It happened again this morning. Our local paper, The Hartford Courant, reported housing statistics for the area as well as the entire state. The facts as stated in the article are that Hartford county had an increase of 2.5% in October 2009 compared with October 2008 while the state had an 11.5% increase in October 2009 versus October 2008. 
Those of us who actually work in real estate know that we have seen improvements in activity in recent months, much of it as a result of the first-time homebuyer credit. I don't know about you, but I'll take that as good news.
The entire tone of this article, however, was so negative that it would make people run for cover! Is this any way to boost confidence in the housing market? I don't want to deceive people into believing that it is better than it is, but when the facts support that we have seen improvements, why minimize that? The rationale for this doom and gloom: They are comparing 2009 to 2006! So even when more houses have sold this October than the previous October, the article still focuses on the fact that the numbers are so much lower than 2006.
The facts are that median prices have declined, some areas declining more than others. The median price in Hartford county fell from $219,500 to $210,000 (that's less than 5%). My recent blog about statistics in Manchester actually reported an increase in the median price as well as number of closed sales for the same periods. However, with moderate house prices and historically low interests, this is a great time to buy.
Oh, wait, they did say that in the last paragraph of a two-page article (which we know no one ever gets to anyway).
For once, can the media help us out? Now is a great time to buy; put that in the first paragraph.
Did you enjoy this post? Click here to subscribe to my blog by email.
Peggy Chirico, REALTOR®
Serving the Greater Hartford Area
Prudential CT Realty
peggychirico@gmail.com
860-748-8900
If you are buying or selling a home in Hartford County or Tolland County, please call me, email me, or visit my website. I would be happy to help you with your home search or provide a market analysis for your home.
Find your dream home now!
The media takes anything negative and runs it into the ground. When the housing bubble was about to burst you could change the station on TV and every network was going at it like the sky was falling. 2010 is going to be a good year and that is the attitude that I am going to take.
Hey, Peggy - You don't think you're asking for too much from the media? LOL