In Cerritos, some homes sell in about a week and others sit for two months. It is not luck. It is prep. In Christine's experience, the homes that move fast are not always the nicest ones. They are the ones that were staged, priced right on day one, and photographed well. The ones that sit are often overpriced from the start and take a price cut about three weeks in, and buyers notice.
It matters more in Cerritos right now than it did in the spring. Cerritos houses still sold in an average of 17 days in Q3 2026, but new listings jumped 41% (76 against 54 a year ago), and sellers received 99.7% of their original asking price, down from 101.7% in Q2 (CRMLS, pulled October 3, 2026). Buyers have more homes to compare, and they are comparing them side by side.
Put simply: the market is still fast, but a Cerritos home that is not ready on launch day now loses ground to one that is.
Christine Almarines is a top real estate agent in Buena Park and Cerritos helping homeowners sell in Orange County and Los Angeles County. Here is what your Cerritos home needs before it hits the market, not after.
In the spring, Cerritos homes sold over asking on average (101.7% of original price). This summer, more homes came on the market, and the over-asking offers faded. A seller who priced off a sale from May, or who listed without the prep, is competing against a longer list of homes than the one they had in mind.
17 days is fast, and it is eight days faster than a year ago. But an average blends the homes that sold quickly with the ones that did not. Preparation is how you land on the fast side.
Every other home in their price range, in Cerritos and in the cities around it. With rates higher than a lot of buyers would like, they are selective. They tour more homes, ask more questions, and pass on homes that are overpriced or not ready. With 76 new Cerritos listings in a quarter, they have more to choose from.
Staging means making your home easy to picture living in. In practice that is:
Buyers feel it in person, and it shows up in the photos. Christine has staged and renovated properties herself, and a home that looks cared for gets more attention than a nicer one that looks cluttered.
It means pricing from the last 90 days of comparable sales near you, not from a sale in May and not from what you hope to get. The spring's over-asking sales are not what buyers are paying today. Padding the price to leave room just means the home sits.
The first couple of weeks are when a new listing gets the most attention. Miss that window and take a cut at week three, and buyers read it as a home that did not land, and use it to negotiate harder.
For the full picture on pricing, this breakdown of the three ways to price a Cerritos home covers pricing below, at, or above market.
Buyers see your home online before they see it in person, so your photos are your first showing. Good light, a clean and staged home, and professional-quality photography get a home onto the short list. Do the photos after the prep, not before.
Single-family detached homes in Cerritos, California (Los Angeles County), from the California Regional Multiple Listing Service (CRMLS), pulled October 3, 2026.
| Measure | Q3 2026 | Q3 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average days active in MLS | 17 | 25 | 8 days faster |
| Percent of original price received | 99.7% | 100.6% | Down 0.9 points |
| New listings | 76 | 54 | Up 41% |
| Closed sales | 59 | 50 | Up 18% |
| Average sale price | $1,221,457 | $1,211,063 | Up 0.9% |
About the sample size: Cerritos is a smaller city, so 59 sales in a quarter is a solid but not huge sample. A few unusually high or low sales can move the average price. Days on market and percent of asking price are steadier signals here.
How to read it:
Do the work before launch, not after:
Christine will walk through what your home needs before it hits the market, with no pressure. Request a complimentary market evaluation, book a consultation, or start with the Sure Seller course.
Why do some Cerritos homes sell in a week while others sit for two months?
In Christine's experience, it comes down to prep: whether the home was staged, priced right on day one, and photographed well. The homes that sit are often overpriced from the start and take a price cut a few weeks in, which buyers notice.
How fast do homes sell in Cerritos?
Cerritos single-family homes were active in MLS an average of 17 days in Q3 2026, compared with 25 days in Q3 2025 (CRMLS). That is an average, and individual homes sell faster or slower depending on price and preparation.
Do Cerritos homes still sell over asking price?
Not on average. Sellers received 99.7% of their original asking price in Q3 2026. In Q2 2026 it was 101.7%.
Does staging help a Cerritos home sell?
Staging makes a home easier for buyers to picture themselves in, and it makes the photos look better. It is one of the three things Christine sees separating fast sales from slow ones, along with price and photography.
Should I lower my price if my Cerritos home is not selling?
Start by checking the price against the last 90 days of comparable sales and the home's condition and photos. A price cut works best as part of a plan, not a reaction. Buyers notice every cut.
Who can help me prepare my home to sell in Cerritos?
Christine Almarines is a top real estate agent in Buena Park and Cerritos helping homeowners sell in Orange County and Los Angeles County, licensed since 2004. Book a consultation or start with the Sure Seller course.
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 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.
If a rate number is the only thing keeping you from making an offer in Buena Park, here is the difference that matters: a rate can change after you buy, and the price you paid can't. A temporary buydown can lower your payment for the first year or two, and if rates drop later, you may be able to refinance. What you can't do later is go back and buy the same home at today's price if prices have gone up.
In Buena Park, prices have been moving up steadily. Single-family homes averaged $1,045,412 in Q3 2026, up 4.3% from $1,002,350 a year ago, and the nine-month average was up 4.8%. Homes sold in an average of 25 days at 98.5% of original asking price. Fewer homes are coming on the market: 77 new listings in Q3, down 8% from 84 (CRMLS, pulled October 3, 2026). When rates drop, the buyers who have been waiting come back together, and with fewer homes to choose from, more of them may be chasing the same ones.
That is one year of data, not a forecast. Nobody can promise prices keep rising.
Put simply: the rate is the number that can change later. The price is the one you lock in now. Look at the real monthly payment, not the headline rate.
Christine Almarines is a top real estate agent in Buena Park and Cerritos helping homeowners sell in Orange County and Los Angeles County, and she walks every buyer through the real monthly number before they write an offer. Buena Park is her home market. Here's how to think about rates, price, and timing here.
Rates are higher than they were a few years ago, and that is not the number you are stuck with forever. If rates fall, you can refinance. When they do fall, buyers who have been sitting out tend to move back in at the same time.
In a city where new listings were already down 8%, that can mean more buyers for a limited number of homes. Waiting for lower rates could mean competing with everyone else who waited.
A temporary buydown lowers your payment for the first year or two. It is paid up front, and in some deals the seller covers part or all of the cost through a credit that is negotiated in the offer. With Buena Park sellers receiving about 1.5% under original asking price on average, it is worth asking about. A permanent buydown, often called paying points, lowers the rate for the life of the loan and costs more at closing.
Before you count on one, ask your lender three things: what it costs, how you would be qualified for the loan, and what your payment becomes when the buydown ends.
You may be able to refinance. It is not guaranteed, and it has closing costs, so the question is how long it takes for the lower payment to pay those costs back. The safest approach is to buy a payment you can carry comfortably at today's full rate. Treat a future refinance as a bonus, not the plan.
