For the first time in eight years, the overall U.S. real estate market is experiencing a rare balance  between home buyer demand and home seller supply, according to the latest “Current Market Conditions” quarterly survey.  
Only 45% of respondents reported more buyers than sellers, compared to a 61%-39% ratio six months ago.  Thirty-one percent reported more sellers than buyers;  the remaining 24% said their markets are almost evenly divided. In the South, the Midwest, the Northeast and in California, the buyer-seller ratio closely matches the national figures.
National survey results from real estate agents in 47 states mirrors the latest monthly sales activity reported by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), which estimated the nation’s supply of unsold homes for sale at 5.3 months for both January and February.  An inventory of 5.5 to 6.0 months is considered a balanced market between buyers and sellers.
“The last time we experienced a balanced housing market was in January, 1998, when we had a 6.4 month supply of unsold homes,” said Walt Molony, a NAR spokesperson.

“The record for the lowest inventory was in January of 2005, when we reported  a 3.7 month supply.”
There are exceptions to the latest  balanced housing market reports – most notably in  many Western States  and Alaska, where buyers still outnumber sellers by a substantial margin – but  overall results indicate  an orderly transition to more normal housing markets. This appears to be the beginning of the ‘soft landing’ many economists are predicting  for homes for  sales and certainly good news for both consumers and Realtors after five years of  market imbalance.

The National survey in the first quarter of 2006 also found:

•  It’s taking longer to sell a home in most markets,  and the trend is up.  Fifty-five percent of respondents said it is now taking more than 60 days, on average, from listing to sale. Three months ago, only 30% said it was taking more than 60 days.
•  Seventy-five percent of sellers are still getting at least 95% of their asking prices. Only seven percent say they are still getting more than 100%.
•  Home appreciation in the past 12 months is holding firm at  about 10%. The trend is moving toward single-digit appreciation, however. Fifty-four percent reported five percent or less, 20% said five to 10%, and 26% said 10% or more.
•  Eighty-one percent reported a good supply of unsold homes in virtually all price ranges,  with  inventories  steadily growing.
•  Multiple offers dropped from 70% a year ago to 39%  in the first quarter of 2006 as demand for unsold homes decreased in many markets..
•  Move-up and repeat buyers outnumber first-time buyers by a two-to-one margin in most parts of the country. The margin is three-to-one margin in California and the South. The national two-to-one ratio has remained constant in the past three to five years despite rapid run-ups in home appreciation.

Thomas M. Stevens, NAR president, noted: “Housing is simply returning to a normal market. We’re still seeing double digit annual price gains but we should get down to single digit appreciation fairly soon.” Nationally, sales of existing homes rose in February following a five-month decline. The national median home price for all housing types was $ 209,000 in February, up 10.6% from $ 189,000 a year ago.
Current Market Conditions responses closely reflect  local economic news and population growth.
For example, Neil Kalinski of Diamond GMAC, exclusive agent for Tempe, AZ, said move-up  buyers  are driving his market. Median home price is $ 260,000, up 25-30% in the past year.  He reports more buyers than sellers in this growing suburban Phoenix community and home campus for Arizona State University. Time on the market is 30 days or less, with sellers usually getting 100% or more of asking prices. “Overall, our market has slowed somewhat. Prices are starting to level off, which should be good for both buyers and sellers.”
Helena Talbot of Talbot and Company, exclusive agent for Leesburg, Sterling, Ashburn and Dulles, VA,  reported more sellers than buyers and a median price of $ 400,000. Average time on the market from listing to contract is 90-120 days. Most sellers are getting at least 95% of asking prices. “Our greatest activity is coming from move-up buyers,” Talbot said. “Average price appreciation is up 10% to 15% in the past year.”  
Saralou Durham of RE/MAX Preferred Group, exclusive agent for Montgomery, Anderson Township, Hyde Park and Mt. Adams in the Cincinnati metro area in Ohio, reported a 50-50 market between buyers and sellers. Average time on the market is 60-90 days. Sellers are getting at least 95% of asking prices, she said. Median home prices range from $ 181,750 to $ 397,500. “Exciting changes continue in Mt. Adams, meeting the needs of both young professionals and empty nesters.” She stressed the proximity to downtown business and shopping and the quality of schools.” Durham added: “Demand for new homes is so strong that vacant lots are being purchased and old homes are being torn down to rebuild new ones.”
Finally, Lonnie Maples of Realty Executives, exclusive  real estate agent for Riverside,  CA, reported more buyers than sellers and a good supply of inventory. Median price for a house is $ 435,000 in this fast-growing metro area. Appreciation is estimated at 15-20% in the past year. Average time on the market is 60 to 90 days. Greatest activity is from first-time buyers, he said. Sellers are getting at least 95% of asking prices.

