Prices began the year with a healthy increase of 15 percent over January 2012 and 8.3 percent above last year's total average price. The number sold was 12.5 percent less than last January, however. After showing surprising strength through the election season, it looks like weak snowfall is affecting our skier-buyers now.

The inventory has been stuck at about 1,470 since late December and lack of selection may be another reason for fewer sales to date.

70 ... number of sales in January of 2013

112 ... average number of sales in

January since 2000

2008 ... last year in which the average was reached

Chuck Leathers is the broker/owner of Chuck Leathers Real Estate Co. He can be reached at (888) 485-2300 or email him at ChuckLeathers@Realtor.com.