Do you want to sell? Seriously? HOW seriously?

This is April Fool's Day, but I'm not making a joke. Instead, I'm risking looking the fool by sticking my neck out and making a prediction.

My husband tells people he broke his crystal ball a long time ago. We've been telling Sellers that we THINK the market isn't going to get much better until MAYBE Summer 2009. But I'm hearing things on the internet, on TV, at continuing education classes, from prospective tenants, from Sellers. I think things are going to change some here this Summer.

A little background: We own and operate our own office in Payson, Arizona. Payson, for the majority of people who don't know where it is, is a small town (around 16,000 or so population) about 90 miles North of the Phoenix area. It is also 5,000 feet UP in elevation, so it is clearer, cleaner, cooler, and more rain, with Pine trees and mountains.

We get emails from out-of-towners frequently wanting to buy a house (on a lake, in the woods) and expecting it to be CHEAP. Not happenin'. Payson is land-locked by National Forest, so properties go for premium prices. Prices are not coming down much in Payson. There are a few decent site-built homes on the market now for under $200,000. But not many. There isn't much, even counting old mobiles, under $100,000. And there are a LOT of properties at MUCH higher prices. For Payson and areas right around it (not counting Pine and Strawberry) there are over 500 properties on the market.

Now for my possibly foolish prediction: I think there WILL be Buyers this summer. I think there may be quite a few! The catch is that they are going to be BARGAIN HUNTING. I think many people may decide to buy this Summer for several reasons. Interest rates are good but will they stay down? Some people are starting to worry that prices may be heading back up, and some are worrying that it may be harder to get a loan if they wait. But if they buy, they will have their choice of properties. So they are going to pick and choose and offer low.

IF you can afford, and are willing, Mr. and Mrs. Seller, to offer your property as a BARGAIN then this can be your Summer. If not, then I am afraid that it may not be 2009, but maybe a few years even beyond that, before you can get a good chance at a sale at a price near 2005 levels. There are MANY Agents who will tell you different, but I think it is wishful thinking.

Just my opinion...