California Association of Realtors just released its report for December real estate activity.

Calif. median home price - December 08: $281,100 (Source: C.A.R.) (note: compared to $285,680 last month)

Calif. highest median home price by C.A.R. region December 08: Santa Barbara So. Coast $875,000 (Source: C.A.R.) (note: compared to $1,200,000 last month)

Calif. lowest median home price by C.A.R. region December 08: High Desert $137,560 (Source: C.A.R.) (note: compared to $148,580 last month)

Calif. First-time Buyer Affordability Index - Third Quarter 2008: 53 percent (Source: C.A.R.) (note: compared to 48 percent Second Quarter 2008)

Mortgage rates – week ending 1/22/09:

• 30-yr. fixed: 5.12%; Fees/points: 0.7% (note: compared to 5.14% and 0.8% points last report)
• 15-yr. fixed: 4.80%; Fees/points: 0.7% (note: compared to 4.91% and 0.7% points last report)
• 1-yr. adjustable: 4.92%; Fees/points: 0.7% (note: compared to 4.95% and 0.6% points last report)

- California Association of Realtors & Freddie Mac