First Quarter Current Market Conditions:  Region by Region Results

U.S.  South  Midwest  NE  West  California*

More Buyers  45%  41%  44%  42%  50%  42%  
More Sellers  31%  37%  33%  29%  26%  31%
50-50  24%  22%  23%  29%  24%  27%

Time on Market
0-60 days  45%  40%  34%  51%  49%  57%
60 days plus  55%  60%  66%  49%  51%  43%  

Sale vs.Ask Px
90-95%  25%  29%  36%  25%  22%  22%
95% -100% Plus  75%  77%  64%  75%  78%  78%

Annual Apprec.
0-5%  54%  50%  74%  54%  45%  47%
5-10%  20%  23%  20%  13%  21%  18%
10%-15% Plus  26%  27%  06%  33%  28%  30%  
No Change  00%  00%  00%  00%  06%  05%

Inventory
Good Supply  81%  86%  93%  88%  71%  65%
Limited Supply  19%  14%  07%  12%  29%  35%

Multiple offers
Yes  39%  37%  44%  40%  42%  43%  
No  61%  63%  56%  60%  58%  57%

Activity
First Time Buyers  36%  25%  62%  31%  30%  24%
Move-Up & Repeat  64%  75%  38%  60%  70%  76%
*California survey results are included in both U.S. and West  results.

Real estate prices to moderate in 2012
Similarly, an oversupply situation in commercial real estate should soften rentals in this sector during the year, feel experts. "The near-term outlook for residential real estate market is likely to remain cautious, given the likelihood of low market …
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Although plenty of Florida real estate investing opportunities exists, most investors are uncertain of market conditions within the Sunshine State. Prior to the banking crisis, Florida was a mecca for investors due to the abundance of tourism and number of people who relocated to the state.

Many investors find Florida real estate investing enticing because the state still ranks at the top of desirable vacation destinations. However, many tourists opt for RV rentals and spend vacation dollars at campgrounds instead of renting vacation homes.

One consideration of investing in Florida properties is the high rate of foreclosure. A recent report states 18-percent of properties in Orange County are vacant due to extensive foreclosure.

This has left thousands of homeowners in need of a place to live.

Investors can capitalize on this market by investing in residential homes and offering owner will carry financing options. Doing so allows investors to obtain positive cash flow and grants foreclosed homeowners the opportunity to buy a house while restoring credit.

There is still a need for vacation rentals; however, much of the market is flooded. Those who wish to invest in vacation properties may find it beneficial to work with experienced realtors familiar with the state. Doing so can help investors minimize risks of being unable to keep properties rented.

Some of the more popular vacation destinations include Daytona Beach, Orlando, and Key West. Daytona is home to numerous motorsports events including NASCAR, Formula One, and Grand Am racing, while Orlando is home to family fun destinations such as Sea World and Walt Disney World Resort.

Key West tends to attract vacationers with larger amounts of disposable income.

Home to the “World’s Most Famous Beach”, Daytona is located in Volusia County. In addition to beautiful beaches, Daytona is notable for racing venues. The motorsports racetrack is located just a few blocks from Daytona Beach International Airport.

Several residential communities are positioned within a 5-mile radius of the track; making an ideal location for vacation rentals. Investors will need to determine if houses are located in communities governed by homeowner’s associations as HOAs often prohibit leasing homes on short-term basis.

A few popular housing communities include those located on Tomoka Farms Road, Williamson Boulevard, and Clyde Morris Boulevard. Homes in this area have a median price of $ 185,500 for a 3 bedroom/2 bath home.

Orlando offers numerous home buying opportunities, but certain areas have a high crime rate and aren’t conducive for investing. These include: Orange Blossom Trail and International Drive where the majority of major tourist attractions are located. Instead, consider buying investment homes located in Winter Park, Baldwin Park, Dr. Phillips, Altamonte Springs, and Oviedo.

Investors often bypass investing in Key West real estate for fear properties are too expensive. While it is true this area consists of higher priced properties, those who visit the area are willing to pay higher rental rates to vacation in paradise.

