Tampa Homes Best Buys Blog

When ever I used to search for condos under $30k, a dozen per complex would turn up. Now I might find 3 active condos per complex. I have a few for sale on my website at www.tampahomesbestbuys.com

But prices are still falling. The tax incentive once again pushed real estate sales in our area. Some homes saw multiple bids on them as first time home buyers competed for the best deals at the end of the tax time frame. Overall prices are still falling a little, about 1%. Other areas of the country are actually showing increases in value. To get the latest value of your home, go to www.tampahomesvalues.com

Builders are returning to Florida. They are hiring workers and placing options on lots in subdivisions. There is actually a shortage of homes starting in some areas.
Who’s buying now? Mostly first time homeowners. Who’s not buying? Investors–those that drove the scorching hot market of 2005-2006. Many of them have lost the homes through foreclosures or short sales.
If you are looking for a great deal, contact me to see some homes today! Janet Montano 813-956-3563

I had my first investor/second home condo buying tour last weekend. It had a good response. Beachwalk condos represent a good value and cash flow position now. They originally sold for $200k to $286k, now they are $40k to $90K. The higher end of the price range has a bay view.
According to USA Today, investors are buying around the country now. And most are buying with cash.
Tampa home sales are up again for Feb 2010 over Feb 2009. The tax credits are helping to stabilize prices.

We just had the best October since 2005 in the Tampa Area. Buyers are scooping up homes to use their $8,000 tax credit.

You now have time to finish up a short sale purchase. I have dozens available for you to choose from. Pres. Obama extended it until April 30th.

Now that the holidays are approaching and the first time home buyers’ tax credit time frame is running out, it’s time for real estate investors to start looking for deals.   Investors have been competing with first time home buyers all year long.  November and December will be good times for investors to get a deal.  Call me if you would like a list of foreclosures in Tampa.  I have an updated list daily.  I also have some large apt. complexes that are short sales and foreclosures.  Two large complexes are in receivership by the banks.  They are in good areas and have a very low price per door.  Janet Montano, Remax ACR Elite 813-956-3563

I’ve noticed the last few weeks that the stats are picking up in the luxury home market.  As consumer confidence improves and people feel more secure about their jobs, the buyers who have been waiting for the market to bottom out are coming out to look at property.   There are some awesome homes for sale in the $1 million+ price range that are priced to sell.  You’d be amazed at what your dollar buys right now.

Tampa’s latest home pricing reports show inventory dropped way down, so now we have 8 months in a row of reduced inventory and for the 1^st time since August of 2006 we are in single digit number of months of inventory (8.76 months).    This means that homes priced fairly will sell in a fairly short amount of time.  Also, June was the 2^nd month in a row of increased average list and sales price (jumping over $10,000 from May).     Soon appraisers will not have to calculate  negative â��Timing Adjustmentsâ��  because when the inventory is going down and the prices are going up,  we are Not Declining any more!!!! �
Here are 3 reasons to buy now:
1.  Low, low prices
2.  Low, low interest rates  (Some of us old broads remember 18% interest rates in 1980, yes I was in real estate then.)
3.  $8,000 from the government right now for buying your first home.  You can amend your 2008 taxes and get a refund.  Use the money to fix up a foreclosure.
I’m a Bank REO listing agent and have lots of homes for you to choose from.�
The closer it gets to the November 30th deadline, the less the selection will be.  Plus you need at least 30 to 45 days to get a new loan anyway.
I hope you call me soon, before you miss out!  813-956-3563
Janet Montano, REmax ACR Group  www.TampaHomesBestBuys.com

photo credit: LancerEI know most people think it’s a buyer’s market, but the market in Tampa is changing again.  Houses under $150k are moving quickly.  Homes over $400k are even moving if they are priced right for the number of square feet.
I have an appointment to show houses on Monday to some great buyers in the $400k price range and 3 out of 5 of the homes they selected had contracts written on them in the last 2 days!
A bank REO listing I got last month for $103K got 12 contracts on it in 3 days.  I scheduled an open house for it 2 days after I listed it and buyers were waiting for me to get there.  I haven’t seen that for 3 years.
If you are thinking about buying your first house and are still waiting to start looking, you may miss the boat.  The closer we get to the November 30th cut off date for the $8,000 tax credit, the less affordable inventory that will be available.