Dayton, OH

This information came from the Dayton Area Board of Realtors website. These are both the December statistics and also the statistics from 2009. Pretty interesting info. Please read through and let me know if you have any questions.

Dayton Area Home Sales for December and Year End 2009

Released from Dayton Area Board of Realtors

December 2009

The streak of monthly year-over-year increases in home sales continued in December as the numbers stayed in positive territory for the sixth straight month. The 726 transactions reported to the Dayton Area Board of REALTORS® MLS was 6 units, or 0.83%, more than last December's 720 sales. The pace of sales slowed somewhat, but that is typical during the holidays. However, it was still a gain, and over the last half of the year overall sales bested 2008's totals by 9%.

Despite just six more sales than last December, the sales volume for the month reached $87.4 million, compared to $74.3 million last year, an increase of 17.52%. This translates into a very healthy average sale price of $120,372, an increase of 16.5% over last December's $103,278 average per single-family unit. This December's median sale price was up by 18.9% to $96,000, compared to $80,750 last year. The percentage sale/list price was also up 1.5%.

Listings submitted in December totaled 1,246, down 9% from 1,369 during the same period last year. Listing totals in monthly year-over-year comparison were down in all but 2 months during 2009. December's listing total was the lowest of 2009, also typical for the holiday season.

The overall single-family MLS inventory at year's end stood at 7,611 available properties, and represented a 10.5-months supply. At year's end 2008 these numbers stood at 8,491 available listings and an 11.7 months supply.

2009 Figures

The first half of 2009 was a continuation of the slowdown in single-family sales affecting our area and entire country. Beginning in July, however, we saw our first year-over-year sales increase since April of 2007. This began a run of six consecutive months of sales and price increases, peaking with a 42.8% year-over-year increase in sales for November and average price increases of 16% for November and December.

This strong second half helped to curb the overall declines in sales for all of 2009 compared to 2008. We finished with 10,680 single-family sales, just 3.2% fewer than the 11,037 reported in 2008. Overall sales volume reached $1.31 billion, down 4.8%, and the average sale price finished very strong at $123,273 for the year, a modest 1.6% depreciation from 2008's $125,348. This compares to a decline in 2008 of 6.98%. The median price finished at $105,000, down just 2.8%.

A total of 21,978 single-family listings were submitted during 2009, a decline of 17.4% compared to 26,620 in 2008. Overall MLS single-family inventory began the year at 8,491 listings, peaked at 8,922 in May, and finished the year at 7,611.

Statistics compiled by John Junker, MLS Data Specialist

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

"A man's reputation is the opinion people have of him; his character is what he really is."

- Jack Miner, conservationist (1865-1944)

HOW'S YOUR CREDIT?

Ever hear someone say, "I have good credit"? They are probably referring to their credit "rating" - a score bestowed upon them by creditors, banks or rating agencies. Simply stating, "I have good credit" changes nothing, nor does the statement merit the attention of creditors. Credit can only be given by others for service to them, i.e. paying them on time.

So, credit is the result of serving others - in many ways. You cannot claim education, victory, experience, success, reputation, or a suave demeanor. Each of these is a gift from others, as a result of your service to them. Friends recognize your courage as a result of your being cool under pressure. Your success is recognized by others only once you have served them well. Knowledge of your career field is recognized by others only after it's been applied to situations in the form of more service.

In the accounting world of income and expense, a debit is something paid out, while a credit is something received. Thus all credits are received from others - not by our own making. The debits - what we pay out - are our efforts, persistence, and service. How they are rated is not under our control, but is determined by those served.

Without service, there are few rewards. Yet, you've seen those who insist on getting more attention than they deserve. They feel they're being short-changed, that they are not appreciated, that they are always the victim. If you look more closely at their contributions, you are also likely to see the dearth of service they are offering.

With service, credit follows. It may be subtle or quite visible - but it always follows. Concentrate on what you have to offer and forget the rewards. Those who are served will pick up the tab!

Julie Beall

The December Market Report in Ohio for single family, residential homes in Montgomery and Greene counties shows home values are continuing to rise. The average sale price / listing price remained unchanged. In December 2009 versus December 2008, homes are selling quicker and for more money. The average days on market in December 2009 was 122, which is 31 days slower than the Real Living Realty average days on market.

