You have most likely read the today’s headlines that in USA 27% fewer homes sold in July as in June, 2010 and in Massachusetts the drop was around 26%. This was due in part to the $8000 tax credit. You might not be aware the sales in my 9 local towns of Beverly, Boxford, Danvers, Essex, Hamilton, Ipswich, Manchester by the Sea, Topsfield, and Wenham dropped 50% from 141 unit in June to 70 units in July 2010. Although this is a major drop, it is only part of the story. As of 8/24 the number of sales in the 9 towns in August is 60, plus there are an additional 30 units scheduled to close by the end of the month giving a total of 90+- units. If they all close as projected in the next week, we will have 19% increase in sales for the first 8 months as compared to 2009. This is good news. This helps to show that real estate data is local. If you have questions what this data means to you, call: Robert A. Stallard 978 808 5938. ABR, CRS, GRI, CDPE RE/MAX Advantage Real Estate 100 Cummings Center Suite 104F, Beverly, MA 01915 P.S. Additional customized charts for particular price range and towns are available.