$1 million home sales hit highest level in five years

DataQuick reported today that 3,631 Orange County homes sold for $1 million or more in 2012, the highest number since 2007. That’s up 34 percent from 2011′s tally of million-plus sales, compared to an increase of 17 percent for sales of all homes in the county. Statewide, million-plus sales increased 27 percent to 26,993, vs. …

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All-cash bought a third of homes in 2011

Despite record low mortgage rates, 2011 has seen a surprisingly high level of cash home purchases, according to the real estate research firm Hanley Wood Market Intelligence. Jonathan Dienhart and Ken Lee, two analysts with the company, say between tight lending standards and a desperate search for yield by investors, cash purchases of homes – …

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Existing-Home Sales Rise Unexpectedly in October

Sales of previously owned homes got an unexpected boost last month while the number of homes on the market continued to decline, according to data released Monday by the National Association of Realtors (NAR). The trade group recorded a 1.4 percent month-over-month increase in existing-home sales in October, pushing the annual rate of sales to …

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1 in 4 O.C. homes are mortgage-free

Imagine not having to pay rent or make mortgage payments. In Orange County, almost 1 out of every 4 homes is in that category because their owners don’t have a mortgage, according to U.S. Census data. We’re talking 100 percent equity.  Housing costs as low as $500 a month. And the number is growing. The …

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