Locating good deals in Key West requires investors to keep a close eye of property listings. With patience and persistent investors can buy property on this desirable island. Presently, the median cost of a 2 bedroom/1 bath seaside villa is $ 185,500.

Due to the number of foreclosures, many investors scout out distressed properties for sale. One good source for locating residential properties for sale is Fannie Mae Homepath. In addition to offering reduced prices, many of these homes qualify for grants offered through HUDs Neighborhood Stabilization Program.

Investors can obtain up to 5 NSP grants when buying houses in communities hit hard by foreclosure. Combining NSP grants with Fannie Mae Homepath properties and applying for financing through Home Path Mortgage can save investors a substantial sum of money.

There is plenty of Florida real estate investing opportunities available to investors regardless of their budget. In addition to residential properties, investors can also find superb deals on commercial real estate or even invest in a private island.

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The twin crashes the stock market and real estate, which began in 2007 have devastated the American people, how has nothing since the great depression. The American people are now far, far worse than they were before the twin crashes. But something very strange. The stock exchange in March 2009 the bottom and since then upward in a powerful bull-market rally, while real estate which has blown up favorite investment of the American people, and lives has turned most of their wealth still so slowly in the wind. It is time to ask an important question. What makes this strange divergence? Before we go further, I have to say that in this article use the narrow, popular definition of real estate. I refer to condos, town houses and single family homes. This article ignores residential and commercial real estate.

It is important to point out that until the last crash real estate, one of the largest had enjoyed sustained delivery of all time. You need to go back on the S & L crisis at the end of the 1980s, to find the last time, was not the real estate in boom conditions. This crisis ended in 1991, and from 1991 to 2007 real estate nothing indeed but rise. Everyone was a wave riding, they on lose could not. She had to really stupid or bad luck during will this fantastic 16 years to lose money. You will understand, for reasons that I never could understand people enormous difficulties that in residential real estate it is faster than people’s incomes increase, as people unable to qualify for the mortgage are impossible for prices for all time. This is exactly what has happened in the rest of the boom. All kinds of strange mortgages have been created, the problem is fudge, which might not qualified people for the houses, which they wanted to buy. The landscape dotted mortgages dampening mortgages with strange names such as weapons, ALT-A, negative, and of course the famous liar loans.

In 2007 was the yawning gap between what people honestly could afford, numbers and rising prices no longer about papered are and the whole lazy building collapsed. This year the median price home sold for $230,000, and the median income could budget afford, a house in the $150,000 $ 175,000 purchase price range by means of honest standards. Is in the other, which is exactly what median today sell price home. For the first time for many years, the average income can make American family to buy the prize home median. Then, I prefer an insider with 30 years in the assessment and a licensed real estate agents why the stock market to real estate? It is indeed fortunate that real estate is the sale for the first time at a price range that is affordable for the American people for many years but the $64,000-question is, will make what property values rise.

The answer, I fear, is that in the next five years there is almost nothing that I can see that, the a sustainable appreciation in property values at the national level will result. It is amazing to me that people figure out can, why are property values refuse dead in the water, and rise. Contrary to popular belief not properties in the value increase, because they do not, all more of them or some other idiotic popular delusion. Properties in the value for only one reason, and for that reason is because buyers engage, orders competitions to purchase properties. In the absence of invitations to tender competitions prices can not and will not increase. Now should the reader be obvious what is the problem. The problem is that the American people was financially devastated by the twin crashes from the stock exchange and the real estate market have. They are not more players. You are also broke, orders contests to engage. Until the crash, there were millions of active players across the country, which had a net worth at least $1 or $2 million on paper say, if not in reality that they could borrow against. There are no more large amounts of that player. You are ready, ready to be excluded and declared bankrupt. This now missing players were the heart of the real estate market and they don’t come back anytime soon. In fact many of them never come back. Their credit ratings have been destroyed and no bank lend them money. This is a deadly combination in the world of real estate. The stock exchange is sailing calmly for the best reasons. You need no credit to buy stocks review of 620 or better, and you need no bank loans to buy shares. Stocks are a cash market. In this sea of darkness is a light. Remarkable rise by the properties of the “buyer.” For the buyer with a 7-10 year time horizon real estate is a market that has real potential.

Fred Carach is the author of forty years A speculator. His blog is http://fortyyearsaspeculator.blogspot.com/.

