Through the seasonal peak of sales, there have been over 13 percent more closings to date than last year to date and overall prices are down by 5.3 percent.

Taking resales only, prices are down by 11.7 percent to date.

From here on, sales will fall until January, then begin a slow climb back through October. At year-end, it looks like there will have been a little over 100 more sales than last year, but still half as many as normal. There were a total of 2,200 properties listed for sale last week. The inventory is down by 20 percent from the peak in July as sellers withdraw from the market or reduce price until they get an offer.

Chuck Leathers is the

broker/owner of Chuck Leathers Real Estate Co. He can be reached at (888) 485-2300 or

e-mail him at ChuckLeathers@Realtor.com.