You have less competition. And, in the healthiest markets, a negotiating edge. In January, the months' supply of homes for sale (the time needed to sell all inventory at the current sales pace) fell to its lowest level since the peak of the boom, in July 2006. The number of existing homes for sale hasn't been this low since 2004.
Entry-level homes will sell fastest. That's especially true of homes in pristine condition located near job centers. In January, existing homes priced less than $250,000 experienced double-digit increases in sales over the previous year in all regions except the West, where sales fell from unusually high levels the year before.
The market for condominiums is improving. For the first time since 2004, the supply of condos for sale is about the same as the supply of single-family homes. Both markets are roughly balanced between buyers and sellers.
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