Americans aren’t buying homes. No, wait, they are. Or, at least, Floridians are.This back-and-forth news may have homeowners questioning where the real estate market is headed, but the latest report from the Florida Association of Realtors (FAR) shows existing home sales in the state are on the rise despite reported declines nationwide by the National Association of Realtors (NAR).
Florida Association of Realtors April report reveals a 20 percent increase in single-family existing home sales over the course of the month, with the number of home sales climbing from 9,330 homes sold in March to 11,200 sold in April. Meanwhile, National Association of Realtors reports that existing home sales have dropped to the all-time low set in January with a 1 percent decline.
"I think that’d be pretty comparable to what we’re seeing (in the Bonita Springs-Estero area)," Bonita Springs Association of Realtors President Sherry Haas said. "We’re seeing much more realistic sellers, and a lot of buyers getting off the fencepost. Real estate is local in nature, and statistics nationally can never be applied here because we have the beaches, the sun — I think we’ll always have an edge here."
Broker/owner Carla Bonten, of Carla Bonten Realty Inc., said one major reason why the Sunshine State defies the country’s average is Florida’s weather.
"We’re in paradise. That’s what everybody says," she said. "It was a long winter, and it’s still cold in several states, which makes people think of living someplace that’s warm and sunny."
Sales are still down from this time last year, however. Single-family existing home sales are down 9 percent when compared to April 2007, according to FAR.
“When it comes to interpreting how the housing market is doing, he said that people will often see what they want to see. "Perception is everything in this business, doom and gloomers always find doom and gloom. They’ve been telling me the sky is falling for the past few years, and you know what? I don’t have a single piece of sky in my hair." - Wes Brodersen Broker/Owner Exit Gulder
source: naplesnews.com
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Friday, May 30, 2008
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