The Massachusetts realtors have the September numbers out. "Massachusetts home sales fell for the sixth consecutive month in September, the Massachusetts Association of Realtors reported today. Sales of detached single-family homes fell 24 percent from September 2005 to 3,435, and median selling price declined 5 percent to $341,000, the group said."

"September condo sales fell 28 percent to 1,546 units, and the median selling price was unchanged at $270,000."

"Residential listings are at their fifth highest level on record, having increased 14 percent over the past year from 56,016 homes and condos for sale in September 2005 to 63,956 homes and condos on the market this past September."

From the talking points. "Single-family home sales have now decreased for 11 of the last 12 months compared to the same period a year earlier. Last month’s sales total also represents the lowest volume for home sales in the month of September in a decade, dating back to September 1996 when 3,388 homes were sold."

"The 23.9 percent decline in single-family home sales in September follows annual sales declines of 21.6 percent in August, 25.3 percent in July, and 16.6 percent in June, thus marking the first time there has been four consecutive months of double-digit sales declines on a year-to-year basis since November 1994-February 1995."

"The slower sales pace reflects the fact that large numbers of buyers remain cautious and are attempting to 'time the 'market.' Many continue to hold out for lower prices, believing a more significant market correction may occur. Many sellers also have stopped looking for homes until they reach agreement on the sale of their own home, which has led to softer demand."

"The supply of single-family homes on the market increased for a 19th consecutive month in September, climbing 12.8 percent in the past year from 38,319 homes for sale in September 2005 to 43,227 this September. Inventory, as stated in months of supply, also rose from 8.5 months last September to 12.6 months of supply in September 2006."

"Condominium sales fell for a sixth consecutive month in September from one year earlier. Sales declined 27.8 percent. The last time condo sales decreased for six consecutive months on an annual basis was January-June 2001, and the last drop in condo sales greater than 27.8 percent occurred in April 1995, when sales fell 30 percent from April 1994."

"The number of condos for sale has increased 17.1 percent in the past year, from 17,697 units last September to 20,729 in September 2006. Inventory, as stated in months of supply, also has risen this past year, climbing to 13.4 months this September from 8.3 months in September 2005."

"The statewide median selling price for detached homes declined 5.3 percent over the past year to $341,000 in September, its lowest level since February when the median price was $339,000. On an annual basis, the median price has been flat or declined for eight consecutive months, the longest such period since prices fell for 13 months from March 1992-March 1993. The median price is now 9 percent below its peak of $375,000 set in July and August 2005."

"The statewide median selling price for condos is 6.2 percent below the record high median price of $287,900 set in July 2005."

"Numbers released Monday from The Warren Group, a Boston-based real estate information firm, mirrored the MAR findings. The group also found single-family homes sales were down 24 percent and condo sales were down 28 percent from the same period year ago."

The Boston Globe. "James Corbett and his wife put their five-bedroom home in Danvers on the market in March for $539,900. Six months later it is still for sale, for $40,000 less."

"The former manufacturing-plant engineer and former nurse, eager to move into a retirement community, didn't wait long to begin reducing their asking price as the housing market slumped. They dropped the price to $529,900 in April and to $519,900 in May. In September they reduced it to $499,900, and now are considering whether to lower it another $10,000."

"In this house market, he said, 'You don't know where the bottom is.'"

"But a recent detailed study by Moody's Economy.com, says that while home prices are falling nationally, the worst may be over for Boston area homeowners. Boston 'is very close to the bottom,' said Mark Zandi, chief economist for Moody's Economy.com. 'If the price declines aren't over, they're pretty close to over.'"

"Sellers once reluctant to cut prices are relenting. Some who had put their homes on the market to test the waters and attempt to cash in on Boston's record-high prices have taken them off, reducing the surplus and the competition for buyers."

"Still, some agents, who have been grappling with a declining market for 18 months, are not ready to declare the worst is over."

"'What worries me is we don't have the buyers,' said Hingham agent Carol Pagliccia. With entry-level houses costing around $400,000, 'that's still a hefty entry level,' she said. Buyers are waiting to make offers because they 'have in their heads' that prices will go down further."