rent-back agreements are meant to reduce the chance of two payments or temporary housing. None removes that risk, and each has a tradeoff. The plan comes before the house.
On the selling side, Buena Park single-family homes averaged 25 days active in the MLS in Q3 2026 before an accepted offer (CRMLS, pulled October 3, 2026). Escrow and move day come after that.
Christine Almarines is a top real estate agent in Buena Park and Cerritos helping homeowners sell in Orange County and Los Angeles County. She helps Buena Park families map closing day, move day and the keys before anyone books a moving truck.
The numbers cover single-family detached homes in Buena Park from CRMLS, January 2025 through September 2026. The advice about timing a move reflects Christine’s experience, is not a finding from the data, and is not legal, lending, or tax advice. A lender answers loan questions, and an attorney or broker answers contract questions.
You link the dates on purpose. A move-up has three dates that matter: the day your home closes, the day the next home closes, and the day the furniture moves.
Set in writing, those three dates give your week a shape. Left to chance, the two contracts decide it for you.
Because the dates of the two closings do not line up. If your sale closes first, you have handed over one set of keys before you have the next.
A loan approval, an appraisal or the other seller’s own move can shift one date while the other stays put. If the purchase closes first instead, you own two homes and may carry two payments. The hotel and the double payment are the same problem from opposite sides.
The order is where the gap hides. Here is a plain sell-first sequence with nothing linking the two sides.
*Illustration only, not data.*
Between step 3 and step 5, your family needs somewhere to live. Each tool below changes this order. Contract questions go to Christine’s broker or an attorney, loan questions to a lender, and tax questions to a tax professional.
A rent-back lets you stay in the home you sold for a set period after closing, as agreed in writing with your buyer. Your move-out date shifts to after the sale closes.
*Illustration only, not data:* accept an offer that includes a rent-back, close the sale while you stay put, close the purchase, then move once and hand over the keys by the agreed date.
It helps families who want a firm sale price before committing to the next house. The tradeoff: you live in a home you no longer own, and the length, any rent and any deposit are negotiated, not standard. Some buyers need to move in right away and cannot agree to one. Ask: will buyers for a home like mine accept a rent-back?
A contingent offer is an offer on the next home that depends on your current home selling. You shop and sell in the same window instead of one after the other.
*Illustration only, not data:* get your home priced and ready, write a contingent offer on the next house, accept an offer on yours, then close both as close together as the contracts allow and move once.
It helps families who do not want to own two homes at once. The tradeoff: a seller may prefer an offer without that condition, so it can be less competitive. Terms and time frames, including what happens if your home has not sold in time, are written into the contract. In Christine’s experience, that conversation goes better when your own home is already priced and ready.
A bridge loan, or other bridge financing, is short-term financing meant to cover the gap when you buy before your current home sells. It flips the order so the purchase comes first.
*Illustration only, not data:* talk with a lender, close on the next house, move once, then list and sell the Buena Park home empty.
It helps families who want one move and a vacant listing. The tradeoff: you own both homes until the sale closes. Whether you qualify, the cost, the term and the rules come from a lender. Christine does not give lending advice. She works with lenders and her broker partner on the financing side so the loan and the calendar match. Bridge financing is not available to everyone, or a good fit for everyone who qualifies.
There is usually more than one. Which fits depends on which side is running ahead and what the other people in each contract will agree to.
| What is happening | One option | What it depends on |
|---|---|---|
| Your sale will close before your purchase | Ask your buyer for a rent-back | Your buyer agreeing, in writing |
| Sale closes first, no rent-back | A short-term rental or family stay, furniture in storage | Your family’s flexibility and budget |
| Your purchase is ready before your sale | Bridge financing | A lender’s approval and rules |
| Either side is running ahead | Ask to adjust a closing date | Both parties agreeing in writing |
| A contingent time frame is running out | Review what the contract says happens next | The written terms, with a broker or attorney |
The listing stretch was fairly short in Q3 2026. Buena Park single-family homes averaged 25 days active in the MLS, compared with 33 across Orange County and 39 across the broader CRMLS region.
Single-family detached homes in Buena Park, from the California Regional Multiple Listing Service (CRMLS), pulled October 3, 2026.
| What it measures | Q3 2025 | Q3 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average days active in the MLS | 24 | 25 | About the same |
| Percent of original price received | 98.1% | 98.5% | Slightly higher |
| New listings | 84 | 77 | Down 8% |
| Closed sales | 80 | 67 | Down 16% |
| Average sale price | $1,002,350 | $1,045,412 | Up 4.3% |
How to read it:
These figures cover the Buena Park sale only. If your next house is in Fullerton, Cypress, La Palma, Anaheim or Cerritos, that city runs on its own pace.
Because once you have found the house, you are planning on someone else’s clock. In Christine’s view, the mistake is working out the timing after you have already found the house you want.
At that point the other seller sets the pace and every choice is made under pressure. Built first, the calendar names your tool, your backup and the dates you can live with. A calendar built early cuts the risk, and some risk always remains.
If you are outgrowing your Buena Park home, message Christine before you start touring, so the plan gets built before the house search.
How do I buy my next house while selling my Buena Park home?
To buy your next house while selling your Buena Park home, start with a calendar that links both closings and move day, then choose a tool such as a contingent offer, a rent-back or bridge financing. A plan lowers the risk of a gap or two payments without removing it.
Do I have to sell my house before I buy the next one?
No. You can sell first, buy first, or link the two with one of these tools. Each order has a tradeoff.
What is a rent-back agreement?
A written agreement that lets you stay in the home you sold for a set period after closing. It only works if your buyer agrees.
