Both from my own analysis of website and virtual tour traffic, and anecdotally from other agents, it appears that during the First two weeks of January there is increased buyer interest in the area.  Perhaps people are starting to realize that now is a great time to buy with great interest rates and lower prices, or perhaps there is a perception that we have reached the bottom of the market correction.  Regardless, here are the month's statistics:

West Columbia- 21044:
This area saw a 24% decrease in the number of homes sold (41-31), with a 15.96% decrease in average price from $425,322 to $357.458, and Average Days on Market increased from 76 to 87.

East Columbia- 21045:
The Eastern portion of Columbia saw a 17% decrease in the number of homes sold, with a 3.4% decrease in average price from $339,816 to $328,142, and Average Days on Market increased from 83 to 110.

South Columbia- 21046:
A 78% decrease in the number of homes sold from 23 to 5, with a 21% decrease in average price from $351,746 to $275,980, and Average Days on Market increased from 66 to 77. Statistics begin to lose their value with only five transactions in a month, aside from what the low number of transactions says.

Ellicott City West-21042
An 8% decrease in the number of homes sold (25 to 23), with a 2.4% decrease in average price from $657,274 to $641,414, and a 28% increase in the Average Days on Market from 99 to 127.

Ellicott City East-21043
A 20% decrease in the number of homes sold (from 35 to 28), with a .13% decrease in average price from $485,961 to $485,307, and Average Days on Market increased from 91 to 104.

The Elkridge area saw a 9.68% decrease in the number of homes sold, with a 7.8% decrease in average price from $379,800 to $349,900, and Average Days on Market increased from 60 to 89.

The Woodstock area saw the number of homes sold decrease from 9 to 4, with a 54% increase in average price, and Average Days on Market increased from 100 to 127. A large portion of the sales in this area are generated by the Waverly Woods development, which is nearing completion. The last phase of the development includes a large of group of over-55 condominiums, which are significantly less expensive than the prior communities which were sold.

The 55% decrease in the number of homes sold was from 9 to 4, which in statistical terms is difficult to assess, and with such a low number of transactions, one or two significantly divergent prices can sway the entire zip code (for example a sale of million dollar home in a nearby New Home development). As always, it is best to consult with an agent who can look specifically at a certain area before making any valuation suggestions.