The View From Here, February 2009
Every thirty days it seems to change, doesn’t it?
The buyers are still here, but they are pooling….waiting for the all clear signal. Unfortunately, no such signal is in the offing.
This month has seen an increase in inventory, (slight) of nicer properties in the Hood River County markets. Some have come off of contract (deals from last fall that cannot find financing) Some are new. In the Mid Columbia as a whole, listings are about the same as last year.
January was brutal from a sales standpoint. Median price in Hood River was still steady, but the Buyers have trickled off. In the region, pending sales are off by a bunch, 40%. In Hood River County that number is just under 30%
In short, we need some confidence boosters.
And speaking of short, I’ll keep it short this month. Prices are soft, interest rates are low, the weather is warming up. I can’t imagine better conditions to spark some interest, but everyone seems frozen. What will it take?
See you outside! Next time I post a view, it will be warm….Thank goodness, at least we’ll all be able to exercise….



