However, not a really bright light, but it doesn't take much in this dark real estate tunnel we are in to create a bit of excitement. Is hope really on the horizon? I just did a quick data comparison on the West Penn Multi List for the areas encompassing the Peters Township, PA and the Washington, PA MLS areas for August of last year (07) to August of this year (08) and found that we're definitely showing a significant increase in closed listings this year over last. click to view Now that may seemed a bit strained to all those agents and sellers who have listings that have been sitting for up to a year without much buyer activity. But the data doesn't lie... things are looking a teeny weenie bit better. Of course better is a matter of one's interpretation. Some may agree, some won't. As I drive around the area I still see many homes that have been languishing on the market for well into a full year. They are most likely overpriced for the market by sellers who are holding on to bad pricing advice given them by their agent. Unfortunately this stuff happens. Agents are desperate and so are many sellers. Agents have a tendency to price high in bad times just to get the listing. Unfortunately its usually comes back to haunt them in the form of a ticked off seller when things don't happen the way the seller was told that it would.

Experienced agents like myself won't take on an overpriced listing because we know both the risks and the costs of doing so. Think carefully when you choose an agent to sell your home. Make sure they've been in the business for at least 10 years before you hire them to sell the biggest asset you have.

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