Even absent the $8,000 Homebuyer Tax Credit, home sales continue to chug along. However, based on statistics, far and away, it’s still a buyer’s market. Which means, it’s a great time to find an excellent deal for either a personal residence, or an investment property.

To give you an idea what’s happened in the first 6 months of this year, I’ll share some statistics with you.

Since my earlier December, 2009 update, here’s what has happened in real estate, for the local, Salem and surrounding areas. I draw my statistics from those published by the Willamette Valley Multiple Listing Service.

So far in 2010, the average priced home sold for $205,252. The median priced home (median prices eliminate the highest and lowest prices, giving perhaps a more accurate picture of average) sold for $183,000.

Comparing those to 2009, it was $215,432 and $192,000, respectively. For buyers, that’s great news. The typical home buyer is paying far less for a home, on average $10,180 less and if using the median statistic, $7,100 less.

If you’re considering selling your home, the average days on market (DOM), are all dependent upon the area your property is located. It ranges, for 2010, from 119 DOM to 203 DOM. Basically, that means you might expect to have your property listed for up to 7 months, on average, and again, depending on your property’s location.

Another interesting statistic is reviewing what a property’s final price is when compared to the list price. In the Willamette Valley, Sellers are getting anywhere from 89.1% of their list price, up to 93.4% of their list price.

Keep in mind, the numbers I am discussing here are all averages. No transaction is ever the same, so it’s a virtual guarantee, yours will probably be different.

Quick fact to close out this post: The average NEW home sold in the Willamette Valley is a 3-bedroom, 2-bath home, averaging 1,801 square feet, and includes a 2-car garage. The average price for this new home is $235,931 ($131 per square foot), which includes a 7,000 square foot lot.

In my next article, I’ll share some useful home selling tips with you. I’d like to thank my readers, friends and colleagues for your referrals! It’s been a pleasure working with you.

To learn more about local listings, please visit my website @ www.TracyJonesBroker.com, or, feel free to call my office at 503-364-0955 or my cell phone, 503-569-7821.

Tracy Jones, Broker, is a state of Oregon licensed real estate broker with ERA Northwest Professional Realty. She is a member of the National Association of Realtors®, Willamette Valley Multiple Listing Service, Regional Multiple Listing Service and the Salem Association of Realtors®.

Several subdivisions that have been dormant from 12 to 18 months are now sprouting houses.

If you’re looking to buy new, entry-level homes are at some of their lowest prices in the last several years, having retreated from the low $200s to the upper $170s to $190s.

If a mature property is what you’re after, entry-level homes in South Salem are priced from the $160s on up.

I’ll be adding new features to my website, including a listing search tool and also a page specific to property listings held by ERA Northwest Professional Realty.

If you have a question or comment – post it! Or, you can always contact me.

I’m just getting started with my site, so check back as the updates are already starting and new content and tools will soon be available.

My website will focus on Salem, Oregon (and close-in areas) real estate trends, buying tips, selling tips and more!

If you have any questions, I’m here to help. You can reach me at 503-569-7821, or by email. tracyjonesbroker @ gmail . com

-Tracy Jones