The Irvine housing market has been a topic of great interest for both homebuyers and real estate enthusiasts. As the landscape of real estate constantly evolves, understanding the current trends and forecasts for the Irvine housing market is crucial for making informed decisions. In this blog post, we'll delve into the recent market trends, price fluctuations, competitiveness, migration patterns, and climate-related risks associated with the Irvine housing market.
The Irvine housing market is still competitive in 2023. There are still some factors that are supporting the Irvine housing market. The city is home to a number of tech companies, including Google, Broadcom, and Amazon. This strong job market is attracting a lot of new residents to the area, which is driving up demand for housing.
Additionally, Irvine is a very desirable place to live, with excellent schools, safe neighborhoods, and a variety of amenities. This makes it a tough market for buyers, but it also means that home prices are likely to remain high in the long term.
Irvine, California is overshadowed by Los Angeles located forty miles to the northwest. It is, however, a suburb of that rapidly expanding housing market and a niche housing market in its own right. Irvine, California is a one-hour drive from Los Angeles if the highways aren’t snarled with cars. The Irvine housing market is certainly part of the L.A. metro area, though many residents tend to work in Orange County.
The city of Irvine is home to around three hundred thousand people. We won’t say that cities like Anaheim are suburbs of Irvine since they’re as large (or larger) as Irvine itself. These LA suburbs have seen significant growth as people move out of the overpriced and often dangerous LA area while trying to maintain quality of life and proximity to high-paying jobs.
Irvine Housing Market Trends
According to Redfin, as of June 2023, the Irvine housing market is displaying significant growth and resilience. The median sale price for homes in Irvine was $1.4 million last month, marking a substantial increase of 13.8% compared to the previous year. This notable surge in prices suggests robust demand for homes in the area. Additionally, homes are spending an average of 29 days on the market before being sold, slightly longer than the 26 days reported in the previous year. The number of homes sold in June 2023 totaled 193, a decrease from the 231 sold during the same period in the previous year.
Competitiveness and Pricing
The competitiveness of the Irvine housing market is underscored by the fact that homes are selling relatively quickly, with an average of 27 days on the market. The Redfin Compete Score™, which rates the competitiveness of an area on a scale of 0 to 100, ranks Irvine as “Very Competitive.” Many homes are receiving multiple offers, and the average home is selling for about 2% above the list price. Hot homes, in particular, can command even higher prices, with a potential of selling for around 6% above the list price.
Migration Trends That its Housing Market
Irvine's appeal extends beyond its local boundaries, as it attracts a significant number of homebuyers from outside metropolitan areas. Approximately 5% of homebuyers searching to move are considering relocating to Irvine from other regions. Among these, San Francisco leads the pack, followed by Chicago and New York, indicating Irvine's attractiveness as a destination.
On the other hand, about 81% of Irvine homebuyers are looking to stay within the Irvine metropolitan area. Among those relocating out of Irvine, Las Vegas, San Diego, and Bakersfield are the most popular destinations.
As the Irvine housing market continues to evolve, staying informed about market trends, competitiveness, and climate-related risks is essential for making well-informed decisions in the Irvine housing market. Whether you're considering buying or selling, having a comprehensive understanding of the market dynamics will empower you to navigate the process with confidence.
Irvine Real Estate Market Forecast 2023-2024
Irvine is a master-planned city in Orange County, California, the United States in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. Zillow: As of June 30, 2023, the Irvine real estate market presents an interesting blend of statistics that reflect both challenges and opportunities for home buyers and sellers. The average home value in Irvine stands at $1,289,328, with a notable decrease of 1.2% over the past year. This decline might raise questions for those invested in the market, prompting them to explore the factors contributing to this trend.
Factors Influencing Irvine's Real Estate Trends
Market Correction: The 1.2% decrease in average home value over the past year might indicate a natural market correction following a period of consistent growth. Real estate markets often experience cyclical shifts, and this decline could be a sign of the market recalibrating after a sustained period of price appreciation.
Supply and Demand Dynamics: The metrics indicating the median sale to list ratio (1.001) and the percentages of sales over list price (47.4%) and under list price (39.0%) suggest a market that remains competitive. The high percentage of sales over list price indicates a strong demand, potentially driven by factors such as job growth, lifestyle appeal, and low mortgage rates. The median sale to list ratio also indicates that properties are generally selling close to their asking prices.
Days to Pending: The median of 11 days to pending as of June 30, 2023, demonstrates the fast-paced nature of the Irvine real estate market. Homes are going under contract quickly, a trend that aligns with the competitive demand and the appeal of Irvine as a desirable location to live.
Forecast and Considerations
Looking ahead, several considerations might influence the Irvine real estate market:
- Economic Indicators: Keep an eye on broader economic indicators such as employment rates, GDP growth, and interest rates. These factors play a crucial role in shaping housing demand and affordability.
