Market Conditions in Howard County

As much as I like watching the news, I do wish they'd figure out a different way to keep people tuned in based on individually specific newsworthy information, material that would differentiate them from their competitors in a race to inform us more deeply and more specifically about various topics, rather than all beating the same superficial drum. And while they're differentiating themselves and working hard at competing to truly educate the public, I believe they'd be doing the public a great service to begin to emphasize the localism of the real estate market. Rather than trying to throw up the biggest headline - which seems to always be negative - why not focus on different local areas? The Baltimore metro region, and Howard County for example!

In the newly released MRIS Trends in Housing at Mid-Year 2008, an in-depth look at the Mid-Atlantic housing market, unemployment remains low, area job growth continues, and they're predicting we will have continued steady (albeit slow) economic growth for the remainder of 2008, with gradually increasing growth in 2009, and then faster growth in 2010 as the country's economy picks up pace with our local economy.

And importantly, our "housing market has largely outperformed the national downturn, and a strong regional economy will cushion the soft housing sector and position it for a strong rebound."

On a personal level in central Maryland, our office board listing the month's sales is quite healthy, we have as many sales for the same month as in 2007, and our smart buyers are buying now!

So I ask the newscasters -- Do your viewers a favor -- Educate them about the opportunities, for which they'll thank you later, rather than scaring off the country as a whole and receiving justified criticism!

Best regards,

Gretchen