This is an illustration only. The rates below are made up for the example. They are not today's rates and they are not a prediction.
Assumptions: a $1,050,000 home (close to the Buena Park Q3 house average of $1,045,412), 20% down ($210,000), an $840,000 30-year fixed loan, principal and interest only (no taxes, insurance, or HOA). You buy now at 6.5%, and rates later fall one point to 5.5%.
| If prices have… | Buy now, then refinance at 5.5% | Wait, then buy at 5.5% | What waiting changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Risen 5% | $4,769 a month | $5,008 a month | You pay $52,500 more for the same home and need $10,500 more down |
| Stayed flat | $4,769 a month | $4,769 a month | Same payment, but you paid rent or a higher payment in the meantime |
| Fallen 5% | $4,769 a month | $4,531 a month | You pay $52,500 less and need $10,500 less down |
Until you refinance, the buy-now payment in this example is $5,309 a month, and the table does not include refinance closing costs.
Buena Park's recent trend, up 4.3% over the year, points to the top row. But a trend is not a promise. If the market softens, waiting would have saved money, and that is the risk on the other side.
Single-family detached homes in Buena Park, California (Orange County), 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% |
| Closed sales | 67 | 80 | Down 16% |
| New listings | 77 | 84 | Down 8% |
| Average days active in MLS | 25 | 24 | About 1 day slower |
| Percent of original price received | 98.5% | 98.1% | Up 0.4 points |
About the sample size: 67 sales in a quarter is a solid sample for a city Buena Park's size, but a few unusual sales can still move the average. From January through September 2026, Buena Park houses averaged $1,040,850 across 190 sales, up 4.8% from the same months of 2025.
What this means for a buyer:
If a house is a stretch, Buena Park condos and townhomes averaged $830,520 in Q3 2026, with sellers receiving 98.8% of original asking price. That is a smaller market (25 sales), and the nine-month average of $824,100 is the steadier read.
The headline rate is one piece of your payment. The real monthly number includes:
Christine walks every buyer through this number before they write an offer. If you have not set your budget yet, start with what buyers actually need to do before they shop and work the purchase price backwards from the payment that fits your life.
Waiting makes sense when the reason is your situation, not the headline rate. If the payment is not comfortable even with a buydown, if your down payment or credit is not ready, or if buying would stretch you to the maximum a lender will approve, then taking time to build your savings and your position is a good plan. Your goals come first: your budget, then your price.
Christine will run the numbers with you before you write an offer, with no pressure. Book a buyer consultation or start the Buyer Bootcamp course.
Should I wait for interest rates to drop before buying a house in Buena Park?
Waiting is a bet on timing nobody can call. A rate can change after you buy, through a refinance, but the price you pay can't. When rates drop, buyers who were waiting return together, and Buena Park already has fewer new listings than a year ago (77 against 84 in Q3 2026). Unless your own situation says to wait, the better question is whether the real monthly payment works for you today.
Is it a good time to buy a house in Buena Park?
Buena Park houses averaged $1,045,412 in Q3 2026, up 4.3%, and sold in about 25 days at 98.5% of original asking price (CRMLS). Prices are rising steadily and you still have some room to negotiate. Whether it is a good time for you depends on whether the payment fits your budget.
What is a mortgage rate buydown?
A buydown lowers your interest rate and payment, either for the first year or two (temporary) or for the life of the loan (permanent, usually called paying points). It is paid up front, and in some deals the seller covers part of the cost through a credit. Ask your lender what it costs and how it affects your qualification.
Can I refinance if rates go down after I buy?
You may be able to. It is not guaranteed, and a refinance has closing costs, so check how long it takes to earn them back.
Will Buena Park home prices go up if I wait?
Nobody can promise. Buena Park single-family prices were up 4.3% in Q3 2026 from a year ago (CRMLS), but that is a look back, not a forecast, and prices can also fall.
How fast do homes sell in Buena Park?
25 days active in MLS on average in Q3 2026, compared with 33 days for Orange County overall (CRMLS).
Who can help me buy in Buena Park?
Christine Almarines is a top real estate agent in Buena Park and Cerritos helping homeowners sell in Orange County and Los Angeles County, licensed since 2004. Start with the Buyer Bootcamp course or book a buyer consultation.
Source: All market data is from the California Regional Multiple Listing Service, Inc. InfoSparks © 2026 ShowingTime Plus, LLC. Buena Park and Orange County, monthly data January 2025 through September 2026, as of October 3, 2026. Quarterly and year-to-date figures calculated from monthly data. The payment example is an illustration and is not financial advice. Ask your lender for your actual numbers.
If you’re thinking about buying and want to know what makes sense for you in today’s market, I’d be happy to help.
If a rate number is the only thing keeping you from making an offer in Cerritos, here is the difference that matters: a rate can change after you buy, and the price you paid can't. A temporary buydown can lower your payment for the first year or two, and if rates drop later, you may be able to refinance.
The Cerritos numbers add a second reason not to wait. Buyers have more choices than they did in the spring: new listings were up 41% in Q3 2026 (76 against 54 a year ago), and sellers received 99.7% of their original asking price, down from 101.7% in Q2. The bidding over asking that was common in the spring has cooled. When rates drop, the buyers who have been waiting come back together, and that competition could come back with them (CRMLS, pulled October 3, 2026).
One caution: Cerritos prices were roughly flat over the year (up 0.9%). So the case for buying now here is less about prices rising and more about choice, less bidding, and a payment you can plan around.
Put simply: Cerritos homes still sell in 17 days, but buyers have more room to negotiate than they did a few months ago.
Christine Almarines is a top real estate agent in Buena Park and Cerritos helping homeowners sell in Orange County and Los Angeles County, and she walks every buyer through the real monthly number before they write an offer. Here's how to think about rates, price, and timing in Cerritos.
Rates are higher than they were a few years ago, and that is not the number you are stuck with forever. If rates fall, you can refinance. When they do fall, buyers who have been sitting out tend to move back in at the same time, and the sellers who were waiting list too.
For a buyer, that usually means more people at the same open houses and more offers on the homes you like. This spring, Cerritos sellers averaged 101.7% of their original price. Today it is 99.7%. Waiting for lower rates could mean waiting your way back into that spring market.
A temporary buydown lowers your payment for the first year or two. It is paid up front, and in some deals the seller covers part or all of the cost through a credit that is negotiated in the offer. With Cerritos sellers now accepting about 0.3% under original asking price on average, that is a conversation worth having. A permanent buydown, often called paying points, lowers the rate for the life of the loan and costs more at closing.
Before you count on one, ask your lender three things: what it costs, how you would be qualified for the loan, and what your payment becomes when the buydown ends.
