Interest Rates Juicing the Market
Historically low rates have led to the Expected Market Time dropping to 23 days, the lowest level for this time of year since tracking began in 2004.
Values have climbed more than 20% year-over-year and the pace of Orange County housing has not slowed much at all this year. The Expected Market Time (the amount of time between hammering in the FOR-SALE sign and opening escrow) is currently at 23 days, an unbelievably Hot Seller’s Market. A Hot Seller’s Market is defined as a market time below 60-days, the lower the level, the hotter the market. At 23-days, the market remains insane with plenty of showings, multiple offers, and sales prices above their list prices. At this point, what will decelerate the market enough to allow housing to transition away from a Hot Seller’s Market to a Slight Seller’s Market, Balanced Market, or even a Buyer’s Market? Rising mortgage rates. That is precisely what occurred in 2013 and 2018.