I want to hear what you would like to see more of when it comes to Cerritos community events and local businesses, beyond real estate news. Maybe it is a city event you never want to miss, a family-run shop down the street, or a story about the people who make this city feel like home.
Tell me in whatever way is easiest for you. Comment one word on this post, send an email, call, or book a time to talk. All four ways are listed below.
Christine Almarines is a top real estate agent in Buena Park and Cerritos helping homeowners sell in Orange County and Los Angeles County. This is a question, not a new series, and your answers will shape what I cover next.
That is the whole question, and I would like your answer. I write about the market often, but Cerritos is more than home values.
Maybe you want to know what is happening this weekend, which local business is worth a visit, or a good story about the city. There is no wrong answer. If it matters to you and it happens in Cerritos, I want to hear about it.
Here are a few ideas to get you thinking. Each one is a possibility, not a promise, and your answers decide which ones come first.
| Idea | What it could look like | How you can help |
|---|---|---|
| City events and activities | A look ahead at things to do in Cerritos, from concerts to seasonal events | Tell us about an event you love or one that deserves more attention |
| School and community happenings | Fundraisers, community drives, or neighborhood gatherings open to the public | Share what is coming up and who we could ask about it |
| Local businesses, small to large | Restaurants, shops, services, and big employers that keep Cerritos running | Nominate a business and tell us why it stands out to you |
| People and stories behind the city | A neighbor, volunteer, or longtime resident with a story worth telling | Tell us who, and whether they would want to be asked |
| Neighborhood know-how | Parks, city services, and simple tips for everyday life in Cerritos | Send the question you wish someone had answered for you |
If your idea does not fit any of these rows, send it anyway.
The ones you nominate. When you tell me about a small business or a large one you think more neighbors should know about, your answers help decide what I cover.
A few things stay the same no matter what:
If you own a business in Cerritos, you are welcome to tell me about it yourself.
So far, mostly events. My Cerritos events in October 2026 roundup included:
CA Real Estate Group also hosts its own community events, like the Kids Halloween Coloring Contest 2026, which was open to everyone.
If you liked any of these, tell me which one. That helps me know what to do more of.
Pick any one of these four ways. Each takes less than a minute.
What to tell us:
If you write in by email, I will only contact you about what you asked, and you can ask me to stop at any time.
I read it, and your answer helps decide what comes next.
I will not give you a timeline, because some ideas take longer to do well than others.
Because my work happens in neighborhoods. Every home I help someone buy or sell sits on a street, near a park, close to a favorite restaurant or a weekend farmers market.
Knowing Cerritos well means knowing what makes people want to stay. Covering neighborhood news, things to do, and small business stories is one way to show up for the city beyond real estate. Neighbors in Artesia, Norwalk, Lakewood, Bellflower, La Mirada, and Buena Park are welcome to share ideas too, especially when they spend time in Cerritos.
If you would rather share your ideas in a conversation, I would like that.
And if you are ever curious about how homes in the city are doing, my Cerritos market reports are there when you want them.
What would you like to see covered in Cerritos?
That is what I am asking you. Tell me which Cerritos community events and local businesses you would like to see more of, or any local story you think deserves attention.
Can I tell you about my business or an event?
Yes to both. For a business, send me a note about it and why neighbors should know about it. For an event, tell me what it is, when and where it happens, and whether I may mention it. I ask for permission before featuring anything, and there is no paid placement.
Do I have to buy or sell a home to take part?
No. This is for anyone who cares about Cerritos. Real estate has nothing to do with it.
Will you feature everything we send?
I cannot promise that. I read every reply and use your answers to decide what to cover, and I ask for permission before featuring any business, person, or photo.
How do I reach you?
Comment on this post, email christine@carealestategroup.com with the subject “Cerritos ideas”, or call (714) 476-4637.
Who is behind this?
Christine Almarines is a top real estate agent in Buena Park and Cerritos helping homeowners sell in Orange County and Los Angeles County. She has been licensed since 2004 and leads CA Real Estate Group under Caliber Real Estate Group. Book a time to talk.
If you’d like to talk about your next move in Southern California real estate, I’d be happy to help.
Christine Almarines wants to know if you would like a monthly market report for your city, or a short note on your own home, sent to your email. She already reports on Cerritos and Buena Park and could look at covering your area too. Comment, email, or book a time to tell her.
This is a question, not a finished product. Tell me which city and what you would want in it. Your answers help me decide what to build.
Christine Almarines is a top real estate agent in Buena Park and Cerritos helping homeowners sell in Orange County and Los Angeles County. Replying commits you to nothing.
The numbers below are a sample of what a report could show: single-family detached homes from CRMLS, January 2025 through September 2026. Los Angeles County figures cover only LA County homes in CRMLS and may not include every sale. A home-specific note is based on recent comparable sales and is not an appraisal.
If you wonder what your home is worth, a monthly market report for your city would put your area’s numbers in your inbox. Christine is asking who wants one before she builds it.
Christine puts together market reports on single-family homes in Cerritos, Buena Park, Orange County and Los Angeles County from CRMLS data. Would a Cerritos market report, a Buena Park market report, or an Orange County and LA County market report be useful in your email each month? Would you rather see your own city, or a monthly home value report built around your address?
A city report would show what sold, for how much, how fast, and how many homes came on the market. Here is a sample.
Single-family detached homes, from the California Regional Multiple Listing Service (CRMLS), pulled October 3, 2026. Los Angeles County figures cover only LA County homes in CRMLS and may not include every sale in the county. This is a sample of what a report could show.
| Q3 2026 (Q3 2025 in parentheses) | Cerritos | Buena Park | Orange County | Los Angeles County |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average sale price | $1,221,457 ($1,211,063) | $1,045,412 ($1,002,350) | $2,090,835 ($1,880,358) | $1,551,572 ($1,436,531) |
| Change in average price | Up 0.9% | Up 4.3% | Up 11.2% | Up 8.0% |
| Average days active in MLS | 17 (25) | 25 (24) | 33 (34) | 35 (35) |
| Percent of original price received | 99.7% (100.6%) | 98.5% (98.1%) | 97.9% (97.3%) | 98.8% (98.2%) |
| New listings | 76 (54) | 77 (84) | 3,972 (4,170) | 12,638 (13,337) |
| Closed sales | 59 (50) | 67 (80) | 3,174 (3,271) | 8,258 (8,229) |
How to read it:
A home note would add what recent comparable sales near your home suggest. It is not an appraisal and not a guarantee of value.
A city average describes the whole area. Your home has its own size, condition and updates. A home note looks at similar homes that sold nearby. It needs your address. Christine already offers this as a complimentary market evaluation. She is asking whether you would want a note like that each month.
Any city where you live or are thinking of buying. Christine already puts together reports on Cerritos, Buena Park, Orange County and Los Angeles County.
She also works in the surrounding cities:
There is no report for these cities yet. Whether yours is on this list or not, tell me yours.
What to tell me:
Christine reads each reply, decides what to build, and writes back.
There is no set start date yet. Christine would use your email to send what you asked for, and you can ask her to stop at any time.
A monthly report shows what is happening in your own area. A report on your own area answers a different question than regional headlines do.
Can I get a monthly market report for my city?
Christine is asking who wants a monthly market report for your city. Reply with your city and what you would want in it. Reports on Cerritos, Buena Park, Orange County and LA County are the ones she already puts together.
Can I get a report on my own home?
Christine already offers a complimentary market evaluation based on recent comparable sales near your home. It is not an appraisal. A monthly home note is what she is asking about now.
How do I tell Christine I want a report?
Comment CITY, HOME or BOTH on this post, email christine@carealestategroup.com with the subject “Monthly report”, call (714) 476-4637, or book a time.
Does replying commit me to anything?
No. Replying only tells Christine what you would want to see, and you can ask her to stop at any time.
Which cities can I ask about?
Any nearby city. Reports on Cerritos, Buena Park, Orange County and Los Angeles County already exist, and Christine also works in the surrounding cities listed above.