You may be able to refinance. It is not guaranteed, and it has closing costs, so the question is how long it takes for the lower payment to pay those costs back. The safest approach is to buy a payment you can carry comfortably at today's full rate. Treat a future refinance as a bonus, not the plan.
This is an illustration only. The rates below are made up for the example. They are not today's rates and they are not a prediction.
Assumptions: a $1,200,000 home (close to the Cerritos Q3 house average of $1,221,457), 20% down ($240,000), a $960,000 30-year fixed loan, principal and interest only (no taxes, insurance, or HOA). You buy now at 6.5%, and rates later fall one point to 5.5%.
| If prices have… | Buy now, then refinance at 5.5% | Wait, then buy at 5.5% | What waiting changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Risen 5% | $5,451 a month | $5,723 a month | You pay $60,000 more for the same home and need $12,000 more down |
| Stayed flat | $5,451 a month | $5,451 a month | Same payment, but you paid rent or a higher payment in the meantime |
| Fallen 5% | $5,451 a month | $5,178 a month | You pay $60,000 less and need $12,000 less down |
Until you refinance, the buy-now payment in this example is $6,068 a month, and the table does not include refinance closing costs.
Because Cerritos prices were close to flat this year, the middle row is the one to think about. If prices stay flat, buying now and waiting end up in the same place, and what separates them is what you paid in the meantime, plus the choice of 76 new listings you have now.
Single-family detached homes in Cerritos, California (Los Angeles County), from the California Regional Multiple Listing Service (CRMLS), pulled October 3, 2026.
| Measure | Q3 2026 | Q3 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average sale price | $1,221,457 | $1,211,063 | Up 0.9% |
| Closed sales | 59 | 50 | Up 18% |
| New listings | 76 | 54 | Up 41% |
| Average days active in MLS | 17 | 25 | 8 days faster |
| Percent of original price received | 99.7% | 100.6% | Down 0.9 points |
About the sample size: Cerritos is a smaller city, so 59 sales in a quarter is a solid but not huge sample. A few unusually high or low sales can move the average price. Days on market and percent of asking price are steadier signals here.
What this means for a buyer:
If a house is a stretch, Cerritos condos and townhomes averaged $709,563 in Q3 2026. That is a small market (17 sales), so treat it as a starting point and not a rule.
The headline rate is one piece of your payment. The real monthly number includes:
Christine walks every buyer through this number before they write an offer. If you have not set your budget yet, start with what buyers actually need to do before they shop and work the purchase price backwards from the payment that fits your life.
Waiting makes sense when the reason is your situation, not the headline rate. If the payment is not comfortable even with a buydown, if your down payment or credit is not ready, or if buying would stretch you to the maximum a lender will approve, then taking time to build your savings and your position is a good plan. Your goals come first: your budget, then your price.
Christine will run the numbers with you before you write an offer, with no pressure. Book a buyer consultation or start the Buyer Bootcamp course.
Should I wait for interest rates to drop before buying a house in Cerritos?
Waiting is a bet on timing nobody can call. A rate can change after you buy, through a refinance, but the price you pay can't. When rates drop, buyers who were waiting return together, and the over-asking offers common in the spring could return too. Unless your own situation says to wait, the better question is whether the real monthly payment works for you today.
Is it a good time to buy a house in Cerritos?
Buyers have more choices than in the spring: new listings were up 41% in Q3 2026, and sellers received 99.7% of original asking price, down from 101.7% in Q2 (CRMLS). Homes still sold in an average of 17 days, so be fully approved before you tour.
What is a mortgage rate buydown?
A buydown lowers your interest rate and payment, either for the first year or two (temporary) or for the life of the loan (permanent, usually called paying points). It is paid up front, and in some deals the seller covers part of the cost through a credit. Ask your lender what it costs and how it affects your qualification.
Can I refinance if rates go down after I buy?
You may be able to. It is not guaranteed, and a refinance has closing costs, so check how long it takes to earn them back.
Will Cerritos home prices go up if I wait?
Nobody can promise. Cerritos single-family prices were up only 0.9% in Q3 2026 from a year ago (CRMLS), and prices can also fall.
How fast do homes sell in Cerritos?
Cerritos single-family homes were active in MLS an average of 17 days in Q3 2026, compared with 25 days in Q3 2025 (CRMLS).
Who can help me buy in Cerritos?
Christine Almarines is a top real estate agent in Buena Park and Cerritos helping homeowners sell in Orange County and Los Angeles County, licensed since 2004. Start with the Buyer Bootcamp course or book a buyer consultation.
Source: All market data is from the California Regional Multiple Listing Service, Inc. InfoSparks © 2026 ShowingTime Plus, LLC. Cerritos, monthly data January 2025 through September 2026, as of October 3, 2026. Quarterly figures calculated from monthly data. The payment example is an illustration and is not financial advice. Ask your lender for your actual numbers.
If you’re thinking about buying and want to know what makes sense for you in today’s market, I’d be happy to help.
If a rate number is the only thing keeping you from making an offer, here is the difference that matters: a rate can change after you buy, and the price you paid can't. A temporary buydown can lower your payment for the first year or two, and if rates drop later, you may be able to refinance. What you can't do later is go back and buy the same home at today's price if prices have gone up.
Waiting isn't free. When rates drop, the buyers who have been sitting out come back together, and you would likely be bidding against them. In Q3 2026, average single-family sale prices were up 11.2% in Orange County and 8.0% in Los Angeles County from a year ago, and buyers closed at about 2% and 1% under original asking price (CRMLS, pulled October 3, 2026). That is one year of data, not a forecast. Nobody can promise prices keep rising.
Put simply: the rate is the number that can change later. The price is the one you lock in now. Look at the real monthly payment, not the headline rate.
Christine Almarines is a top real estate agent in Buena Park and Cerritos helping homeowners sell in Orange County and Los Angeles County, and she walks every buyer through the real monthly number before they write an offer. Here's how to think about rates, price, and timing.
Both matter, but they behave differently. Rates are higher than they were a few years ago, and that is not the number you are stuck with forever. If rates fall, you can refinance. The price of the home is different. Once you buy, you keep it. And if you wait, you do not get to buy the same home at today's price if the market moves up.
A temporary buydown lowers your payment for the first year or two. It is paid up front, and in some deals the seller covers part or all of the cost through a credit that is negotiated in the offer. A permanent buydown, often called paying points, lowers the rate for the life of the loan and costs more at closing.
Before you count on one, ask your lender three things: what it costs, how you would be qualified for the loan, and what your payment becomes when the buydown ends.
You may be able to refinance. It is not guaranteed, and it has closing costs, so the question is how long it takes for the lower payment to pay those costs back. The safest approach is to buy a payment you can carry comfortably at today's full rate. Treat a future refinance as a bonus, not the plan.
This is an illustration only. The rates below are made up for the example. They are not today's rates and they are not a prediction.
