By Kim Shindle

A majority of PAR leaders are optimistic about the Pennsylvania housing market, according to a recent survey conducted by Keystone Analyticsduring the Winter PAR Business Meetings.

Fifty-six percent of the PAR leaders who responded to the survey believe the housing market will be better over the next six months. Thirty-eight percent think the market will stay the same and six percent indicated they expect the housing market to decline in the next six months.

PAR District 8 Vice President Robina “Bebe” English says the Pittsburgh market reflects this optimism.

“The Pittsburgh market has experienced a one to three percent increase in sales every year over the last several years,” English said. “Our market has not experienced the kinds of issues other parts of the state have seen. We have a stable market with steady growth. That stability has been highlighted in several major media outlets throughout the country, showing the opportunities Pittsburgh has to offer.”

English continues, “Right now in our market, if the property is listed at the right price and it’s in good condition, we’re seeing multiple offers. We’ve been experiencing that since July.”

Jim Helsel, a Pennsylvania candidate for NAR president, said the Harrisburg market is showing some encouraging signs.

“There seems to be a lot more activity and inquiries,” Helsel, a past PAR president and NAR treasurer, noted. A commercial Realtor®, Helsel said there hasn’t been a substantial difference in the number of transactions but he’s optimistic about the trends. He said residential Realtors® he’s talked with are seeing similar signs in their markets as well.

PAR President Frank Jacovini says his market in southern Philadelphia is somewhat slower.

“We’re just a few miles from Center City Philadelphia, which is doing well with condos and new construction,” Jacovini observes. “Our consumer confidence is lower in my market area because we have a good portion of blue collar and union workers who are out of work at this time. As a result, our market has remained the same with very little good inventory on the market.”

The Internet survey of 168 members registered for the Winter PAR Business Meetings was conducted by Keystone Analytics, a wholly owned subsidiary of PAR.