"Buy low, sell high" are the traditional "words of wisdom" in the real estate industry. Without much explanation, we get the point. The inference is that the real estate market is never really constant and does, in fact, go through cycles. For example in 2005, if you asked the typical question: "How's the market?" most real estate agents would have replied (with a big smile on their face!) "We've very busy, houses are moving!" The same question in 2007 would probably solicit a less enthusiastic response.
It is true that in terms of real estate activity, the year 2005 could probably be viewed as a "peak year." Fast forward to 2007 and the economic climate in general and the housing market in particular are undoubtedly different. Some people call it a "softer" market and perhaps that's true (again, by 2005 standards). However, if you look at the hard numbers over a twelve year period, you'll see that the trend (like the waves in the ocean) follows an upward pattern - with some fluctuation.
The charts below compare the median sales price and the number of home sales in Middletown between 1995 and 2006. And once again, it's apparent that the trend is the same: upward movement with some fluctuation.
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Single-Family - Median Sales Price | Single-Family - Number of Homes Sold | ||||||
Middletown, 1995-2006 |
| Middletown 1995-2006 | |||||
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| 2006 | $232,000 |
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| 2006 | 451 |
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| 2005 | $235,000 |
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| 2005 | 508 |
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| 2004 | $207,000 |
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| 2004 | 482 |
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| 2003 | $182,000 |
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| 2003 | 457 |
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| 2002 | $155,000 |
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| 2002 | 495 |
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| 2001 | $142,000 |
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| 2001 | 521 |
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| 2000 | $127,000 |
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| 2000 | 438 |
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| 1999 | $124,000 |
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| 1999 | 528 |
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| 1998 | $116,000 |
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| 1998 | 499 |
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| 1997 | $114,000 |
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| 1997 | 412 |
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| 1996 | $115,000 |
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| 1996 | 388 |
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| 1995 | $116,000 |
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| 1995 | 390 |
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As for the year 2007, no one can predict with absolute certainty what the trend will be. However, whether prices go up or down in this particular year, I believe it is safe to say that, in retrospect, it will follow the general pattern of "upward movement with some fluctuation."
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