So, just how bad is the local real estate market? You might be surprised to learn it's doing fine... "local" being the key word. It's very important to note that real estate is local... very local. Real estate related stories on the news are generally WAY to broad to mean anything about your home. Even the Collin County stats below may not tell the true tale or your home or neighborhood (you need a good Real Estate Agent for this). However, they do indicate that, on average, things aren't really as bad as you might have heard. This is especially true if you rely on the "local" news for your real estate info. (or big conglomerate websites like CNN, MSN, Google, etc.). They are all notorious for reporting just the "doom and gloom" around the nation with very little local data that is meaningful to you. So, take a look at the charts below showing this October compared to last. The averages show that, while around 16% fewer homes appear to have sold, those that are selling are doing so for slightly higher than last year. However, we still have some of the most affordable housing in the nation here in Texas. [If you want to see Sold prices and days on market for comparable homes in your neighborhood, check out the MLS Market Snapshot (below the menu to the right).] Combine the stable pricing with the recent dip in interest rates and it's a fantastic time to be buying and selling real estate around here. Most experts agree that prices, and interest rates, won't stay this low forever.

October 2007 - 996 Properties Sold
	Square Feet	Bedrooms	Full Baths	Half Baths	List Price	Sale Price	Price per Square Foot	Days on Market
Min	575	1	1	0	$19,900	$20,000	$17	0
Avg	2563	3	2	0	$243,083	$233,685	$91	75
Max	9372	7	6	2	$3,500,000	$3,500,000	$373	422

October 2008 - 835 Properties Sold
	Square Feet	Bedrooms	Full Baths	Half Baths	List Price	Sale Price	Price per Square Foot	Days on Market
Min	809	1	1	0	$26,000	$25,000	$21	0
Avg	2682	3	2	0	$259,178	$247,771	$92	76
Max	9313	6	6	3	$3,300,000	$2,500,000	$390	644

Ryan Cave, The "Caveman"
Truth, Honor & Personal Integrity
214-789-9366
www.CaveRealty.com