A collection of charts, updated monthly, with up-to-date information and predictions about the course of the California real estate market.

Click chart for articleHome Sales Volume and Price Peaks:

Homes sold in California, per month, from September 2003-present, with accompanying analysis and predictions.

SP 500 thumbnail 2Click chart for articleTracking the Market:

The value of stocks in the market, represented by the S&P 500 index, is contrasted with the price/earnings (PE) ratio, along with first tuesday insight and forecasting.

Click above for additional charts and articleCA Home Values 1989-Present:

Tiered pricing from the Case-Shiller index, comparing the prices of all homes in San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Francisco over the past twenty years.

Employment Statewide Thumbnail 1Click above for additional charts and articleJobs Move Real Estate:

The past and future of jobs in California: current, detailed employment numbers for the state and its biggest counties.

unemployment 100 thumbnailClick chart for articleCA Unemployment 1976-Present:

The dark side of Jobs Move Real Estate: the unemployed percentage of the labor force, with analysis of the vital role jobs play in the market at large.

Click chart for articleMonthly Residential Construction:

New homes constructed in California on a monthly basis, displaying trends in the construction of new single-family residences (SFRs) and Apartments/Condos.

Click chart for articleAnnual Residential Construction:

New homes constructed in California on a yearly basis, displaying trends in the construction of new single-family residences (SFRs) and Apartments/Condos.


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Homeownership Statewide

The rate of single-family homeownership in California since 1990.


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Homeownership by Age in the Western Census Region:

2009’s rate of single-family homeownership in the western region, broken down by age group.


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Rental Vacancies Statewide:

The rental vacancy rate in California from 1990-present, courtesy of the United States Census Bureau.


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State population over 65:

The total California population of “Senior Citizens,” citizens aged 65 and over, from 1980-present, with first tuesday projections based on the current population of Baby Boomers.

Click chart for articleFirst Time Homebuyers and New Housing:

The annual number of 1st time homebuyers, aged 25-34, with the construction of single- and multi-family residences from 1980, with first tuesday forecasts.

ARMs chart thumbnailClick chart for articleARM Ratio in the Market:

The ratio of adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs) to all loans originated in the United States.

Click chart for articlePersonal Bankruptcy in CA:

California’s annual number of personal bankruptcies filed, and a brief explanation of bankruptcy’s often-overlooked tie to homeownership.

Click above for additional charts and articleNODs and Trustee’s Deeds:

Notices of Default (NODs) issued quarterly, from 1994-present, giving an in-depth look at foreclosures past and future.

Broker GossipThumbnailClick chart for articleHow CA’s Mighty Have Fared, One Year On:

The number of agents employed by California’s 30 largest brokers in July 2008 and August 2009.

Buyer Expectations ThumbnailClick chart for articleTrends in Homebuyer Sentiment:

Homebuyer opinion on the housing market and personal financial conditions

Click chart for articleBroker and Agent Population:

The total number of DRE-licensed brokers and sales agents in California from 2001-2009.

Click chart for articleBroker and Agent Licensing:

The number of sales agent and and broker licenses issued by the California Department of Real Estate from 1997-present.

CA population thumbnailClick chart for articleRate of Population Growth:

The rate of population growth for California since 1990, compared with growth rates for the entire nation.

REIT thumbnailClick chart for articleREIT Values and Returns:

Historical Values and Returns from all US Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs).

Buyer Purchasing Power ThumbnailClick chart for articleBuyer Purchasing Power:

The buyer’s ability to purchase a home, as influenced by the annual change in federal rates.

yieldspread thumbnailClick chart for articleThe Yield Spread:

An essential tool used to predict economic conditions affecting the real estate market.

91 Day TBill ThumbnailClick chart for article91-Day Treasury Bill —Average Auction Rate:

Used to determine the minimum interest rate the seller must impute in a delayed §1031 transaction.

91 Day TBill ThumbnailClick chart for article3-Month Treasury Bill:

The base price of borrowing money in the short-term, used to determine the yield spread.

10 yr T bnd ThumbnailClick chart for article10-Year T-Bonds —Average Market Yield:

Indicates the direction of future FHLMC rates.


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Average 30-Year Conventional Commitment Rate:

The 30-year rate at which a lender commits to lend mortgage money in the United States-West as reported by FHLMC.


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Average 15-Year Conventional Commitment Rate:

The 15-year rate at which a lender commits to lend mortgage money in the United States-West as reported by FHLMC.

Click chart for article6-Month Treasury Bill —

Average Auction Rate:

The ARM interest rate equals the 6-month T-Bill rate (at time of adjustment or an average of several prior rates), plus the lender’s profit margin.

Click chart for articleTreasury Securities Avg. Yield — 1-Year Constant Maturity:

The ARM interest rate equals T-Bill yield, plus the lender’s profit margin. The index is an average of T-Bill yields with maturities adjusted to one year.


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12-Month Treasury Average:

The ARM interest rate equals T-Bill average yield plus the lender’s profit margin. The index is an average of the one-year T-Bill rates for the past 12 months.


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Cost-of-Funds Index (11th FHLBB District):

The ARM interest rate equals the Cost-of-Funds, plus the lender’s profit margin. The current index reflects the cost of funds two months’ prior in the Unites States-West.

15-30-12 ThumbnailClick chart for articleCombined average rates and 12 month treasury average:

The average 15- and 30-year conventional commitment rates as reported by the FHLMC, superimposed with the 12 month treasury average.


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London Inter-Bank Offered Rate:

The ARM interest rate equals the LIBOR rate plus the lender’s profit margin. The rate is set by the banks in London, England.


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Prime Rate:

The prime rate is used by banks to price short-term business loans and set ARMs.


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Discount Rate

Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco:

Usury law limits the annual interest yield on nonexempt loans to 10%, or the discount rate plus 5%, whichever is greater.


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Applicable Federal Rates:

Determines minimum interest yield reportable on carryback financing. The AFR category is determined by the carryback due date.