Even though June new home sales were up 23.6 percent when compared to May, they were still the runner up for the lowest new home sales month on record according to the Department of Commerce. That being said, we can easily deduce that May new home sales figures were the lowest month on record. The Department of Commerce reported this news on Monday July, 26th. They informed us that the seasonally adjusted annual rate of new home sales increased to 300,000 units, which is up 63,000 units from the record low month of May with 267,000 units sold. These new home sale figures are at the lowest they have ever been recorded in nearly a half a century.

While new home sales increased in June, existing home sales declined. That is the second consecutive month of declines for existing home sales. The National Association of Realtors showed in their monthly report on Thursday July, 22rd, that the sale of existing homes decreased 5.1 percent from May to June. That put the seasonally adjusted annual rate of existing homes at 5.37 million units. While that shows a decrease for the month of June, those figures are still 9.8 percent above last year pace for this time of the year.

2010 saw a brief surge in the sale of new and existing homes as buyer rushed to take advantage of the federal tax credit for up to $8,000 on the purchase of a home. However, for borrowers to qualify, they had to sign a purchase contract by April 30, 2010. The expiration of this tax credit has had a detrimental effect on the sales of homes, new and used, across the nation. Overall, regionally, the only area of the country that actually saw an increase in sales for the month of June was the Northeast, where they have shown an increase of 7.9 percent when compared to May.

Home inventories are growing and are expected to keep growing. The month of June has shown us an increase of 2.5 percent of unsold homes on the market. That puts the nation’s inventory at an estimated 3.99 million units, which is nearly a 9 month supply. Inventories are expected to continue to grow as banks foreclose on borrowers that fail to obtain permanent loan modifications. This growing inventory will definitely affect the median home price. Simple economics dictates that a large supply equates to less demand which means lower home prices.

First the bad news: the number of homes sold in Bellingham in November of 2008 was down 41% from November of 2007 and down 38% forWhatcom County as a whole. Average prices were down 16% in both Bellingham and Whatcom County. The average prices were impactedstrongly by softness in the upper end of the market, as was indicated by the smaller change in median prices – down 10% in Bellingham and 12% in the county as a whole.

Residential units sold in Bellingham by month through 2007 and 2008 saw less bounce during the typical “selling season” and in November declined considerably below the level at which it began in the first quarter of the year. This is not typical of the normal sales curve, which tends to end the year at about the same point where it began. The next 2 months should tell us if this is an aberration or an indication that the 2009 sales curve will be lower still.

Bellingham Average Prices

Average sale prices have been rather sticky, dropping just 3.8% year-to-date from 2007 to 2008. October and November saw this trend change, at least in part due to softness in the upper end of the market. While these numbers reflect Bellingham sales, they typically constitute approximately 50% of total Whatcom County sales, and the trend lines are very similar.

Inventory levels, particularly in Bellingham and Sudden Valley, are definitely lower than a year ago, at least in part due to little new construction. Sudden Valley is seeing fairly strong sales due to the new construction inventory available there, and contractors have been discounting prices fairly heavily.

Another bright spot in the local real estate scene are current interest rates. Most lenders have FHA programs and rates that are very attractive with as little as 3% down. I received an e-mail notice from a local mortgage broker this week with 30-year fixed rate home loans available at 5% interest, no points, 20% down. The key to that one was a credit score of at least 740. That is the best I have seen, but there are a number of good loan opportunities out there and they are changing constantly, so stay in touch with your lender if you are planning to buy.

I was asked today if people are still moving here, and the answer is yes. We are also seeing investors coming into the market, which is a good sign. So what is coming for Bellingham/Whatcom County real estate? Probably more of the same for some time, although I think the contraction in inventory and lack of new construction will be with us for a while, which will serve to help hold the price point.

To review this information plotted on a chart, refer to our web site which is referenced below.

In any type of real estate market it is important to know what is going on before you jump in as either a buyer or a seller. We track many segments of the market so that our clients have the knowledge they need to make good decisions. It’s one of those services that we consider essential, so if you have a need to know, contact us at 360-527-8766. You can meet us on the web at Johnson Team Real Estate or view or Blog

Central San Diego Real Estate Market – Mid Year Snapshot of Median Prices (2006) – Single Family Homes

As of this writing, the San Diego real estate markets appears to have shifted from one that favors sellers to one that favors buyers. However, this premise may not hold true for all communities within San Diego, as median prices for some communities continue to rise while others fall.

