It is our pleasure to bring you the Compass 2020 Q4 Real Estate Market Report. As 2020 ended Los Angeles experienced strong home sales with prices trending upwards. Despite another regional stay-at-home order in early December, buyers remained active making above-asking price offers for move-in ready properties. Inventory constraints continued as sellers reluctant to list their homes due to COVID remained on the sidelines.
Home sales in the desirable Coastal Communities increased 33 percent in the fourth quarter compared to last year. Overall year-over-year home prices rose 17 percent to $2,447,879. Well-heeled buyers chose single-family homes in Malibu to both stay at home and work from home. As a result, Malibu home prices increased 53 percent year-over-year to $4.6 million.
The Hills, with an average fourth-quarter home price of $4 million, experienced a 17 percent home price decline compared to last year. Bel Air and Holmby Hills saw single-family home prices fall 44 percent offering rarely seen buying opportunities.
West San Fernando Valley benefitted from the urban to suburban flight of millennials with families. Home sales increased 32 percent over last year’s fourth quarter. A 13 percent price increase in West San Fernando Valley brought the average home price to $1.3 million. In Woodland Hills, buyers moved fast reducing days on market by 56 percent. East San Fernando Valley followed suit with a 27 percent increase in fourth quarter home sales. Studio City’s eager buyers pushed home sales up 47 percent year-over-year. Northeast Los Angeles, noted for relative affordability, saw home prices rise 29 percent to $824,429.
Moving into 2021, look to more sellers to come back to the market as the vaccine is distributed. That, combined with continuing low interest rates, bode for the strong market that defines Los Angeles real estate.