, which tracks 30 major US markets, including four in Southern California. The data also offers some intriguing insights into what’s boosting prices.Orange County’s home prices rose 10.2% by this math, the largest gain among the 30 markets tracked.
That surge included gains of 9.3% for what First American dubs “starter homes” – the cheapest third of homes sold. That was the sixth-biggest price jump within this “affordable” category of the 30. Orange County was also No. 1 for “luxury home” appreciation with 10.3% gains among the priciest third of homes sold in April.
San Diego had the third-largest gains nationally, up 8% overall in a year. That included price hikes of 5.8% for starter homes and 10.2% for luxury homes .Los Angeles County homes were 4.3% pricier overall – with gains of 4.6% for starter homes and 4% for luxury homes . The Inland Empire saw a mere 2.6% increase overall – with 2.4% starter-home increases and 4.7% luxury-home gains .