WORLD PROPERTY CHANNEL ®

(DENVER, CO) -- Despite continuing high foreclosure rates, first-time buyers across the country are stepping up to the plate and purchasing homes at deep discounted prices, according to the monthly Associated Press-Re/Max report.

The report supports other findings previously completed by several housing industry organizations published on Real Estate Channel.

The Associated Press-RE/MAX Monthly Housing survey of 55 metro areas across the country found that April sales of residential properties were up an average of 6.3% from March, and up 4.7%, from April, 2008. 

The report shows that for the last six months home prices have been 20% to 24% below the previous year. April's Median Home Price was $182,913, down 0.7% from March, but still down 21.9% from April, 2008. 

Fourty-four metropolitan areas experienced a monthly increase in sales, with 16 metros experiencing double digit increases. 

The largest annual increase in residential sales occurred in those markets that have experienced steep price declines. Las Vegas saw an 84.9% increase in sales from last year; Phoenix was up 79.4%, Miami up 56.2% and Los Angeles was up 47.2%. 

"There's no question that the tax credit is drawing a lot of first time home buyers into the market, making up roughly 50% of today's home buyers," says Margaret Kelly, Chief Executive Officer of RE/MAX International, Inc. "This is absolutely the best buyer's market we've ever seen; interest rates are down, prices are low, and selection is terrific." 

The inventory of homes declined 11.7% from last year, with the average supply of homes at 8.1 months, according to the report.

Although the national Median Sales Price remained nearly unchanged, of the 55 cities included in the report, 28 experienced an increase over the previous month. 

"The higher priced homes will not start selling until jumbo loans are more easily available to the consumer. Another means for raising home prices is to reduce the inventory of homes through a process known as Short Sales," says Kelly. 

"Many in the real estate industry are optimistic that the recent announcement by the Treasury Department will facilitate a streamlined Short Sale process that will assist families facing foreclosure," she says. 

"Homeowners should understand that if they owe more on their mortgage than their home is currently worth and if they cannot qualify for a loan modification, they can still avoid a foreclosure. They should contact their lender or real estate agent to see if a Short Sale is possible." 

In a short sale, the bank or mortgage lender agrees to discount a loan balance due to an economic or financial hardship on the part of the mortgagor. 

The home owner or debtor sells the mortgaged property for less than the outstanding balance of the loan, and turns over the proceeds to the lender, sometimes, but not always, in full satisfaction of the debt. In such instances, the lender would have the right to approve or disapprove of a proposed sale

Kelly says Re/Max is a strong proponent of the Short Sale as a foreclosure alternative, and has trained nearly 5,000 of its sales associates in the last 60 days to assist homeowners in this process. These associates have undergone specific training to earn the Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) professional designation.