While there are many metrics to evaluate the real estate pricing trends of a community, one commonly used parameter is to evaluate the median price of homes from one point in time against a prior point of time. The median price reflects the point at which half the homes are above a particular price point, and half the homes are below a particular price point. The median price metric provides one method to analyze the direction of home prices, but should not be used as the sole source of data from which to form conclusions.

The data below is a comparison of median prices for various communities in central San Diego County, comparing data from June 2005 against data for June 2006. This information is only one metric at a particular point in time, and other metrics or data from future months may support or dispute the pricing trends noted below. For some of the San Diego communities presented below, very few homes sold during June 2006, which diminishes the usefulness of the median price metric.

COMMUNITIES WITH INCREASES IN MEDIAN PRICE – SINGLE FAMILY HOMES – JUNE 2006

The data below pertains only to the sales of single-family homes, and does not include condominiums or townhomes. The data is organized by the magnitude of change in median price, with the highest change in median price presented first.

For the Coronado real estate market, the median price was $1,775,000, which represents a 14.7% increase from the same time last year. Approximately 15 homes sold in June 2006 (21 homes sold in June 2005).

For the Point Loma real estate market, the median price was $1,024,068, which represents an 11.4% increase from the same time last year. Approximately 20 homes sold in June 2006 (14 homes sold in June 2005).

For the University City (UTC) real estate market, the median price was $780,000, which represents a 10.6% increase from the same time last year. Approximately 5 homes sold in June 2006 (19 homes sold in June 2005).

For the La Jolla real estate market, the median price was $1,692,500, which represents a 10.3% increase from the same time last year. Approximately 28 homes sold in June 2006 (38 homes sold in June 2005).

For the Logan Heights real estate market, the median price was $425,000, which represents a 7.6% increase from the same time last year. Approximately 13 homes sold in June 2006 (14 homes sold in June 2005).

For the Paradise Hills real estate market, the median price was $507,500, which represents a 5.7% increase from the same time last year. Approximately 8 homes sold in June 2006 (16 homes sold in June 2005).

For the Mission Hills real estate market, the median price was $927,500, which represents a 3.1% increase from the same time last year. Approximately 11 homes sold in June 2006 (12 homes sold in June 2005).

For the Scripps Ranch (Scripps Miramar) real estate market, the median price was $759,250, which represents a 2.8% increase from the same time last year. Approximately 34 homes sold this month (43 homes sold in June 2005).

For the San Carlos real estate market, the median price was $563,000, which represents a 2.4% increase from the same time last year. Approximately 12 homes sold in June 2006 (16 homes sold in June 2005).

For the Del Cerro real estate market, the median price was $557,500, which represents a 2.1% increase from the same time last year. Approximately 13 homes sold in June 2006 (30 homes sold in June 2005).

For the Normal Heights real estate market, the median price was $676,250, which represents a 1.7% increase from the same time last year. Approximately 20 homes sold in June 2006 (19 homes sold in June 2005).

COMMUNITIES WITH DECREASES IN MEDIAN PRICE – SINGLE FAMILY HOMES – JUNE 2006

The data below pertains only to the sales of single-family homes, and does not include condominiums or townhomes. The data is organized by the magnitude of change in median price, with the highest change in median price presented first.

For the Old Town real estate market, the median price was $580,000, which was a 19.1% decline from the same time last year. Approximately 5 homes sold in June 2006 (14 homes sold in June 2005).

For the Golden Hill real estate market, the median price was $451,000, which was a 16.4% decline from the same time last year. Approximately 10 homes sold in June 2006 (13 homes sold in June 2005).

For the Pacific Beach real estate market, the median price was $851,960, which represents a 14.8% decline from the same time last year. Approximately 15 homes sold in June 2006 (19 homes sold in June 2005).

For the Tierrasanta real estate market, the median price was $570,000, which represents a 12.6% decline from the same time last year. Approximately 9 homes sold in June 2006 (17 homes sold in June 2005).

For the North Park real estate market, the median price was $560,000, which represents a 9.7% decline from the same time last year. Approximately 31 homes sold in June 2006 (16 homes sold in June 2005).

For the College Grove real estate market, the median price was $475,000, which represents a 5.9% decline from the same time last year. Approximately 38 homes sold in June 2006 (40 homes sold in June 2005).

For the City Heights real estate market, the median price was $390,00, which represents a 5.3% decline from the same time last year. Approximately 17 homes sold in June 2006 (30 homes sold in June 2005).

