Everyone has seen the statistics about the "softness" in the market. If you missed it somehow, USA Today has another article today which shows sale prices at March 2005 levels, and shows 13 month trends which show a steady decline in sales, and illustrate that sales have dropped 250,000 (nationally) for October 2007, compared to October 2006.
As a home inspector, my business is at least partially dependant on these market trends. I do my best to be excellent so that I am insulated from such cycles, but even with good marketing and attention to detail, the market still makes a noticeable impact.
So, it is no surprise that my September and October numbers were not stellar. When sales drop, my phone rings less often.
But November has been super busy. Realtors who I thought had left the business (it had been so long since I had worked with them) are calling for inspections. I have to think that this reflects an uptick in the market that is not reflected yet in the doom and gloom stats that are the basis for the media attention.
I am very curious to learn the view from the ground in other areas of the country, as well as around our own region. Are there more buyers? Bargain hunters? Or just the normal ebb and flow of traffic?
I suspect (and my previous history indicates) that December and January will be slightly slower than November, but compared to September and October, that has me pretty excited.
So - what is the view from around the globe?
Sherlock Homes Inspections
www.SherlockHI.com
;)
;)