Who can help me understand my local market?
Christine Almarines of CA Real Estate Group, licensed since 2004, works with homeowners and buyers in Cerritos, Buena Park, 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, Cerritos, Buena Park, 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’d like to talk about your next move in Southern California real estate, I’d be happy to help.
Looking for Orange County November events in 2026? We’ve rounded up 100+ things to do, including Día de los Muertos celebrations, Veterans Day events, Thanksgiving dinners and turkey trots, tree lightings, holiday light displays, concerts, wine and food experiences, family activities, art walks and community events throughout Anaheim, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Santa Ana, Tustin and communities across OC.
Before you go: Event dates, times, admission prices and availability can change. Use the More Information link under each listing to confirm current details with the event source.
Looking back? See our 100+ things to do in Orange County in October, our things to do in Cerritos in October guide, and last week’s family-friendly Halloween weekend roundup.
Date: Nov 1, 2026
Location: Newport Beach
A string quartet plays the songs of José José by candlelight at the Hyatt Regency.
Date: Nov 1, 2026
Location: Anaheim
Anaheim Ducks celebrate Día de Muertos at Honda Center with a themed night against the Ottawa Senators.
Date: Nov 1, 2026
Location: Anaheim
Say goodbye to three exhibitions on Disney, Anaheim and SHAG at Muzeo’s closing reception, with music and bites.
Date: Nov 1, 2026
Location: Cypress
A community Día de los Muertos observance at Forest Lawn in Cypress honoring family and loved ones.
Date: Nov 1, 2026
Location: Garden Grove
A Día de los Muertos concert at Garden AMP with a lineup of live bands.
Date: Nov 1, 2026
Location: Orange County
A countywide guide to Día de los Muertos festivals, ofrendas, performances and family activities.
Date: Nov 1, 2026
Location: Santa Ana
A free evening at the Heritage Museum with live entertainment, food, vendors, crafts and a community ofrenda.
Date: Nov 1, 2026
Location: Santa Ana
A free family festival at the Bowers Museum with performances, art making, face painting and treats.
Date: Nov 1, 2026
Location: Irvine
See the National Theatre’s filmed-live production of Hamlet on the big screen at the Irvine Barclay.
Date: Sep 12–Nov 8, 2026
Location: Huntington Beach
Raise a stein at Old World’s Oktoberfest, with German food, music and dancing through the first weekend of November.
Date: Nov 1–28, 2026
Location: Orange County
Thanksgiving-season 5Ks, 10Ks and family runs across Orange County, with race listings through Nov 28.
Date: Nov 1, 2026
Location: Brea
A Rocky Horror-themed drag show and brunch at the Brea Improv.
Date: Nov 1–26, 2026
Location: Orange County
Resort buffets, prix-fixe dinners and traditional turkey feasts, with reservation details for Thanksgiving.
Date: Nov 1–4, 2026
Location: Orange County
David Lynch’s cult classic returns to select Orange County movie theaters for a limited run.
Date: Nov 2–8, 2026
Location: Brea
Prix-fixe menus, two-for-one offers and special deals at participating Brea restaurants all week.
Date: Nov 3–12, 2026
Location: Orange County
The new Godzilla film opens in Orange County theaters.
Date: Nov 3, 2026
Location: Tustin
A beginner class where you pick a model, run the print, paint it and take it home.
Date: Nov 3, 2026
Location: Orange
A hands-on woodworking class on cabinet design, materials and building a basic box.
Date: Nov 5, 2026
Location: Yorba Linda
A live string quartet plays Queen and ABBA favorites in a candlelit setting at the Nixon Library.
Date: Nov 5, 2026
Location: Dana Point
A five-course dinner pairing Caymus Vineyards wines with chef-created dishes overlooking the harbor.
Date: Nov 5, 2026
Location: Anaheim
Learn to make fresh pasta from scratch, including dough, rolling and a classic sauce.
Date: Nov 5, 2026
Location: Costa Mesa
A family-style fall dinner with wine pairings and world music at The CAMP.
Date: Nov 5–Dec 30, 2026
Location: Irvine
Lanterns, cultural performances, acrobatics and a lantern workshop light up Wild Rivers through Dec 30.
Date: Nov 5–7, 2026
Location: Santa Ana
A 21+ immersive evening of Poe stories and themed cocktails inside Fairhaven Memorial Park.
Date: Nov 5, 2026
Location: Laguna Beach
Gallery receptions, artist demos, free museum admission and trolley service in Laguna Beach.
Date: Nov 6, 2026
Location: Anaheim
Dan + Shay bring The Young Tour to Honda Center with Tyler Hubbard and Josh Ross.
Date: Nov 6, 2026
Location: Anaheim Hills
Dinner and live Sinatra-style music at Keno’s in Anaheim Hills.
Date: Nov 6, 2026
Location: Fullerton
Galleries, live art, pop-ups, music, poetry and local vendors downtown on first Friday.
Date: Nov 6, 2026
Location: Fountain Valley
Skate to EDM hits under the rink lights in a late-night session.
Date: Nov 6, 2026
Location: Anaheim
An 18+ K-pop dance night at House of Blues Anaheim.
Date: Nov 6, 2026
Location: San Clemente
Tasting stations from local restaurants, wineries and breweries with live music and dancing.
Date: Nov 7, 2026
Location: Santa Ana
A half marathon, 10K and 5K with a beer stroll, brewery tastings, food trucks and live music.
Date: Nov 7, 2026
Location: Anaheim
The alternative rock band plays Honda Center, with parking included with tickets.
Date: Nov 7, 2026
Location: Costa Mesa
German trance duo Cosmic Gate plays a high-energy set at TIME Nightclub.
Date: Nov 7, 2026
Location: Santa Ana
A free, all-ages monthly ArtWalk that turns the streets of downtown Santa Ana into an open-air gallery.
Date: Nov 7–8, 2026
Location: Orange
A beginner-friendly class (ages 14+) where you turn two custom wooden ornaments to take home.
Date: Nov 7–11, 2026
Location: Orange County
Rocky returns to select Orange County theaters for its 50th anniversary, Nov 7–11.
Date: Nov 7, 2026
Location: Tustin
A community celebration with a car show and vendors honoring local veterans in Tustin.
Date: Nov 7–12, 2026
Location: Orange
More than 1,200 American flags on display in Orange, each honoring a service member.
Date: Nov 7, 2026
Location: Santa Ana
A small wine tasting paired with a tour of a historic Victorian home in downtown Santa Ana.
Date: Nov 7, 2026
Location: Anaheim
A five-course wagyu dinner paired with wines and handcrafted whiskey cocktails at Morton’s.
Date: Nov 8, 2026
Location: San Juan Capistrano
The folk-rock singer-songwriter behind “American Pie” plays The Coach House.
Date: Nov 8, 2026
Location: Costa Mesa
Three-hour tasting sessions with 30+ vendors, 100+ wines, music and food trucks, Nov 7–8.
Date: Nov 8, 2026
Location: Huntington Beach
Modified Porsches line up on Huntington Beach Pier at this free-to-watch car gathering.
Date: Nov 11, 2026
Location: Anaheim
The Ducks honor military members on Veterans Day at Honda Center.
Date: Nov 11, 2026
Location: Newport Beach
The founders of Levain Bakery discuss and sign their book celebrating 30 years of cookies.
Date: Nov 12, 2026
Location: Anaheim
A hands-on class on making dumplings from scratch with fresh ingredients.
Date: Nov 12–Jan 10, 2027
Location: Dana Point
Dana Point Harbor’s holiday light display runs Nov 12 to Jan 10 with returning favorites.
Date: Nov 12, 2026
Location: Corona del Mar
Make holiday-scented cold-process soap at Sherman Library & Gardens.
Date: Nov 12, 2026
Location: Newport Beach
Holiday shopping, wine and light bites at Roger’s Gardens, supporting Susan G. Komen.
