The slow start for 2014 continues as Claremont new listing inventory remains scarce. Total housing inventory remains low too, with only around 50 homes on the market.

Some of January’s statistics are misleading, as sales were actually a lower than this time last year. Because of several high dollar home sales, the averages shifted upwards. Some of these homes were actually on the market for several years.

Buyer demand remains strong as ready buyers continue to wait for the right home to open up in the community. Interest rates remain low in the 4 percent range, though are expected to rise this year.

Timing is everything in real estate, but also helped make for an unusual month of January.

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Information provided by Ryan Zimmerman, Wheeler Steffen Sotheby’s International Realty. Contact Ryan at ryan.zimmerman@sothebysrealty.com.