DECEMBER 2009

• Homes Sold - 348
• Average Bedrooms - 3
• Average Square Footage - 1,714
• Average Listing Price - $119,327
• Average Selling Price - $114,022 (96% sale price/listing price)
• Average Days on Market - 122 (31 days slower than the Real Living avg. days on market)
• Homes Sold Price Range $3,200 (Upper Dayton View) - $1,260,000 (Oakwood)

DECEMBER 2008

• Homes Sold - 390
• Average Bedrooms - 3
• Average Square Footage - 1,583
• Average Listing Price - $100,497
• Average Selling Price - $99,032 (96% sale price/listing price)
• Average Days on Market - 127 (36 days slower than the Real Living avg. days on market)
• Homes Sold Price Range $1,000 (Westwood) - $500,000 (Vandalia-Butler S)

Did you know...Candy Canes originated over 350 years ago and the original ones were all white...and straight?!?!

Around the seventeenth century, European-Christians began to adopt the use of Christmas trees as part of their Christmas celebrations. They made special decorations for their trees from foods like cookies and sugar-stick candy. The first historical reference to the familiar cane shape goes back to 1670, when the choirmaster at the Cologne Cathedral in Germany, bent the sugar-sticks into canes to represent a shepherd's staff. The all-white candy canes were given out to children during the long-winded nativity services.

The clergymen's custom of handing out candy canes during Christmas services spread throughout Europe and later to America. The canes were still white, but sometimes the candy-makers would add sugar-roses to decorate the canes further.

The first historical reference to the candy cane being in America goes back to 1847, when a German immigrant called August Imgard decorated the Christmas tree in his Wooster, Ohio home with candy canes.

Stripes...About fifty years later the first red-and-white striped candy canes appeared. No one knows who exactly invented the stripes, but Christmas cards prior to the year 1900 showed only all-white candy canes. Christmas cards after 1900 showed illustrations of striped candy canes. Around the same time, candy-makers added peppermint and wintergreen flavors to their candy canes and those flavors then became the traditional favorites.

A Catholic priest called Gregory Keller invented a machine to automate candy cane production during the 1950's.

Although modern technology has made candy canes accessible and plentiful, they've not lost their purity and simplicity as a traditional holiday food and symbol of the humble roots of Christianity.

How many have you eaten already this season?

********************************************************************************* Since Thanksgiving, "Sparkie", our family's Elf on a Shelf has helped stopped many arguments amongst siblings. He has also helped all three of my kids make good choices.

Last week, my 7 year old asked me "why do we hang our stockings on the mantle?" I was prepared for that one!

I am waiting for the questions about Christmas Cards...I am knowledgable now to answer that one too when it comes!

Next time I crunch on a Candy Cane I will think about where they came from, so will you!

I hope that all of you have enjoyed these Holiday Newsletters and are ready now for the Christmas Season.

I plan to continue a newsletter from Debra's Designs into the New Year with more Tips and Tricks to Home Staging. Please stay tuned.

All of us from Debra's Designs want to wish each and every one of you a very Blessed and Merry Christmas!!

And Finally...Step # 5.

How about how to prepare and get your home ready for market. How do you make your home a Buyer's Desire?!?

So to incorporate the 2 subjects we will instead of singing the 5 Golden Rings from the "12 Days of Christmas"...lets sing the 5 Tips to Home Staging!

Staging Tip #5

Neutral does not mean white!

Most people find a white house as inviting as a 1950's hospital! When we say neutralize your home, we are looking for a less distinctive decor to appeal to a broader range of buyers. Keep it simple and clean and you will make your home a buyer's desire!

Some buyers are moving from an environment that was very neutral, like an apartment where they couldn't put any color on the walls. They want Color!! You also want to avoid certain things that could offend potential home buyers. Some examples of this would be certain art, decor, displaying political or religious views, pets, pictures and odors. These things are very important to consider and as the home seller it is easily overlooked. Please the buyer with the lifestyle they are looking for, create "The Buyer's Desire."

You can learn more by visiting us at:
www.ByDebrasDesigns.com