Patrick Beringer

Kary's right. If you're trying to "time the market" for a short term gain, you're gonna lose. Real estate as an investment should be a LONG TERM investment. The only thing anyone knows is what's happened in the past--Everything else is speculation. Prices are higher now than they were 10 years ago, though we've had ups and downs since then. So....I predict prices will be higher in 10 years than they are right now, though we'll probably have ups and downs in the next 10 years, we'll end up with higher prices then.

That's the only answer I'd bank on though what I imagine you are asking is what will the market do short term? No one knows, and if they say they do, then they're full of sh*t. Your profile says "home seller" so are you asking in order to decide whether or not to list now or wait until spring?

Here's what I tell sellers who ask me that: Prices typically go up in the spring, but because of our recent bottoming out (I hope that's the end of it), you're going to see a TON of new inventory this spring. I'm already seeing a lot of cancellations that are not being relisted, meaning the sellers are waiting until after the holidays to come back on market. This means that even if prices go up you're going to have a LOT of competition that you normally wouldn't have. So what good does a slight value increase do if you're competiing with a lot more sellers than you would be competing with if you went on the market right now?

The best answer for your situation depends on, you guessed it, your situation. The best thing you can do is talk with an agent who knows your market and has a consistent track record of sales throughout the past few years--including the last 6 months. Promises and BS are one thing, but facts and a track record are hard to beat. Price your house properly, market it well and it will sell, no matter when you list it. - Tue Oct 27 2009, 13:54