For the Mira Mesa real estate market, the median price was $510,000, which represents a 4.7% decline from the same time last year. Approximately 45 homes sold in June 2006 (47 homes sold in June 2005).

For the Linda Vista real estate market, the median price was $510,000, which represents a 4.2% decline from the same time last year. Approximately 16 homes sold in June 2006 (17 homes sold in June 2005).

For the Mission Valley real estate market, the median price was $510,000, which represents a 3.8% decline from the same time last year. Approximately 7 homes sold in June 2006 (18 homes sold in June 2005).

For the Encanto real estate market, the median price was $435,000, which represents a 3.3% decline from the same time last year. Approximately 36 homes sold in June 2006 (47 homes sold in June 2005).

For the Clairemont real estate market, the median price was $555,000, which represents a 2.6% decline from the same time last year. Approximately 30 homes sold in June 2006 (34 homes sold in June 2005).

For the Sorrento Valley real estate market, the median price was $861,000, which represents a 1% decline from the same time last year. Approximately 6 homes sold in June 2006 (5 homes sold in June 2005).

ADVISORY

Homebuyers and home sellers should keep in mind that the data above is simply a snapshot in time, and is not conclusive of the pricing trends for any community. For some communities presented above, very few homes were sold during June 2006, which makes the use of the median price metric of limited value. The data must be evaluated over a longer duration, and involve multiple metrics to fully understand enduring market trends. Contact your Realtor to obtain information about enduring market trends for any given community.

Prospective clients from all over the United States as well as from Canada, Europe and Latin America are lured by South Florida not only because of the climate but also because of a strong job market. While median prices for South Florida real estates continue to rise, sales have dramatically slowed down compared with previous periods.One of the best ways to take advantage of this continued growth in Florida as a real estate investor is pre-construction Investing. By locating a preconstruction investment project in an area that is in high demand, or is projected to be within the next couple of years, you will have the opportunity to profit on the appreciate of your investment before it is even completed! Plus with the estimated growth over the next 30 years, this is not a limited time opportunity, but one that should last for at least the next 15 years.

Florida beach property evokes so many dreams that trying to treat it as a marketable product almost spoils those heavenly images floating around in our mind. Yes, there are wonderful properties all over the coastal areas of Florida and now they are priced well within the budget of almost everyone. In addition to the absence of certain major taxes in Florida, there are numerous laws in place to ensure that the taxes they do have are kept in check for the state’s permanent residents. A major benefit of living in Florida is the Florida Homestead Exemption, which rules that permanent residents cannot be taxed on up to $50,000 of their primary home’s assessed value.

Tax reform is one of the hottest topics in Florida real estate these days. In the past month, we’ve heard a lot of politicians applauding themselves for the passage of important new tax reform bills. They deserve the applause – but only if they continue on the path they’ve begun. This is not the time for them to rest on their laurels. It is important for all of us to remember that the lawmakers have only partially addressed the inequities in the tax situation.Resilience is what the Florida real estate market should show to the rest of the nation, with numbers released last month, statistics spoke for itself; the Florida market is in the average going to shaky state. Sarasota real estate market in particular has shown a 10% drop form it February numbers based on its last years stats, number of homes dropped from 672 to 608, a number that is not good if you ask the Sarasota-Bradenton realtors. It is significant to have a good statistics this year barring to the nationwide crisis on home sales the Florida real estate needs to step up. Sarasota real estate market has shown a dip which has become a normal trend on the Florida market.

A major difference between property buying in the UK and Florida is that virtually all Florida properties are listed on one central database that all reputable agents can access. Do not Buy The Show House. Recruit a Mortgage Agent. Location, location, location. Purchasing a property in Florida has two key stages.If you look forward to own a new home in one of the most striking destinations of the world then your first preference should be Naples, Florida. The city of Naples is counted amongst the most picturesque destinations bordering Gulf of Mexico with pristine beaches.

Most millionaires today have been made through investing in real estate. Real estate investments are also popular because each one made provides financial security to an individual for the future, which proves to be more than just a monetary assurance. Many people now are deciding on real estate investments, especially after the equity market volatility that has been taking place over the last few years.Whether you own or lease a Florida commercial real estate property, the associated cost of keeping one is definitely one of the most substantial operating expenses you would ever make. For that reason, it is absolutely of the essence to have a handle on the various ramifications of acquiring a property title or going into a lease contract.

