LW real estate prices up 6.4% in 2024

On-Site Sales broker shares insights on LW real estate market

by Emma DiMaggio

Communications Manager

At this time last year, the LW Weekly reported that 2022’s hot real estate market had “officially cooled” in 2023. As evidenced by declining home prices and home sales, it appeared that the homebuying fervor of the pandemic—spurred on in large part by low interest rates and limited housing supply—had ended.

That cooling effect didn’t last. Yearend data shows that home-buying in Leisure World ramped back up in 2024, with prices up 6.4%. Escrow data shows that sellers netted an average $16,100 more per unit than in 2023.

“It’s a hidden gem,” said Dawn Januszka, broker/owner of The Januszka Group at On-Site Home Sales. “Where can you live a mile and a half from the beach for these prices?”

In total, an impressive $149 million worth of real estate was sold in Leisure World in 2024—a 14.6% increase from the prior year’s $130 million in sales.

In neighboring Orange County, even though home prices continued to increase, overall sales decreased as realtors struggled with inventory and

Dawn Januszka (second from right), broker of The Januszka Group, which runs On-Site Home Sales, poses with the brokerage's top performing agents of 2024: John Webster (l-r), Suzie Fekjar and top agent Kim Jbeili.

Leisure World escrows by month from 2023-2024.

Graphic by Emma DiMaggio elevated mortgage rates in 2024, according to Orange County Real Estate, Inc. In 2024, Orange County homes sold for an average $1.14 million last year, an 8.3% increase, according to Zillow.

Despite the increasing price tag to move into Southern California’s premier 55-plus community, demand is steady, said Januszka, who has over a decade of experience in the Leisure World real estate market.

“It’s the best game in town as far as everything you’re getting for the price,” Januszka said.

In 2024, one-bedroom units sold for an average $242,840 and two-bedrooms sold for $399,617. These averages exclude units for which no bedroom data was available.

The most expensive onebedroom units were in Mutual 10, which sold for an average $318,000. The most expensive two-bedrooms were sold in Mutual 14 for an average $468,000.

But numbers can never tell the whole story. Real estate pricing considers a wide constellation of factors. Beyond the allure of an individual unit, buyers are also attracted to the community itself. They’re enticed by Leisure World’s vast offering of amenities, events and social opportunities. Januszka said her brokerage’s buyers are also concerned about homelessness, break- ins and living somewhere safe during their golden years. Maintaining independence is also important.

“I always tell people, ‘If you’re home sick, the pharmacy will deliver to your front door,’” she said. “If you can’t grocery shop, you can always have Ralph’s or Albertsons deliver. It’s one of the ways to avoid assisted living. A lot of people just need a few things, and there are so many conveniences now that most people get to stay in their own home.”

When it comes to pricing a unit in Leisure World, agents must consider more than square footage, bedrooms and bathrooms.

Buyers consider which Mutual they’re moving into and what their rules are, such as whether the Mutual allows for built-out patios or custom- painted doors. They also consider renovations, accessibility, curb appeal, proximity to parking or a favored amenity, and a wide variety of other personal factors.

Last year, six units had that special combination of “it” factors that led to outliers in the Golden Rain Foundation’s escrow data. These units fetched between $661,000-$750,000 each.

“I definitely feel like we never have enough high-end units,” she said. “We still have a lot of really original units from 1962, so [when it comes to] high end, we just can’t get enough to satisfy the demand.”

In 2024, shareholders continued to rely on On-Site Home Sales to sell their homes. On-Site agents managed nearly 40% of all sales in 2024, representing $56.7 million in escrows.

Outside realtors sold $88.3 million in LW homes, and $3.2 million in sales were conducted by homeowners without a realtor.

On-Site Home Sales is a goto for many residents, since the brokerage provides an annual give-back to the Golden Rain Foundation to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars. This past year, the brokerage gave back $702,093 to the GRF, all of which helps to offset assessments. Looking into 2025, Januszka and her agents are hoping for another successful year.

“Most of the time, your home is an investment,” Januszka said. “Even if it’s not for you, you may be leaving it to family. I think prices will continue to go up. As long as inventory is low, there’s going to be bigger demand.”

In 2024, On-Site Home Sales gave back $702,093 to the Golden Rain Foundation.