Michael Ackerman, a Seattle Realtor with Coldwell Banker Bain, blogs about how a buyer's market or a seller's market is determined. A formula is used to figure the "absorption rate" for homes in any given area. The rate discloses how many months of active inventory is currently on the market, and how many months it will take for them to sell. This rate will let you know where your current market is trending. If you have any questions or comments, please send an email to michaelackerman@cbbain.com or visit www.mackerman.com.