Does a contingent offer change when I move?
It can let your sale and purchase run side by side so you aim to move once. Some sellers prefer offers without that condition.
Will I carry two mortgages if I buy before I sell?
You may own both homes for a time, which is the gap bridge financing is meant to cover. Whether you qualify and what it costs are questions for a lender.
Who can help me sell my home and buy the next one in Buena Park?
Christine Almarines of CA Real Estate Group, licensed since 2004, helps Buena Park homeowners plan both closings and move day before they shop. Book a consultation or get your complimentary market evaluation.
Source: All market data is from the California Regional Multiple Listing Service, Inc. InfoSparks © 2026 ShowingTime Plus, LLC. Single-family detached, Buena Park, monthly data January 2025 through September 2026, as of October 3, 2026. Quarterly and year-to-date figures calculated from monthly data.
If you’re thinking about selling and want to know how your home should be positioned in today’s market, I’d be happy to help.
You can buy your next house while selling your Cerritos home, and you do not have to choose only between selling first or buying first. There is a third option: a plan that uses a contingent offer, a bridge loan, or a rent-back agreement to reduce the chance of paying for two homes or living in temporary housing. Each one has a tradeoff, and the plan comes before the house.
On the sell side, Cerritos single-family homes that sold in Q3 2026 spent an average of 17 days active in the MLS before an accepted offer, down from 25 a year earlier (CRMLS, pulled October 3, 2026).
Christine Almarines is a top real estate agent in Buena Park and Cerritos helping homeowners sell in Orange County and Los Angeles County. This one is for the Cerritos homeowner who keeps running the numbers on two payments and wants a plan before shopping.
The numbers cover single-family detached homes in Cerritos from CRMLS, January 2025 through September 2026. Los Angeles County homes are listed on more than one MLS, so these figures cover only Cerritos homes in CRMLS. The advice about timing a move reflects Christine’s experience, is not a finding from the data, and is not legal, lending, or tax advice: a lender answers loan questions, an attorney or broker answers contract questions, and a tax professional answers tax questions.
You are protecting yourself from a specific money problem, and naming it tells you which tool to reach for. Most move-up worries fall into four buckets.
| The worry | The tool that targets it | The tradeoff of that tool |
|---|---|---|
| Paying two mortgages at the same time | A contingent offer on the next home | A seller may prefer an offer without that condition, so yours can look less competitive |
| A seller who will not accept a sale contingency | Bridge financing from a lender | Cost, qualification, and rules come from the lender, it is not available to everyone, and you may own two homes for a time |
| Nowhere to live after your Cerritos home closes | A rent-back agreement with your buyer | Your buyer has to agree to it in writing, and the time is limited to what the contract says |
| A gap while you search for the next home | Starting the search before you list, plus a rent-back if your buyer agrees | If the search runs longer than the time you have, you may still need temporary housing |
A plan lowers the risk without removing it.
A contingent offer protects you from owning two homes, because your purchase depends on your current home selling. If your Cerritos home does not sell within the terms written into the contract, the purchase is not meant to go forward.
The cost is competitiveness. A seller may prefer a buyer who does not need to sell first. The time frames and conditions are written into the contract, and contract questions go to Christine’s broker or an attorney.
In Christine’s experience, a contingent offer lands better when your own home is already prepared and close to listing.
A bridge loan, or other bridge financing, is short-term money meant to cover the gap when you buy before your current home sells. A lender decides whether it makes sense for you, not your agent.
It can help when the seller of the home you want will not wait on a sale contingency. It also means you may carry both homes for a period. Whether you qualify, the cost, the term, and the rules all come from a lender. Christine does not give lending advice. She works with lenders and her broker partner on the financing side.
Bridge financing is not available or a good fit for everyone.
A rent-back agreement lets you stay in your Cerritos home for a set period after the sale closes, as agreed in writing with your buyer. It gives you time to move into the next home without a stop in between.
It only works if your buyer agrees, and the length and terms are written into the contract. You are living in a home you no longer own, so details like the key handoff and a late move matter. Those are contract questions for a broker or an attorney.
Ask these questions before you tour a single home. The answers set the limits of your plan, and they are a lender’s to give, not an agent’s.
Bring the answers to your planning meeting with Christine. Tax questions about selling go to a tax professional.
Cerritos homes sold faster in Q3 2026 than a year earlier, and sellers received close to their original price on average. This is data about selling in Cerritos only, not about the market where your next home is.
Single-family detached homes in Cerritos, from the California Regional Multiple Listing Service (CRMLS), pulled October 3, 2026.
| Measure | Q3 2025 | Q3 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average days active in MLS | 25 | 17 | 8 fewer days |
| Percent of original price received | 100.6% | 99.7% | Down 0.9 points |
| Average sale price | $1,211,063 | $1,221,457 | Up 0.9% |
| New listings | 54 | 76 | Up 41% |
| Closed sales | 50 | 59 | Up 18% |
How to read it:
Many Cerritos families moving up also look at Artesia, Norwalk, Lakewood, Bellflower, La Mirada, and Buena Park, which this table does not cover.
Because once you have found the house, you negotiate on someone else’s clock. That is Christine’s view, and it comes from experience, not from data.
When a homeowner falls for a home first, the tool, the risk, and the terms all get decided under pressure. Christine has helped families plan this kind of move, and in her experience the calmer moves start with three things already settled: the home’s real number, the lender’s answers, and the tool that fits the biggest worry.
The first step is a planning conversation, not a house tour.
Message Christine so the plan gets built before the house search starts.
How do I buy my next house while selling my Cerritos home?
