We Know the Market

Real estate is a local business but many times the only news and statistics that you are able to see in the papers and on television are national, and as we all know, over the past couple of years that picture has not been the one we would like to have seen. I am writing to you today to give you a more local picture. On Tuesday January 11, 2011 the Baltimore Sun ran an article entitled “Area home sales up 8% for Dec.” by Lorraine Mirabella. In this article Ms. Mirabella stated “…for all 2010, the number of homes sold in the Baltimore region fell 3 percent from the year-earlier period, according to figures released Monday by the area’s multiple-listing service.” The article also shared a graphic that showed December sales were up 1% in Howard County. I would like to present you with our office statistics. In December, 2010 our units sold increased 46% versus December, 2009 and for all of 2010 our units sold increased 13% versus 2009. In December, 2010 our sales volume (the total of all sold prices) increased 17% versus December, 2009 and for all of 2010 our sales volume increased 8% versus 2009. As you can see, our numbers paint a very different picture from the one in the Baltimore Sun. We are fortunate to be in an area that is so highly regarded and in such demand that it always “leads the way” in Maryland, and our highly trained professional agents take full advantage of these facts. If staying in tune with the local market is of interest to you, feel free to contact me and I will provide you with a free Howard County “Market Minute” report on a monthly basis. Or if you are thinking of buying or selling a home, I will refer you to one of our top agents. Our goal is to exceed your expectations and I am confident that we will. I look forward to hearing from you and doing business with you. Brian C. Lipsky Branch Manager/Associate Broker Ellicott City Office of Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. Visit us online at www.ellicottcitymd.com, become a fan on Facebook at Ellicott City Long & Foster, Inc.