Assumptions: a $1,500,000 home, 20% down ($300,000), a $1,200,000 30-year fixed loan, principal and interest only (no taxes, insurance, or HOA). You buy now at 6.5%, and rates later fall one point to 5.5%.
| If prices have… | Buy now, then refinance at 5.5% | Wait, then buy at 5.5% | What waiting changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Risen 5% | $6,813 a month | $7,154 a month | You pay $75,000 more for the same home and need $15,000 more down |
| Stayed flat | $6,813 a month | $6,813 a month | Same payment, but you paid rent or a higher payment in the meantime |
| Fallen 5% | $6,813 a month | $6,473 a month | You pay $75,000 less and need $15,000 less down |
Until you refinance, the buy-now payment in this example is $7,585 a month, and the table does not include refinance closing costs.
The takeaway: if prices rise while you wait, waiting costs you. If they fall, waiting saves you. Nobody knows which way it goes, which is why the real number to focus on is a payment you are comfortable with today.
Single-family detached homes, July through September 2026, from the California Regional Multiple Listing Service (CRMLS), pulled October 3, 2026.
| Measure | Orange County | Los Angeles County |
|---|---|---|
| Average sale price | $2,090,835 (up 11.2%) | $1,551,572 (up 8.0%) |
| Closed sales | 3,174 (down 3.0%) | 8,258 (about flat) |
| New listings | 3,972 (down 4.7%) | 12,638 (down 5.2%) |
| Average days active in MLS | 33 | 35 |
| Percent of original price received | 97.9% | 98.8% |
About the Los Angeles County data: Los Angeles County homes are listed on more than one MLS. These figures cover LA County homes in CRMLS, so the totals may not include every sale in the county. The trends are still a reliable read on the market.
What buyers can take from it:
The headline rate is one piece of your payment. The real monthly number includes:
Christine walks every buyer through this number before they write an offer. If you have not set your budget yet, start with what buyers actually need to do before they shop and work the purchase price backwards from the payment that fits your life. When you are ready to write an offer, how to structure a winning offer covers terms like seller credits.
Waiting makes sense when the reason is your situation, not the headline rate. If the payment is not comfortable even with a buydown, if your down payment or credit is not ready, or if buying would stretch you to the maximum a lender will approve, then taking time to build your savings and your position is a good plan. Your goals come first: your budget, then your price.
Christine will run the numbers with you before you write an offer, with no pressure. Book a buyer consultation or start the Buyer Bootcamp course.
Should I wait for interest rates to drop before buying a house in Orange County or Los Angeles County?
Waiting is a bet on timing nobody can call. A rate can change after you buy, through a refinance, but the price you pay can't. When rates drop, buyers who were waiting return together, and you would likely compete with them. Unless your own situation says to wait, the better question is whether the real monthly payment works for you today.
What is a mortgage rate buydown?
A buydown lowers your interest rate and payment, either for the first year or two (temporary) or for the life of the loan (permanent, usually called paying points). It is paid up front, and in some deals the seller covers part of the cost through a credit. Ask your lender what it costs and how it affects your qualification.
Can I refinance if rates go down after I buy?
You may be able to. It is not guaranteed, and a refinance has closing costs, so check how long it takes to earn them back.
Will home prices go up if I wait?
Nobody can promise. In Q3 2026, average single-family prices were up 11.2% in Orange County and 8.0% in Los Angeles County from a year ago (CRMLS), but that is a look back, not a forecast, and prices can also fall.
Do buyers still negotiate below asking price?
Yes. In Q3 2026, sellers received about 2% under original asking price in Orange County (97.9%) and about 1% under in LA County (98.8%).
How long do homes take to sell right now?
Single-family homes spent an average of 33 days active in MLS in Orange County and 35 days in Los Angeles County in Q3 2026.
How much would my monthly payment be?
It depends on the price, your down payment, the rate, and your taxes, insurance, and any HOA. Book a buyer consultation and Christine will run your actual number.
Who can help me buy in Orange County or Los Angeles County?
Christine Almarines is a top real estate agent in Buena Park and Cerritos helping homeowners sell in Orange County and Los Angeles County, including Anaheim, Bellflower, Cypress, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Long Beach, Lakewood, and Placentia. She has been licensed since 2004. Start with the Buyer Bootcamp course or book a buyer consultation.
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 figures calculated from monthly data. The payment example is an illustration and is not financial advice. Ask your lender for your actual numbers.
If you’re thinking about buying and want to know what makes sense for you in today’s market, I’d be happy to help.
If you own a home in Buena Park and you are waiting for mortgage rates to drop before you list, the Q3 2026 numbers say you are not waiting out a bad market. Buena Park single-family homes averaged $1,045,412, up 4.3% from a year ago, and sold in an average of 25 days. Sellers received 98.5% of their original asking price. And fewer sellers are competing: 77 new listings came on the market in Q3, down 8% from 84 a year ago (CRMLS, pulled October 3, 2026).
Fewer homes sold than a year ago (67 against 80), which tells you buyers are more selective. But the ones buying are paying more, and they are buying quickly.
Put simply: a well-priced, well-presented Buena Park home is selling in under a month against fewer competing listings than last year. When rates drop, the sellers who were waiting will list too.
Christine Almarines is a top real estate agent in Buena Park and Cerritos helping homeowners sell in Orange County and Los Angeles County. Here's what actually happens when rates drop, and what it means for Buena Park sellers.
Buyers who have been sitting out come back, and they come back at the same time. Demand rises.
Supply rises too. Sellers who have held off for the same reason you have start listing together. More Buena Park homes end up competing for the same buyers' attention, and buyers have more to choose from.
Nobody can tell you when rates will drop or by how much. Waiting means betting that the added buyers will outweigh the added sellers, with no date to plan around.
They are buying, and they are choosy. Rates are higher than many buyers would like, so they tour more homes, ask more questions, and skip anything overpriced or not ready.
You can see it month by month. In August, Buena Park houses took 35 days and sold at 97.2% of original price. In September, they took 21 days and sold at 99.2%. Same market, same rates. The difference was which homes were priced right and ready to go.
One slow month is not a trend. It is buyers picking winners.
Single-family detached homes in Buena Park, California (Orange County), 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% |
| Closed sales | 67 | 80 | Down 16% |
| New listings | 77 | 84 | Down 8% |
| Average days active in MLS | 25 | 24 | About 1 day slower |
| Percent of original price received | 98.5% | 98.1% | Up 0.4 points |
About the sample size: 67 sales in a quarter is a solid sample for a city Buena Park's size, but a few unusual sales can still move the average. The nine-month view helps confirm the trend: from January through September 2026, Buena Park houses averaged $1,040,850 across 190 sales, up 4.8% from the same months of 2025.
