BOISE-- Boise has been named a top turnaround city by Realtor.com, the official site of the National Association of Realtors.
Local real estate agents say lately they've felt a turnaround.
"I'd call and say, 'Is it still available?' And they'd say, 'We just got an offer,'" said Jennifer Hickey, a realtor for 43 Degrees North. Hickey says that's happened a handful of times over the last few months. Part of the reason is there are fewer homes for sale.
Realtor.com picked Boise for its number six spot partially because the number of foreclosed homes are down. According to Idaho Data Providers, foreclosures in Ada County at the start of the year were down 18.3 percent from December 2011.
Realtor.com says fewer foreclosures on the market are driving home prices up. Prices increased 13.77 percent in the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to 2010.
Overall inventory in Boise is also down 40 percent compared to 2010, that is the eighth best in the nation.
"Do we feel better now this time of the year than we did this time last year? 100 percent better no question about it," said Tim Bundgard president of Pioneer Title Co.
Bundgard says right now people are looking to buy homes because of low interest rates and stable home prices.
"I think that all the people on the sidelines I think they are making their move," said Bundgard.
But is this a turnaround that is going to last?
"I think we have to be cautious and say are we just wearing our Pollyanna glasses and I don't think," said Bundgard. He is hopeful the market continues to improve throughout 2012.
Realtor.com just ranked Boise as a top turnaround town but Bundgard and Hickey say that title really applies to the entire Treasure Valley. They say the signs of improvement that are being seen in Boise can be found across the valley.