Build the plan before you shop: know your home’s number, get your lender’s answers, and pick the tool for your biggest worry. A contingent offer, bridge financing, or a rent-back can reduce the chance of two payments, but each has a tradeoff.
Do I have to sell my house before I buy the next one?
No. You can sell first, buy first, or plan both together. Buying first may mean carrying two homes for a time, so talk to a lender before you decide.
What is a rent-back agreement?
It is an agreement that lets you stay in the home you sold for a set period after closing. Your buyer has to agree, and the terms are written into the contract.
Can I avoid paying two mortgages at once?
A plan can reduce the chance, but it cannot promise it. A contingent offer is the tool most aimed at this worry, and it can make your offer less competitive.
Is a bridge loan right for me?
Only a lender can answer that. Whether you qualify, the cost, the term, and the rules all come from the lender, and bridge financing is not a fit for everyone.
Who can help me sell my home and buy the next one in Cerritos?
Christine Almarines of CA Real Estate Group, licensed since 2004, helps Cerritos homeowners build a move-up plan before they shop. Book a consultation or get your complimentary market evaluation.
Source: All market data is from the California Regional Multiple Listing Service, Inc. InfoSparks © 2026 ShowingTime Plus, LLC. Single-family detached, Cerritos, monthly data January 2025 through September 2026, as of October 3, 2026. Quarterly and year-to-date figures calculated from monthly data.
If you’re thinking about selling and want to know how your home should be positioned in today’s market, I’d be happy to help.
To buy your next house while selling your home in Orange County and LA County, you have a third option beyond selling first or buying first. A contingent offer, bridge financing, or a rent-back agreement can each reduce the chance of two payments or a temporary place to live. Each has a tradeoff, and none takes the risk to zero. The plan comes before the house.
In Q3 2026, Orange County single-family homes averaged 33 days active in MLS before an accepted offer, and LA County homes in CRMLS averaged 35 (CRMLS, pulled October 3, 2026). Escrow and the move come after that.
Christine Almarines is a top real estate agent in Buena Park and Cerritos helping homeowners sell in Orange County and Los Angeles County. She builds the plan for both sides of the move with homeowners before anyone tours a house.
The numbers in this article cover single-family detached homes in Orange County and Los Angeles County from CRMLS, January 2025 through September 2026. LA County homes are listed on more than one MLS, so the LA County figures cover only LA County homes in CRMLS. The advice about timing a move reflects Christine’s experience, is not a finding from the data, and is not legal, lending, or tax advice: a lender answers loan questions, and an attorney or broker answers contract questions.
Because the house sets a deadline you did not choose. In Christine’s experience, the homeowner who finds the house first makes the biggest decisions of the move in a hurry.
Illustration only, not data. You fall for a home over the weekend and the listing agent wants offers soon. Now you are deciding how to write the offer, whether to add a condition about your sale, and how to pay for it, all at once. Your lender conversation happens late, after the clock has started.
That is why Christine sees this as the move-up mistake to avoid: a good house found before the plan was ready. Plan first, and you already know what you can offer and carry.
Start with your goals and your money, then your home’s value, then the tool, and only then the search. Each step answers a question the next one depends on.
Contract questions go to Christine’s broker or an attorney, loan questions to a lender, and tax questions to a tax professional.
Each tool protects you from a different problem, and each asks something in return.
| Tool | What it protects | What it can cost or risk | Who decides if it is available |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contingent offer | Keeps you from owning two homes if yours does not sell | A seller may choose an offer without that condition, so yours can be less competitive | The seller of the home you want, plus the terms written into the contract |
| Bridge financing | Lets you buy before your current home sells | Cost, term, and rules vary, and you may carry more than one payment for a time | A lender, based on your finances |
| Rent-back agreement | Gives you time in your sold home to move into the next one | You are living in a home you no longer own, on terms your buyer agreed to | Your buyer, as agreed in writing in the contract |
Ask who has to say yes, what it costs, and what happens if a date slips. Christine has helped families plan this kind of move, and these questions tend to matter most.
Contingent offer. An offer on your next home that depends on your current home selling. It helps the homeowner who will not own two homes. Ask: how long does the condition last, and how will the seller compare it to other offers?
Bridge financing. Short-term financing meant to cover the gap when you buy before you sell. It is not available or a good fit for everyone. Christine does not give lending advice. She works with lenders and her broker partner on the financing side, and a lender answers questions about qualifying, cost, and terms. Ask the lender: do I qualify, what does it cost, and what if my home takes longer to sell?
Rent-back agreement. After your home sells, the buyer agrees in writing to let you stay for a set period after closing. It helps the homeowner who needs time to move into the next home. Ask: what will this buyer allow, and what is my plan if the next closing moves?
You are working two local markets at once. What is normal where you sell may not be normal where you buy.
Christine helps homeowners sell in Buena Park and Cerritos, plus Anaheim, Bellflower, Cypress, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Long Beach, Lakewood, and Placentia. Many move-up families buy in another city or across the county line. In Christine’s experience, how fast offers move and how a contingent offer or rent-back request lands can differ there. Learning a new area can also slow the search.
So build the plan with that second market in mind. Know who is helping you on that side, and set your timeline for the slower of the two.
They describe the market you are selling into, not the one you are buying in. Both counties saw higher average prices than a year earlier and fewer new listings.