For context, Buena Park houses averaged about half the Orange County figure ($2,090,835) and sold faster than the county average of 33 days.
An average describes the mix of homes that sold. Your home's number comes from your own street and recent comparable sales.
Selective buyers reward the right price and a home that shows well. Price off the last 90 days of sales near you, not the highest sale you remember. Finish the prep, decluttering, repairs, and professional photos, before you list. Buyers who tour this week are comparing your home to the other ones they saw this week.
If you are weighing your options on price, this breakdown of the three ways to price a home covers pricing below, at, or above market.
Some situations deserve a real look before you list. If you have a low rate on your current mortgage and plan to buy your next home, selling means a higher rate on the next one. That is a real cost, and it should be put into numbers, not guessed at. What your home would net, what your next payment would be, and whether the move gets you what you want all change the answer.
If you are not taking on a new mortgage, because you are downsizing into a rental, selling an inherited home, or buying with cash, a lower rate does little for you directly while carrying costs keep running.
If you own a condo or townhome and want a house, the step up in Buena Park is smaller than in the rest of Orange County. The Buena Park condos and townhomes report has the numbers.
Either way, start with your numbers.
Christine will walk you through what your home would net in this exact market, with no pressure. Request a complimentary market evaluation or book a consultation.
Should I wait for interest rates to drop before selling my Buena Park house?
Waiting is a bet on timing nobody can call. When rates drop, buyers return, but so do the sellers who were waiting. Right now, Buena Park has fewer new listings than a year ago (77 against 84 in Q3 2026) and homes are selling in about 25 days. Unless you have a specific reason to wait, such as a low rate on a home you would replace, the numbers support listing when your home is ready.
How fast do homes sell in Buena Park?
25 days active in MLS on average in Q3 2026, compared with 33 days for Orange County overall (CRMLS).
Do Buena Park homes sell for asking price?
Close to it. Sellers received 98.5% of their original asking price on average in Q3 2026.
What was the average home price in Buena Park in Q3 2026?
$1,045,412 for single-family detached homes, up 4.3% from $1,002,350 in Q3 2025 (CRMLS).
Will Buena Park home prices go up when mortgage rates drop?
Lower rates tend to bring more buyers, which can support prices, but they also tend to bring more sellers. Nobody can promise which effect will be bigger or when it will happen.
What would my Buena Park home net if I sold now?
It depends on your own home, street, and mortgage balance. Get a complimentary market evaluation and Christine will walk you through it.
Who can help me sell in Buena Park?
Christine Almarines is a top real estate agent in Buena Park and Cerritos helping homeowners sell in Orange County and Los Angeles County, licensed since 2004. Start with the Sure Seller course or book a consultation.
Source: All data is from the California Regional Multiple Listing Service, Inc. InfoSparks © 2026 ShowingTime Plus, LLC. Single-family detached, Buena Park and Orange 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.
If you own a home in Cerritos and you are waiting for mortgage rates to drop before you list, the Q3 2026 numbers say waiting has a cost. Cerritos is still one of the fastest markets around: single-family homes sold in an average of 17 days, eight days faster than a year ago, and sellers received 99.7% of their original asking price. But new listings jumped 41%, from 54 to 76, and the over-asking offers that were common in the spring have faded (CRMLS, pulled October 3, 2026).
Put simply: buyers are still here and still buying, but they have more choices than they did a few months ago. When rates drop, the sellers who were waiting will list too. Listing now means you are not adding your home to that crowd.
Christine Almarines is a top real estate agent in Buena Park and Cerritos helping homeowners sell in Orange County and Los Angeles County. Here's what happens when rates drop, and what it means for Cerritos sellers.
Buyers who have been waiting come back, and they come back together. Demand rises.
So does supply. The sellers who held off for the same reason you did start listing, and they do it at the same moment. More Cerritos homes compete for the same buyers, and buyers can compare more of them side by side.
Nobody knows when rates will fall or by how much. Waiting means betting that the extra buyers will outnumber the extra sellers, without knowing the date.
Yes. In Q3 2026, 59 single-family homes closed in Cerritos, up 18% from 50 a year ago, and they sold in 17 days on average. Rates are higher than a lot of buyers would like, so they are more selective. They compare more homes and pass on ones that are overpriced or not ready.
That is good for you if your home is priced right and shows well. The buyers out today are serious because they are buying with rates where they are.
Single-family detached homes in Cerritos, California (Los Angeles County), from the California Regional Multiple Listing Service (CRMLS), pulled October 3, 2026.
| Measure | Q3 2026 | Q3 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average sale price | $1,221,457 | $1,211,063 | Up 0.9% |
| Closed sales | 59 | 50 | Up 18% |
| New listings | 76 | 54 | Up 41% |
| Average days active in MLS | 17 | 25 | 8 days faster |
| Percent of original price received | 99.7% | 100.6% | Down 0.9 points |
About the sample size: Cerritos is a smaller city, so 59 sales in a quarter is a solid but not huge sample. A few unusually high or low sales can move the average price. Days on market and percent of asking price are steadier signals here.
What this means for a Cerritos seller:
Price off the last 90 days of sales on your street, not a sale from May. Present the home well, because buyers are looking at more of them side by side. Do the decluttering, repairs, and professional photos before you list. In a market where homes sell in about two and a half weeks, a home that is not ready at launch loses its best days.
If you are weighing your options on price, this breakdown of the three ways to price a home walks through pricing below, at, or above market in Cerritos.
A few situations are worth a real look before you list. If you have a low rate on your current mortgage and plan to buy your next home, selling means a higher rate on the next one. That is a cost worth putting numbers on, not guessing at. What your Cerritos home would net, what your next payment would be, and whether the move gets you what you want all change the answer.
If you are not taking on a new mortgage, because you are downsizing into a rental, selling an inherited home, or buying with cash, a lower rate does little for you directly, and the carrying costs keep running while you wait.
Either way, start with your numbers.
Christine will walk you through what your home would net in this exact market, with no pressure. Request a complimentary market evaluation or book a consultation.
Should I wait for interest rates to drop before selling my Cerritos house?
Waiting is a bet on timing nobody can call. When rates drop, buyers return, but so do the sellers who were waiting. Cerritos new listings were already up 41% in Q3 2026, so the field is getting busier. Unless you have a specific reason to wait, such as a low rate on a home you would replace, the numbers support listing when your home is ready.
How fast do homes sell in Cerritos?
Cerritos single-family homes were active in MLS an average of 17 days in Q3 2026, compared with 25 days in Q3 2025 (CRMLS).
Do Cerritos homes still sell over asking price?
Not on average. Sellers received 99.7% of their original asking price in Q3 2026. In Q2 2026 it was 101.7%.
What was the average home price in Cerritos in Q3 2026?
$1,221,457 for single-family detached homes, up 0.9% from $1,211,063 in Q3 2025 (CRMLS).
