It is indeed a new year and there is a tinge of excitement in the air when it comes to the Real Estate Market. This goes beyond the normal anticipation felt by Realtors beginning a new calendar year after their year-end review of the frustrations encountered in 2010. Frustration with buyer attitudes. The "well, I know it suits our needs and its about as close to what we want as we are likely to get but . . . ", attitudes that permeated four of the last six months to 2010. Those attitudes are noticably fewer and farther between. The result - sales are up and inventory is down.

What is causing this optimism for 2011 and does the feeling have basis? Looking at factors like ultra low interest rates, job creation, buyer confidence and pent up demand, it would seem to have basis . . . all point to positive reasons to buy. Add to the mix a bit of a shortage of available properties and the pressure on interest rates to rise and you have a whole lot of folks beginning to make decisions to act now while there are still some needy sellers out there.

Parts of the market in parts of Greater Vancouver is, well, sizzling. Burnaby, Richmond, and Surrey are all relatively warm markets with market segments down right hot. Typically those buyer attitudes work their way east and I am already hearing reports of more activity in Langley and Maple Ridge.

So, is there a basis for the optimistic viewpoint? Judge for yourself but don't take too long making up your mind. The market can change very quickly from a buyers market to a sellers market. That happens in an instant when someone else finds that gem you have been looking at and considering and considering and considering.

Talk to your neighbourhood expert, your Century 21 agent, for your private consultation whether buying or selling. Independant, market founded advice will go a long way in making decisions about your housing future.