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The 101-Day Myth: Why North Orange County Homes Still Move in 26 Days
If you’re following the headlines this January, you’ve likely seen a number that’s causing quite a stir: the 101-day Expected Market Time. While that’s a real statistic for the whole of Orange County, it is often misunderstood as a “cold” market.
The 101-Day Myth Explained in 60 Seconds
As a North Orange County specialist based in Fullerton, I’m here to clarify the ground-floor reality for our neighbors. There is a massive difference between “Market Speed” and “Time to Sell.”
Orange County Market Realities: January 2026
To see why I call it a “myth” for well-priced homes, look at the actual data for our region:
|
Market Metric |
January 2026 Reality |
|
Headline Expected Market Time |
101 Days (The “Speedometer”) |
|
Actual Median Days on Market |
26 Days (The Reality) |
|
Median Sold Price |
$1,169,000 |
|
Months Supply of Inventory |
1.68 Months |
|
Sold-to-List Price Ratio |
99.3% |
Why the 101-Day Number is “The Great Distraction”
The 101-day figure represents the Expected Market Time—a county-wide speedometer that includes everything from entry-level condos to $50M coastal estates. In reality, the median time a home actually sits in our market is just 26 days. If you are priced right, you aren’t waiting three months; you’re moving in less than four weeks.
What this means for Sellers in Orange County?
The Strategic Buyer’s Window
The Myth: “The market is frozen. If homes are taking 101 days to sell, I should wait for prices to crater.”
The Fact: The 101-day figure is a broad average skewed by ultra-luxury estates. In our local neighborhoods, the reality is a 26-day median. With a 2.58% dip in median prices ($1,169,000) this month, we are seeing a rare “Value Gap.”
The Move: Secure your position now. Once the spring inventory hits, that 99.3% list-to-sold ratio tells us the competition will be fierce. Don’t wait for the crowds to return.
The Seller’s Inventory Advantage
The Myth: “It’s a bad time to list. My home will sit for months and become ‘stale’ in this 101-day market.”
The Fact: Inventory has plummeted by 25.99% month-over-month. You aren’t competing with a sea of listings; you are the only game in town for motivated buyers.
The Move: Homes that are priced and prepared correctly are selling in under 4 weeks. You have maximum leverage right now to demand terms that favor your timeline.
Thinking of making a move in North Orange County?
Don’t navigate the headlines alone. Connect with me, Stephen Tart at Century 21 Discovery, for a custom strategy that looks past the noise and at the actual data.
Stephen Tart (714) 457-1274
Stephen@northocproperty.com
The lead image is an AI-generated conceptual illustration used to represent market segments and is not a photograph of a specific property for sale.
