The title is the official word from the Columbus Board of Realtors, in a message sent to members this morning...

The email says:

"The following will be released to the media this morning, Feb. 25, 2009" 

The facts:

"Weak economy slows January homes sales figures" 

The hope? the spin?  The eternal Realtor optimism?

"$8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit expected to boost spring" 

Gary Parson's the 2009 President of the Columbus Board of Realtors tells real estate agents, the media etc. that consumer confidence will return with the warner weather and flowers this spring...

Let's hope so.... 

According to the article:

"Home sales declined in January as economic pressures continue to affect central Ohio.  There were 266 fewer homes sold last month versus January 2008."

You will be able to hear all about it in the Columus Dispatch, the TV news... on the radio, etc. soon... or if you are reading real estate blogs maybe you will already know...

;-)

Here's more about the First Time Home Buyer Credit  with a chart thanks to the National Association of Realtors!

Here's more HOPE. An Ohio Association of Realtors publication of Yun's predictions for Ohio!

"Top economist offers hope for housing turnaround in Ohio"  (all of Ohio, not just Central Ohio) by Carl Horst on the Ohio Association of Realtors site.  This was published in Ohio Realtor Magazine.

The area served by the Columbus Board of Realtors multiple listing service serves all of Franklin and Delaware Counties and more... bits and pieces of those outlying counties... the hinterlands. Does Columbus have Bedroom Communities? is about "the hinterlands."