http://karensherrill.housingtrendsenewsletter.com

I’m not sure about you, but it is a bit disconcerting to me that January is now officially half over. Time seems to move ever so quickly and this is why it is important to maximize the time we have.  Perhaps this is because I am a mom of twins who will be graduating high school in a few short months that has given me this sense of “carpe diem” – regardless I think 2011 is time to stop thinking and start doing ……from the important of spending quality time with family to the necessary of home maintenance, it’s time to stop putting off.

I think the Houston housing market reflects a bit of that “putting off” attitude.  I personally feel that there are homebuyers that are out there waiting for something that may never materialize plagued by the what ifs “what if housing prices drop”, “what if rates drop lower”, “what if_________________(insert your own)”.  The thing about life is that it is filled with “what ifs” there are no guarantees for today or for tomorrow.  I remember a NUMBER of years ago I took a job a month and a half before my husband graduated from college with the real possibility we would move.  “what if we move?”  We decided I’d take the job and I ended up working there 11 years. Sometimes the “what ifs” can paralyze us from taking advantage of opportunities that are currently in our paths.

While the above link provides you a detailed look at the previous month I wanted to give some local information that will be released today from HAR, here is a segment:

“Single-Family Homes Update

December sales of single-family homes in Houston totaled 4,301, down 3.9 percent from December 2009 and a dramatic improvement after a decline of 22.0 percent in November 2010. This marks the sixth monthly decline in sales volume following four consecutive months of accelerated sales attributed largely to the tax credit.

Broken out by segment, December sales of homes priced below $80,000 increased 9.2 percent; sales of homes in the $80,000-$150,000 range tumbled 14.2 percent; sales of homes between $150,000 and $250,000 were up 3.3 percent—the first increase that segment has recorded since May 2010; sales of homes ranging from $250,000-$500,000 slid 6.3 percent; and sales of homes that make up the luxury market—priced from $500,000 and up—rose 8.3 percent.”

Contrary to how it may “feel”, home sales are slowly inching back.  There is still a larger than normal inventory of homes on the market, but I have seen the great homes sell quickly.  Now is not the time to “wait and see” if you are in the market for a new home – remember while it is an investment, it is ultimately about finding a home for your family to enjoy.  The next few months should be very telling to see where the market will ultimately head.  If you would  like the translation of what this means for your personally, give me a call!  I would love to sit down and chat with you about it.

It is also important to remember that if you (or someone you know) is thinking of buying or selling come Spring NOW is the time to talk with a Realtor to help you map out a course of action.  And of course, I would love that Realtor to be me J