The Woodlands, TX continues to perform very well in certain price ranges, but remains sluggish in the upper-tier market. Here are some highlights about how the market has performed over this past month of May 2010.

• Active Listings on the market for sale up 12% to 989 units
• Pending Sales (properties under contract) down 7% to 306 units
• Closed Sales (Closed Escrow and Funded) during month of May up 36% to 198 units
• Months of Inventory up 4% to 5.9 months

What keeps the market moving?

I’ve enclosed excerpts from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) press release dated May 24, 2010 WASHINGTON:

“Existing-home sales rose again in April with buyers motivated by the tax credit, improving consumer confidence and favorable affordability conditions, according to the National Association of Realtors®.”
“Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said the gain was widely anticipated. “The upswing in April existing-home sales was expected because of the tax credit inducement, and no doubt there will be some temporary fallback in the months immediately after it expires, but other factors also are supporting the market,” he said. “For people who were on the sidelines, there’s been a return of buyer confidence with stabilizing home prices, an improving economy and mortgage interest rates that remain historically low.”  According to Freddie Mac, the national average commitment rate for a 30-year, conventional, fixed-rate mortgage rose to 5.10 percent in April from 4.97 percent in March; the rate was 4.91 percent in April 2009.”

From my perspective as a REALTOR® in The Woodlands , TX the market is improving and gaining steam.  I have witnessed multiple offers on listings, offers within a few days of a house going on the market, BUT I’ve also received low ball offers where buyers appear to be throwing something out to a seller just to “see how they will react”.  Some home sellers were insulted and didn’t respond or totally rejected the offer and others countered marginally but were not going to “give” their home away.

It’s been very interesting to navigate the waters of this market.  When representing either a buyer or seller I remain cool, calm and collected – gather key facts – negotiate the best price and terms for my client and stay VERY close to the details of the transaction all the way to the end.  Just the smallest detail can save or kill a deal and I work hard not to let small details slip through the cracks.

If you know someone that needs the help of a professional, personable and success-driven agent….Just Call Kayelin!