Orange County Multifamily Report – Fall 2021
Despite its coastal status, the area weathered the downturn relatively well.
Orange County rent evolution, click to enlarge
Orange County’s diverse economy has helped its rental market weather the challenges of the health crisis. In August 2020, rent growth turned positive, and since the start of 2021, rents have held an ascending trend, up 1.6 percent on a trailing three-month basis through August, to $2,343. Heightened demand was mirrored by the occupancy rate in stabilized properties, up 130 basis points in the 12 months ending in July, to 97.2 percent.
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Orange County sales volume and number of properties sold, click to enlarge
The unemployment rate improved to 6.3 percent in July, still trailing the U.S. rate, which stood at 5.4 percent. While nationally the employment market expanded by 0.3 percent in the 12 months ending in June, in Orange County it contracted by 1.0 percent, but still recovered 114,900 jobs combined across sectors. Mirroring the national trend, leisure and hospitality regained the bulk of jobs (up 39.3 percent, or 54,700 jobs), followed by the metro’s largest sectors—professional and business services and trade, transportation and utilities—up a respective 6.8 percent and 7.3 percent, for 37,100 jobs combined.
Year-to-date deliveries totaled 1,572 units and the construction pipeline consisted of 7,120 units underway. Although development picked up, it still trails pre-pandemic levels. Meanwhile, $770 million in multifamily assets traded, for a price per unit that surpassed the $400,000 mark and set a record high.
