Hi all,

This note applies to people who want to buy in 2009, and to people who want to sell in 2009. The logic simply dictates when you start buying or when you choose to put your home on the market.

This note also only applies to buyers who are first-time buyers (ie, no home ownership in prior 3 years), and so, also then only to home sellers who's home would likely appeal to that buyer market.

At the moment, this market is crazy, as bad as 2004. Buyers spend their weekends looking at homes, buyers then make offers at above-asking price. Sellers get to entertain several offers and take their pick.

That's the Washington DC market in the spring of 2009.

I cannot foretell the future, but what do you think will happen this fall, when everyone is racing to get closed/settled prior to Dec 1, 2009 to qualify for their $8,000 tax credit? I think people will get more crazy, prices will shoot up. After Dec 1, we should get back to normal.

So, if you are a seller and can afford to wait until September to sell your home, you'd be best advised to stay put.

So, if you are a buyer thinking on buying this fall, be forewarned.