CLIPBOARD : New Home News

Though it may come as a surprise to some prospective buyers, the average price of a new home rose less dramatically between 1988 and 1990 in Orange County than in two of its four contiguous neighbors. Both Los Angeles and San Diego (43.1% and 34.6%, respectively) had bigger percentage increases than Orange County (33.9%).

During the same period, new homes were getting larger in Orange County by 10%--growing from an average of 1,990 to 2,190 square feet. Only San Bernardino had a bigger increase.

And while Orange County has the second highest rate per square foot, its increase between 1988 and 1990 was third highest. Riverside and San Bernardino counties continue to have the least expensive and smallest new homes as well as those with the least expensive rate per square foot.

Here are the comparisons:

1988-’90 County 1988 1989 1990 % Increase PRICE Los Angeles $242,600 $285,900 $347,200 43.1 Orange 254,700 335,700 341,200 33.9 Riverside 149,400 167,700 193,200 29.3 San Bernardino 143,200 173,300 188,100 31.4 San Diego 203,300 253,300 273,700 34.6 STATEWIDE $192,600 $223,000 $237,600 23.4 LIVING AREA (in square feet) Los Angeles 2,010 2,050 2,205 9.7 Orange 1,990 2,150 2,190 10.0 Riverside 1,850 1,855 1,975 6.8 San Bernardino 1,780 1,880 1,965 10.4 San Diego 1,900 1,995 2,070 8.9 STATEWIDE 1,890 1,940 2,000 5.8 PRICE/SQUARE FOOT Los Angeles $120.70 $139.45 $157.45 30.4 Orange 128.00 156.15 155.80 21.7 Riverside 80.75 90.40 97.80 21.1 San Bernardino 80.45 92.20 95.70 18.9 San Diego 107.00 127.00 132.20 23.6 STATEWIDE $101.90 $114.95 $118.80 16.6

Source: Construction Industry Research Board survey