Real Estate in Northeast Florida and Around the World

I know that I am not alone when I am amazed at how quickly the calendar rolls to a new month.  It seems that just yesterday we were celebrating the New Year, and here it is, April already. 

It hit me the hardest when I realized that my youngest son is almost finished with his first year in college.  How did that happen?  And yes, it also hit me when I noticed many of my neighbors have their spring flowers planted - and I still have weeds to pull.  Usually I have my yard prepped and ready to go by April 1.  This year, between my continuing education classes and the recent surge of buyers to the market, that prep work has come and gone.

Buyers are back in the market, and investors are right there with them.  Northeast Florida's inventory is ripe for the picking, and there are many smart shoppers out there who have realized that if they want the best of the litter, at the best price, now is the time to be doing their shopping.  Economists are saying the economy will begin to recover during the second half of 2009.  Guess what has to happen during the first half to get that recovery going?  You guessed it - a return of the housing market - and that return appears to be making an appearance in Northeast Florida.

Don't wait - Spring is happening now - and it's a great time to SPRING into YOUR NEW HOME!

Interestingly enough, the more channels that are added for our "viewing pleasure", the lesser the quality becomes.  I find that each year I am watching less TV than the year before, and spending more time researching information that interests me, looking for "facts" over "conjecture".  My estimation is that 90% of what is being "reported" is conjecture, based on 10% of researched, hard to dispute facts.

I remember only having 3 news sources on TV, and they all pretty much agreed on the information that was being presented.  I remember only having to focus on one media at a time for getting the news.  I remember reading the newspaper in the morning and taking more than 20 minutes to do so.  Maybe diversity in reporting the news is a good thing, but so far I just see it has lead to a lot of oversensationalizing of information that some people claim to be news.  And it never seems to be the good news.  Or if it is good news, there is about 1 minute of the good, 20 minutes of negative news, and 9 minutes of commercials.

It seems nowadays, we are forced to listen to the person on TV, watch the graphics being shown to give the "visual" of what is being said, as well as keep up with the crawler (or multiple crawlers) of information streaming at the bottom of the TV screen.  All this, while we are checking multiple e-mail accounts, text messages, "Tweets", instant messages and oh yes, talking on the phone, while we browse the internet on the laptop - searching for "more information".  I also find that people who are talking on the "news shows", really are not journalists - they are entertainers who because there is a news show logo at the bottom of the screen, the viewers believe to be journalists.  Huh.  What did they journal, exactly?  What do they have at stake for what they are saying?  Not much, except that if they yell the loudest, look the prettiest, portray to be the most arrogant or pronounce words the most eloquently, they get high ratings which in turn equals more dollars.  Forget the quality of the information being said.  As long as they say "sources at so and so" or that some other "news" agency said it first, they are off the hook.  Listen closely.  Most of what is being said in the media today is retread news.  One news agency puts it out, then 37 others report on it and all of a sudden it is the latest scandal.  But it only happened once, and it really wasn't a big deal.  Until the networks made it one.  Enter the drama to the News, and now it has become "Entertainment".  No thanks, I'll pass.

I've learned to turn off the TV, unless there's some old movie, classic TV show or documentary that really has ranked a high entertainment value with me.  I read only a few sections of my local newspaper that I find are worthy of my attention, and seek out information through my own sources that I have found to be dependable through time. 

What does this have to do with Real Estate?  Ask most any professional full-time real estate agent, and they will tell you that what is actually going on in the market isn't nearly as dramatic as the news makes it out to be.  Here in Northeast Florida, our market is full of inventory, but we have lots of buyers who are qualifying for financing - and yes, they even have credit scores less than 700.  And they have down payments of less than 20%. And the inventory levels are dropping, and the houses that are in good shape, nicely appointed, priced right and can close in a reasonable timeframe are selling.  So -if you are hesitating buying a house, or selling your house, because of what you hear in the media - then you need to talk to a Realtor to get the facts, the truth and no drama.  I'm hear to help clear the wheat from the chaf - so just let me know what your questions are!

Wow, the infamous date of April 15 has come and gone - and no doubt your wallet feels it.  This is why every day I look for opportunities to tell my customers about a couple of big incentives to be taken advantage of this year. 

There are tax credits available for installing energy efficient items in your home - from hot water heaters to heating and cooling systems.  If you think you are going to be investing in updates to either your current home or investment property in the next couple of years, you should consider taking care of these items and getting a little money back in your pocket at the same time.  Here is more information:

Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency are eligible for:

• Windows and doors
• Insulation
• Roofs (Metal and Asphalt)
• HVAC
• Water Heaters
• And more!

More information on these tax credits can be found here

In addition to these credits - the first-time homebuyer credit of up to $8,000 is a never-before-seen event.  If you are a first-time homebuyer - or have not owned a home as your primary residence in the last 3 years, why are you not taking advantange of this?  For more information, see the "Stimulus Bill" link at the right side menu bar on my website, or contact me for more information.  $8,000 will buy the furniture for the house, maybe pay off the car, or take care of some of those student loans.  Whatever the need, if you do not close on that home by December 1 of this year, you will have lost out!  Why put the money in the government's pocket - when it can be in your pocket instead!