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How's the real estate mareket in your town?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with 1ST Choice Realty 2005021560

Just curious how different markets are doing right now.  Our market, the Ozarks in Missouri, has been busy with listings.  Buyer traffic has been slower than last January, however, still have some buyers to choose from.  I have noticed that different areas in our MLS (which covers about 16 plus counties) have had closings over the last 20 days, while Houston, Missouri, has been slower in the closing department.  There are however, some pending sales that look to close in February.

Have a great day!  God Bless!

Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Michelle, in my area of Florida we've had a very busy January so far.  Both listing and buying sides.  The current mortgage rates, lower prices and optimism for the new leadership is my guess for what's causing this.  I hope it lasts for a while.

Jan 20, 2009 11:29 PM
Michelle Vivero
1ST Choice Realty - Willard, MO
1ST Choice Realty

Gabe:

Glad to hear that Florida is doing better.  I am hopeful that the same incentives you mentioned above and the improvement in other markets, will help stimulate our's here.  Thanks for the update.  Have a prosperous 2009! God Bless!

Jan 20, 2009 11:53 PM
Brian Griffis
Realty Choice - Springfield, MO

I gotta agree Michelle, the Ozarks never had prices get too out of control so things have not crashed here as bad. I have looked at houses in other states as investments as well, and it seems like there are still plenty of buyers out ther if the price is right. The real bargains get snapped up pretty quick.

Jan 20, 2009 11:59 PM
Richard Stabile
Re/Max Real Estate Limited - Oradell, NJ
Bergen County New Homes Builder Realtor

Busy with listing, and I guess trying to get going. We didn't have speculation as bad as some but we did go up a lot in the past few years. We have been off about 5-15% on median price from the highs, depending on which town and range.

Richard

Jan 21, 2009 12:42 AM
Michelle Vivero
1ST Choice Realty - Willard, MO
1ST Choice Realty

Brian:

I agree wholeheartedly!  We have always been slow to boom and slow to go down, which has been a huge benefit in our area!  The buyers are definitely looking for bargains.  Those seem to move within a few days of list.  Thanks for your input.  Have a great day. God Bless

Jan 21, 2009 12:44 AM
Steven Hickox
Castle United, 1031x.com - Denver, CO

The Denvermarket is firming from the bottom up.  List pricews are all over the map with bank owned properties representing most of the sales.  We are having a warm January and showings are up.

Jan 21, 2009 12:50 AM
Leslie Prest
Leslie Prest, Prest Realty, Sales and Rentals in Payson, AZ - Payson, AZ
Owner, Assoc. Broker, Prest Realty, Payson,

I'm in a small town in Arizona, about 90 minutes drive north of Phoenix. Our market is WAY slow. The listings have slowed down because the buyers are almost non-existent.

Jan 21, 2009 04:26 AM
Kevin Welch
American Bulldog Home Inspection Inc. - Rutland, MA

Hi Michelle,

I am a home inspector in central Massachusetts. While the total number of transactions remains on a downward spiral, I finished out 2008 with an increase of nearly 35% over 2007, and so far 2009 is beginning at an even better pace. I feel that the slow market is weeding out much of the competition and those of us who remain will be in a good position to pick up market share when things turn around.

 

Good luck and God bless.

Kevin

Jan 22, 2009 04:29 AM
Anonymous
Michelle

Leslie:

I have heard that Arizona has been a very tough market over the last year and I feel for you.  I know two couples that live there and plan to retire in Missouri and they have both taken their homes off the market due to the market conditions. 

I truly hope for your sake that the market starts picking up.  Real Estate in any market can be a challenge, however, in a non existent buyer's market it truly poses challenges that can be tough to overcome.    I will pray that the Lord will show your business favor and send you both some buyers, as well as sellers.

God Bless! Michelle

Jan 22, 2009 05:21 AM
#9
Anonymous
Michelle

Steven:

Thank you for your update on the Denver market.  We have had some foreclosures in our market, however, probably nothing like what you have seen.  As, with your market, the foreclosures do seem to sell pretty quickly.  Makes it hard for our seller's to compete. 

Also, like your market, warm weather in January usually tends to bring out the buyers who are looking to buy.

Hope you have a prosperous 2009! God Bless!

Jan 22, 2009 05:25 AM
#10
Anonymous
Michelle

Kevin:

Thanks for the update in your market area.  Glad to hear that income for you was up for 2008.  My income at least remained the same in 2008, from 2007. 

I agree with your comment about these challenges will weed out some and those of us who survive, will be poised to gain market share.  I have been in Real Estate since 1995 and have seen people come in at the good times, then go out when the business presents a serious challenge to them.  I would imagine that it is the same in your business.

I must say that I have been amazed at the large size of the companies that have shut their doors during this challenging time.

Hopefully both the real estate & inspection business will become more personal and professional through these challenging times.

God Bless you and your business!

 

 

Jan 22, 2009 05:31 AM
#11
Sharon Harris
Keller Williams Keystone Realty - Hanover, PA
Realtor

Pa is awaking. I had showings on my listings!! And buyers seem to be coming around as well.

Jan 22, 2009 08:54 AM
Anonymous
Michelle

Sharon:

Great to hear!  Have a prosperous 2009! God Bless!

Jan 22, 2009 02:22 PM
#13