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