Question: With all the news media report of Foreclosures, Short Sales, Prices Dropping, what do we have to look forward to if we wish to sell before the end of the year?

Answer: Times are tough in the Real Estate industry today, matter of fact prices have been falling on a steady basis since the peak of July, 2006, the media though we wish not to hear or believe the reports are very much on target, remember though they are reporting closings of sales 3 months past (i.e. contracts of February/March/ closings of May/June for example). Realtors can tell you our industry reports a back log of about 12 months inventory of homes, that means some homes have been on the market since May, 2007. If you want to sell before the end of the year you need to ‘spiff’ up your home inside and out! As we previously reported in one of our past columns hire an engineer for recommendations of necessary improvements, price your home below 2009 prices (yes!! 2009 that is not a misprint) anticipate the continued down trend at least another 5-10%, the market is already off 15-22% since peak of 2006. Where ever you buy, you most likely will be buying down in price. All reports look for the Real Estate Market to begin to turn around 2010-2011.