January 2026 Coastal Orange County Real Estate Market Report

Newport Beach • Corona Del Mar • Newport Coast • Laguna Beach • Huntington Beach

Welcome to your January 2026 coastal Orange County real estate market update, brought to you by Jarett Richards. If you’re buying or selling in Newport Beach, Corona Del Mar, Newport Coast, Laguna Beach, or Huntington Beach, this detailed guide will help you understand what’s happening in the local property market right now — and what it means for your next move.

🌊 Newport Beach Real Estate Market Update – January 2026

• Median List Price (Houses): $5,872,500

• Median List Price (Condos): $1,799,000

• Price per Sq. Ft.: $1,803 (Houses) | $1,084 (Condos)

• Market Action Index (MAI): 34 (Houses) | 36 (Condos) – Slight Seller's Market

• Median Rent: $14,000 (Houses), $3,674 (Condos)

What This Means for Sellers

Sellers in Newport Beach are seeing stable demand with limited inventory. With MAI climbing slowly and homes staying on the market for an average of 169 days, it’s a good time to list before more inventory returns in spring. Price reductions are minimal, signaling sellers still have leverage.

What This Means for Buyers

Buyers should be prepared to act quickly in competitive price ranges, especially under $4 million. While list prices are high, price cuts are occurring (25% of listings), opening opportunities for negotiation.

🏝️ Newport Coast Real Estate Market Update – January 2026

• Median List Price (Houses): $17,000,000

• Median List Price (Condos): $2,474,000

• Price per Sq. Ft.: $2,612 (Houses) | $1,283 (Condos)

• Market Action Index: 32 (Houses) | 34 (Condos) – Slight Seller's Advantage

• Median Rent: $11,250 (Houses), $4,415 (Condos)

What This Means for Sellers

The luxury market in Newport Coast is showing signs of cooling. Longer days on market and high list prices mean expectations may need to adjust. If you're thinking of selling, now is the time to prep before conditions soften further.

What This Means for Buyers

This could be a smart time to negotiate on high-end properties. Inventory is limited (especially for condos), but cooling momentum suggests more pricing flexibility is ahead.

🌇 Corona Del Mar Real Estate Market Update – January 2026

• Median List Price (Houses): $7,499,999

• Median List Price (Condos): $2,972,500

• Price per Sq. Ft.: $2,360 (Houses) | $1,846 (Condos)

• Market Action Index: 34 (Houses) | 36 (Condos) – Slight Seller's Market

• Median Rent: $16,000 (Houses), $9,000 (Condos)

What This Means for Sellers

Sales activity is healthy and inventory remains tight. If you're listing in the next 30–60 days, you’ll likely benefit from strong buyer interest and minimal competition — especially in the condo market.

What This Means for Buyers

Time is of the essence. With homes selling fast and price reductions rare, early 2026 may be your last window to secure property before spring bidding wars return.

🌴 Laguna Beach Real Estate Market Update – January 2026

• Median List Price (Houses): $5,595,000

• Median List Price (Condos): $1,677,000

• Price per Sq. Ft.: $2,094 (Houses) | $1,348 (Condos)

• Market Action Index: 32 (Houses) | 33 (Condos) – Slight Seller's Advantage

• Median Rent: $10,500 (Houses), $3,527 (Condos)

What This Means for Sellers

The market is flat but still favors sellers. There’s enough demand to keep prices from falling, but buyers are more selective. Well-staged, turnkey homes are moving fastest.

What This Means for Buyers

Laguna Beach offers a calmer buying environment compared to Newport or Huntington. Sellers are more willing to negotiate — particularly in higher price ranges or for homes that have been sitting.

🏄 Huntington Beach Real Estate Market Update – January 2026

• Median List Price (Houses): $1,899,998

• Median List Price (Condos): $915,000

• Price per Sq. Ft.: $914 (Houses) | $694 (Condos)

• Market Action Index: 50 (Houses – Strong Seller’s Market) | 41 (Condos)

• Median Rent: $5,500 (Houses), $3,148 (Condos)

What This Means for Sellers

This is your moment. Huntington Beach homes are selling quickly, and the MAI indicates a strong seller’s market. Multiple offers are likely — so pricing correctly can spark bidding wars.

What This Means for Buyers

Expect competition and limited time to make offers. Focus on pre-approval and working with a local agent (like Jaret!) to get ahead of new listings. Entry-level homes under $2M are especially hot.

📈 Coastal OC Trends to Watch in Early 2026

• Inventory is down across all cities, especially for condos

• Luxury market cooling slightly, creating opportunities in Newport Coast and CDM

• Strongest demand is in Huntington Beach and Newport Beach condos

• Rent prices remain high, attracting investor interest in coastal condos

🧭 Final Thoughts from Jarett Richards

Whether you're looking to buy your dream home by the beach or maximize your property sale, January is setting up to be a critical month for strategic real estate decisions.

👉 Sellers: Get ahead of spring inventory by listing now while competition is low.
👉 Buyers: Act fast in hot submarkets and don’t be afraid to negotiate where MAI is cooling.

📞 Ready to Buy or Sell on the Coast?

Let’s talk strategy.
📩 Contact Jarett Richards at 949-405-4455
📍 Local Expertise. Global Reach. Results You Can Trust.

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