This news just in from John Hall and Associates:

Initial numbers are in for March.

Number of Closed Escrows for March is 8846, that’s a 16% increase over March 2009 and a 34% increase over February 2010.

2010’s YTD Closed figures show a 19% increase over 2009’s 1st Quarter numbers.

REO sales numbers are continuing to decline as a percentage of sales-39% of Closed; 34% of Pending; and 15% of Active listings.

Short Sales on the other hand are increasing with 21% of Closed; 30% of Pending (or 3930); another 6585 in AWC status (89%); and 27% of Active listings.

What does this mean? It means that all of the dire predictions keep turning out to be false. The market is moving and people are picking up incredible deals before the tax credit goes away.

You have 25 days and counting to get an offer accepted on a property if you want to get the tax credit.

Please let me know if I can help you, or if you know of friends and neighbors who are thinking of buying or selling.

Remember, a rush for the tax credit helps sellers as well as buyers.