Date: Nov 13, 2026
Location: Fullerton
Stand-up comedy and six wine tastings at The Charleston in Fullerton.
Date: Nov 13, 2026
Location: Santa Ana
English punk legends Buzzcocks play The Observatory.
Date: Nov 13, 2026
Location: Costa Mesa
House DJ and producer Noizu plays TIME Nightclub.
Date: Nov 13, 2026
Location: Westminster
An interactive courtroom drama where the audience is the jury and decides the verdict.
Date: Nov 14–15, 2026
Location: Costa Mesa
Broadway-inspired drag performances at the Segerstrom Center, Nov 13–14.
Date: Nov 14, 2026
Location: Huntington Beach
A beachfront festival of new wave, post-punk and alternative bands on the sand.
Date: Nov 14–15, 2026
Location: Crystal Cove
A beginner-friendly guided overnight with hiking and camp setup at Crystal Cove State Park.
Date: Nov 14, 2026
Location: Santa Ana
A beginner class on exposure, flash and the basics of digital photography.
Date: Nov 14, 2026
Location: Anaheim
Cocktail tastings, bartender instruction and brunch bites at Parkside Market.
Date: Nov 14, 2026
Location: Tustin
Independent booksellers, author signings, panels, poetry and kids’ activities.
Date: Nov 14, 2026
Location: Costa Mesa
A tribute to Vietnam veterans with 1960s and 1970s music and family activities.
Date: Nov 14, 2026
Location: Huntington Beach
An unofficial after party with an ’80s tribute band to keep Darker Waves going.
Date: Nov 15, 2026
Location: Anaheim
The Ducks host Hockey Fights Cancer Night at Honda Center against the Calgary Flames.
Date: Nov 15, 2026
Location: Newport Beach
A live string tribute to Metallica at the Lido Theater by candlelight.
Date: Nov 15, 2026
Location: Fullerton
The Fullerton Jazz Orchestra and symphony play the music of Henry Mancini.
Date: Nov 15, 2026
Location: Tustin
A Cars & Coffee-style toy drive at the Marconi Automotive Museum benefiting local children.
Date: Nov 15, 2026
Location: Santa Ana
British punk pioneers The Damned play The Observatory.
Date: Nov 16, 2026
Location: Orange
A beginner workshop on sourdough basics that sends you home with an active starter.
Date: Nov 17, 2026
Location: Corona del Mar
Guided meditation, crystal bowls and gongs by the fire at Sherman Library & Gardens.
Date: Nov 19, 2026
Location: Newport Beach
Meet the founder of Thacher Winery for an intimate tasting of Central Coast wines.
Date: Nov 20, 2026
Location: Tustin
Indoor golf, putting, drinks, music and networking at Ever Club.
Date: Nov 20, 2026
Location: Anaheim
An 18+ dance party celebrating the music of Olivia Rodrigo.
Date: Nov 20, 2026
Location: Anaheim
A hands-on baking class covering meringue, piping, fillings and assembly.
Date: Nov 21, 2026
Location: Newport Coast
A string quartet plays Taylor Swift favorites by candlelight at Pelican Hill.
Date: Nov 21, 2026
Location: Costa Mesa
A seated tasting of Louis Roederer Champagne, including Cristal, with three Saturday sessions.
Date: Nov 21, 2026
Location: Costa Mesa
Volunteer to remove invasive plants and restore native habitat at Fairview Park.
Date: Nov 21, 2026
Location: Anaheim
The Puerto Rican reggaeton icon plays House of Blues Anaheim.
Date: Nov 21, 2026
Location: Irvine
Show cars, drag builds, stance cars, DJs, vendors and a trophy ceremony.
Date: Nov 21, 2026
Location: Newport Beach
Meet Radko designer Joe Walden and get an ornament signed at Roger’s Gardens.
Date: Nov 21, 2026
Location: Newport Beach
A social night with live violin and piano, magic, comedy and dancing for meeting new people.
Date: Nov 22, 2026
Location: Anaheim
Hard rock band Alter Bridge brings its What Lies Within Tour to House of Blues Anaheim.
Date: Nov 22, 2026
Location: Yorba Linda
The Orchid Quartet plays The Beatles by candlelight at the Nixon Library.
Date: Nov 22, 2026
Location: Buena Park
Vinyl records, music collectibles and rare finds from collectors and vendors.
Date: Nov 24, 2026
Location: Anaheim
Journey brings the Final Frontier Tour to Honda Center.
Date: Nov 24, 2026
Location: Huntington Beach
Downtown Huntington Beach kicks off the holidays with a tree lighting, Santa and live music.
Date: Nov 26, 2026
Location: Newport Beach
A Baja-inspired, family-style Thanksgiving feast with a carving station.
Date: Nov 26, 2026
Location: Laguna Beach
A Thanksgiving meal with an ocean view at Splashes.
Date: Nov 27, 2026
Location: Newport Beach
More than 50 floating holiday displays light up Back Bay on opening night.
Date: Nov 27, 2026
Location: Anaheim
The Mexican music star plays House of Blues Anaheim on her Bendita Locura Tour.
Date: Nov 27, 2026
Location: Anaheim
Catch the Ducks vs. Kings on Black Friday with an exclusive merchandise drop.
Date: Nov 27, 2026
Location: Irvine
Opening night of the festival of lights at Tanaka Farms, with illuminated displays and wagon rides.
Date: Nov 27–28, 2026
Location: Irvine
Emmy and Golden Globe winner Jeremy Piven performs stand-up at the Irvine Improv, Nov 27–28.
Date: Nov 27, 2026
Location: La Mirada
Gobo, Red, Mokey, Wembley and Boober star in a live musical at the La Mirada Theatre.
Date: Nov 27, 2026
Location: Brea
The filmmaker and comedian performs stand-up the night after Thanksgiving.
Date: Nov 27–Dec 27, 2026
Location: Anaheim
A festive musical take on A Christmas Carol at Chance Theater, Nov 27 to Dec 27.
Date: Nov 27–Dec 24, 2026
Location: Corona del Mar
An immersive Christmas boutique at Roger’s Gardens, open Nov 27 to Dec 24.
Date: Nov 27, 2026
Location: Costa Mesa
Opening night of Winter Fest OC with a tree lighting, snow play, holiday lights and entertainment.
Date: Nov 28–Dec 27, 2026
Location: Costa Mesa
South Coast Repertory’s 46th anniversary production of the holiday classic, Nov 28 to Dec 27.
Date: Nov 28, 2026
Location: Newport Beach
A string quartet plays Michael Jackson classics by candlelight at the Lido Theater.
Date: Nov 28, 2026
Location: Costa Mesa
Spanish DJ and producer Danny Avila plays TIME Nightclub.
Date: Nov 28, 2026
Location: Anaheim
A night of regional Mexican music at Honda Center.
Date: Nov 28, 2026
Location: Orange
Vintage finds, collectibles, apparel and décor at the Old Towne market.
Date: Nov 28, 2026
Location: Anaheim
A V-Pop showcase with about 30 Vietnamese artists and idol groups at Honda Center.
Date: Nov 29, 2026
Location: Newport Beach
Balboa Bay Resort’s annual tree lighting with live performances and a holiday spectacular.
Date: Nov 29, 2026
Location: Anaheim
Santa and Mrs. Claus, real snow, sledding, cookie decorating and a magician at Anaheim Town Square.
There are 105 Orange County events listed for November 2026, including Día de los Muertos celebrations, Veterans Day events, turkey trots and Thanksgiving dinners, holiday tree lightings and light displays, concerts, wine and food experiences, family activities and art walks.
Popular November events include the Orange County Wine Fest, Darker Waves Festival, the Lighting of the Bay, Winter Fest OC, Hikari Festival of Lights at Tanaka Farms, Magic on Main Street in Huntington Beach and Anaheim Ducks games at Honda Center.
