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Earlier today we went to Countryside Mall. One of the fixtures of this mall is a year-round skating rink which is a plus for those interested in skating and/or in ice hockey:

Rink at Countryside Mall

Countryside Mall, operated by Westfield, boasts an impressive skating rink that offers skate lessons, hockey lessons, figure skating, and Precision Drill Teams. The skating school of operated by the Tampa Bay Skating Academy

It’s operated year-round which is amazing considering that it’s in Florida.

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Here are just a few homes that recently sold in the last seven days in Clearwater, Florida so while local and national media are inaccurately portraying the housing market as though no one is buying… there are actually people buying. This is some of the homes that have sold in Clearwater in the last seven days:

1804 SYLVAN DR
1914 BETTY LN
1024 Apache Trl
1655 Highland Ave S # B-113
15132 GEORGE BLVD
2650 Countryside Blvd # 105
2454 Australia Way E # 48
2141 Alemanda Dr
2431 Franciscan Dr # 61 On
2739 Via Capri Dr # #1014
2980 HAINES BAYSHORE RD # 149
407 Dora Dr
1844 Springtime Ave
2072 Australia Way # 16
1602 Virginia Ln W
1355 Jeffords St
484 1237 Druid Rd E
1926 Albany Dr
1427 Duncan ave S
1686 Woodridge Dr

Copyright 2002-2009 GTAR, PSAR, & WPBR. All rights reserved. Information is believed to be accurate, but should not be relied upon without verification. Prepared by: Lana Robbins, GRI

Meanwhile it is a sunny day in Tampa Bay.

Until next time.

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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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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 was not surprised to read that existing home sales are up.

According to the National Association of Realtors ®, sales of existing homes grew 5.1 percent to an annual rate of 4.72 million last month, from 4.49 million units in January:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29836196

Out in the field, this has been my experience. With prices at one of its most affordable levels more buyers are buying. I have seen more younger people get into the home market. I have also been working with families relocating to the area. It is a great time to buy in Tampa Bay.

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According to Bank Rate.com’s national survey of large lenders, the 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage fell 4 basis points, to 5.37 percent.

One year ago, the mortgage index was 6.39 percent.

http://www.bankrate.com/gookeyword/static/mortgage-analysis.asp

This shows that while some people are waiting for a time to buy… this is one of the best times to buy in the Tampa Bay area. One of the buyers that recently closed on a home actually received a 4.87% APR so if you are looking to buy in the Tampa Bay area shop around and compare.

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Once in awhile we post some snapshots of Tampa Bay for those looking to relocate and/or buy a condo or single family home in the Tampa Bay, Florida area. Here are some of our latest snapshots of Tampa areas:

A glimpse of Westlake Mall

Another glimpse of Westlake Mall in Tampa

Glimpse of HIghway 60 bridge which hooks Clearwater and Tampa