Sarasota-Bradenton home prices hit a recession low in February 2009. Charlotte County-North Port prices hit their low a month later. But this summer’s price declines, including a double-digit July drop reported Tuesday, have market watchers wondering whether the worst is really over. Continue reading ‘Price swoon reignites regional housing debate’
Archive for the 'News' Category
August 16, 2010 - This Week’s Topics:
Freddie Mac Looking for $1.8B More in Aid
Treasury Announces Who’s On the Guest List
Mortgage Rates Hit New Low Again
“Buy and Bail” Homeowners Get Around Loan Restrictions
New Rule May Ban GSEs from Investing in Mortgages with Transfer Fees
The Ideal Home is Shrinking
6 Key Emotions That Drive Behavior Continue reading ‘Real Estate, Hot Topics; August 16th, 2010′
Last Wednesday the National Association of Realtors reported the median price of existing single-family homes UP for Q2 in two thirds of U.S. metropolitan areas, or100 markets. This compares with only 26 markets with price gains in the same quarter a year ago. Experts say these figures show the federal tax credits helped stabilize home prices in the first half of the year. Nationally, the median price for single-family homes increased to $176,900 in Q2, UP 1.5% from a year ago. Continue reading ‘Real Estate Week in Review, August 16, 2010′
WASHINGTON – Aug. 6, 2010 – Mortgage rates dropped to the lowest level in decades for the sixth time in seven weeks, offering the most attractive opportunity for those who qualify to refinance or purchase a home.
Government-controlled mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday that the average rate for 30-year fixed loans this week was 4.49 percent, down from 4.54 percent last week. That’s the lowest since Freddie Mac began tracking rates in 1971. Continue reading ‘Mortgage rates hit low of 4.49%’
MIAMI – Aug. 6, 2010 – In June, Sean Snaith ran the numbers and concluded the Gulf oil crisis might cost Florida’s economy $11 billion. This week, the University of Central Florida economist dialed back that nightmare scenario and says the damage will probably be about 80 percent less. Continue reading ‘Capping of well brightens economic outlook for Florida’
INFO THAT HITS US WHERE WE LIVE
Last week began nicely with June New Home Sales UP 23.6% to an annual rate of 330,000, well ahead of expectations. This was a sharp rebound from May when New Home Sales sank to record lows not seen since 1963. This volatility of course is all about the homebuyer tax credit (requiring a contract by April 30 and a closing by June 30, now extended to September 30). Consequently, new homes sold at a 422,000 pace in April, fell to a 267,000 pace in May, then went to 330,000 in June. Continue reading ‘Real Estate Week in Review, July 26, 2010′
OVERVIEW ~ July 12 through 16 ~ The optimism that pushed the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) higher through Thursday, July 15, lost whatever power it had by Friday, July 16, when it fell more than 266 points to 10097.90. Continue reading ‘Real Estate Week in Review, July 12′
Tampa home values have fallen 10% over the year. Low interest rates and lower prices are in the news. The time to buy is now, the questions are about your timeframe, interests and goals.
Continue reading ‘Tampa home values have fallen 10% over the year’
At 9am Tuesday morning the Manatee County EDC is proposing a tax on local businesses - this means all of you that operate as an LLC, PA or otherwise act as an independent contractor (1099) - will be now taxed by the EDC. As it stands now the tax will be $35/year but, as you can imagine, once an avenue for taxation is in place governments tend to abuse it.
Here is the release: http://www.manateeedc.com/NewsPDF.aspx?ID=82.
I am attending the meeting to voice my concern and to listen to the argument. I will pass on what I learn.
You can make you own voice heard by contacting the EDC at 748-3411 or info@manateeEDC.com.
WASHINGTON (AP) – Citigroup Inc. plans to let homeowners on the verge of foreclosure stay in their homes for six months — if they turn over the deed to their property.
Citi said Thursday it is launching the pilot program, dubbed “Foreclosure Alternatives,” this week in Texas, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey and Ohio. Initially, about 1,000 homeowners are expected to participate. Citi may expand the program nationwide. Continue reading ‘Citigroup (Citibank) Foreclosure Alternatives’
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