Yes. Families can find Día de los Muertos festivals, Veterans Day celebrations, the Holiday Carnival at Anaheim Town Square, Winter Fest OC, Dream Glow Festival, Happy Harbor Days in Dana Point and holiday tree lightings across the county.
Use the Thanksgiving Dinner in Orange County listing for resort buffets and prix-fixe dinners, the Orange County Turkey Trots listing for Thanksgiving Day runs, and individual restaurant listings such as Mayor’s Table in Newport Beach and Splashes in Laguna Beach.
Holiday events begin in mid to late November, including Happy Harbor Days in Dana Point Harbor (starting November 12), the Lighting of the Bay and Hikari Festival of Lights (November 27), Winter Fest OC (November 27) and tree lightings in Huntington Beach (November 24) and Newport Beach (November 29).
Yes. Several November events offer free admission or participation, including the art walks in Laguna Beach, Fullerton and downtown Santa Ana, Día de los Muertos festivals at the Heritage Museum and Bowers Museum, and the Porsche gathering at Huntington Beach Pier. Individual attractions or purchases may still have a fee.
November is when Orange County shifts from fall to the holidays. Between Día de los Muertos, Veterans Day tributes, Thanksgiving traditions, tree lightings, light displays, concerts and weekend art walks, there is something happening almost every day.
Save this guide and check back as you make your November plans. Event information can change, so always confirm dates, times, pricing, tickets and other details with the event organizer before attending.
Event information compiled from The Guide OC’s November 2026 events calendar.
If you’d like to talk about your next move in Southern California real estate, I’d be happy to help.
By Christine Almarines | Published September 2026 | Updated October 19, 2026
Veterans Day 2026 falls on Wednesday, November 11. Here are the Veterans Day Orange County ceremonies and observances, plus the ones just over the line in Los Angeles County, starting closest to Cerritos and Buena Park. Each one is marked confirmed (the city or organizer has posted 2026 details), listed (an event listing shows it but the city page has no details yet), or not posted yet. Details are current as of October 19.
Cerritos holds its Veterans Day commemoration on Wednesday, November 11 at 10am at the Civic Center, and the city has posted it. Several other observances fall on a different day: Buena Park’s honor lunch is Wednesday, November 4, and Artesia and La Palma are on Saturday, November 7. Long Beach and the OC Fairgrounds’ Heroes Hall are on Saturdays too (November 7 and November 14).
Before you plan around any ceremony, confirm the time with the city. Phone numbers are listed below. A few times, such as Mission Viejo and Santa Fe Springs, still haven’t been posted.
| Ceremony | City | 2026 date & time | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buena Park Veterans Honor Lunch | Buena Park | Wed, Nov 4, 12pm | Confirmed. Registration required |
| Artesia Veteran’s Day Celebration | Artesia | Sat, Nov 7, 10am-1pm | Confirmed |
| La Palma Veterans Day Ceremony | La Palma | Sat, Nov 7 (time to confirm) | Date listed. Call about RSVP |
| Long Beach Veterans Day Celebration | Long Beach | Sat, Nov 7, 12-4pm | Listed. Free |
| Hawaiian Gardens Veterans Day Ceremony | Hawaiian Gardens | Fri, Nov 6 (time to confirm) | On the city calendar. Call first |
| Norwalk Veterans Recognition Ceremony | Norwalk | Tue, Nov 10 (time to confirm) | Confirmed date |
| Cerritos Veterans Day Commemoration | Cerritos | Wed, Nov 11, 10am | Confirmed |
| Placentia Veterans Day Ceremony | Placentia | Wed, Nov 11, 10-11am | Listed |
| Paramount Veterans Celebration | Paramount | Wed, Nov 11, 10-11:30am | Confirmed. Lunch after |
| VA Long Beach Healthcare System | Long Beach | Wed, Nov 11, 10am-2pm | Listed by the VA |
| Norwalk Veterans Day Ceremony | Norwalk | Wed, Nov 11 (time to confirm) | Confirmed date |
| Irvine Veterans Day Ceremony | Irvine | Wed, Nov 11, 11am-12:30pm | Listed. Free |
| 37th Annual Veterans Day Program | Lake Forest | Wed, Nov 11, 11am | Confirmed. Rain or shine |
| SFV Veterans Day Parade | Pacoima | Wed, Nov 11, 11:11am | Confirmed |
| Mission Viejo Ceremony and Resource Fair | Mission Viejo | Wed, Nov 11 (time not posted) | Date listed |
| Yorba Linda Veterans Day Ceremony | Yorba Linda | Wed, Nov 11, 2pm | Listed. Details to come |
| Santa Fe Springs Veterans Day Program | Santa Fe Springs | Wed, Nov 11 (time not posted) | On the city events page |
| Heroes Hall Veterans Day Celebration | Costa Mesa | Sat, Nov 14, 12-3pm | Listed by the OC Fair. Call to confirm |
Cerritos Civic Center near the Veterans Memorial, 18125 Bloomfield Avenue, Wednesday, November 11 at 10am. The city’s program includes patriotic music, remarks from City Council members and dignitaries, a wreath laying and a moment of silence. It is held rain or shine, and free parking is available at the Civic Center. The city posted this on October 9. Questions: City Hall at 562-860-0311. cerritos.gov
Veterans Memorial at the Ehlers Event Center, 8150 Knott Avenue, Wednesday, November 4 at noon. Lunch and a resource fair for local veterans. Register by phone at 714-236-3870, by email at seniors@buenapark.com, or in person at the Buena Park Senior Center. The city’s page does not state a cost, and one event guide says registration closes October 23, so call soon. This is Buena Park’s main observance; no separate November 11 ceremony is posted. buenapark.com
Artesia Park, 18750 Clarkdale Avenue, Saturday, November 7, 10am to 1pm. A community celebration with veteran services booths. The city’s page does not state an admission price. Parks & Recreation: 562-860-3361. cityofartesia.us
The City of La Palma lists a Veterans Day ceremony on Saturday, November 7. Earlier city information placed it at the La Palma Community Center at Central Park, 7821 Walker Street, at 11am, with an RSVP required and veterans given priority. I could not re-confirm the time or whether RSVPs are still open, so call City Hall at 714-690-3300 (open Monday through Thursday) before you go. lapalmaca.gov
The City of Norwalk confirms two 2026 events: a Veterans Recognition ceremony on Tuesday, November 10 and a Veterans Day ceremony on Wednesday, November 11. The city page does not post times or venues. Earlier information pointed to the Norwalk Cultural Arts Center, 13200 Clarkdale Avenue, from 11am to 1pm on November 11 (arrive by 10:45am), and the Norwalk Senior Center, 14040 San Antonio Drive, from 3:30 to 5pm on November 10. Treat those as last known details and confirm with Recreation at 562-929-5566. The Arts & Sports Complex closes at 4pm on November 11. norwalk.org
Paramount Armed Forces Memorial, 16400 Colorado Avenue, Wednesday, November 11, 10 to 11:30am. Challenge coins are distributed, and lunch follows at the American Legion, 7550 Somerset Boulevard. Questions: 562-220-2121. Paramount has had an older event page with a 2025 date, so use this one: paramountcity.gov
Civic Center Veterans Monument, 401 E. Chapman Avenue, Wednesday, November 11, 10 to 11am, from a 2026 Orange County event listing. The city’s own page has no details yet, so call City Hall at 714-993-8117 to confirm. Event listing
Colonel Bill Barber Marine Corps Memorial Park, 4 Civic Center Plaza, Wednesday, November 11, 11am to 12:30pm, free, from a 2026 event listing. Check the city’s page for a weather plan. A separate Veterans of the Year Celebration is listed for Thursday, November 12 at 6pm at the Los Olivos Community Center, 101 Alfonso, with an RSVP required. Event listing
25751 Trabuco Road, Lake Forest, Wednesday, November 11 at 11am. Hosted with VFW Post 6024, with a color guard, wreath presentations and a rifle salute. Held rain or shine. occemeterydistrict.specialdistrict.org
Norman P. Murray Community & Senior Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Wednesday, November 11. The city lists a ceremony and veteran resources fair, but the start time has not been posted. Call 949-470-3061. Earlier information said the ceremony includes sign language interpretation; ask the city to confirm. missionviejo.gov
Yorba Linda Veterans Memorial, 4766 Valley View Avenue, Wednesday, November 11 at 2pm, with more details to come. The time comes from an event listing rather than the city, so confirm before you go. yorbalindaveteransmemorial.com
Town Center Plaza, 11740 Telegraph Road, Wednesday, November 11. It is on the city’s events page, but no start time has been posted. Call 562-868-0511. santafesprings.gov
Lot F2, 5901 E. Seventh Street, Wednesday, November 11, 10am to 2pm, on the VA’s events listing. va.gov
The parade steps off at 11:11am on Wednesday, November 11 from Laurel Canyon and San Fernando Mission Boulevards and ends at the Ritchie Valens Recreation Center, 10736 Laurel Canyon Boulevard, Pacoima. sfvveteransdayparade.com
Heroes Hall Museum & Education Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. The OC Fair lists a Veterans Day Celebration on Saturday, November 14, 12 to 3pm, with an opening aircraft flyover, live music, family activities and free hot dogs and chips. Note that this is the Saturday after Veterans Day. The listing shows no year and no admission price, so call 714-708-1500 to confirm. ocfair.com
Houghton Park, 6301 Myrtle Avenue, Saturday, November 7, 12 to 4pm. Free and family friendly. The city’s page has a year mismatch in its text, so confirm with the city before you go. ADA parking and paratransit drop-off are on Harding Street between Atlantic and Myrtle. longbeach.gov
C. Robert Lee Activity Center, 21815 Pioneer Boulevard. The city’s 2026 events calendar lists the ceremony on Friday, November 6, with a registration link, rather than November 11. No time was visible, so call 562-420-2641 first. hgcity.org
These cities have not posted 2026 details that I could find as of October 19. Most calendars fill in during the last two weeks of October, and the year-to-year patterns are below only as a guide, not as 2026 times.
