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Who says that people are not buying homes?

As you can see in the graphs below there are many homes for sale. Unfortunately local and national media outlets are not down in the trenches yet somehow feel as though they “know” the heartbeat of the housing market. Despite some of their inaccurate reporting which make it seem as though no one is buying… people are still buying in the Tampa Bay area.

For the month of April 2009 2,527 homes were sold in the Tampa Bay, Florida areas of Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas Counties while 4,274 homes were under contract:

This is a significant increase compared to February when 1,954 homes were sold and 3,307 homes were placed under contract:

As you can see… people are buying which is no surprise.  Despite some biased local and national media, people have to live somewhere so they either buy… or they rent. For the last month there has been an increase though the local and national media seem to inaccurately portray the housing market as a crumbling one. As you can see… locally the numbers clearly show otherwise.

*All reports are published May 2009, based on data available at the end of April 2008.
All reports presented are based on data supplied by the Tampa Florida Association of Realtors, Mid Florida Association of Realtors, Southeast Florida Association of Realtors, Regional MLS, County Association of Realtors, Sarasota Association of Realtors, Englewood Association of Realtors, Manatee Association of Realtors, Venice Association of Realtors or their MLSs. Neither the Associations nor their MLSs guarantee or are in anyway responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by the Associations or their MLS COPYRIGHT© TRENDGRAPHIX, Inc

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We are not surprised that in a recent survey first-time home buyers are optimistic considering affordable housing prices and a decreasing 30-year fixed mortgage rate make for an ideal time to buy.

More than three-quarters (78%) of potential first-time home buyers say that now is a good time to buy a home, despite widespread concern about the economy. Out of the 1,000 prospective U.S. first-time home buyers surveyed in early March for the CENTURY 21 First-Time Home Buyer Survey, 68% think now is a better time to buy than six months ago.

You can read it for yourself here:

http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20090326005100&newsLang=en

This shows us that these first-time home buyers who were surveyed online (note their methodology on the bottom of the statistics) are noting significant factors that make this an ideal time to buy. In our experience this is typical. When the housing market “corrects” it is typically an advantage to first-time home buyers like how it is now.

So if you are looking to buy you may want to consider buying during this housing market correction.

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According to the Mortgage Bankers Association, as mortgage rates fall, mortgage applications are jumping up.

For the second straight week, mortgage applications rose significantly in response to the government’s efforts to stabilize housing and the economy.

The Mortgage Bankers Association’s week index reached 1159.4, an increase of 32.2 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis from 876.9 the previous week. On an unadjusted basis, the index rose 31.4 percent and was up 18 percent compared with the same week a year ago.

The refinance index increased 41.5 percent, while the purchase index rose 4.2 percent. Overall, the refinance share of mortgage activity hit 78.5 percent, up from 72.9 the previous week.

“Mortgage rates fell sharply to low levels not seen in six decades following the Federal Reserve’s announcement on the Treasury bond and mortgage-backed securities purchase programs. The drop offered a sizable refinance incentive for most homeowners sparking a pickup in refinance activity,” said Orawin Velz, Associate Vice President of Economic Forecasting.

Mortgage rates continued to decline:

• 30-year fixed-rate mortgages decreased to 4.63 percent from 4.89 percent.
• 15-year fixed-rate mortgages decreased to 4.48 percent from 4.52 percent.
• 1-year ARMs increased to 6.22 percent.

If you are looking to buy in the Tampa Bay area, then this is one of those peak times to buy. We call this a “High Affordability Index.”

If you have questions or comments please don’t hesitate to leave a comment, call us, or email us. We seek to work collaberatively with home buyers in the Tampa Bay, Florida area in order to fulfill *your* home buying dreams. We walk with you every step of the way.

Until next time.

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On March 19, 2009, the Obama Administration unveiled its new website on its Making Home Affordable Program:

http://makinghomeaffordable.gov

As reported in recent Washington Reports, the program has two main components: (1) refinancing of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans for borrowers who are current and have loan-to-value ratios of 80%-105%, and (2) loan modification for borrowers in default or at imminent risk of default who have high debt-to-income ratios and mortgages with balances up to $729,750.

The new website is designed to make information about eligibility, free counselors, and other program details readily available. It also includes links that let borrowers learn whether they have a Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac loan. These programs are key elements to help some people buy a home.

If you would like more information please check out their website or contact us for more information.

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I found it refreshing that in a latest report that construction of new homes jumped 22% in February. Despite the forecasts, housing actually rose to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 583,000 last month, up 22% from a revised 477,000 in January. This all according to the Commerce Department. It was the first time housing starts increased since June, when they rose 11%:

http://money.cnn.com/2009/03/17/real_estate/housing_starts/index.htm?postversion=2009031709

Of course this is good news for Tampa Bay home buyers as well as for those beyond because it shows that housing is still growing despite the dismal predictions.

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There is so much useful information online to help you in the home buying process. Lately I have noticed two sites:

1. http://cgi.money.cnn.com/tools/mortgagecalc/

This site has a free online calculator which can be used to show an approximation of how much your mortgage payments will be.

2. http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/money101/lesson8/

This list shows some things you should know when buying a home. Notice #6 Get professional help:

Even though the Internet gives buyers unprecedented access to home listings, most new buyers (and many more experienced ones) are better off using a professional agent. Look for an exclusive buyer agent, if possible, who will have your interests at heart and can help you with strategies during the bidding process.

 

We agree. Depending on your location/state you are better off with an exclusive buyer agent. In Florida when finding a real estate agent we suggest that you look for a realtor ® because they are required to follow a very strict Code of Ethics and we suggest that you have one working exclusively in your best interest.

If you would like to know more about how you can do this or exactly what to do please contact us and we will help you through this process.

* Please note that this blog does not serve as a binding contract. However we try to help those who read our blog and those looking to buy in the Tampa Bay area who have found our blog while surfing on the Internet.

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There are many festivals this spring in the Tampa Bay area.

Next weekend more than 7,000 spectators are expected to flock into downtown Palm Harbor for TNT Events’ second Springs Arts and Crafts Show.

This will be their second edition of the event. It has taken the place of a series of art another vendor presented in the community’s downtown historic district over the years.

Inverness-based TNT Events will present the arts and crafts show along Florida Avenue between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. next Saturday and Sunday, March 21 and 22. The street will be closed to vehicle traffic during the event.

http://suncoastpinellas.tbo.com/content/2009/mar/14/pi-art-show-expected-to-attract-thousands/news/

Of course the following week is the Chasco Festival in downtown New Port Richey, Florida:

http://www.chascofiesta.com/Calendar

There are so many things to do in Florida.