Where to find info on a certain area's real estate market? Carroll County (Conway: mortgage)

[chicy724]

Hi!
I am looking for information, or where I can find information on a certain real estate market, for Conway, North Conway, Bartlett, NH.. etc. I know where I can find tax rates and such.. but what I mean is information about the market conditions. I know most of the nations markets are crashing right now because of the credit issues and such, and all I can seem to find are statistics and such for bigger metro areas and well known large cities which really helps me none because I wouldn't be buying there.
My boyfriends co-worker who is also a real estate agent in the area said that in about 6 months the prices should be lower and it will be more of a buyers market.. what I am wondering more is to find information about when the market is foreseen to stabilize and prices to go back up, and when the market will become a really good buyers market.
What we are trying to do is save a 20% downpayment and closing costs and such, which will take us at least 2 years.. maybe 2.5-3yrs so I am worried the market will be in a boom again by then, or just that the prices will be higher than they will be next year.
I am debating saving a bit less than 20% and getting PMI if I need to so that I can get a better deal on the home itself, and while the interest rates are still lowwwww, but wouldn't want to get screwed in the end if I could have just waited that extra year to save the other % to have 20%. I have great credit so I am sure I could get a good loan anytime that I decide is the right time. I am talking credit score in the 'excellent' category. So I am not worried about high rates really, but if the feds spike the rates back up and such, I would be stuck with a higher rate than I would get if I financed sooner.
So, more specific carroll county market conditions would be ideal, and the specific towns even better. I have been unsuccessful in my google.com search
Thanks!!!

[Valerie C]

Hi Chicy
Since your boyfriend's co-worker is a real estate agent, why not get as much solid info (based on sales data from past several months, catagorized by sale price vs. list price, days on market, concessions, etc. It's one thing to give FACTUAL information based on events that have actually happened. It's another thing altogether to give advice on the future, such as "My boyfriends co-worker who is also a real estate agent in the area said that in about 6 months the prices should be lower and it will be more of a buyers market.. You need to be very careful when you listen to predictions like this, especially when it comes to making a huge decision like buying a home. None of us have a crystal ball that I'm aware of. This person may be repeating what they've heard in the office, in the news, etc but if they're not a full-time agent, even this I would question...

Your concerns about PMI are valid, and remember that not all MI is the same. Many of the fly-by-night mortgage companies have gone out of business, but there are more who are willing to take your money... You're doing well by asking these questions now, before even starting to look. I would recommend hooking up with an agent who knows the market and is willing to share info with you. This may or may not be your boyfriend's co-worker...