Will Cerritos home prices go up when mortgage rates drop?
Lower rates tend to bring more buyers, which can support prices, but they also tend to bring more sellers. Nobody can promise which effect will be bigger or when it will happen.
What would my Cerritos home net if I sold now?
It depends on your own home, street, and mortgage balance. Get a complimentary market evaluation and Christine will walk you through it.
Who can help me sell in Cerritos?
Christine Almarines is a top real estate agent in Buena Park and Cerritos helping homeowners sell in Orange County and Los Angeles County, licensed since 2004. Start with the Sure Seller course or book a consultation.
Source: All 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 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.
Waiting for mortgage rates to drop is a bet on timing that nobody can call. When rates do fall, buyers come back, and so do the sellers who were waiting for the same thing. You would likely be listing into a busier field, not a quieter one.
Meanwhile, serious buyers are still buying. In Q3 2026, Orange County single-family homes sold in an average of 33 days and Los Angeles County homes in 35, with sellers getting 97.9% and 98.8% of their original asking price. Fewer new homes came on the market than a year ago: down 4.7% in Orange County and 5.2% in LA County (CRMLS, pulled October 3, 2026).
Put simply: a well-priced, well-presented home is selling today against less competition than it will probably face after a rate drop.
Christine Almarines is a top real estate agent in Buena Park and Cerritos helping homeowners sell in Orange County and Los Angeles County. Nearly every seller she talks to is waiting on the same thing: rates. Here's what actually happens when they drop, and what it means for your timing.
Buyers who have been sitting out move back in, and they tend to do it at the same time. That helps demand.
It is not the whole picture. Sellers who have been holding off, often for the same reason you are, start listing too. When everyone who was waiting moves at once, more homes compete for the same buyers, and buyers have more to choose from.
Nobody can tell you when rates will drop, how far, or how many sellers will respond. Waiting means betting that the added demand outweighs the added competition, with no date to plan around.
They are still buying, and they are more selective. Rates are higher than a lot of buyers would like, so they compare more homes, ask more questions, and pass on homes that are overpriced or not ready.
That works in your favor if your home is priced right and shows well. The buyers looking today are serious, because they are buying with rates where they are. A home priced at the market and prepared properly stands out, and you aren't fighting a flood of other listings for their attention.
Single-family detached homes, July through September 2026, from the California Regional Multiple Listing Service (CRMLS), pulled October 3, 2026.
| Measure | Orange County | Los Angeles County |
|---|---|---|
| Average sale price | $2,090,835 (up 11.2%) | $1,551,572 (up 8.0%) |
| Closed sales | 3,174 (down 3.0%) | 8,258 (about flat) |
| New listings | 3,972 (down 4.7%) | 12,638 (down 5.2%) |
| Average days active in MLS | 33 | 35 |
| Percent of original price received | 97.9% | 98.8% |
About the Los Angeles County data: Los Angeles County homes are listed on more than one MLS. These figures cover LA County homes in CRMLS, so the totals may not include every sale in the county. The trends are still a reliable read on the market.
Three things stand out:
An average describes the mix of homes that sold. Your home's number comes from your own street and recent comparable sales.
Selective buyers reward two things: the right price and a home that shows well. Price off the last 90 days of sales near you, not a sale from last spring. Do the prep, the decluttering, repairs, and professional photos, before you list, not after.
If you are weighing your options on price, this breakdown of the three ways to price a home covers the tradeoffs of pricing below, at, or above market.
Some sellers have a real reason to wait. If you have a low rate on your current mortgage and you are buying your next home, selling means taking on a higher rate than the one you have. That is a real cost, and it deserves real numbers, not a guess. The answer depends on what your home would net, how much your next payment changes, and whether the move gets you what you actually want.
If you are selling and not taking on a new mortgage, because you are downsizing into a rental, selling an inherited home, or buying with cash, a lower rate does little for you directly while carrying costs (taxes, insurance, upkeep) keep running.
Either way, the first step is the same: know your numbers before you decide.
Christine will walk you through what your home would net in this exact market, with no pressure. Request a complimentary market evaluation or book a consultation.
Should I wait for interest rates to drop before selling my house in Orange County or Los Angeles County?
Waiting is a bet on timing nobody can call. When rates drop, buyers return, but so do the sellers who were waiting, so you would likely list into a busier market. In Q3 2026, single-family homes still sold in 33 days in Orange County and 35 in Los Angeles County, at about 98% of original asking price. Unless you have a specific reason to wait, such as a low rate on a home you would replace, the numbers support listing when your home is ready.
Will home prices go up when mortgage rates drop?
Lower rates tend to bring more buyers, which can support prices, but they also tend to bring more sellers. Nobody can promise which effect will be bigger or when it will happen.
Are buyers still buying at today's mortgage rates?
Yes. 3,174 single-family homes closed in Orange County and 8,258 in Los Angeles County in Q3 2026 (CRMLS). Buyers are more selective, so price and presentation matter more.
How long does it take to sell a home right now?
Single-family homes spent an average of 33 days active in MLS in Orange County and 35 days in Los Angeles County in Q3 2026.
Do homes still sell for asking price?
Close to it. Sellers received 97.9% of their original asking price on average in Orange County and 98.8% in Los Angeles County in Q3 2026.
What would my home net if I sold now?
It depends on your own home, street, and mortgage balance. Get a complimentary market evaluation and Christine will walk you through it.
Who can help me sell in Orange County or Los Angeles County?
Christine Almarines is a top real estate agent in Buena Park and Cerritos helping homeowners sell in Orange County and Los Angeles County, including Anaheim, Bellflower, Cypress, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Long Beach, Lakewood, and Placentia. She has been licensed since 2004. Start with the Sure Seller course or book a consultation.
Source: All 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 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.
If you live in Orange County or Los Angeles County, earthquakes are part of life. We cannot predict them, but we can make our homes safer before one hits.
October is a great time to do it. The Great ShakeOut earthquake drill takes place every year on the third Thursday of October at 10:15 a.m., which this year is Thursday, October 15. Use it as your reminder to check your home and practice what to do.
During shaking, the biggest danger in many homes is what falls or tips over. Walk through each room and look up.
Most of this takes basic tools and an afternoon.
Plan to be on your own for at least three days. A basic kit includes:
Remember your pets too, with food, water, and any medications. Store the kit where you can reach it quickly, and check expiration dates once a year. For a grab-and-go version, see How to Pack an Emergency Go Bag, and for more preparedness ideas, read Zombie Apocalypse Preparedness 101.
Find your gas meter and the shutoff valve, and keep the right tool nearby. If you smell gas or suspect a leak after shaking, shut it off, leave the house, and call your gas utility. Do not turn the gas back on yourself. Some homeowners also add automatic gas shut-off valves, which are designed to limit damage from a gas leak.
