I was driving home the other night and as I pulled into my neighborhood area, I noticed that there weren't nearly the number of "for sale" signs as there were a few months ago. After some quick research, I found that most of them actually sold. The rest were just taken off the market because they couldn't get their asking price.
In this market environment of doom and gloom, it seems to me that things are moving along pretty well. Houses are selling. The excess inventory is getting mopped up. Interest rates are low and people still dream of home ownership.
Although times are a bit tough for all of us in the real estate business, I think that what the market has done is a healthy reaction. Houses are affordable again. People are not so easily put into exotic, impossible loans. Life is not great right at this moment, but it's getting there.
Unfortunately, many of my peers will probably go out of business. This is a shame, but so goes the market.
We at Advance Appraisal will be here through the duration. If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to give us a call.