For houses that need major overhaul, it may cost you a significant amount depending on the repairs required. However, this will make the resale value of your house up to 85% of the money you shelled out for the repair.Enjoy an unforgettable vacation with the entire family in beautiful Orlando – “The Vacation Capital of the World!” Orlando vacations boast beautiful weather year round, world-class theme parks, thrilling water parks, unique attractions, abundant outdoor recreation opportunities, first-class hotels, fine dining, lively nightlife, excellent shopping opportunities, championship golf courses and much more!

Statistics from the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) show lower to mid-value properties have performed better than the upper price ranges. REINZ collects, collates and supplies real estate sales data on a monthly basis to New Zealand’s real estate industry, government departments, private industry, and the media.

87 properties have sold over the last 6 months (September – February inclusive). 64% of the properties sold for less than $899,000. Of the 87 properties, 17% sold for less than $599,000, 16% sold in the $600,000 – $699,000 band, 18% sold in the $700,000 – $799,000 range, and 13% sold from $800,000 to $899,000. The average percentage (4.5%) of properties sold in the upper price ranges were disappointing. Sales prices ranged from $315,000 to $2,800,000. These statistics imply: properties on the market for less than $899,000 sell more quickly there are more buyers in the $600,000 – $899,000 range than other price bandsthere is less buyer competition for properties more than $900,000properties that sell well (less than $899,000) do not indicate properties on the market for more than $900,000 will do equally well – even if they are on the same street

Other truisms are:properties on the market for more than $900,000 cannot stay down foreverproperties in the upper price bands might represent very good value – for nowthe real estate industry moves very quickly – buyers and sellers can be caught unawares as one sector moves out of favour to be replaced by another sector enjoying its time in the sunthe winners are the buyers and sellers who decide to take advantage of the current situation – before others catch on

Applying a trend-line to the monthly moving median over the last 6 months indicates properties in the $800,000 range have performed best with 3% growth in value. All other price ranges are trending down or sideways in value. Nevertheless, there has been a sluggish 1% growth in median prices overall.

The moving median is so called because the medians are compared with each other after being calculated in each individual month. The median is calculated by ordering the data from smallest to largest before identifying the value at the mid point between the lowest to highest sales price. The trend-line is a straight line that sits as close to as many sales prices as possible.

Breaking the data down further, the trend-line over the last 3 months indicates properties in the $600,000 range have trended up with a 2% growth in sale prices; properties in the $800,000 range has improved to 4%. Again, other price ranges are either trending downwards or remaining stable.

Anecdotally, mono-clad homes sell at a significant discount compared to other similar size properties with different construction types. Owners of beautifully presented, older style homes with 3 or more bedrooms on the market for less than $899,000 have the greatest advantage.

Buyers in the post $900,000 sector will recognise a good buy by how much the purchase price has been discounted from the capital value. In some cases the discount can equal tens of thousands of dollars. The capital value is the value attributed to properties by councils to calculate the amount of rates the property owner must pay.

Remember, current buyer and seller advantages and disadvantages can turn on a dime in a fraction of time. The trick is to identify which parts of the market currently perform well and which sectors will enjoy good future prospects. Then act while you can. Before it is too late.

Tim Golder is a Real Estate Consultant with Harcourts in St Heliers, Auckland, New Zealand.

For more information see St Heliers’ Property.

This is an interesting question, and one which requires a reasonably detailed answer for certain. The short answer is – it depends. Several factors must be considered before we decide to place our money into any investment, and real estate is no different. I will start by suggesting that you put into place a system. The system should be geared around the following questions and considerations:

1. Why do you want to move your money into the U.S. real estate market? Consider this carefully. Is it because your friends are doing it, business associates, or a family member? If so, talk to them. Ask them what there experience has been and where they have invested. Have they realized a return or has there investment depreciated?

2. While we’re on depreciation – In most cases, a real estate investment should be viewed in terms of your long term investment strategy. Real estate investments were never meant to be short-term. Yes you can flip properties, and many people do, however, there is additional risk associated with these types of short-term real estate investment practices. Having said that, you may continue to see some depreciation in your investment over the next few years, but the length of time, amount of depreciation, and relative appreciation over time is dependent upon the market you choose to invest in. You should not let this be of an overwhelming concern if you are in this for the long-term.

