Contract activity in July, August and September 2017 (295 contracts) was a good bit slower than last year when there were 348 contracts during that same timeframe.  Some of this decline in the number of contracts being signed is certainly a result of lower inventory levels.  Thus, it was somewhat of a surprise that contract activity in October 2017 (112 contracts) was slightly higher than last October when there were only 109 contracts signed. 

So -- a slight uptick in buyers being able to successfully negotiate deals with sellers -- BUT don't forget, Winter is coming!

Over the past eight months there have been an average of 119 contracts signed per month.  If last Winter (+/-) is any indication, that is likely to drop slightly in November, and then much more significantly in December, January and February.  Last Dec-Feb, there were an average of 72 contracts signed per month -- a good bit less than the 119/month average from the past eight months.

Read more about our overall housing market in my most recent monthly market report....