The Colorado Springs Real Estate Connection would like to introduce another great article from our friends at Bring the Blog. This article talks about the possible signs of recovery in the housing market.

Using data compiled in December, Standard & Poors released its Case-Shiller Index Tuesday.  The report shows home prices down just 2.5% on an annual basis, a figure much lower than the 8.7% annual drop reported after Q3.

According to Case-Shiller representatives, the housing market is “in better shape than it was this time last year”, but some of the summer’s momentum has been lost. 15 of 20 tracked markets declined in value between November and December 2009.

Meanwhile, it’s interesting to note the 5 markets that didn’t decline — Detroit, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Phoenix and San Diego.  Each of these metro regions were among the hardest hit nationwide when home prices first broke.  Now, they’re leading the pack in price recovery.

For some real estate investors, that’s a positive signal.  But we also have to consider the Case-Shiller Index’s flaws because they’re big ones.

As examples:

1. Case-Shiller data is reported on a 2-month lag
2. The Case-Shiller sample set includes just 20 U.S. cities
3. There’s no “national real estate market” — real estate is local

That said, the Case-Shiller Index is still important. As the most widely-used private sector housing index, Case-Shiller helps to identify broader housing trends and many people believe housing is a key element in the economic recovery.

If the markets that led the housing decline will lead the housing resurgence, December’s data shows that full recovery is right around the corner.

Thanks for reading our Colorado Springs Real Estate Blog!
Posted By: Mariana Wagner - Colorado Springs Real Estate Agent - Wagner iTeam
The Wagner iTeam is a power team of Keller Williams Realty,
specializing in Colorado Springs Real Estate and Monument Real Estate
Pictures of Colorado Springs
(719) 434-7525

The Colorado Springs Real Estate Connection would like to introduce Vicki Moore – a San Mateo CA Real Estate Agent, and friend of ours. She has shared this great post on the emotions of buying a home …

Got A Pocket Protector?
Are you a bean counter?  If the glove fits?  Completely analytical?  Or is Feng Shui more your style?  Go with the flow?  If it feels right, it’s a fit?

Storm Chasers?
Whatever your style, you bring it to your home buying experience – magnified a hundred times.  If you’re out there house hunting there’s probably an F5 life change whirling around just to make the whole experience a wee bit more interesting.

Up Sizing?  Down Sizing?
More space for a growing family – got hormones?  Downsizing – college – worried about the cost?  Empty nest without those little bumpkins running around? Getting married – two houses to deal with?  Wedding plans?  Mother in law?  Or divorced?  No tension there.  Well, it all gets wrapped into vortex.

Watch Out!
Then there’s the market.  What the heck is going on there?  Watch out!  Learning curve ahead!

Take A Breath
You’ll get through this.  It’s not the worst you’ve ever been through.  And sorry to be the bearer of bad news but it won’t be the last.  Buying a house doesn’t have to be stressful but whatever you’re going through is coming along for the ride.  Remember the cow?  So take a breath, do yoga, go out to your car and scream – whatever.  Tomorrow will be better.

• Other Posts by Vicki: A Few Words From Bella and   What’s HVCC Done For You?
• Check Out Her Writings on Agent Genius, too.

Thanks for reading our Colorado Springs Real Estate Blog!
Posted By: Mariana Wagner - Colorado Springs Real Estate Agent - Wagner iTeam
The Wagner iTeam is a power team of Keller Williams Realty,
specializing in Colorado Springs Real Estate and Monument Real Estate
Pictures of Colorado Springs
(719) 434-7525