Mixed messages

NAR reported overall sales up 3% today, but inventory (# of houses on the market) also up - about 10% over 2007. I know that year-over-year comparisons can be useful, but I think that it's profitless to compare current real estate figures to 2007- the top of an overblown market. Perhaps we could publish some figures comparing 2008 to 2004 (or so) before loose lending practices helped to push the go-cart over the cliff. We've noticed a little uptick in activity in the Seattle market, but buyers are still cautious. As well they should be. Let's all buy and sell real estate as the need arises, but keep back from the cliff edge!