With three quarters of the year in the books, we are in record-setting territory. It is possible we will record 20,000 homes sales for the year compared with 17,052 last year, and with a median price of $305,000 we would exceed a total market of $7 billion compared with the record $5.6 billion achieved last year.

The net active inventory actually increased slightly to 3,253 homes listed for sale, and with a normal slowdown in demand over the next few months it may take some pressure off the prices and give buyers a bit of a break. With mortgage interest rates remaining at historically low levels and rents at historically high levels, home ownership is an attractive alternative particularly when you calculate the benefit of writing off mortgage interest and property taxes from your income.

Generally speaking, if you are paying $2,000 per month rent, it is costing you $24,000 per year against your gross income. If you purchase a similar home with the mortgage and property taxes, the net cost could be in the range of $1,500 per month or $18,000 per year. This does not include appreciation and other benefits of home ownership. Outside of the limited supply of homes, the advantages buyers have in the market cannot be overlooked. It pays to participate in this market over the next few months, if possible, to avoid the hustle and escalation in the new year.