Supply and demand nearly balanced in overall U.S. housing market

Supply and demand nearly balanced in overall U.S. housing market: "HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. -- April 10, 2006 -- A recent 'Current Market Conditions' survey of real estate agents in 47 states reveals a balanced U.S. housing market, marking the first time in eight years that such an event has occurred.

Of the agents polled by HouseHunt Inc., 45 percent say they are seeing more buyers than sellers; and 31 percent report that sellers are outnumbering buyers. Another 24 percent believe the market is divided equally between buyers and sellers.

The National Association of Realtors reported a 5.3-month supply of available properties in January and February, with a supply of 5.5 to 6 months indicative of a balanced market.

HouseHunt President and CEO Michael Bearden says the housing market appears to be most balanced in the South, Midwest, Northeast, and California but reports that there continues to be more buyers than sellers in the West and Alaska."