3. One way by which you can decrease you level of deprecation is through market research. What do you want to buy? Are you considering commercial, multi-family, resort, single family, or condo? Where do you want to buy? Some markets are less expensive, but they have much more volatility. You must consider the inventory for the area you are looking to purchase, as well as the price. Markets with fewer inventories may be a bit more expensive, but their recovery time will be less and appreciation could be realized sooner.

4. EB-5 investments may also be something to consider. There are regional centers, such as ours here in Sarasota, which can provide real estate investment options that will enable you to benefit from this great program, while making a modest profit.

I strongly suggest that my clients invest in declining inventory, coastal communities like Sarasota or Manatee County, Florida. The reason for this is simple – these areas are desirable vacation and relocation destinations. Sarasota was rated as the Number One place to buy real estate recently on MSNBC. Check out the video HERE. People want to live here and there is no other predominant industry in that the area is dependent on, other than tourism. This is a good thing because the tourists continue to come here in abundance. Siesta Key Beach is the Number One Beach in the continental United States, as rated by Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman (aka Dr. Beach), Chair Professor and Director at the Laboratory for Coastal Research, Florida International University.

Let’s look at some statistics for Sarasota’s residential real estate market in February 2010:

Overall property sales in the Sarasota market were up nearly 49 percent over February 2009. The median sale price for a single family home was $150,000, up 5.6 percent over last February’s figure of $142,000.

The months of inventory for single family homes was 10.6 months far lower than the 24.1 months in February 2009. For condos, the months of inventory level was 15.4 months, far lower than the 28.4 months only a year ago. Once the market reaches the 6 month level it is considered to be in equilibrium between buyers and sellers.

Statistically, this area is showing an annual improvement in both median sales prices for single family homes, and a significant drop in inventory level. All of these conditions point to a quickly rebounding market that may be a great opportunity to invest in.

In summary, there are many considerations for the prospect of investing into a foreign real estate market, such as the U.S. However, through proper due diligence, experienced guidance and counsel, and an investment team with you – you can accomplish your goals with minimal risk and high rewards.

Ricardo ‘Ric” Ruiz del Vizo heads the United Investments Division of Coffey & Company Realty in Sarasota, Florida. He can be reached directly at (+001) 941.928.0737 or rdelvizo@gmail.com.

Ricardo “Ric” Ruiz del Vizo, SFR
Real Estate investment Couselor
United Investments Division
Coffey & Company Realty
Sarasota, Florida.

http://www.OwnSarasotaRealEstate.com

Buyers Market

Those who are currently planning to purchase a property in Chicago would need to study the recent trends in the market. Currently Chicago IL real estate is definitely a buyers market. The statistics indicate that there is a drop in the listing prices and in the sales prices which makes for great news for buyers. These figures and trends are likely to remain unchanged in the near future as the job market too is slowly picking up.

The property prices are down and the home sales are up. However, foreclosures still continue to flood the market. Buyers would need to understand what this particular trend means to them.

The Figures

In the Chicago IL real estate market, the home sales went up more than 71.6% in November, 2009 when compared to the same period in last year according to the Illinois Association of Realtors. The median home prices have fallen down by 10.1% in the last year.

The current trends in the Chicago IL real estate market show that the sales of the existing homes were low since the sellers were holding out for prices. In the city several condo developments continued to pour to the market with new buildings and properties. Thousands of homes continued to go into foreclosure or had been listed for sales at very reduced prices in order to avoid foreclosures. All of these factors contributed towards making the prices of properties fall down.

Other Influences

The other factors which influenced the market trends were the low rate of interests and the Federal Housing Tax Credit which was extended till April, 2010. However, according to several people as soon as the first signs of recovery would be evident in the real estate market, the prices would again begin to go up.

If all of these indicators are true, the sales volume and also the prices of home would rise in the near future. Because of this reason, those who are planning to purchase a property in Chicago would have to act soon. Properties can be purchased at considerable low rates at present and in the later half of this year the sellers can expect best prices for their properties and the market begins to recover. Home buyers can also expect to see a large variety of new properties entering the market this spring. This would give them better selections. The market is still a buyers market, but home owners too can finally expect to get good rates for their properties later on this year.

The market indicators and trends all point to one fact- this is the right time to purchase a property in Chicago. Since there are plenty of options available, buying a property is a possibility rather than renting. There are several different options to choose from in every single neighborhood. The selections can be varied, depending on the needs and the preferences, but there is a property for every need.

To know more about Chicago IL Real Estate and how to find your dream home in the city, please visit http://www.realestateinchicago.com/.