ABQ Home Sales Up in November!

Sales of single family detached homes in metro Albuquerque increased during October, defying the traditional seasonal slowdown. The 731 detached homes sold during October were an 11% increase over the 661 homes sold during September. October sales were up 43% from October 2008 and more than double the 324 homes sold in January, the period of slowest sales during the current cycle.The October sales were the second highest of 2009, behind only July, and third highest since August 2007. The average detached home sold during October remained on the market for 71 days, the shortest sales period of the year.There were 900 homes with the sale pending during October, a 56.5% increase over October 2008. This performance indicates that sales should remain strong for November, even as the seasonally cold weather slows activity from previous months.For townhouses and condominiums, October closed sales and pending sales showed an even better year over year improvement than did the detached homes, up 46% and 78% respectively.Sales of homes priced between $100,000 and $199,000 dominated the metro region during October. This price group accounted for 446 sales or 61% of the October total.The average price for a detached home was $209,614 during October, essentially unchanged from September, and up 1.7% from April. Average and median prices dropped from October 2008 for detached homes, townhouses and condominiums.During October, a total of 4,938 active listings were available around the metro Albuquerque area, down 17% from a year earlier. October was the first month since April 2007 showing active listings at fewer than 5,000. With the continued reduction in listings, metro Albuquerque is becoming less of a buyers market, especially for more affordable homes.

SUNDANCE RULES

Wouldn't you love to go to Sundance? It seems like there are more independent films with big names this year. "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" with Ben Affleck and Katie Holmes. "The Runaways" portrait of rocker Joan Jett with Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning. How old is she now? Growing up, for sure, and one can only hope she doesn't succumb to the hazards of success like other child actors not to mention Tiger! "The Company" premieres and also stars Affleck with Keven Costner and NM's own, Tommy Lee Jones. Then "The Extra Man" with Homes and Kevin Kline and John C. Reilly ought to be really entertaining. Has Kline ever had a bad film?? Love that man. Well, I'm waiting for my invitation and in the meantime will just have to put these on my Netflex queue to see them in a year or two....