The trend of reduced number of homes for sale and increasing sales activity continues as we move into the winter months.  Historically, my busiest months of the year are November, December, and January.  Educated and informed Buyers look to purchase in the winter months before spring price increases and the competition of a greater number of home shoppers.  In the Bothell area once summer arrives and the kids are out of school the real estate market slows to a crawl.  Our summers are so beautiful that families are too busy playing and vacationing to shop for a new home. 

In November there are 488 homes currently for sale vs. 524 in October.  123 homes sold vs. 96 in October.  Of the 488 active listings the median list price is $319,475.  The median sales price was $312,000. with an average market time of 71 days.

This is the time for sellers who will be listing their homes in 2012 to get ready and list now as soon as you can.  It is taking longer to sell a home in this market and you do not want to be waiting throughout the entire summer.  The objective is to reduce your market time and therefore reduce the disruption to your family and your lives.  The way to do that is price your home correctly from the get go.  Price is the number 1 consideration in a Buyer’s market and you only get one opportunity to be a new listing with that new listing excitement and you will miss that opportunity with a home that priced too high.