the wasserblawg

I cannot imagine that this is going to be good news for anyone who is hoping to sell a home in 2009, but Matt Carter from Inman News reports today that the number of houses and condos on the market are about to swell dramatically as banks begin releasing foreclosed properties from their portfolios, at fire sale /clearance prices. As banks have been foreclosing on delinquent mortgages, the numbers of properties they are holding as " REO " (Real Estate Owned) assets is swelling. According to Carter, The value of REO property on the books of FDIC-insured banks at the end of the third quarter surged 21 percent from the previous quarter, to $23 billion. That total -- which includes single-family to four-family homes valued at $11.5 billion and another $1.5 billion in property purchased with FHA-backed loans securitized by Ginnie Mae -- represents a 134 percent increase from a year ago, according to the latest quarterly report from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Reposs

The Illinois Association of Realtors reported today that 2008 home sales in the Chicago PMSA were just 68,676, nearly 26% fewer sales than 2007. For those lucky enough to find a buyer, the median sale prices last year was 17.3% lower than 2007. The PMSA includes Chicago, suburban Cook, and the eight surrounding counties. There were 20,589 Chicago home sales in 2008, 25% fewer than in 2007. Well. on the bright side, however gloomy the current market conditions might seem, there are still buyers buying and sellers selling. Also, I am pleased to note that my "market share" of Chicago house and condo closings last year increased over 2007. Here's to doing even better in this new year.