Greetings!  

I thought that this newsletter would be among the easiest to write in years, as by all accounts we are finally experiencing the turnaround we've been waiting for these past three years. I was sure that market statistics would bear out the internal signals we are seeing here at Glacier Sotheby's International Realty. Hard as I've tried though, the broader market seems to be level to only slightly up in all categories, but not as definitively as I'd hoped.

One thing we will not see is evidence to substantiate the comment this week in our sales meeting that there are instances where Sellers of newly listed properties in certain areas are receiving multiple offers in the first week of the listing. Though certainly not the norm, in areas where sales activity has been strong for the past year there is bidding competition among buyers for the best properties. Most surprising is that April is very early for our market, which tends to be very seasonal in nature.

We are not yet seeing significant price increases, as there remains near record inventory in nearly every price category. It may be a sign of the times that a flat market with reasonably good sales activity is seen as a harbinger of better things to come.

Bank owned properties and short sales remain a substantial part of sales picture in 2012, hovering at 40-45% in the first quarter. On a more positive note, notices for Trustee sales have tapered slightly in the first quarter compared with 2011. This is simply a wait and see segment of the market, as the national forecast is of a substantial shadow inventory of foreclosures on the horizon.

As realtors we see both sides of the market, supply and demand. Statistics for supply (current listings) are carefully recorded, as are sales. However, the driving force in the market, demand, is only perceived by those who deal with prospective buyers on a daily basis. As the winter snows fade and the sun comes out we are all very encouraged by the recent influx of buyers who are serious about making the Flathead Valley a part of their lifestyle.  

Our April Newsletter is designed to feature some of our most pristine Farm & Ranch properties. You can find an entire list of our Farm & Ranch properties on our Glacier Sotheby's International Realty web site under Specialty Markets: Farm & Ranch. While you tour our web site, also take a look at our new Specialty Markets: Investment/Commercial. As a part of our on-going effort to simplify the search process, this search breaks out those properties with true commercial appeal, as opposed to single family residential or land listings in the MLS.

Investment, vacation home sales at highest level since 2005 - houzingzone.com Sales of investment and vacation homes jumped in 2011, with the combined market share rising to the highest level since 2005, according to the National Association of Realtors. Read full story.

Fannie and Freddie Set Timeline Requirements for Short Sales - dsnews.com Beginning June 15, real estate agents working with distressed homeowners whose loans are backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac should expect to receive a decision on a short sale offer within 30-60 days. The GSEs issued new...Read full story.

US home-buying season finally signaling a recovery - sfgate.com Five years after the U.S. housing bust sent sales and prices plunging, the spring home-buying season is pointing to a long-awaited recovery. Read full story.