When the ground shakes: Drop to your hands and knees, Cover your head and neck under a sturdy table or desk, and Hold On until the shaking stops. Practice with your family, and pick a safe spot in each room.
Decide on a meeting spot, and agree on an out-of-area contact everyone can reach. Save important phone numbers in more than one place.
Earthquakes can happen at any time of year, which is why the October Great ShakeOut drill is a helpful yearly reminder for Orange County and Los Angeles County homeowners.
Doing your checks now means you are prepared long before the holidays, when your home is busy with guests and your attention is somewhere else. Pair these tasks with the drill and you can finish most of them in a single weekend.
Call a licensed professional to strap or brace a water heater if you are not comfortable doing it, to inspect your foundation if you see new cracks, or to handle gas line concerns. Ask for a written estimate, since prices vary by home.
A few small steps now can make a big difference. Anchor the tall furniture, strap the water heater, pack your kit, and join the ShakeOut on October 15.
Want more ways to protect your home? Browse our home maintenance tips.
Anchor tall furniture to the wall, secure heavy items and electronics, strap the water heater, move heavy objects off high shelves, and keep a basic emergency kit ready.
Water, non-perishable food, a flashlight and batteries, a first aid kit, medications, a radio, phone chargers, and copies of important documents. Plan for at least three days.
Drop to your hands and knees, cover your head and neck under a sturdy table or desk, and hold on until the shaking stops.
It is an annual earthquake drill held on the third Thursday of October at 10:15 a.m., encouraging people to practice Drop, Cover, and Hold On.
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.
In Los Angeles County, houses and condos are giving buyers and sellers very different deals. In Q3 2026, LA County houses sold in 35 days for 98.8% of their original asking price. Condos and townhomes took 50 days and sold for 96.8%.
Scope note: This guide covers single-family detached homes and attached homes (condos, townhomes, and attached single-family) in Los Angeles County listed in CRMLS. The full numbers are in the two companion Q3 2026 LA County reports.
That shapes every move in this guide:
Christine Almarines is a top real estate agent in Buena Park and Cerritos helping homeowners sell in Orange County and Los Angeles County. The full numbers are in the two companion Q3 2026 LA County reports. This guide is about what to do with them.
Los Angeles County, from the California Regional Multiple Listing Service (CRMLS), pulled October 3, 2026.
| Measure | Houses (detached) | Condos and townhomes |
|---|---|---|
| Average sale price | $1,551,572 (up 8.0%) | $891,716 (up 4.2%) |
| Closed sales | 8,258 (about flat) | 3,243 (up 6.3%) |
| New listings | 12,638 (down 5.2%) | 6,234 (about flat) |
| Average days active in MLS | 35 | 50 |
| Percent of original price received | 98.8% | 96.8% |
| Closings per 100 new listings | About 65 | About 52 |
About the data: Los Angeles County homes are listed on more than one MLS. These figures cover LA County homes in CRMLS, so the totals may not include every sale in the county. The trends are still a reliable read.
How the figures were built: CRMLS reports these measures month by month. Sales and listings are added together. Average price, days active, and percent of original price are weighted by the number of homes that closed each month.
LA County is dozens of different markets. In the same quarter, Cerritos houses sold in 17 days on average, less than half the county’s 35. A county average is a starting point. The numbers that decide your price or your offer come from your own neighborhood.
Yes. Prices are up 8.0% year over year and 13% for the first nine months. Homes sell in about five weeks, and sellers received 98.8% of their original asking price. New listings were down 5.2%, so there’s a bit less competition than a year ago.
It’s workable, but it’s the hardest seat in the local market. Units took 50 days and sold for 96.8% of original price, and 96.3% in September. Sales were up, so buyers are there. They’re just patient and negotiating.
Spring is strongest. In Q2 2026, LA County houses averaged 32 days and 99.7% of original price. Condos averaged 45 days and 97.6%.
Winter is hardest. In January 2026, houses averaged 47 days and condos 60 days.
The move: if your home is ready, list this fall rather than drift into winter. If it needs real work, prepare over the winter and list in early spring.
Price at the market from day one. The percent of original price received counts every price cut. House sellers gave up 1.2% on average. Condo sellers gave up 3.2%, roughly $28,500 on an average-priced unit (an illustration using county averages, not a figure for any specific home).
Step by step:
For a condo or townhome, it’s one of the best opportunities in the area. For a house, expect a fair market with modest room. Either way, prices haven’t dropped: houses are up 13% and condos 11.2% for the year to date.
Match your offer to the property type and how long it has been listed.
For example:
These are general patterns, not rules for any specific home.
You’re selling in the softer market and buying in the stronger one. In Q3 2026, the average LA County house cost about $660,000 more than the average condo or townhome, up from about $581,000 in Q3 2025. Those are county averages, not your numbers, but the gap has been widening.
The move:
This is the strongest position in the local market. You sell into the market where sellers get 98.8% of asking, and buy in the one where sellers get 96.8%.
The move: list your house at the market and let it sell. Then negotiate on the condo, especially units that have been listed past 50 days.
The downsizer. A homeowner whose kids have moved out lists their LA County house this fall, priced off the last 90 days of sales nearby. It sells in about five weeks, close to its original price. They buy a condo that has been listed for two months, negotiate below asking with recent building sales attached, and get a seller credit toward closing costs.
The move-up family. A couple with a growing family owns a townhome. Knowing condos take about 50 days, they price it right from the start, settle their loan plan, and decide in advance to write a contingent offer on a house. Because they planned for the slower sale, the move holds together.
Same county, same quarter. Both used the gap between houses and condos instead of getting caught by it.
It depends on the property. Houses lean toward sellers: 35 days and 98.8% of asking. Condos and townhomes lean toward buyers: 50 days and 96.8%.
For a prepared buyer, yes. Condos are taking longer to sell and sellers are negotiating more than in any other segment of our local data.
About $660,000 more on average in Q3 2026, up from about $581,000 in Q3 2025.
Spring brings the fastest sales and the closest-to-asking prices. If your home is ready now, listing this fall avoids the January slowdown.
Request a complimentary market evaluation based on your home and your neighborhood, not the county average.
Christine Almarines is a top real estate agent in Buena Park and Cerritos helping homeowners sell in Orange County and Los Angeles County, licensed since 2004. Selling? Start with the Sure Seller course. Buying? Start the Buyer Bootcamp. Ready to plan your move? Book a consultation.
Source: All data is from the California Regional Multiple Listing Service, Inc. InfoSparks © 2026 ShowingTime Plus, LLC. Los Angeles County and Cerritos, single-family detached and attached (single-family, condominium, and townhouse), monthly data January 2025 through September 2026, as of October 3, 2026. Quarterly and year-to-date figures are weighted by monthly closed sales.