Almost no organizer publishes this, so here is what has actually been posted:
For every other ceremony, call the organizer before you go if mobility, seating or shade matters. Mission Viejo and Yorba Linda have mentioned sign language interpretation and a shade tent in the past; ask them to confirm for 2026.
Veterans Day Orange County listings get copied forward year to year, so some of what circulates is wrong. Here is what I found as of October 19:
Veterans Day is a commemoration rather than a promotion, so this is deliberately short. I could not find a 2026 free-admission announcement for the Nixon Library; past years offered one, so call 714-993-5075 before you plan around it. Several national restaurant chains run long-standing free-meal programs that day. Check the restaurant’s own website in early November, since most post their offer and ID requirements a week or two ahead.
Wednesday, November 11, 2026. Several nearby cities hold their ceremonies on a different day: Buena Park on Wednesday, November 4, Artesia and La Palma on Saturday, November 7, Hawaiian Gardens on Friday, November 6, and Norwalk adds a recognition ceremony on Tuesday, November 10.
Yes. The city’s Veterans Day Commemoration is on Wednesday, November 11 at 10am at the Cerritos Civic Center, 18125 Bloomfield Avenue, near the Veterans Memorial. It includes patriotic music, remarks, a wreath laying and a moment of silence, runs rain or shine, and has free parking at the Civic Center.
Buena Park’s main observance is the Veterans Honor Lunch and Resource Fair at the Ehlers Event Center, 8150 Knott Avenue, on Wednesday, November 4 at noon. Register at 714-236-3870, by email at seniors@buenapark.com, or at the Buena Park Senior Center. One event guide says registration closes October 23, so call soon.
Cerritos at 10am, Placentia from 10 to 11am, Paramount from 10 to 11:30am, VA Long Beach from 10am to 2pm, Irvine from 11am to 12:30pm, El Toro Memorial Park in Lake Forest at 11am, the San Fernando Valley Parade at 11:11am and Yorba Linda at 2pm. Norwalk, Mission Viejo and Santa Fe Springs also hold theirs on November 11, with times not yet posted.
Few organizers publish this. Long Beach posts ADA parking and paratransit drop-off, and Cerritos has free parking at the Civic Center. For anything else, call the organizer ahead of time.
No Veterans Day ceremony is listed on the VA’s page for Los Angeles National Cemetery. Call 310-268-4675 to confirm before planning a visit around an event.
Buena Park’s honor lunch requires registration at 714-236-3870. Irvine’s Veterans of the Year Celebration on November 12 lists an RSVP, and Hawaiian Gardens shows a registration link. La Palma has required an RSVP in the past, so call City Hall at 714-690-3300 to check. The others do not list a requirement.
If you know of a Veterans Day Orange County ceremony that belongs on this list, or your organization is holding one, let me know and I’ll add it.
I’ll update this guide again in early November, once the remaining cities post their 2026 times.
If you’d like to talk about your next move in Southern California real estate, I’d be happy to help.
If you want to sell your house and buy another in Orange County and LA County, you do not have to pick between selling first with nowhere to go and buying first with two payments. There are ways to structure the move, and each one has tradeoffs. The key is to build the plan before you list, not in the middle of escrow.
Homes are still selling for close to their original asking price. In Q3 2026, Orange County single-family homes sold for 97.9% of original price on average, and LA County homes in CRMLS sold for 98.8% (CRMLS, pulled October 3, 2026). That means your plan matters on both sides of the move.
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 move-up families line up the sale and the purchase before the sign goes up.
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 and may not include every sale in the county. The advice about timing a move reflects Christine’s experience, is not a finding from the data, and is not legal or lending advice, so a lender and an attorney answer the questions in their fields.
You start with a written plan for both sides of the move before you list. That plan answers three questions: where you will live in between, what you can afford to carry, and which structure fits your situation.
Selling and buying at the same time works best when the order of steps is decided early. You talk to a lender about what you can buy before your current home sells. You get a clear picture of what your home could sell for. Then you choose how the two transactions connect.
None of this removes every risk. A plan lowers the chance of a scramble. It does not promise a perfect handoff.
In Christine’s experience, timing is the number one thing that stops move-up sellers. Most people fear one of two things: a stretch without a home, or two house payments at once.
Neither outcome is certain. Both are possible. In Christine’s experience, the fear shrinks when you know what happens first, what happens next, and what you will do if a step slips.
A plan reduces the risk. It cannot remove it. That is why it belongs before the listing, not after.
There are three common tools, and each one protects you in one way and limits you in another.
Your agent helps you weigh these in the contract. Your lender answers the money questions, and an attorney answers the legal ones.
Both counties saw higher average sale prices in Q3 2026 than a year earlier, with homes going under contract in about a month on average. Orange County was up 11.2% year over year, and LA County homes in CRMLS were up 8.0%. That is last year’s direction, not a prediction.
The LA County figures below cover only LA County homes in CRMLS, because homes there are listed on more than one MLS. They may not include every sale in the county.
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 (Q3 2025 in parentheses) | Orange County | Los Angeles County (CRMLS homes only) |
|---|---|---|
| Average sale price | $2,090,835 ($1,880,358) | $1,551,572 ($1,436,531) |
| Change in average sale price | Up 11.2% | Up 8.0% |
| Average days active | 33 (34) | 35 (35) |
| Percent of original price | 97.9% (97.3%) | 98.8% (98.2%) |
| 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:
LA County homes in CRMLS also held up across the year. From January through September 2026, the average sale price was $1,528,775, up 13% from $1,349,577, with 23,660 closed sales, also up 13%.
Yes. In Christine’s experience, moving from a smaller home to a larger one often changes the numbers on both sides of the move.
What you net from your sale and what you need for the next purchase may not line up the way you expect. That gap shapes which structure makes sense for you. It is one more reason to run both sides before you list, with your agent and your lender at the same table.
A planned move follows a clear order, so each step is decided before the next one starts.