Single-family detached homes in Orange County and Los Angeles County, from the California Regional Multiple Listing Service (CRMLS), pulled October 3, 2026.
| Measure | Orange County Q3 2025 | Orange County Q3 2026 | LA County Q3 2025 (CRMLS homes only) | LA County Q3 2026 (CRMLS homes only) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average sale price | $1,880,358 | $2,090,835 (up 11.2%) | $1,436,531 | $1,551,572 (up 8.0%) |
| Average days active in MLS | 34 | 33 | 35 | 35 |
| Percent of original price received | 97.3% | 97.9% | 98.2% | 98.8% |
| New listings | 4,170 | 3,972 (down 4.7%) | 13,337 | 12,638 (down 5.2%) |
| Closed sales | 3,271 | 3,174 (down 3.0%) | 8,229 | 8,258 (about flat) |
| Days active by month, July / August / September 2026 | 32 / 32 / 35 | 33 / 35 / 37 |
An average describes many homes, not any one home’s price or timeline.
How to read it:
The best time to plan the move is before you find the house.
If you are outgrowing your home, message Christine so the plan gets built before the house search starts.
How do I buy my next house while selling my home in Orange County and LA County?
To buy your next house while selling your home in Orange County and LA County, build the plan first: talk to a lender, get a value for your home, and choose a tool such as a contingent offer, bridge financing, or a rent-back. Then shop. The plan lowers the risk. It does not remove it.
Do I have to sell my house before I buy the next one?
No. Some homeowners sell first, some buy first, and some use one of these tools to connect the two. Which fits depends on your finances and what the other parties agree to.
What is a contingent offer, and does it weaken my offer?
It is an offer on your next home that depends on your current home selling. It protects you from owning two homes, but a seller may prefer an offer without that condition.
What is a rent-back agreement?
It is a written agreement that lets you stay in your sold home for a set period after closing. It depends on what your buyer agrees to and is written into the contract.
Can a bridge loan keep me from carrying two mortgages?
It may reduce the strain of overlapping payments, but it does not remove the risk. A lender decides whether you qualify and explains the cost and terms.
Who can help me sell my home and buy the next one in Orange County and LA County?
Christine Almarines of CA Real Estate Group, licensed since 2004, helps move-up homeowners plan both sides of the move before they shop. Book a consultation or get your complimentary market evaluation.
Source: All market data is from the California Regional Multiple Listing Service, Inc. InfoSparks © 2026 ShowingTime Plus, LLC. Single-family detached, Orange County and Los Angeles County, monthly data January 2025 through September 2026, as of October 3, 2026. Quarterly and year-to-date figures calculated from monthly data.
If you’re thinking about selling and want to know how your home should be positioned in today’s market, I’d be happy to help.
The Buena Park housing market right now is steady, not a crash and not a frenzy (a read on recent sales, not a prediction), and in Christine’s experience the price you start at decides more than anything else. Buena Park single-family homes sold for an average of $1,045,412 in Q3 2026, up 4.3% from a year earlier (CRMLS, pulled October 3, 2026).
Fewer homes came on the market than a year ago, and homes still went under contract in about the same time. That is last year’s direction, not a forecast. What Christine watches most closely is whether a seller’s price is built on recent nearby sales or on a number they hope to get.
Christine Almarines is a top real estate agent in Buena Park and Cerritos helping homeowners sell in Orange County and Los Angeles County. Buena Park is her home market.
The numbers in this article cover single-family detached homes in Buena Park from CRMLS, January 2025 through September 2026. What Christine sees on the ground and her views on pricing and preparation reflect her experience, are not a finding from the data, and are not a prediction.
Buena Park is a steady market with higher prices than last year and slightly fewer new listings. Homes that sold in Q3 2026 spent an average of 25 days active in the MLS before accepting an offer, close to the 24 days a year earlier.
For comparison, the Orange County average was 33 days and the broader CRMLS region was 39. Buena Park moved a little faster than both.
In Christine’s experience, homes priced from recent comparable sales and shown well are still selling at a good pace. Homes priced from a hoped-for number tend to sit longer and are more likely to see a price cut. The data does not record why any one home sat, so treat that as what she sees on the ground, not a statistic.
Prices were up, sales and new listings were down, and the pace held. Here is the full picture.
Single-family detached homes in Buena Park, from the California Regional Multiple Listing Service (CRMLS), pulled October 3, 2026.
| Measure | Q3 2026 | A year earlier | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average sale price (Q3) | $1,045,412 | $1,002,350 | Up 4.3% |
| Average sale price (January to September) | $1,040,850 (190 sales) | $993,172 (205 sales) | Up 4.8% |
| Closed sales (Q3) | 67 | 80 | Down 16% |
| New listings (Q3) | 77 | 84 | Down 8% |
| Average days active in MLS | 25 | 24 | About the same |
| Percent of original price received | 98.5% | 98.1% | Up slightly |
How to read it:
For the full breakdown, see the Buena Park Q3 2026 single-family report.
August was the slowest month of the quarter, then September picked back up. One slower month is normal variation, not a sign the market broke.
Single-family detached homes in Buena Park, from the California Regional Multiple Listing Service (CRMLS), pulled October 3, 2026.
| Month (2026) | Average days active | Percent of original price |
|---|---|---|
| July | 20 | 98.9% |
| August | 35 | 97.2% |
| September | 21 | 99.2% |
How to read it:
It means your list price starts from homes near you that actually sold recently, adjusted for the real differences between those homes and yours. Comparable sales, or comps, are the closest thing a seller has to evidence of what buyers are paying today.
A good comparison looks at homes that are close by, similar in size and lot, similar in age and condition, and sold within the last few months, adjusted for real differences like an updated kitchen or a busier street.
Pricing from hope works differently. It starts with the number a seller wants or needs, then looks for reasons it could work. Every seller can drift into this. It usually comes from a real place: a neighbor’s sale, an online estimate, what you paid plus your upgrades, or what you need for your next home.
