On the first of each month I gather the numbers from the MLS for the prior month's activity. This helps me spot trends and keep up with the local real estate market. Here's what they look like for April 2006:

MLS Wide (Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties)
SINGLE FAMILY and CONDO/TH/VILLAS

Data Item	Apr '05	Apr '06	% Change
New Listings	13,713	21,212	+55%
Closed Sales	9,644	5,233	-46%

• 4,580 Listings went under contract in April
• 78,386 Listings are currently active and available For the entire MLS
• At this rate it would take more than 17 months to get contracts for current inventory.
• Supply/Demand Ratio (New Inventory to Contracts Accepted) is 4.63, down very slightly from 4.89 last month (lower is better).

City of Deerfield Beach
SINGLE FAMILY and CONDO/TH/VILLAS

Data Item	Apr '05	Apr '06	% Change
New Listings	200	394	+97%
Closed Sales	140	106	-24%

• 97 Listings went under contract in April
• 1330 Listings are currently active and available
• In Deerfield at this rate it would take more than 13 months to get contracts for current inventory.
• Supply/Demand Ratio (New Inventory to Contracts Accepted) is 4.1, down slightly from 4.6 last month (lower is better).
  

Summary:  The numbers have ever so slightly improved over last month, but the inventory level, saturation rate, and supply/demand ratio still display a significant buyer's market in our part of south Florida.