Illustration only, not data.
Christine and the CA Real Estate Group team serve move-up families in Buena Park and Cerritos, plus Anaheim, Bellflower, Cypress, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Long Beach, Lakewood, and Placentia.
The best time to plan your move is before your home is on the market. Pick the step that fits where you are today.
If you are outgrowing your home, message Christine and set up a time. The goal is to leave with a plan for both sides of the move.
Should I sell first or buy first in Orange County and LA County?
It depends on your situation, and there is no one answer for every family. If you want to sell your house and buy another in Orange County and LA County, a plan built before you list reduces the risk on both sides.
How do I plan a move-up in Orange County and LA County?
Start with your agent and a lender before you list. Get a market evaluation, choose a structure, and decide the order of each step in advance.
What is a contingent offer?
It is an offer on the next home that depends on your current home selling. It protects you from owning two homes, but some sellers prefer offers without one.
What is a rent-back agreement?
It lets you stay in your home for a period after it sells, as the buyer’s tenant. Whether it is possible depends on what your buyer agrees to in the contract.
Will I have to carry two mortgages if I buy first?
Not always, but it can happen. Your lender can explain which options fit your finances, and a plan helps you see the risk before you commit.
Who can help me plan a move in Orange County and LA County?
Christine Almarines of CA Real Estate Group, licensed since 2004, helps move-up families plan both sides of the move. Book a time to map out your move 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 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 are asking whether to sell first or buy first in Buena Park, you do not have to choose one and hope it works out. There are ways to structure a move-up, including contingent offers, rent-back agreements and bridge options. Each one has tradeoffs. The plan works best when it is built before your home is listed.
Buena Park single-family homes averaged 25 days active in the MLS in Q3 2026 and sold for 98.5% of their original list price on average (CRMLS, pulled October 3, 2026). Those numbers describe the selling side. The timing of your whole move is something you plan.
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 move-up families decide on the order of their move before the sign goes up.
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 or lending advice. A lender and an attorney answer the questions in their fields.
It depends on your situation, and there is no single right order. What matters more than the order is having a plan in place before you list.
Selling first gives you a clear number to shop with, but you may need somewhere to stay. Buying first lets you move once, but you may carry two housing payments for a while. Some families combine the two by selling and buying at the same time, with terms that link the dates. Your equity, your income, your next price range and your family’s flexibility all shape the answer.
In Christine’s experience, timing is the number one thing that holds move-up sellers back. The fear usually comes down to two outcomes: being without a home for a stretch, or carrying two payments at once.
Neither outcome is certain, and neither has to happen when the plan is built first. A plan does not remove every risk. It turns a vague worry into decisions you make ahead of time with your agent, your lender and, for legal questions, an attorney.
Three common structures are contingent offers, rent-back agreements and bridge options. Each is meant to protect one side of the move, and each comes with something you give up.
| Tool | What it is, in plain words | What it can protect | What to ask |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contingent offer | An offer on your next home that depends on your current home selling first. | Protects you from owning two homes if yours does not sell. | Ask your agent: How will a seller in my price range view a contingent offer? What happens if my home does not sell in time? |
| Rent-back agreement | After your sale closes, you stay in the home for a period as the buyer’s tenant. | Protects you from moving twice or having nowhere to go between homes. | Ask your agent: Will buyers for my home agree to a rent-back? Ask an attorney: What should the agreement cover? |
| Bridge options | Financing that may let you use the equity in your current home toward the next one before it sells. | Protects your ability to buy before you sell. | Ask your lender: Do I qualify? What would it cost me? What happens if my home takes longer to sell? |
A seller on the other side may prefer an offer without a contingency. A rent-back depends on what your buyer agrees to. Bridge options depend on a lender’s rules. What is available, and what it costs, depends on the contract, the lender and your situation.
Settle five things first. Each one removes a guess you would otherwise make under pressure.
Buena Park homes sold close to their original price and about as fast as a year ago. Fewer homes came on the market, which matters for the buying side.
Single-family detached homes in Buena Park, from the California Regional Multiple Listing Service (CRMLS), pulled October 3, 2026.
| Measure | 2026 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q3 average sale price | $1,045,412 | $1,002,350 | Up 4.3% |
| January to September average sale price | $1,040,850 (190 sales) | $993,172 (205 sales) | Up 4.8% |
| Q3 closed sales | 67 | 80 | Down 16% |
| Q3 new listings | 77 | 84 | Down 8% |
| Q3 average days active in MLS | 25 | 24 | About the same |
| Q3 percent of original list price received | 98.5% | 98.1% | Slightly higher |
How to read it:
Move-up families in Buena Park often look in nearby Fullerton, Cypress, La Palma, Anaheim and Cerritos too, and each of those has its own pace.
You lose options. Once your home is under contract, dates are set, and in Christine’s experience several of the structures above get harder to arrange.
In Christine’s experience, the families who struggle are the ones figuring out the timing mid-transaction. The plan has to exist before the sign goes up.
Buena Park is Christine’s home market. Planning a move-up here starts with a conversation, not a listing.
If you are outgrowing your home, message Christine and set up a time. The goal is to leave with a plan for both sides of the move.
Should I sell first or buy first in Buena Park?
Whether to sell first or buy first in Buena Park depends on your situation, and there is no one answer for every family. A plan built before you list reduces the risk on both sides, though no plan removes it completely.
How do I plan a move-up in Buena Park?
Start with your home’s real number, what you are comfortable paying next, and which structure you want. Then decide how flexible your move date is.
What is a contingent offer?
It is an offer on your next home that depends on your current home selling. It can protect you from owning two homes, but some sellers prefer offers without one.
What is a rent-back agreement?
It lets you stay in your home for a period after your sale closes, as the buyer’s tenant. It only works if your buyer agrees to it.
How fast are Buena Park homes selling?
Single-family homes in Buena Park averaged 25 days active in the MLS in Q3 2026, according to CRMLS. That is the time before an accepted offer, not the length of a whole move.
Who can help me plan a move in Buena Park?
Christine Almarines of CA Real Estate Group, licensed since 2004, helps Buena Park homeowners plan a move-up before they list. Book a time to map out your move 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 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.
Yes, you can sell and buy at the same time in Cerritos without being stuck between two homes, as long as the plan is built before you list. You do not have to pick between selling first with nowhere to go or buying first and carrying two payments with nothing in place. Contingent offers, rent-back agreements, and bridge options are ways to structure the move. Each one has tradeoffs, and a plan lowers the risk without removing it.
Cerritos homes that sold in Q3 2026 spent an average of 17 days active in the MLS before an accepted offer (CRMLS, pulled October 3, 2026). That is the listing side only. The whole move has more steps, which is why the order matters.
Christine Almarines is a top real estate agent in Buena Park and Cerritos helping homeowners sell in Orange County and Los Angeles County. If your home feels a little smaller every month, this article covers how she thinks about the timing before a sign ever goes up.
The numbers in this article cover single-family detached homes in Cerritos from CRMLS, January 2025 through September 2026. The advice about timing a move reflects Christine’s experience. It is not a finding from the data and it is not legal or lending advice. A lender answers loan questions and an attorney answers legal questions.
Often, yes. It takes a structure chosen ahead of time, and you should know what each structure gives up.
In Christine’s experience, timing is the number one thing that stops move-up sellers from moving at all. Nobody wants to hand over the keys with no next home, or carry two payments with no end date. The way through is not luck. It is deciding, before you list, which risk you are willing to carry and which tools will cover the rest.
There are three basic paths: sell first, buy first, or plan both together. Each one protects you from one problem and exposes you to another.
| Path | What it can feel like | What it can risk | What a plan adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sell first | Clear numbers. You know what you walk away with before you shop. | You may need somewhere to live while you look for the next home. | Time built into the sale, and a short list of next homes ready before you list. |
| Buy first | Calm. You move once, into the home you chose. | You may carry two homes at the same time, and your offer may depend on selling. | A lender conversation first, so you know what you can carry and for how long. |
| Plan both together | More moving parts up front, less scrambling later. | The timing depends on two sets of people agreeing. | The structure is chosen before you list, so each step has a backup. |
In Christine’s experience, the plan matters more than the order. In her experience, families who pick a path on purpose feel steadier than families who land on one by accident.
