Realtors in San Francisco say home prices are rising even while inventory takes a little longer to sell than in the recent past.

"Wow. Inventory is rising and sitting!," says Realtor James Kastner. "I saw several properties on broker's tour that have been on the market a few weeks -- even a few price reductions. Inventory tends to surge after a holiday weekend -- and drop before. Remember that we have Labor Day coming."

Kastner explains, "While San Francisco always tends to favor sellers, the past weeks have seen 'buyers' fatigue.' We are seeing just as strong offers as ever, but with fewer offers being written. Indicative of a decline? Not yet! The competition appears to not be as fierce in terms of number of offers -- but just as heated in terms of price. Advice: Never avoid writing an offer just because you assume it will go way over asking price. That's what your Realtor is there for, right? Not only to 'advise' you on your offering price -- but to help you write your offer. We may advise you that it will go to a certain price point - but your comfort level is the most important. Write the offer even if it is contrary to the opinion of your Realtor! You never know what may happen. A 'market' is a beautiful thing -- it can control itself -- even though it may seem out of control at times. Be a part of it. It is living and breathing."

Advises Realtor Jeffrey Tong, "Prices are still increasing, however there are no longer 20 offers on each house -- more like two. Although I don't believe the amount of buyer interest has waned, it appears many are just pausing to see what happens to the market."

He explains, "Appraisers believe that the real estate market is due for a correction. The uncertain question is when and how much? But any correction will be tempered by the following facts: The San Francisco Bay Area is home to the nation's top universities and medical centers (UC Berkeley, Stanford, UCSF), a world-class biotech industry, is adjacent to a world-class wine-producing area (the Napa valley), and is a major tourist destination, among others. We are also surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and the Bay. Having said that, the real estate market is influenced by numerous factors: including availability, mortgage rates, demand, and overall economy. My recommendation is to assess your situation carefully, then take advantage of whatever opportunities you might have today, because you may not have another chance tomorrow!"

"The market is still hot, but there are not as many offers per property in some areas and price range," agrees Realtor Elta Anderson. "I'm finding more properties are coming on the market. With more properties on the market to bid on, there are fewer buyers per property."

Published: August 3, 2005

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Blanche Evans is the award-winning senior editor of Realty Times, the Internet's leading independent real estate news service. She is featured daily on the Realty Times Video Network in the "Realty Viewpoint" segment. Blanche has been named one of the "25 Most Influential People In Real Estate" by REALTOR Magazine, and has been twice recognized as a "notable." In 2005, she was named "Top Reporter Covering the NAR" by Delahaye-Bacon's. Blanche is a renowned author of five real estate books. Her newest, Bubbles, Booms and Busts: Make Money In Any Real Estate Market, McGraw-Hill, was rave-reviewed by The New York Times. She was also selected from hundreds of real estate experts to contribute to Donald Trump's book, Trump: The Best Real Estate Advice I Ever Received: 100 Top Experts Share Their Strategies, Rutledge Hill Press, and is featured on page 68. Order Now Review - Honors In 2006, Blanche was selected among scores of candidates to author two consumer real estate guidebooks for the National Association of Realtors: The NAR Guide to Home Buying, and The NAR Guide to Home Selling, Wiley & Sons. She is currently planning two new books for the NAR and its members.       Known for her keen insight into real estate industry issues and for her ability to make complex subjects easy to understand, Blanche is a sought-after keynote and continuing education speaker. Real estate organizations from MLSs, to brokerages, to franchisors, to associations hire her to provide up-to-the-minute analysis of real estate industry news and advice on how to improve revenues. Her passionate delivery, peppered with stinging wit, is a huge hit with audiences and fans. Don Klein, CEO Greater Nashville Association of Realtors, Blanche Evans, Richard Courtney, president 2007, GRAR "The GNAR membership meeting last week featured Blanche Evans as the keynote speaker. Her comments and insights resonated extremely well with those in attendance and we have had many requests for copies of her PowerPoint Presentation. She was a terrific part of the membership meeting and convention program!" - Don Klein, CEO Greater Nashville Association of Realtors Coverage from WSMV, Nashville - 8-14-2007 2007 AE Institute Session - To purchase 2006 AE Institute Session - Parts 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 HouseValues Mastermind call - Parts 1 2 Blanche's fireside chat with Jeremy Conaway, HAR - Click here. To contact Blanche, email her at . For more articles by Blanche, click here.