Ask yourself a few plain questions before you settle on a number. If the answers point to specific recent sales, you are pricing from comps. If they point to a feeling or a single number you heard, it may be worth a second look.
In Christine’s experience, sellers who can answer the first three clearly feel calmer once the home is live, because they know what their price rests on. For more on why two similar homes can have very different results, read Why some Buena Park homes sell fast and others sit.
A price cut is one way a seller can respond when the market’s feedback does not match the list price. It is a decision you make with your agent, not a verdict on your home.
The percent of original price received includes price cuts and negotiation together. Buena Park sellers received 98.5% of their original list price on average in Q3 2026, up from 98.1% a year earlier.
In Christine’s experience, a home priced from recent comparable sales gives the seller more room to choose how to respond to feedback. Negotiation after an offer is normal too, as covered in Is it a red flag when a buyer asks for credits and inspections?
Citywide averages are a starting point. Your street is what matters for your decision.
Christine will pull the numbers for your street this week.
Message her and tell her your street. She serves Buena Park and nearby Fullerton, Cypress, La Palma, Anaheim, and Cerritos.
What is the Buena Park housing market doing right now?
The Buena Park housing market right now shows higher prices and fewer new listings than a year ago. Single-family homes averaged $1,045,412 in Q3 2026, up 4.3%, with 25 average days active (CRMLS single-family detached data, pulled October 3, 2026).
Are there more homes for sale in Buena Park than last year?
No. Fewer homes came on the market in Q3 2026 than a year earlier, 77 new listings against 84. In Christine’s experience, buyers still have more choice than they did a few years ago, when many homes drew multiple offers, so preparation and pricing matter.
How long does it take to sell a home in Buena Park?
Homes that sold in Q3 2026 averaged 25 days active in the MLS before an accepted offer, but months ranged from 20 to 35 days.
Do Buena Park sellers get their asking price?
On average, Buena Park sellers received 98.5% of their original list price in Q3 2026. That figure includes price cuts and negotiation together.
How do I get the numbers for my own street?
Christine pulls recent comparable sales for your street and walks you through what they show. You can also request the complimentary market evaluation. It is a starting point for your decision, not a promised value.
Who can help me sell my home in Buena Park?
Christine Almarines of CA Real Estate Group, a Buena Park agent licensed since 2004, helps homeowners price from recent comparable sales and prepare their homes to sell. Book a consultation or get your complimentary market evaluation.
Source: All market data is from the California Regional Multiple Listing Service, Inc. InfoSparks © 2026 ShowingTime Plus, LLC. Single-family detached, Buena Park, monthly data January 2025 through September 2026, as of October 3, 2026. Quarterly and year-to-date figures calculated from monthly data.
If you’re thinking about selling and want to know how your home should be positioned in today’s market, I’d be happy to help.
The Cerritos housing market right now is not falling apart and not overheated. In Christine’s experience, it is a market where pricing and preparation decide how a sale goes, and that is her read, not a prediction.
More homes came on the market this summer than a year ago, and homes still went under contract quickly. Cerritos single-family homes averaged 17 days active in MLS in Q3 2026, down from 25 a year earlier (CRMLS, pulled October 3, 2026).
Christine Almarines is a top real estate agent in Buena Park and Cerritos helping homeowners sell in Orange County and Los Angeles County. If you are wondering what this fall means for your own home, the numbers below are a good place to start.
The numbers in this article cover single-family detached homes in Cerritos from CRMLS, January 2025 through September 2026. Los Angeles County homes are listed on more than one MLS, so these figures cover only the Cerritos homes listed in CRMLS. What Christine sees on the ground and her views on pricing and preparation reflect her experience, are not a finding from the data, and are not a prediction.
Fast, and a little faster than last year. Cerritos homes sold faster in Q3 2026 than in Q3 2025, and more of them sold.
There were 59 closed sales from July through September, up from 50 a year earlier. The average sale price was $1,221,457, up 0.9% from $1,211,063. That describes the past year, and nobody can promise where prices go from here.
Sellers received a little less of their original price. Homes received 101.7% of their original price on average in Q2 2026 and 99.7% in Q3 2026.
Single-family detached homes in Cerritos, from the California Regional Multiple Listing Service (CRMLS), pulled October 3, 2026.
| Measure | Q2 2026 | Q3 2026 | Q3 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average sale price | $1,300,152 | $1,221,457 | $1,211,063 |
| Percent of original price received | 101.7% | 99.7% | 100.6% |
Single-family detached homes in Cerritos, from the California Regional Multiple Listing Service (CRMLS), pulled October 3, 2026.
| Measure | Q3 2026 | Q3 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Average days active in MLS | 17 | 25 |
| New listings | 76 | 54 |
| Closed sales | 59 | 50 |
How to read it:
For comparison, the broader CRMLS region averaged 39 days active, so Cerritos moved more than twice as fast.
More listings mean buyers have more homes to compare, so your home is competing for attention. In Cerritos, new listings rose 41%, from 54 to 76, while closed sales rose 18%.
Cerritos is one place where the data backs up the idea that buyers have more choices than last year. Buyers also shop the neighboring cities, from Artesia, Norwalk, Lakewood, and Bellflower to La Mirada and Buena Park. In Christine’s experience, a buyer touring your home this fall has often seen several others that same weekend.
In Christine’s experience, that is where your home has to earn the offer. It does not mean the market turned. It means the homes that stand out side by side tend to get the attention first.
In Christine’s experience, it is a home priced from recent sales nearby and ready before the first buyer walks in. Here is how she thinks about each part.
