Jackie Iceton

THE SWEARINGEN REPORT

Residential property sales* 534 470 -12.0%

Residential total dollar volume* $115,119,614 $103,516,110 -10.1%

Average residential sales price* $215,580 $220,247 2.2%

Median residential sales price* $155,000 $169,995 9.7%

Total active listings end of month* not avail 648 not avail

Months inventory* not avail 16.5 not avail

*This figure refers to the single-family and condo/townhouse market.

Residential Homes Update

The average sales price for residential homes was $220,247 for January thru December, up 2.2

percent versus the same period last year when it was $215,580.

The median price of residential homes for January thru December was $169,995, versus the same

period last year when it was $155,000, an increase of 9.7 percent.

Total sales of residential homes for Rockport MLS for January thru December was 470,

which was 12.0 percent (64 homes) lower than January thru December, 2007.

The average Days on Market for residential homes for January thru December was 163, the same

as the same period last year.

ROCKPORT MLS

Residential property sales* 483 416 -13.9%

Residential total dollar volume* $105,520,594 $93,767,865 -11.1%

Average residential sales price* $218,469 $225,404 3.2%

Median residential sales price* $155,000 $169,745 9.5%

Total active listings end of month* not avail 538 not avail

Months inventory* not avail 15.5 not avail

*This figure refers to the single-family home market.

Residential Homes Update

The average sales price for residential homes was $225,404 for January thru December, up 3.2

percent versus the same period last year when it was $218,469.

The median price of residential homes for January thru December was $169,745, versus the same

period last year when it was $155,000, an increase of 9.5 percent.

Total sales of residential homes for Rockport MLS for January thru October was 416,

which was 13.9 percent (67 homes) lower than January thru December, 2007.

The average Days on Market for residential homes for January thru December was 161, 1.3 percent

longer than the same period last year.

ROCKPORT MLS

Condo/Townhouse sales* 51 54 5.9%

Total dollar volume* $9,599,020 $9,748,245 1.6%

Average sales price* $188,216 $180,523 -4.1%

Median sales price* $175,000 $172,500 -1.4%

Total active listings end of month* not avail 110 not avail

Months inventory* not avail 24.4 not avail

*This figure refers to the condo/townhouse market.

Condo/Townhouse Update

The average sales price for condo/townhouses was $180,523 for January thru December, down 4.1

percent versus the same period last year when it was $188,216.

The median price of condo/townhouses for January thru December was $172,500, versus the same

period last year when it was $175,000, an decrease of 1.4 percent.

Total sales of condo/townhouses for Rockport MLS for January thru December was 54,

which was 5.9 percent (3 homes) higher than January thru December, 2007.

The average Days on Market for residential homes for January thru December was 179, 13.9 percent

shorter than the same period last year.

Information Herein Deemed Reliable but Not Guaranteed

and Does Not Reflect All Transactions In The Market.

Source: Rockport Multiple Listing Service

$100,000 - $199,999 209 167 150 163

$200,000 - $299,999 101 93 167 156

$300,000 - $399,999 29 39 261 205

$400,000 - $499,999 32 24 193 146

$500,000 - $599,999 18 18 237 176

$600,000 - $699,999 10 9 198 240

$700,000 - $799,999 4 5 192 307

$800,000 - $899,999 2 1 148 156

$900,000 - $999,999 3 1 110 157

$1,000,000 - $1,099,999 2 1 95 43

$1,100,000 - $1,199,999 1 1 336 218

$1,200,000 - $1,299,999 1 0 305 0

Total 534 470 163 163

11/14/2008 17:26

DOM = Average Days on the Market

Information Herein Deemed Reliable but Not Guaranteed

and Does Not Reflect All Transactions In The Market.

Source: Rockport Multiple Listing Service

Okay, here goes ... my first blog! If I let myself, even I could get confused about what I hear is "going on" in the Texas Real Estate market. I can only imagine what Buyers, Sellers and other interested parties are thinking. Why does the news continue to BLAST such a negative outlook as a whole? Home sales are not only regional within the United States, they are localized within each State. Several cities in Texas have been hit hard, don't get me wrong. And I feel for them. But, several areas are still going strong. My market is up 3.8% in the first two months of this year compared to last. Mortgage rates are down, prices are down and there are so many homes on the market that continue to lower their prices! How can this not be the time to buy? Yes, I specialize in the second home/vacation home market and that is a different niche. But, again, why not buy a family home on the water now? Wouldn't it save you money & time in the long run to have a vacation home to go to each year? It beats the cost of flying; the time it takes to schedule all family members to get there; and the unknown cost are all nixed. Have you flown lately? Aren't the lines enough to make you want to give it all up? Gas prices, can't be that much of a deterrent after you add in all other cost factors & benefits of buying. The Texas Gulf Coast actually has reasonably priced land & homes. We have not been as hard pressed as areas such as Florida & California. My unsolicited advice....take the money that you are saving for the family vacation and use it as a down-payment on a family vacation home instead! You will never regret it....and if you do...you can SELL it!!