I’m the chair for the CBR’s Tech User Committee. At the start of yesterday’s meeting, I ask the 40-some agents in attendance if their business was thumbs-up, thumbs-down, or were they working with “fence-sitters”. Probably a good half of them indicated a “THUMBS-UP”. They’re busy! A few others said they were working with the fence-sitters. Almost all agents felt that March was going to be a busy month … when the weather is less nasty.
Last night I received an email from the CBR President, giving January statistics for the entire MLS system.
- 266 fewer homes were sold Jan 2009 vs Jan 2008. The Pres attributed it to the weather and the economy. (remember how bad/cold the weather was in December!)
- More than 1,000 homes went into contract during Jan 2009, an indication that sales may be increasing due to the the 1st Time Homebuyer Tax Credit.
- In January, there were 17.4% fewer homes for sale than in Jan 2008. That means a major reduction to inventory which is needed to create balance to supply-demand.
- The average price of homes sold in Jan was $137,446. This could be due to sales of homes in trouble financially.
Busy Realtors® … low inventory … low interest rates … appealing 1st Time Homebuyer program … flat prices … ALL POSITIVE SIGNS!
I’ve written before how the media tends to put negative spins on stories because people are more apt to read those stories. When they do this, they are really doing a disservice to the industry or people they’re covering. Here’s how a local NBC reporter wrote up the above information. There are so many other headlines she could have chosen that would have better helped the local market of which she represents. And, this is from a station that is currently running a promo of “Where Accuracy Matters”.
We need the media to step up to the plate to help the nation OUT of some of the problems, not continue to propel us downward! OK, I’ll step off my soapbox now.
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