A CRASH WHERE PRICES GO UP? The Southland Checks in

"The median price paid for a home in Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, Ventura, San Bernardino and Orange counties was $495,000 last month, a new record. That was up 1.6 percent from $487,000 for the month before, and up 3.3% from $479,000 for December a year ago, according to DataQuick Information Systems. The previous peak was $493,000 last June. Year-over-year price increases have been in the single digits for nine months. Last month's record median was in large part due to strong sales of new homes, which is normal for December." For all of 2006, Southern California experienced a 5.7% increase in price appreciation year over year!

By the county, the December results: HERE

And, in Orange County, December's median price of $642,000 is just 3.4% above 2005's final result, making the 2006 the slowest year or appreciation of values since 1996 as measured by year-end-to-year-end gains. However, these gains come on the backs of several spectacular years and has dumbfounded the bubble enthusiasts. Not to worry, any positive data that doesn't support their dire case is simply dismissed as "flawed".......stay tuned.

And, the national median condo price, which rose from $168,500 in 2003 to $223,900 in 2005, only rose slightly in 2006 to $224,600.

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