Today is January 31, and even though it’s still technically January, there aren’t any title companies doing closings on Saturday, so the Northern Nevada Multiple Listing Service January sales numbers are available, a day early.

We have 18 homes sell in the Carson Valley this month. Before you says OUCH and debate that the end of the world is indeed near, let me call your attention to the 2008 January sales volume. We only sold 23 homes in 2008. When you consider that, we’re really not so far off, are we?

The good news is, January is typically the worst month of the year for the Carson Valley real estate market, and now it’s over! Onward and upward! Inventory is still at a recent all-time low (there are currently 486 homes for sale), interest rates are great, and with banks listing bank-owned homes are incredible prices, the market is priming itself to bottom out and begin it’s slow climb out of this mess.

Look to the new administration to jump start special financing programs with the remainder of the $700 Billion Bailout. According to the Associated Press, Treasury Secretary Geithner and Federal Reservce Chairman Bernanke were scheduled to meet with FDIC Chairwoman Sheila Bair, among others, to decide the fate of the remaining $350 Billion dollars. Perhaps they will finally get the banks to loosen their clenched fists around the first $350 Billion Paulson doled out last summer.

Our home sales data is courtesy of the NNRMLS, excludes manufactured or shared ownership housing, and covers Area 300, known as Gardnerville, Minden, Genoa, Jacks Valley and Indian Hills areas.