Tampa Real Estate Market View – 8/25/2009 – Home Price Index

This morning the S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Index has been released.  The % decline in the 20 city compsite continued to -15.4%, however this was less of a decline than the 1st qtr of 2009 at (-19.1%).  The consensus forecast was anticipated at -16.40%.  Today’s data reflects a 5th consecutive month of improving decline.  As for the Tampa home market, prices increasesd slightly from May to June at .4% from a flat (no change) from April to May.   The year-over-year change for homes in Tampa price declines came in at a negative (-19.5%) which was better than the negative (-20.8%) we saw the prior month.

Based on the aforementioned data we want to reiterate our recommendations for Buyers/Sellers from last month

Sellers

For those of you waiting to sell your existing property or have your property still on the market hoping for Prices to rebound quickly, you have a long way to go.  These current numbers while not indicative of all area in the country or Tampa for that matter, does give a solid view of where home prices really are (down).  We suggest if you have to sell, then price it right and if you are already in the market with no sale, it is probably due to price.  In this market, at this point in time the adage needs to be ”Reduce It to Move It”. 

Buyers

For those buyers still on the fence waiting for prices to decrease further, it is not likely.  If anything you are not only missing the boat from a low price standpoint, but interest rates don’t look seem to be moving much lower either

Tampa Real Estate Market – Home Foreclosures July 09

Tampa Home Foreclosures

As the real estate market continues to slowly move along the # of foreclosures have not abated yet.  According to RealtyTrac 1 in every 9,104 housing units in Florida received a foreclosure filing in July 2009.  Additionally, there are over 1,818 foreclosure properties in Tampa or 1 in every 184 housing units.  The numbers by zip code are as follows

Tampa Homes in Zip Code 33606 – 40 foreclosure properties and 1 in every 239 tampa homes

Tampa Homes in Zip Code 33629 – 29 foreclosure properties and 1 in every 463 homes

Tampa Homes in Zip Code 33609 – 69 foreclosure properties and 1 in every 137 homes

Tampa Homes in Zip Code 33611 – 81 foreclosure properties and 1 in every 230 tampa homes

Tampa Homes in Zip Code 33616 – 18 foreclosure properties and 1 in every 353 tampa homes

Tampa Homes in Zip Code 33602 – 64 foreclosure properties and 1 in every 74 tampa homes

For more detailed information on Tampa Homes foreclosures and how to purchase them contact us today.

Tampa Real Estate Market View 7/9/2009 – Citizens Home Rate Increase 2010

Well it looks like those of us with Citizens Property Insurance in the South Florida area might see up to a 10% increase in rates, while at the same time those individuals in other counties might actually see a decrease.

Citizens Insurance Board approved on a 5 to 3 vote a 10% increase in rates for many of its customers.  While Citizens has kept rates frozen over the last three year, they were allowed by the Florida legislature to increase rates up to a cap of 10% in 2010.

Real Estate Market View 5/28/2009 – Florida Home Trend

A small trend is forming in existing home sales in Florida.  We have reached the eighth consecutive month where sales activity have increased year over year.  In April we saw the following for Florida

Existing Single Family Home Sales 18% increase (yoy)

Existing Condo Sales 21% increase (yoy)

On the alternative side we continue to see a decrease in sales price for existing single family homes with a 31% decrease (yoy) and condos prices a 41% decrease (yoy)

On the National front the pace of sales for existing single family homes creeped up slightly in April from March by 2.9%.  However, as has been the case, prices continue to drop nationally as well, with latest S&P/Case-Shiller Index showing home prices dropping 18.7% in March.  While this number is still negative it is slightly slowing from prior months.

In summary the best measurement at this point is inventory on the market.  The more we can reduce the inventory on-hand the quicker we should see a substantial and sustainable recovery.

On a side not 30 year fixed rate loans are beginning to slightly creep back up from their historic lows.

As mentioned in prior posting the bottom in the market is and the time to buy is now!

Daily Market Sip 4/28/2009

The Florida Senate is considering joint resolution Bill # 532 related to among other things the reduction in the maximum increase in tax assessment for commerical or residential rental property to no more than 5% or the average annual percentage growth in revenue derived from the property for the preceding 3 years.

This would be a huge benefit and catalyst to getting the real estate market moving again.  The Florida House has passed the bill and now the Senate is in final debate.  Here is a link to the Bill currently in the Senate.

Florida Senate