In the most recent period Orange County home buyers purchased 3,131 residences which is an increase of 8.1% from a year ago and July became the 13^th straight month of year-over-year sales gains. 

The final home buying statistics from the last week in July are in and the median selling price of a home was $425,000 which is an 8.8% decrease from July 2008.  Prices have been falling on a year-over-year basis since September 2007 with the worst month being August 2008 when the price of a home fell 31.5% from its peak pricing. 

At $425,000 the median price of a home is up $7,000 from June making July the fifth month of 2009 to see month-to-month price gains.  Single-family homes sold for 33% less than their peak pricing that was reached in June 2007 and condos sold for 36% lower than their peak pricing (March 2006.)  The builder priced for new homes are 44% below their February 2005 peak.