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2009 IN REVIEW FOR MOSES LAKE, WA

Yes, it is painfully obvious that the real estate market remains down. BUT, hold on there, Little Buckeroos...don't get too worried yet! The numbers actually are better than expected. ...and bear in mind that we are a relatively small market, so pay more attention to the numbers than the percentages. :)
From a year ago, all of Grant County is down 6% in the number of homes for sale in December from 559 to 525.  The number of homes SOLD is down 20% from 50 to 40 for the month of December.  The one bright spot is that the number of homes that have gone pending, that is the are under legal contract, is UP 18.5% from 27 to 32. 
The increases are due to several factors including the obvious, such as the home buyer tax credits (recently expanded to include current home owners), and the less obvious...the rapidly expanding pool of short sales and foreclosures hitting the market.
Interest rates have miraculously, and against all predictions, remained low.  This will keep the market activity brisker that previously thought. 
I will attach a graph that shows the current active, pending, and solds for the last 15 months.  Be sure to pay attention to the month on month comparisons, as well as the overall trends.
Summary:  It is still an AMAZING time to buy.  It is a respectable time to sell if you approach it pragmatically and get great information about how to prepare your home and the most realistic price point.  Homes are still selling...you want yours to hit the ground running! :)
If you wuld like more specific information on your area (even if you are out of area!), feel free to call and I can send you a personalized report...and you don't even have to listen to me do a sales pitch! :)