Today's Denver Post had an article titled "Sales of previously owned homes down"...while the Wall Street Journal titled their article "Existing Home Sales Surge".  The funny thing is, they're both quoting the same statistics!  December 2010 showed an increase, nationwide, over December 2009, while overall sales for the year were down.

National Real Estate number are reflective of the nation.  However, everyone knows that Real Estate is a local market.  Recent LOCAL data shows Jefferson County Real Estate Improving.

The national averages quoted by the newspapers show that existing home sales were down 4.8 percent nationally in 2010.  Jefferson County sales were only down 2.0 percent. 

Even better news showing Jefferson County Real Estate Improving is based on prices.  The average "Sold" price for Jefferson County Home Sales was up 4.6 percent, to $261,339.  The Denver Metro area prices were down 3.4 percent in 2010.

Factor in the 3.9 percent decrease in the time it's taking to sell a home, and you'll see Jefferson County Real Estate Improving at a better rate than the nation!

So when the newspapers quote their national figures, with different "takes", remember that Real Estate is local.  And our neighborhoods are doing much better than other Denver neighborhoods and much of the rest of the nation.