Pricing
Preparation
In Christine’s experience, homes priced from wishful thinking tend to sit and end up with price cuts. CRMLS does not record why a home sat, so take that as her read from the ground, not a number from the data.
Because an average moves with the mix of homes that happen to sell. The Q3 2026 average of $1,221,457 was 6.1% below the Q2 average of $1,300,152, and still 0.9% above Q3 2025.
The monthly averages drifted down through the quarter:
With about 20 sales a month, a few larger or smaller homes can shift the average on their own. Days active stayed between 16 and 18 each month. This is a picture of what closed, not a prediction.
Year to date, the picture is steady. The January through September 2026 average was $1,256,515 across 149 sales, up about 2.8% from $1,222,607 across 140 sales in 2025.
They can look different from the city average, and that is why Christine looks at them street by street. A citywide average mixes every size, age, and condition of home together.
Your own street has its own recent sales, its own competing listings, and its own buyers. That is the number that matters when you are deciding when and how to sell.
Christine Almarines and CA Real Estate Group can walk through what recent sales near you mean for your plans.
Christine will pull the numbers for your street this week.
Send her a message and tell her your street. She will take it from there.
What is the Cerritos housing market doing right now?
The Cerritos housing market right now is moving at a steady pace. Single-family homes averaged 17 days active in MLS in Q3 2026, and new listings rose to 76 from 54 a year earlier, based on CRMLS data from January 2025 through September 2026.
Are there more homes for sale in Cerritos than last year?
More homes came on the market. New listings in Q3 2026 were 76, up 41% from 54 in Q3 2025, according to CRMLS.
Are Cerritos sellers getting their asking price?
On average, sellers received 99.7% of their original price in Q3 2026, compared with 101.7% in Q2 2026 and 100.6% in Q3 2025. That figure includes price cuts and negotiation together.
Did Cerritos home prices go down this fall?
The Q3 2026 average sale price of $1,221,457 was 6.1% below Q2 2026 and 0.9% above Q3 2025. With 59 sales, the mix of homes that sold moves the average, so it is not a forecast.
How do I get the numbers for my own street?
Christine pulls recent comparable sales for your street and walks you through them. You can also request the complimentary market evaluation to get started.
Who can help me sell my home in Cerritos?
Christine Almarines of CA Real Estate Group, licensed since 2004, helps Cerritos homeowners sell. Book a consultation or get your complimentary market evaluation.
Source: All market data is from the California Regional Multiple Listing Service, Inc. InfoSparks © 2026 ShowingTime Plus, LLC. Single-family detached, Cerritos, monthly data January 2025 through September 2026, as of October 3, 2026. Quarterly and year-to-date figures calculated from monthly data.
If you’re thinking about selling and want to know how your home should be positioned in today’s market, I’d be happy to help.
The Orange County and LA County housing market right now is steady, though by September homes were taking a little longer to sell than in July. In Christine’s experience, this is not a crash and not a frenzy, and that is a read on today, not a prediction. In her experience, pricing and preparation decide how a sale goes.
In Q3 2026, the average sale price for a single-family home in Orange County was $2,090,835, up 11.2% from $1,880,358 a year earlier (CRMLS, pulled October 3, 2026). In LA County, the average among CRMLS homes was $1,551,572, up 8.0%. That is the direction of the past year, not a forecast.
Christine Almarines is a top real estate agent in Buena Park and Cerritos helping homeowners sell in Orange County and Los Angeles County. She also works with sellers in Anaheim, Bellflower, Cypress, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Long Beach, Lakewood, and Placentia, and the question she hears most is simple: what does this mean for my house?
The numbers cover single-family detached homes in Orange County and Los Angeles County from CRMLS, January 2025 through September 2026. What Christine sees on the ground and her views on pricing and preparation reflect her experience, are not a finding from the data, and are not a prediction. LA County homes are listed on more than one MLS, so LA County figures cover only LA County homes in CRMLS.
Prices were higher than a year ago, fewer homes came on the market, and homes took a little longer to sell as the summer went on. None of that tells you what your house will do. It tells you the backdrop.
The news tends to report one big number for a whole region. A county headline can sound alarming or exciting depending on the week. Christine’s approach is calmer. She looks at the county numbers for context, then looks at the sales near you, because that is where your buyer is shopping.
Both counties had higher average sale prices and fewer new listings in Q3 2026 than in Q3 2025. Orange County closed fewer sales than a year earlier, while LA County was about flat.
LA County homes are listed on more than one MLS, so the LA County column covers only LA County homes in CRMLS.
Single-family detached homes in Orange County and Los Angeles County, from the California Regional Multiple Listing Service (CRMLS), pulled October 3, 2026.
| Q3 2026 measure | Orange County | LA County (CRMLS homes only) |
|---|---|---|
| Average sale price | $2,090,835 | $1,551,572 |
| Average sale price, Q3 2025 | $1,880,358 | $1,436,531 |
| Change from a year earlier | Up 11.2% | Up 8.0% |
| Average days active in MLS | 33 (34 a year earlier) | 35 (35 a year earlier) |
| Percent of original list price received | 97.9% (97.3% a year earlier) | 98.8% (98.2% a year earlier) |
| New listings | 3,972 (4,170, down 4.7%) | 12,638 (13,337, down 5.2%) |
| Closed sales | 3,174 (3,271, down 3.0%) | 8,258 (8,229, about flat) |
How to read it:
The pace slowed a little each month from July to September in LA County, and in September in Orange County. Sellers also received a bit less of their original list price as the quarter went on.
