I don't know how many of you saw Barbara Corcoran, the Today show's real estate correspondent who was on the air yesterday, but I really enjoyed the fact that her projections for the 2010 real estate market were spot on with the trends that we've been seeing here in the Greater Baltimore Metropolitan Area.

Toward the end of the 2009 market, we were beginning to see it becoming less of a buyer's market (with the exception of homes in the luxury sector) and movement toward a balanced market.  Prices have begun to stabilize and inventory has declined.  This is very good news for our economy; however, if you are a buyer and were waiting until prices hit rock bottom to jump into the real estate market, you may have missed a golden opportunity.

We are already starting to see a slight increase in prices and combined with declining inventory and government incentives for buying a home, we are certainly pulling out of that downward spiral that our market was in for the last two years.

The luxury home market is still in a slump and if you are in the market for a high-end home, you can still find a great deal.  Since fewer people can afford these homes, there is still quite a bit of inventory and the government incentives don't mean as much - so there are still a lot of bargains in this price range.

For the majority of us though, now is the time to make your move if you are looking to gain equity quickly.  Once we are in a balanced market, the deals will be gone.

Looking for a real deal?  Check out this week's Best Buy picks!

Want to get the most up-to-date real estate information and be able to search like an agent and get the skinny on all of the homes that are for sale or have been sold?  Sign up for our FREE Search Like An Agent account through ListingBook.  We'll give you all of the information and we will not bombard you with emails.

Thinking about taking advantage of the foreclosure market?  Search foreclosures anywhere in the U.S. for free.

If you are thinking about buying a home or moving up into a larger home, my advice to you is don't wait.  Time is running out on great real estate opportunities.

Wishing you sunshine everyday and the home of your dreams in 2010,
Jeri