The Waco Tribune reports from Texas. "Anyone thinking about selling their Waco-area home should consider one thing — it’s crowded out there. About 40 percent more homes went on the market through August of this year than during the same period last year, according to the MLS."

"That means sellers had better make their homes 'showroom ready' and be prepared to give a little on price, said local real estate agent Bill Gohring."

"Through August this year, 3,127 houses were listed for sale through the local MLS. That compares with 1,867 listed during that period last year. Buyers have had their choice of 1,260 more properties. The market is theirs."

"'Pricing is the name of the game,' realtor Celina Fuller said. 'If you’re not competitive, your home probably is going to sit there.'"

"'Homes are not selling as fast as they were,' real estate agent Lexie Leuschner said. 'I’ve talked to people who sold homes in the Robinson area, and it took them 12 to 14 months,' she said. 'It’s frustrating for sellers.'"

"John and Karen Wood have been trying since February to sell their three-story home. Recently they lowered the price from $289,900 to $274,900, hoping for more inquiries."

"That’s not all they’re doing. The buyer of the home will also get John’s 2001 Mazda Miata convertible. 'The market’s kind of slow in housing,' Wood said, 'so we decided to pitch that in there to sweeten the deal.'"

"Realtor Trammell Kelly said he considers the Waco housing market active, not glutted. New home construction has boomed, he said. 'New home sales are going out the ceiling, and that puts a lot of resells on the market,' realtor Jim Stewart echoed."

"The situation in Waco 'is something we’re seeing across the state,' said James R. Gaines, a research economist at Texas A&M University. Gaines said inventories are rising for a variety of reasons. Newly built homes may be staying on the market longer, or people who bought homes as investments when interest rates were rock bottom may now be trying to sell them, he said."

"Or homeowners who have heard so much about the housing boom may now want to take the plunge, sell their homes and 'move up.' Waco has hit the seven-month inventory level, Gaines said, adding that he considers anything above a 6.5-month inventory level to be a 'buyers’ market."

"'Buyers can be picky and have more choices,' he said. 'They’re not going to be negotiating thousands off a price, but they are in a little better bargaining position.'"