This chart shows the disparity between the active market and the contingent(under contract) market for several key market statistics.   This chart shows that the condo market is in trouble, buyers are preferring short sales and bank owned properties, buyers are preferring less expensive properties located in Berkeley and Dorchester counties, and buyers are preferring new construction over older homes.  It also shows how much more difficult it is to sell a home when only offering 2 or 2.5% co-op commission

3/16/2010 5/10/2010
Active Cont/Pend Active Cont/Pend
Entire Residential MLS 9839 2031 9911 2507
Median List Price $250k $180k $257k $185k
Median $/sqft $144/sf $103/sf $143/sf $104/sf
Lender Owned 2.8% 7.4% 2.7% 6.0%
Short Sale 5.9% 14.9% 5.7% 13.0%
Berkeley/Dorch 32% 49% 32% 48%
Median Year built 1997 2003 1997 2003
Pre-owned 83% 71% 85% 70%
Single Family Detached 68% 79% 68% 80%
2% or 2.5% Compensation 23% 15% 23% 15%