- Supply Levels: The balance between supply and demand will be a significant determinant of future market trends. If housing inventory increases, it could ease the competitive environment and potentially impact the frequency of sales over list price.
- Local Developments: Irvine's real estate market could be influenced by ongoing local developments, infrastructure projects, and changes in the business landscape. These can impact the desirability of the area and subsequently affect property values.
- Interest Rates: Changes in mortgage interest rates can influence affordability and thus impact both buying and selling activity.
While the recent 1.2% decrease in average home value might raise concerns, it's important to consider the broader context of the Irvine real estate market. Factors like supply and demand dynamics, days to pending, and the percentages of sales over and under list price indicate a market that remains active and competitive.
Irvine Real Estate Investment Overview
Now that you know where Irvine is, you probably want to know why we’re recommending it to real estate investors. Investing in real estate is touted as a great way to become wealthy. Should you invest in Irvine real estate? Many real estate investors have asked themselves if buying rental property in Irvine is a good investment? You need to drill deeper into local trends if you want to know what the market holds for the year ahead.
We have already discussed the Irvine housing market forecast for answers on why to put resources into this market. Regulatory restrictions on top of environmental regulations make it incredibly difficult to develop open land. It also drives up the cost of redevelopment, such as when you tear down a small home on a large lot to build anything from a modern 2600-square-foot home to a duplex. This slows down construction and redevelopment in the Irvine housing market and limits supply overall.
That’s aside from local and state regulations that drive up the cost of labor and materials. Conversely, it ensures significant appreciation of any Irvine real estate investment property. Although, this article alone is not a comprehensive source to make a final investment decision for Irvine we have collected ten evidence-based positive things for those who are keen to invest in the Irvine properties. Investing in Irvine properties will fetch you good returns in the long term as the home prices in Irvine have been trending up year-over-year.
Irvine Real Estate Appreciation
If you're a home buyer or a real estate investor, Irvine has unquestionably been one of the best long-term real estate investments in the country over the last decade. According to Neigborhoodscout, Irvine has had some of the highest home appreciation rates of any community in the country over the last decade.
Irvine real estate has appreciated by 96.64 percent over the last decade, which equates to an annual appreciation rate of 7.00 percent on average, placing Irvine in the top 30% of all cities for real estate appreciation. Irvine's appreciation rate over the last twelve months has been 7.84 percent.
While real estate’s mantra can be summarized as “location”, the Irvine real estate market is defined by it. Home prices in the Irvine housing market are certain to go up because the city is entirely built out. And they can’t build up into the regional and state parks directly east of the city. Nor can they spread west, since cities like Corona Del Mar and the Crystal Cove State Park hem it in on the western edge.
Everything to the north and south is built out. That means that the only way one could increase housing stock is to tear down existing stock and build taller, denser, or both. Conversely, people are willing to pay a premium to live in the Irvine area given the wealth of dedicated greenspace.
Some of the best neighborhoods in or around Irvine, California are Northwood, Woodbridge, Westpark, Tustin, Tustin Legacy, Woodbury, Laguna Altura, Cypress Village, Turtle Rock, Pavilion Park, and Stonegate. Shady Canyon has a median listing home price of $7.6M, making it the most expensive neighborhood. Oak Creek is the most affordable neighborhood, with a median listing home price of $718.9K.
Here are some of the best neighborhoods to invest in Irvine real estate because they have the highest appreciation rates since 2000 (List by Neigborhoodscout.com).
- Hidden Canyon
- Parasol Park
- Solano At Altair / Celestial At Altair
- Oak Creek West
- Terrace
- Turtle Rock West
- University Park
- Foothill Ranch
- Irvine Spectrum / Irvine Medical and Science Complex
- Westpark South
The Job Market
Orange County is Southern California’s tightest job market. Unemployment is less than 3 percent, and many of them are good-paying professional jobs. That’s one reason why many choose to live in Irvine. Given the horrors of regional traffic, anyone working at UC Irvine, Verizon, Irvine Company, or Broadcom typically chooses to live here so they aren’t commuting three hours a day to these good-paying jobs.
Irvine Rental Prices Are Rising
In Irvine, 50% of households are occupied by renters. It is easy to find a cheap apartment in a place no one wants to live, though the reasons why demand is low could range from abundant gunfire at night to a lack of jobs and people in the area. The Irvine housing market sits at a sweet spot. The City of Irvine consists of 8 zip codes and is often designated as one of the safest cities to live in. It has reasonable rental rates compared to expensive California coastal real estate prices, and it has a high quality of life rating.
This isn’t a matter of opinion. It was determined by WalletHub. That’s why the Irvine real estate market came in eleventh on the Wallethub ratings, the best city in California according to their metrics. Sometimes a housing market can only be gauged by the competition. For example, the 2,500 monthly rental rate in the Irvine housing market sounds insane to those used to 1000 a month rents in the heartland. Yet this is only a few hundred dollars more a month than a renter would pay in neighboring Anaheim.