Single-family detached homes in Orange County and Los Angeles County, from the California Regional Multiple Listing Service (CRMLS), pulled October 3, 2026.
| Month, 2026 | Orange County days active | Orange County % of original price | LA County days active | LA County % of original price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July | 32 | 98.2% | 33 | 99.5% |
| August | 32 | 97.9% | 35 | 98.5% |
| September | 35 | 97.5% | 37 | 98.2% |
How to read it:
In Christine’s experience, a slower late summer is common. She would not read three months as a turning point. She reads them as a reminder that buyers took a little more time to decide.
A county average mixes very different homes in very different places. Your buyer compares your home to the homes near you, not to the county.
Orange County and LA County each hold dozens of cities and every price band. The same quarter can include a two-bedroom starter home in one city and a large view home in another. Average them together and you get a number that is useful for trend, but it may not match a single home on your block.
That is why a headline can say one thing while your street says another. A neighborhood with few homes for sale can move quickly even when the county slows. A street with several similar homes listed at once can feel slower, even when the county looks fine. In Christine’s experience, sellers who price from a county headline can miss in one direction or the other.
Ask for the sales and listings close to your home, in the last few months, for homes like yours. Five questions cover most of it:
Those five answers tell you more about pricing your home than any headline.
It means buyers compare, and the home that looks best for its price tends to get the attention. Price and preparation are the two things a seller controls.
In Christine’s experience, homes priced from recent comparable sales and shown well are still selling at a good pace in both counties. Homes priced from wishful thinking tend to sit and end up with price cuts. CRMLS does not record why a home sat, so this is what Christine sees, not what the data proves.
Compared with the bidding-war years, buyers today seem to take more time to look, compare, and ask questions. That is Christine’s experience, not a CRMLS finding. Preparation matters more in that setting. That can mean repairs that a buyer’s inspector would flag, a clean and simple presentation, good photos, and an easy showing schedule. Pricing from comparable sales means starting where nearby sales say buyers have already paid.
Start the way that suits you best:
Christine will pull the numbers for your street this week.
Message her with your address, and she will send you what she finds.
What is the Orange County and LA County housing market doing right now?
The Orange County and LA County housing market right now is steady, with a little more time to sell by September than in July. Q3 2026 average sale prices were up 11.2% in Orange County and 8.0% in LA County from a year earlier, for single-family detached homes in CRMLS (pulled October 3, 2026).
Are there more homes for sale than last year?
Fewer homes came on the market in Q3 2026 than a year earlier. New listings were down 4.7% in Orange County and down 5.2% in LA County (CRMLS).
Are homes selling more slowly?
A little. In September 2026, Orange County homes averaged 35 days active and LA County homes averaged 37, up from 32 and 33 in July (CRMLS).
How do I get the numbers for my own street?
Christine pulls recent comparable sales near your street, how long they took, and what is for sale now. You can also request the complimentary market evaluation. It is a starting point for a conversation, not a promise of a value.
Should I price my home from the county average?
No. The county average blends very different homes and cities. Pricing from recent comparable sales near you gives you a much clearer starting point.
Who can help me sell my home in Orange County and LA County?
Christine Almarines of CA Real Estate Group, licensed since 2004, helps homeowners sell across Orange County and Los Angeles County. Book a consultation or get your complimentary market evaluation.
Source: All market data is from the California Regional Multiple Listing Service, Inc. InfoSparks © 2026 ShowingTime Plus, LLC. Single-family detached, Orange County and Los Angeles County, monthly data January 2025 through September 2026, as of October 3, 2026. Quarterly and year-to-date figures calculated from monthly data.
If you’re thinking about selling and want to know how your home should be positioned in today’s market, I’d be happy to help.
Picture the table this Thanksgiving. Someone is sitting on the piano bench. The kids are at a card table in the hallway. It is a happy kind of crowded. But if that feeling has started to follow you through the rest of the year, it may be time to ask a bigger question.
Upsizing is not about wanting more for the sake of more. It is about a home that fits the life your family is living now. Here is how to think it through, plainly and with no pressure.
If several of these sound familiar, our post on signs you should move walks through a simple home check-in.
Here is one question to ask while everyone is together: “What would we want our home to do for us in five years?”
Let each person answer. The kids may want a yard. Your partner may want a quiet office with a door. A grandparent may want a bedroom on the main floor. You will learn more in ten minutes of that conversation than in months of scrolling listings late at night.
“Bigger” means something different to every family. Across Orange County and LA County, it might mean:
Some families find they do not need a lot more square footage. They need better square footage.
For most move-up families, the home you live in now is the key to the next one. Before you fall in love with anything, find out where you stand.
There is no single right answer. It depends on your finances, your timing, and how much change your family can handle at once.
A plan made early takes a lot of stress out of this. Our timeline for preparing your home before listing is a good place to start, and our guide to buying a home in Orange County or Los Angeles covers the buying side.
If upsizing is on your mind, start with your agent. They can show you what your home could sell for, what is available where you want to live, and how to line up both sides of the move. A lender can walk you through financing, and a tax professional can tell you what applies to your situation.
A crowded holiday table is a good problem to have. If it is starting to feel like every day, that is worth a conversation. Ask the question, listen to the answers, and gather the facts. If you are thinking about upsizing in Orange County or LA County, we are happy to help you build a plan that fits your family.
Common signs include rooms doing double duty, a growing family, working from home without a real workspace, and trouble fitting everyone when you host. If several sound familiar, it may be time to look at your options.
It depends on your finances and timing. Some families sell first for a clear budget, and others buy first so they only move once. Your agent and lender can help you decide what fits.
Start with a free home value report, then talk with your agent about recent nearby sales and the condition of your home.