Each tool is meant to protect one side of the move. Each one also has a cost or a limit, and your agent, your lender, and for legal questions an attorney decide what fits.
None of these is a promise. Every structure trades one risk for another. The details come from your contract and your lender.
A planned move puts the decisions in front of the listing, not in the middle of escrow. Here is one order to use as a starting point.
Illustration only, not data.
Cerritos homes sold close to their original asking price in Q3 2026, and more homes came on the market than a year ago. That helps on both sides of a move-up.
Single-family detached homes in Cerritos, 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 |
How to read it:
Families moving up from Cerritos also look in Artesia, Norwalk, Lakewood, Bellflower, Buena Park, and La Mirada.
Because once your home is under contract, the clock belongs to someone else. Decisions made before listing are choices. Decisions made mid-transaction are reactions.
In Christine’s experience, the families who struggle are the ones who try to figure out the timing after they accept an offer. In her experience, the families who move calmly already know their number, have talked to a lender, and know which terms they will ask for. Having walked families through this exact move, she finds the difference often comes down to the order of the conversations.
The first step is a conversation, not a listing. Message Christine and set up a time to map out your move together.
Should I sell first or buy first in Cerritos?
There is no one answer, because it depends on your situation. You can sell and buy at the same time in Cerritos with a structure chosen ahead of time, and a plan built before you list reduces the risk on either path.
How do I plan a move-up in Cerritos?
Start with your home’s real number, then talk to a lender about the next home. Decide the structure before you list so the timing is part of the offer, not a scramble after it.
What is a contingent offer?
It is an offer on your next home that depends on your current home selling. It protects you from owning two homes, but some sellers prefer offers without that condition.
What is a rent-back agreement?
It lets you stay in the home you sold for a period after closing. It depends on what your buyer agrees to, and the terms come from your contract.
How fast are Cerritos homes selling?
Cerritos single-family homes averaged 17 days active in the MLS before an accepted offer in Q3 2026 (CRMLS). That is the listing period only, not the length of escrow or your whole move.
Who can help me plan a move in Cerritos?
Christine Almarines of CA Real Estate Group, licensed since 2004, helps Cerritos homeowners plan a move-up before they list. Book a time to map out your move 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 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.
Halloween is the one night a year we walk around the neighborhood and look at every house. Here is a treat for yourself: take a quiet look at your own. Not a to-do list. A check-in.
Homes do not change much from year to year. Our lives do. A house that was perfect when you bought it can feel a little tight, a little big, or a little far from the people you love. A home check-in is simply asking whether your home still fits the life you are living now. It is not a commitment to sell.
Here are five signs worth noticing.
This one shows up in two ways. Maybe the kids are growing, someone is working from home, or family stays over often, and every room is doing double duty. Or maybe the kids have moved out, and you are heating and cleaning rooms you rarely walk into.
If you catch yourself saying “we just need a little more room” or “we do not use half of this house,” that is a sign worth listening to.
Every home needs care. But there is a difference between enjoying a Saturday in the yard and feeling like the house runs your calendar.
When the work outweighs the comfort, it may be time to ask whether a different home would give you your weekends back.
A new job, a school change, or a schedule that looks nothing like it did a few years ago can make a once-convenient location feel far away. In Southern California, a longer drive can quietly take hours out of your week.
Ask yourself how many hours a week you spend getting to the places you go most. If a different spot would give you that time back, that is worth a real look.
Family, friends, a school, a place of worship, or a community you want to be part of. Sometimes the best reason to move has nothing to do with the house at all.
If you often think “it would be so nice to live closer to them,” take that feeling seriously. It is one of the most common reasons homeowners start the conversation.
Maybe you want a single-level home, a smaller space, a bigger one, or a home that can welcome more family. Maybe your plans for the next five years look different than they did when you bought.
You may also be sitting on more equity than you realize, which can give you more choices than you expected. Our post on how your home equity could change your next move explains how to think about it.
Not sure which way you lean? Take the Should I Stay or Sell? quiz and see where you land.
Seeing yourself in one or two of these signs does not mean you have to list your home. It means it is a good time to gather information, with no pressure.
If you are leaning toward a move, start with your agent. They can show you what your home could sell for and map out a timeline that fits your life. For the money side, a lender can talk through financing, and a tax professional can tell you what applies to your situation.
There is no wrong answer to a home check-in. Some homeowners realize they love where they are and want to stay. Others find they are ready for something new. Either way, you will know more than you did yesterday. If you are thinking about a move in Orange County or LA County, we are happy to talk it through, with no pressure.
Common signs include a home that no longer fits your space needs, upkeep that feels like too much, a changed commute, wanting to live closer to family or friends, and plans that have shifted. If a few of these sound familiar, a check-in is a good next step.
No. It is simply a way to gather information. Many homeowners decide to stay after learning their options.
Your agent can prepare a home value report based on recent local sales, so you have a real number to plan around.
Start with what is and is not working in your home today, where you want to be, and what your timeline looks like. Your agent can help you turn that into a plan.
Your agent can walk you through what a sale looks like, a lender can speak to 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.
If you are wondering how much down payment do I need in Orange County and LA County, the first thing to know is that, in Christine’s experience, many first-time buyers do not need 20% down. A lender decides what you qualify for. Ten minutes with a lender tells you where you actually stand.
That matters here because prices are high. The Q3 2026 average sale price for a single-family home was $2,090,835 in Orange County and $1,551,572 for Los Angeles County homes in CRMLS (CRMLS, pulled October 3, 2026). Saving 20% of numbers like that can take a very long time.
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 first-time buyers who want a real answer before they spend another year saving toward the wrong number.
Market numbers cover single-family detached homes in Orange County and Los Angeles County from CRMLS, January 2025 through September 2026. Los Angeles County homes are listed on more than one MLS, so LA County figures cover only LA County homes in CRMLS. The advice about down payments and loans reflects Christine’s experience, not a finding from the data, and a lender decides what you qualify for.
In Christine’s experience, many first-time buyers need less than 20% down. The exact amount depends on you, the home, and the loan, and that is a lender’s call.
Christine serves Buena Park and Cerritos, plus Anaheim, Bellflower, Cypress, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Long Beach, Lakewood, and Placentia. Across all of them, in Christine’s experience, many buyers start with “I don’t have 20% yet,” and often they never asked anyone whether 20% was the number. The answer can only come from a lender looking at your own situation, so that is the first stop.
At the Q3 2026 average sale price, 20% down is about $418,200 in Orange County and about $310,300 for LA County homes in CRMLS. Those are big numbers for anyone saving from a paycheck.
Illustration only, not a quote or a program rule.
| Orange County | Los Angeles County (CRMLS homes) | |
|---|---|---|
| Q3 2026 average sale price | $2,090,835 | $1,551,572 |
| Each 1% of that price | about $20,900 | about $15,500 |
| 20% of that price | about $418,200 | about $310,300 |
This is plain math on the county average. A specific home will give you different numbers, higher or lower.
Here is why waiting for 20% can stretch into years in these two counties. Every 1% of an average home is a five-figure amount. If you set aside a steady amount each month, reaching 20% means reaching that five-figure step twenty times. For many families, that is not a one-year plan. It is a many-year plan, and you may not even need it.
In Christine’s understanding, 20% down mostly matters for avoiding mortgage insurance, not for qualifying for a loan. It is a cost question, not a door that stays locked until you hit it.
Mortgage insurance is a cost some loans carry when the down payment is smaller. What it would cost on your specific loan is something a lender explains, and it varies from buyer to buyer. In Christine’s experience, many first-time buyers do not need 20%. Which options fit you, and how much you actually need to bring, is a lender’s call. The useful question is not “Do I have 20%?” It is “What would my monthly cost look like with what I have today?”