The more accurate comparison is the Irvine real estate market relative to Newport Beach directly to the west. Renting in Irvine is several hundred dollars cheaper a month than Newport Beach and other towns sitting on the Pacific shore, yet you’re just as close to major employers. Rent control hurts renters entering a market because those in the rent-controlled market have a major incentive not to move. This results in older singles and couples staying in the apartment in which they raised their children.
The same thing is found in California due to Proposition 13. Many retirees and childless middle-aged couples can’t afford to move until they can no longer stay in their home, since they’d pay higher property taxes on a smaller condo or two-bedroom home than they pay in their grandfathered four-bedroom suburban house. That drives up both rental rates and property prices in the Irvine real estate market.
Proposition 10 prevented rent control from being imposed on single-family homes and apartments built after 1995. The vote to repeal Prop 10 was one of the most expensive legislative battles in California history, but the statewide rent cap went into effect in September 2019. Now rental rate increases are capped. You may find deals on Irvine real estate investment properties by those who just want to get out before their hands are tied or their profit margins eroded. This parallels the potential opportunities created by Oregon’s statewide rent control law. People afraid they’ll lose money become eager to sell.
The Relatively Friendly Environment for Landlords
California is tenant-friendly. However, local jurisdictions range from outright hostile to property owners to lukewarm. We’ll say that the Irving real estate market is one of the least hostile to property owners. For example, Orange County had fewer restrictions on why you could evict a tenant. They had the 30/60 day notice to quit rules or the minimum the state required at the time. There was less risk of squatters ruining an Irvine real estate investment property and being protected by the courts than you would with a Los Angeles real estate property.
The Large Student Market For Investors
Student markets always present an excellent opportunity for real estate investors. The student market is almost immune to inflation. The value of the property is almost directly proportional to its proximity to campus. And in the case of the Irvine real estate market, potential student renters are competing with locals for limited rental spots.
The robust rental market gives an Irvine real estate investment property extra value since the demand for the rental isn’t tied directly to the rise and fall of one particular school. Conversely, UC Irvine is home to around 30,000 students. That means the demand for an Irvine real estate investment property near campus won’t fall 10 percent because they built a new dorm or two.
Buying or selling real estate, for a majority of investors, is one of the most important decisions they will make. Choosing a real estate professional/counselor continues to be a vital part of this process. They are well-informed about critical factors that affect your specific market areas, such as changes in market conditions, market forecasts, consumer attitudes, best locations, timing, and interest rates.
Irvine’s housing market seems expensive, but that is in line with local real estate trends. The area remains stable and strong, though recent legislative trends along with ongoing regulations make this a great time to buy.
NORADA REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTS strives to set the standard for our industry and inspire others by raising the bar on providing exceptional real estate investment opportunities in the U.S. growth markets. We can help you succeed by minimizing risk and maximizing profitability.
The other best place to invest in real estate is Boulder, CO. The Boulder metro area is becoming a high-tech hub, driving up rental rates and property values. Others are lured here by the promise of high-paying jobs or attending school somewhere they can intern at Big Tech firms without paying a fortune. Boulder’s economy is stabilized by the presence of government research institutes and the proximity to Denver’s buzzing economy.
The median rent in the Boulder real estate market is $2500 per month. Even in the older downtown area, rents hover around 2300 dollars a month, and that figure is predominantly one and two-bedroom apartments. Rents are inflated by the massive number of students in the Boulder real estate market.
Another upcoming market to choose for real estate investment is Vancouver, WA. Vancouver, Washington is a steadily growing, appreciating real estate market. Investors here will profit from Portland’s mistakes while earning greater returns than if they invested in one of the more expensive housing markets in the region. The Vancouver WA housing market has a sizable student market. Better yet, it isn’t limited to a single school. Washington State University Vancouver has more than three thousand students. It is the second-largest Washington State campus. Gateway Seminary is home to around two thousand graduate students.
Let us know which real estate markets you consider best for real estate investing!
Remember, caveat emptor still applies when buying a property anywhere. The information contained in this article was pulled from third-party sites mentioned under references. Although the information is believed to be reliable, Norada Real Estate Investments makes no representations, warranties, or guarantees, either express or implied, as to whether the information presented is accurate, reliable, or current. All information presented should be independently verified through the references given below. As a general policy, Norada Real Estate Investments makes no claims or assertions about the future housing market conditions across the US.
References
- https://www.car.org/marketdata/data/countysalesactivity
- https://www.zillow.com/Irvine-ca/home-values
- https://www.redfin.com/city/9361/CA/Irvine/housing-market
- https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-search/Irvine_CA/overview
- https://www.neighborhoodscout.com/ca/irvine/real-estate
- https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-pol-ca-proposition-10-rent-control-20181106-story.html
- https://www.rentcafe.com/blog/renting/states-best-worst-laws-renters
- http://www.irvinestop10.com/Employers.aspx