In Orange County right now, houses and condos are two different markets. In Q3 2026, single-family detached homes sold in an average of 33 days for 97.9% of their original asking price. Condos and townhomes took 41 days and sold for 97.1% (CRMLS).
Scope note: This guide covers both single-family detached homes and attached homes (condos, townhomes, and attached single-family) in Orange County. The full numbers for each are in the two companion Q3 2026 reports.
Prices split too. Detached homes averaged $2,090,835, up 11.2% from a year ago. Condos and townhomes averaged $953,992, up 1.3%.
That gap shapes every strategy in this guide:
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 is about what to do with the Q3 numbers, whichever side of the table you’re on.
Orange County, July through September 2026, from the California Regional Multiple Listing Service (CRMLS), pulled October 3, 2026.
| Measure | Detached houses | Condos and townhomes |
|---|---|---|
| Average sale price | $2,090,835 (up 11.2% from Q3 2025) | $953,992 (up 1.3% from Q3 2025) |
| Closed sales | 3,174 (down 3.0%) | 1,841 (down 6.3%) |
| New listings | 3,972 (down 4.7%) | 2,712 (down 2.6%) |
| Average days active in MLS | 33 (34 a year ago) | 41 (38 a year ago) |
| Percent of original price received | 97.9% (97.3% a year ago) | 97.1% (97.0% a year ago) |
| Closings per 100 new listings | About 80 | About 68 |
How to read the last row: for every 100 homes that came on the market, about 80 detached homes closed in the same quarter, compared with about 68 condos and townhomes. Detached homes are being absorbed close to the pace they’re listed. Condos and townhomes are selling more slowly than new ones arrive.
How the quarter figures were built: CRMLS reports these measures month by month. Closed sales and new listings are the three months added together. Days active and percent of original price are the three monthly figures weighted by the number of homes that closed each month.
For a detached home, yes. Detached homes sold about a day faster than a year ago, sellers kept more of their original price (97.9% against 97.3%), and new listings fell 4.7%. Less competition and steady demand favor the seller who prices right.
It’s a workable market, but a slower one. Condos and townhomes took 41 days on average, three days longer than Q3 2025 and well above the 35-day average in Q2 2026. Closings fell 6.3% from a year ago, faster than new listings fell. That means more condo and townhome sellers are competing for each buyer.
What held steady: the percent of original price received, 97.1% this year against 97.0% last year. Condo sellers who price well are still getting close to their number. It just takes longer, and an overpriced unit sits.
Spring is strongest for both. In March through May 2026, detached homes averaged 26 to 30 days and sold for 99.0% to 99.3% of their original price. Condos and townhomes averaged 33 to 40 days and sold for 97.8% to 98.4%.
Fall has the least competition. New listings fell every month of Q3 for both. Detached: 1,540 in July down to 1,118 in September. Attached: 1,026 down to 784. Last year, new listings kept dropping through December.
Winter is hardest on sellers, especially condo sellers. In December 2025 and January 2026, condos and townhomes averaged 47 and 54 days and sold for 96.4% of their original price. Detached homes held up better at 41 and 47 days and 97.0%.
The move: a detached home that’s ready now can list this fall and face lighter competition. A condo or townhome that’s ready should list soon rather than drift into winter. If either needs real work, prepare over the winter and list in early spring.
Price to sell at the first number. The percent of original price received captures every price cut, and it’s the clearest message in the data. Detached sellers gave up 2.1% on average. Condo and townhome sellers gave up 2.9%.
Step by step:
Late fall and winter, for both. And the room is widest on condos and townhomes.
Last winter, detached homes sold for 97.0% of their original price in December 2025 and January 2026. Condos and townhomes sold for 96.4% both months and averaged 54 days on market in January. That’s the most negotiating room anywhere in the last 21 months of data.
The tradeoff is choice. Fewer homes list in winter. In December 2025, 726 detached homes and 449 condos and townhomes came on the market in Orange County, against 1,738 and 1,005 in April 2025. You’ll see fewer homes, but you’ll negotiate harder on the ones you see.
Match your offer to how long the home has been on the market, measured against the right average: 33 days for a detached home, 41 for a condo or townhome.
For example:
These are general patterns, not rules for any specific home. Every offer starts with the comps and what the seller needs.
This is where the gap between the two markets matters most.
You’re selling into the slower market and buying into the faster one. Your condo may take 41 days or more, while the house you want may be gone in under 33.
The price gap also widened. In Q3 2025, the average detached home sold for about $938,000 more than the average condo or townhome. In Q3 2026, the difference was about $1,137,000. Those are county averages, not your numbers, but the direction matters: houses gained value faster than condos over the past year, so the step up costs more than it did.
The move:
The gap works in your favor. You’re selling into the stronger market and buying into the one with more room.
The move:
The move-up family. A couple with a growing family owns a townhome and wants a detached house. They list the townhome in October, priced off the last 90 days of sales in their own complex instead of what a neighbor listed at in the spring. With their lender plan settled, they tour houses the same weekend. The townhome takes about six weeks, close to the average for attached homes. Because they planned for that instead of a two-week sale, their purchase timeline holds.
The downsizer. A homeowner whose kids have moved out sells a detached house this fall, priced right from day one, and gets an offer within the first month, close to the original price. They spend that time shopping condos, focus on units that have been on the market past 41 days, and negotiate a seller credit on one that had already cut its price.
Same county, same quarter, two different markets. Both households used the gap instead of getting caught by it.
It depends on the property. Detached houses lean toward sellers: 33 days on market and 97.9% of original price received. Condos and townhomes give buyers more room: 41 days and 97.1%.
Condos and townhomes averaged 41 days active in MLS in Q3 2026, compared with 38 days in Q3 2025 and 33 days for detached houses.
Detached homes sold for 97.9% of their original asking price in Q3 2026. Condos and townhomes sold for 97.1%.
Last winter gave condo buyers the most room in the data: 96.4% of original price and up to 54 days on market in December 2025 and January 2026.
It depends on your financing and your timing. Condos are selling more slowly than houses right now, so build that into your plan. Book a consultation to map out the order that works for you.
Request a complimentary market evaluation based on your home and your street or complex, not the county average.
Christine Almarines is a top real estate agent in Buena Park and Cerritos helping homeowners sell in Orange County and Los Angeles County, licensed since 2004. Selling? Start with the Sure Seller course. Buying? Start the Buyer Bootcamp. Ready to plan your move? Book a consultation.
Source: All data is from the California Regional Multiple Listing Service, Inc. InfoSparks © 2026 ShowingTime Plus, LLC. Orange County, single-family detached and attached (single-family, condominium, and townhouse), monthly data January 2025 through September 2026, as of October 3, 2026. Quarterly figures are weighted by monthly closed sales.
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