Over the last year, average prices rose in both counties: up 11.2% in Orange County and up 8.0% for LA County homes in CRMLS, comparing Q3 2026 to Q3 2025. That is not a promise prices keep rising, and an average is not any one home’s price.
Single-family detached homes in Orange County and Los Angeles County, from the California Regional Multiple Listing Service (CRMLS), pulled October 3, 2026. Los Angeles County figures cover only LA County homes in CRMLS and may not include every sale in the county.
| Q3 2026 (Q3 2025) | Orange County | Los Angeles County (CRMLS homes) |
|---|---|---|
| Average sale price | $2,090,835 ($1,880,358) | $1,551,572 ($1,436,531) |
| Change in average price | up 11.2% | up 8.0% |
| Average days active | 33 (34) | 35 (35) |
| Percent of original price received | 97.9% (97.3%) | 98.8% (98.2%) |
| New listings | 3,972 (4,170) | 12,638 (13,337) |
| Closed sales | 3,174 (3,271) | 8,258 (8,229) |
How to read it:
For a longer view inside the data window, LA County homes in CRMLS averaged $1,528,775 from January through September 2026, up 13% from $1,349,577 over the same months in 2025, with 23,660 closed sales.
In Christine’s experience, the biggest cost of waiting has been time. She has watched buyers stay in a rental for years while saving toward a number they never actually needed.
That is her observation, not a data finding. Buying has no guarantee either, and nobody can promise a home will be worth more later. But the buyers she thinks about most are the ones who never found out. They assumed 20% was the rule, kept saving, and kept renting. A ten-minute conversation would have told them whether that plan made sense.
You can find out where you stand before you spend another month saving toward a guess. Here is a simple order to do it in:
You do not have to guess. Start learning the process on your own time, or book a time to talk.
Not sure what you would actually need? Message Christine, and she will get you a real answer this week.
Do I need 20% down to buy a home in Orange County and LA County?
When people ask how much down payment do I need in Orange County and LA County, the answer in Christine’s experience is that many first-time buyers do not need 20%. A lender decides what you qualify for and how much you need to bring.
How do I find out what I actually qualify for?
Spend ten minutes with a lender and ask what you qualify for today. Then message Christine for a real answer this week.
What does 20% down look like at today’s average prices?
At the Q3 2026 average sale price, 20% is about $418,200 in Orange County and about $310,300 for LA County homes in CRMLS (CRMLS, pulled October 3, 2026). That is an illustration only, and a specific home will give different numbers.
Why does 20% down matter at all?
In Christine’s understanding, 20% down mostly matters for avoiding mortgage insurance, not for qualifying. A lender can explain what mortgage insurance would cost on your specific loan.
Are prices rising in Orange County and LA County?
Over the last year, the Q3 average sale price rose 11.2% in Orange County and 8.0% for LA County homes in CRMLS. That is last year’s direction, not a promise about next year.
Who can help me buy a home in Orange County and LA County?
Christine Almarines of CA Real Estate Group, licensed since 2004, works with first-time buyers across Orange County and Los Angeles County. Start the Buyer Bootcamp course or book a 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.
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 are saving for the down payment to buy a house in Buena Park and you think the target is 20%, you may be waiting on a number you never needed. In Christine’s experience, many first-time buyers do not need 20% down. Which programs fit you, and how much you actually need, is a lender’s call. Ten minutes with a lender tells you where you stand today.
For context, the average Buena Park single-family home sold for $1,045,412 in Q3 2026 (CRMLS, pulled October 3, 2026). At that price, 20% is a big number to save toward, which is exactly why it is worth checking whether you need it.
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, and she would rather you get a real answer this week than keep saving toward a guess.
Market numbers in this post cover single-family detached homes in Buena Park from CRMLS, January 2025 through September 2026. The advice about down payments and loans reflects Christine’s experience working with buyers and is not a finding from the data. A lender decides what you qualify for.
The amount depends on you, the loan and the home, and a lender is the one who tells you. In Christine’s experience, many first-time buyers in Buena Park find out they need less than 20% down.
There is no single down payment number that fits every buyer. Your income, your savings, your credit and the price of the home you want all shape the answer. That is why the first step is a lender, not a guess: a lender looks at your actual situation and tells you what you qualify for. Guessing at it from a number you heard years ago can keep you renting longer than you need to.
In Christine’s experience, yes, for many first-time buyers the idea that you must have 20% before you can buy is a myth. Here is how the common assumption compares with what she tells buyers to check.
| What many first-time buyers assume | What Christine says to check with a lender | |
|---|---|---|
| How much you must save first | 20% of the price, no exceptions | What you actually need for your situation, which may be less |
| What 20% is for | It is required just to qualify | In Christine’s understanding, 20% mostly matters for avoiding mortgage insurance, not for qualifying. A lender explains what mortgage insurance would cost on your loan |
| How long saving takes | Years, maybe many years | May be shorter once you know your real number |
| What to do first | Keep saving and check back later | Spend ten minutes with a lender this week |
The point is not that 20% down is a bad idea. Some buyers choose it on purpose. The point is that it is a choice, and you should know your options before you decide to wait.
At the Q3 2026 average sale price, 20% down comes to about $209,100. That is a lot of money to save, and it is the number many buyers have in their heads.
Illustration only, not a quote or a program rule.
| Based on the Q3 2026 Buena Park average sale price | Amount |
|---|---|
| Average sale price, Q3 2026 | $1,045,412 |
| Each 1% of that price | About $10,500 |
| 20% of that price | About $209,100 |
A specific home will give you different numbers, because an average is not any one home’s price. Use this table to see the size of the 20% target, not to plan your own down payment. Your lender gives you the real figures.
Over the last year, Buena Park prices moved up. The Q3 2026 average sale price was up 4.3% from Q3 2025, and the January to September average was up 4.8%.
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% |
| January to September average sale price | $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 | About the same |
| Percent of original price received | 98.5% | 98.1% | Up slightly |
How to read it:
In Christine’s experience, the cost of waiting is time. She has worked with buyers who put off buying for years because they were saving toward 20%, a number they turned out not to need.
Those buyers stayed in a rental the whole time. Christine sees that as years of building equity in a home of their own that they did not get to start. That is her observation from working with buyers, not a promise about what the market will do. Buying carries no guarantee either. But spending years saving toward a number nobody asked you to reach is a cost you can avoid with one conversation.
You can find out your real number. Christine’s line is simple: it is worth ten minutes with a lender to learn what you actually qualify for today.
For more on getting ready, see What buyers need to do before they start shopping and Get pre-approved before touring in Buena Park.
If you are not sure what you would actually need to buy in Buena Park, message Christine. She will get you a real answer this week, with no pressure to buy. She would like you to know where you stand before you spend another year saving.
Do I need 20% down to buy a home in Buena Park?
In Christine’s experience, many first-time buyers do not need 20% down to buy a house in Buena Park. A lender decides what you qualify for and how much you actually need.
How do I find out what I actually qualify for?
Spend ten minutes with a lender. You can also message Christine for a real answer this week.
What is 20% down mostly for?
In Christine’s understanding, 20% down mostly matters for avoiding mortgage insurance, not for qualifying. A lender explains what mortgage insurance would cost on a specific loan.
What does 20% of an average Buena Park home come to?
At the Q3 2026 average sale price of $1,045,412 (CRMLS, pulled October 3, 2026), 20% is about $209,100. A specific home will give different numbers.
Are Buena Park home prices going up?
The Q3 2026 average sale price was up 4.3% from Q3 2025, according to CRMLS. That shows the past year, not a promise about the future.
Who can help me buy a home in Buena Park?
Christine Almarines of CA Real Estate Group, licensed since 2004, helps buyers in Buena Park and across Orange County and Los Angeles County. Start the Buyer Bootcamp course or book a consultation.
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.
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.
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