photo source: erix

The local housing market is improving (sales up, prices up) but as someone pointed out to me earlier this week, that's not necessarily good news for everyone.  But I do think it's good news for just about everyone.

Certainly, it's good news for sellers -- they're now more likely to be able to sell, and don't have to worry (as much) about their home losing even more value before they sell.

Certainly, it's good news for homeowners -- the value of their home now seems to be stabilizing.

It's mixed news for near-term buyers -- it might mean that there are fewer deals to be had in the coming months, but since they're buying soon they can console themselves with the realization that their newly purchased property is not likely to continue to decline in value after their purchase.

It is bad news for far-future buyers -- if you're not buying for a few years, it is understandable (sort of) that you'd like the market to get worse, so that you would have better buying opportunities.

So, what about you?  Are you glad the housing market is improving?