Start with how your family lives. Think about bedrooms, a layout that works, outdoor space, and location, and plan for the next several years, not just the next one.
Your agent can show what your home could sell for, a lender can explain financing, and a tax professional can tell you what applies to you.
If you’re thinking about selling and want to know how your home should be positioned in today’s market, I’d be happy to help.
You can ask for a home inspection contingency in Buena Park, and in Christine’s experience you do not have to buy blind to get an offer accepted. An inspection contingency, as Christine describes it, lets you have the home inspected and, depending on the contract terms, ask for repairs, ask for a credit, or choose to cancel. Some buyers still choose to shorten or skip it. That is your decision, made with your agent’s advice.
Homes in Buena Park spent an average of 25 days active on the market in Q3 2026 (CRMLS, pulled October 3, 2026).
Christine Almarines is a top real estate agent in Buena Park and Cerritos helping homeowners sell in Orange County and Los Angeles County. If you have never been through an inspection, this guide is for you.
The numbers in this article cover single-family detached homes in Buena Park from CRMLS, January 2025 through September 2026. The advice about inspections and offers reflects Christine’s experience, is not a finding from the data, and is not legal or inspection advice. An inspector, an attorney and a lender answer the questions in their own fields.
In Christine’s experience, no. Many buyers she works with in Buena Park right now can include an inspection contingency and still write a strong offer.
During the frenzy years, Christine saw many buyers give up the inspection because they felt someone else would if they did not. In her experience, that is not how most of this area feels today. If someone told you waiving is the only way to win, that advice may be out of date. A house is still the biggest purchase most people make. You deserve a real look before you commit.
An inspector looks at the visible condition of the home and its major parts. Here are common examples, not a full list.
A standard inspection does not cover every item in a home. An inspection is a look at the home’s visible condition at one moment, not a guarantee of its condition.
Inspection day usually follows a simple flow. Here is a typical one, not a rule.
A long report is common. The goal is to find which items change your decision.
You usually have a few choices, depending on the contract terms. Your agent helps you weigh them.
| Your option | What it means in plain words | Who to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Ask for repairs | You ask the seller to fix certain items before closing, depending on the contract terms | Your agent, and the inspector about what an item means |
| Ask for a credit | You ask for money toward the cost of fixing items yourself later, depending on the contract terms | Your agent, and your lender about how a credit works with your loan |
| Decide not to go forward | You choose to cancel the purchase, depending on the contract terms | Your agent, and an attorney for legal questions |
The contract terms decide what you can ask for and when. Your agent explains them, and an attorney answers legal questions.
Some buyers do, usually in a competitive situation. It is a real choice with real risk, and it is yours to make with your agent’s advice.
The risk is plain. If you skip the inspection, you may learn about a problem only after the home is yours. Some buyers accept that risk because they want their offer to stand out. Others decide it is not worth it.
In Christine’s experience, you do not have to start there. She would rather begin with an offer that protects you and talk through other ways to make it strong. If you still choose to shorten or waive the inspection, you will make that choice with your eyes open.
Buena Park homes sold close to their original price in Q3 2026, at an average of 98.5%, with homes active for an average of 25 days. Here is the fuller picture.
Single-family detached homes in Buena Park, from the California Regional Multiple Listing Service (CRMLS), pulled October 3, 2026.
| Measure | Q3 2026 | Q3 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average sale price | $1,045,412 | $1,002,350 | Up 4.3% |
| Average sale price, January to September | $1,040,850 (190 sales) | $993,172 (205 sales) | Up 4.8% |
| Closed sales | 67 | 80 | Down 16% |
| New listings | 77 | 84 | Down 8% |
| Average days active | 25 | 24 | Slightly longer |
| Percent of original price | 98.5% | 98.1% | Slightly higher |
How to read it:
Many Buena Park buyers also look in nearby Fullerton, Cypress, La Palma, Anaheim and Cerritos, and each city has its own numbers.
Start with a conversation about what matters most to you, then build the offer around it. Christine and the CA Real Estate Group team help buyers in Buena Park, her home market, do exactly that.
If you are starting your search, message Christine and ask how to structure an offer that still protects you.
An inspection is not a guarantee, and contract terms decide what you can ask for. Your agent, an inspector and, for legal questions, an attorney can explain them.
Do I have to waive the inspection to buy a home in Buena Park?
In Christine’s experience, no. A home inspection contingency in Buena Park is still something many buyers include, though some buyers choose to shorten or waive it. That decision is yours, made with your agent’s advice.
What does a home inspection look at?
Examples include the roof, the foundation, plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling, and the water heater. A standard inspection does not cover every item, and an inspector may recommend a specialist, such as a sewer or roof specialist.
Does an inspection guarantee the home’s condition?
No. It is a look at the home’s visible condition at one moment. It helps you decide, but it does not promise what will happen later.
Do I need to go to the inspection?
You usually can, and it can help to attend if you are able. Ask your agent how it works for your purchase.
Can I ask the seller to fix things after the inspection?
Depending on the contract terms, you may be able to ask for repairs or a credit, or choose to cancel. The seller decides how to respond, and your agent helps you plan the request.
Who can help me buy a home in Buena Park?
Christine Almarines of CA Real Estate Group, licensed since 2004, works with buyers in Buena Park and nearby cities. Book a consultation or start the Buyer Bootcamp course.
Source: All market data is from the California Regional Multiple Listing Service, Inc. InfoSparks © 2026 ShowingTime Plus, LLC. Single-family detached, Buena Park, monthly data January 2025 through September 2026, as of October 3, 2026. Quarterly figures calculated from monthly data.
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