Mention you found me through this blog and receive $500 off of closing costs.

I came across a very informational (if not somewhat depressing) blog with a lot of data including useful charts and graphs illustrating housing prices.

Chec this out: http://www.housingbubblebust.com/

According to a lot of the data shown, Oregon housing prices may continue to decline as they head towards the historical inflation guideline of where housing prices typically hover.

I am a believer that this data, though helpful, does not always display the entire picture.

I know here in Eugene we have seen some appreciation in homes priced uner $350,000 and have been told that inventory in this price range is a very healthy 6 months or less.  The price range above this however seems to have ran into a glutten of inventory – some agents estimating 12-18 months which is an indicator that many of these homes are over-priced still.

What the data does not show is that there are A LOT of good deals out there.  Smart sellers and agents who understand the market and price their homes based on today and not 2006 prices will find buyers for their properties.

What a year!  2009 was another year of rapid change in the mortgage industry.  We saw all-time low interest rates (thanks Ben Bernanke), a first-time home buyer tax credit (extended until April 2010 – YEAH!) and an increase in compliance and regulation like no other year I have seen in my 10 years in the profession.  I want to thank ALL of my clients for their trust and referrals this past year, and thank many of you for just hanging in there when things got a little tough.  Mortgages are not quite as easy as they used to be.

I wish you all a great 2010, and one of my resolutions is to post frequently on this blog so please check back often.