Sellers and buyers. Where are we in this market? Interest rates are great. Lots of homes to choose from at incredible prices. So why such a slow market? Why aren't more buyers out there looking at houses.

I spoke with an agent the other day and she had a great point. In other Real Estate downturns that we've had, buyers typically had to physically go out to houses to see them. That's no longer the case. With the wonderful services that we as REALTORS can provide, we now have provided the ability for buyers to sit at home and see houses via the internet, rather than have to get in the car and drive to the houses.

So what does this mean? Do we need to limit the amount of photos that we post on the internet. I don't think so. I'm finding many of my buyers saying 'we skipped over that house, because there were no photos'. I think in this new age, photos are the key to getting the buyers out to look at houses. I do believe that photos are important, but that sellers really should keep in mind-no photo is better than a bad photo. One bad photo, and that buyers not going to have any further interest.

So what have sales statistics been showing us? This was some info I gathered off MRIS on 11/6/2206.

Here’s some stastics for you. From October 1, 2006 through November 6, 2006 in Frederick County.

There are currently 195 homes on the market between $500k and $600k- 131 homes between $600k and $700k

Contract:
4 homes in all of Frederick county priced between $600 and $700k have gone under contract. 4 homes over $700k have gone under contract. 11 homes went under contract between $550k and $600k- 6 of those priced at $599,900. In all out of 221 homes that went under contract for the entire period in all prices ranges, 194 of them were under $500k.

Sold:
91 homes went to settlement in the same time period. Of those 5 were priced between $600k and $700k. 2 over $700k. 10 between $500 and $600K.

In June of this year 27 homes went to settlement between $600 and $700k. 20 homes over $700k. 34 homes between $500 and $600
In July of this year 9 homes went to settlement between $600 and $700k. 14 homes over $700k. 27 homes between $500 and $600
In August of this year 16 homes went to settlement between $600 and $700k. 16 homes over $700k. 34 homes between $500 and $600

In August of the 66 homes that went to settlement 41 of them went under contract before July 31, 2006

Interesting stuff. Is this the normal slow down time of year when holidays are upon us. Could be. I think Spring will tell us for sure.