How’s the market?” you ask? Depends on WHOM you ask.

I’ve listened to agents complain all year about how slow business was in 2024. I’m inclined to disagree. During the COVID years, most agents were simply “taking orders” given the elevated demand for homes combined with limited inventory. It doesn’t take long for complacency to settle in when success comes easy, and “easy times breed weak men,” as the saying goes.

As we emerged from COVID, many were reminded of how challenging the real estate business really is. It takes a lot of work. When things shift, your mindset must shift along with it, and I believe that’s been the biggest challenge for many.

That being said, as you can see in the charts below, numbers don’t lie. 2024 proved to be a stronger year for our local markets than 2023, and, based on the calls I’ve been receiving from both buyers and sellers since January first, 2025 may prove to be stronger than both. Elections are behind us, and the reality of higher, yet normal, interest rates have settled in. Folks are ready to get back to normal. As for me, I’m looking forward to seeing what 2025 has in store.