By Andy Owens
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CHARLESTON -- As part of an effort to use data to tell the story of the local housing market, the Charleston Trident Association of Realtors has produced an online video giving a snapshot of the market, called The Skinny.

At 2 minutes and 7 seconds, the video takes a fast look at the housing numbers that made 2009 a tough year for the region, but also puts it into context by using data from as far back as 2006.

For example, the narrator says that, although the number of closings declined 8.9% in 2009, it’s a much “quieter” decline than in 2008, when sales plummeted 30.5%.

“When you look at the national statistics, they’re very different than what we see here,” said Meghan Weinreich, director of marketing and communications for the association. “I hope it starts to clarify some of the conflicting stories that are going on or help people understand exactly what is going on in their local market.”

She said the video is part of a robust information effort by the association to help its members pull out of the recession-era doldrums by using facts backed up by data. Along with the videos are 22 market reports available for anyone to see online. She said buyers and sellers are more informed than ever and that giving them this market data helps facilitate the conversation when they approach a Realtor.

“Our members have been using it with clients because it’s a simpler way to understand market data,” she said. “It was absolutely our intention that it get in front of the general public as a way for them to understand as well.”

The first video went online in October, and the response was so positive from the member Realtors that the association decided to produce them quarterly.

“It’s never been more important to focus on the facts when it comes to buying and selling real estate,” the Realtors Association said on its Web site, alongside the videos and market reports.

Published Feb. 8, 2010