Fast Facts

Calif. median home price: April 2011: $293,570 (Source: C.A.R.)

Calif. highest median home price by region/county April 2011: Marin $726,060 (Source: C.A.R.)

Calif. lowest median home price by region/county April 2011: Merced $103,890 (Source: C.A.R.)

Calif. Pending Home Sales Index: March 2011: 128.7, up 15.2 percent compared with February (Source: C.A.R.)

Calif. First-time Buyer Affordability Index: First quarter 2011: 53 percent (Source: C.A.R.)

Mortgage rates: Week ending 5/19/2011 30-yr. fixed: 4.61 fees/points: 0.7% 15-yr. fixed: 3.80 fees/points: 0.7% 1-yr. adjustable: 3.15% Fees/points: 0.6% (Source: Freddie Mac)