The Fullerton real estate market, which is closely linked to the rest of the Southern California real estate market, made some impressive strides during the month of January. According to an article released by EGP News, “In Orange County, the median home price was $325,000, up from $300,000 in the same month a year ago, according to La Jolla-based MDA DataQuick. According to DataQuick, 15,361 homes were sold in the six-county Southern California region – Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, Ventura, San Bernardino and Orange counties – in January, down 31.2 percent from 22,328 in December and up 0.9 percent from 15,227 in January 2009.” As John Walsh of MDA DataQuick pointed out, “The January stats underscore just how atypical this market remains…A huge chunk of what’s selling is still distressed.”

The price of Fullerton homes for sale substantially increased in the month of January, according to an article in OC Metro. The piece, published on February 16, 2010, found that “Orange County’s median home price jumped 14.9 percent in January compared to the same time last year, according to stats just released by San Diego-based MDA DataQuick.” The article, composed by Kristen Schott, noted that “The price for a home or condominium in the region rose to $425,000 in the period, up from $370,000 in January 2009. But the number declined from December’s $435,000 median. For the entire Southern California region, which includes the Orange, L.A., Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and Ventura counties, the median home price rose 8.6 percent to $271,500…”

One problem spot for Fullerton real estate and Orange County real estate was reported in another article by the OC Metro. This piece, composed by Carol Starcevic, noted that “Foreclosure notifications in Orange County rose slightly in January from the previous month, but the number still remains significantly lower than January of 2009’s figure.” The February 16, 2010 article continued to point out that “In addition, 523 properties were returned to banks, up 86 from December but down 193 from January 2009. And 303 homes were sold to a third party, up 81 from December and 183 from the same time last year, according to the report.”

Though the housing market is displaying some signs of health, economists say they could be misleading.  That’s the latest word on various signs of market improvement that have recently surfaced.  In an article in the Los Angeles Business Journal written by David Haldane and published on November 9, 2009, Palos Verdes real estate showed the most dramatic change, “where sales volume increased by 533 percent.”  However, many analysts of real estate in Palos Verdes are not as impressed by this outstanding development.  “Experts viewed the rising prices as further evidence that the real estate market has stabilized, at least temporarily. But some cautioned that it may be falsely propped up by government stimulus programs that eventually will end.”

Muhammed El-Hasan wrote on October 26, 2009, in the Daily Breeze, that the South Bay region also saw an unexpected rise in median home price, perhaps due to the increase in demand for homes in the area.  One reason for the sudden increase in sales and rise of home prices is that “we are showing the month’s inventory is going way, way down, by something like 60 percent from September of last year to September of this year.”  With fewer homes on the marker, there are more bids on each home, thus creating an environment for bidding wars.

Because of its relatively protected community arrangement and the type of properties and Palos Verdes real estate, the premier peninsula area has been largely protected from large foreclosure rates that have doomed many other neighborhoods in Los Angeles and Southern California.  The Los Angeles Times reported on November 12, 2009, that “the number of foreclosures dropped in October for the third consecutive month, a sign that efforts by banks to take back troubled properties may be easing.”  A three-month decline is an unprecedented accomplishment which analysts believe at least show minor signs of market recovery.

When thinking about the best place to live, many people only think of those large, famous cities such as Los Angeles, New York City, Boston, or Seattle, but what many people don’t realize is that often the best places to live are those slightly less known towns and cities. In these communities you will often find a more peaceful, close-knit atmosphere and slightly slower pace of life. However, if smaller towns and cities don’t have everything you want from a big city, many of these cities are located within driving distance from other major cities.

One of the best places to live is Albuquerque, New Mexico. With its sunny climate and beautiful natural landscapes, Albuquerque has a rich history and unique mix of American Indian, Hispanic, and Anglo cultures. The city is especially popular for its International Balloon Fiesta and numerous golf courses and hiking and biking trails. Another great city to live in is Austin, Texas, which is the ideal place to live for any music or barbecue lover. Numerous performing arts venues can be found in Austin, and the city offers a high tech economy, with major employers including Dell and IBM. Some other excellent cities to live in include Boise, Idaho, Durham, North Carolina, Loveland, Colorado, and St. Augustine, Florida.