One indication of the real estate market’s health is how long a home, once listed, remains for sale. In December, homes in Pierce County spent an average 102 days on the market, up from 69 days the same month in 2006, according to Northwest Multiple Listing Service numbers provided by Coldwell Banker Bain agent Bruce Larson.

Which areas saw the longest time on market in December?

Gig Harbor: 101 days
Lake Tapps-Bonney Lake: 103 days
Central Tacoma: 120 days
University Place: 101 days
South Tacoma: 124 days
Southeast Tacoma: 107 days
Fife: 113 days
Puyallup: 116 days
Spanaway: 127 days

All increased year-over-year from the previous December, a couple by more than 100 percent (Central Tacoma and South Tacoma). When all of 2007 is taken into account, however, homes were on the market an average 81 days (a 40 percent increase from 2006) and none of the 17 areas around the county surpassed 100, though a few came close.

Some real estate agents say homes taking three or more months to sell indicates a return to a more normal market. But any concerns that several areas in Pierce County are pushing past 100 days?