Who knew that along with surf board designs and the best wave destinations the online community at Surfermagazine would be discussing what’s happening in the California real estate market? We’re all hungry for information on the economy, financial market and definitely the real estate outlook. We’re so hungry in fact that we may forego discussing the latest rip tide in exchange for a conversation on current loan limits.

If I was a practicing REALTOR® in California, and more specifically, practicing in a beach community, I would certainly join the surfers in their discussion of current market trends. By utilizing Clarus MarketMetrics® to run the median home prices through May 2009, pulled directly from my MLS data, I would quickly be able to post the results online. Clarus MarketMetrics® allows me to drill down to a specific zip code, and in some cases a map code or even a school district.

In Newport Beach for example, the median home price for single-family homes dropped 12% from May 2008 versus May 2009, going from $1.56 million to $1.375 million.

Newport Beach Median Home Price May 2009

Beyond that though, how cool is it that I found the group chatting about the California real estate market forecast in a completely unrelated industry blog? Remember to use your hobbies and other interests as a launch pad into the social networking realm. You never know when an opportunity will present itself!

Now is the time to take a look at your markets and see whether we’re still riding the wave down in prices or if there are calmer waters ahead. Tell us what you’re seeing. If you’re new to Clarus MarketMetrics®, see if it’s available through your MLS at http://www.clarusresource.com/mlslist.html.

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