With the turn of the monthly calendar to January 2010, I believe all typical cycles of real estate markets have been thrown out the window, this year.

Usual holiday downturn in sales did not happen this year. On the contrary….I believe we saw record sales. Of my own listings, we saw 3 go under contract in December, some that have been on the market for 4-6 months. Focusing on the new year, buyers are coming out of the woodwork to ask, “will there be more choices coming on in January?”. What a change of pace! With low inventory continuing, I am really seeing a shortage of properties for my buyers to purchase. I have numerous buyers just waiting for the right one to come on the market for them to jump at. I continue to tell my buyers, buy now…don’t wait. The closer you get to April, the more demand that will occur. Sellers continue to get more and more realistic and I am trying to show them that this increase in buyer demand over the next few months is a great opportunity to get their home sold.

What will happen to the typical “spring market”? I think it will be VERY early this year, as buyers need to be under contract by 4/30/10. Come April and May, we will be left with the buyers that weren’t able to take advantage of the government tax credits. Hopefully, they will be just as eager to finally purchase. Maybe they will have just SOLD their home during the “tax credit” months of Jan-April.

 Happy New Year to all. 2010 is starting off with a refreshing uptick. I look forward to making a lot of deals together.