2011 A Real Estate Year to Remember

Many of us in the industry have been telling people about the current opportunities in the market.  Market conditions continue to improve.

What is happening:

1) Inventory is finally starting to shrink

2) Desirable properties are getting multiple offers pusing offers off the bottom.

3) Interest rates are still at historic lows

4) The wild card is our economy which continues to show signs of life.

5) Rental Homes inventory is extremely low in key South Tampa areas.

Dont just take me word, and dont miss out on this historic set of events that have made this the time to buy.

Check this out:

Demand for Housing Will Increase in 2011

Steve Armstrong, Realtor Certifying Agent, Florida Green Builders Coalition Smith and Associates Real Estate http://www.UniqueTampaHomes.com

Green Tax Savings Running out

I expected many of these tax incentives to be renewed....Just in case, here is a great article that outlines some things you may want to consider before the end of the year.

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/HomebuyingGuide/weston-get-energy-tax-breaks-while-you-can.aspx

Steve Armstrong, Realtor Certifying Agent, Florida Green Builders Coalition Smith & Associates Real Estate http://www.UniqueTampaHomes.com

Tampa Real Estate market is changing

After reading Stephanie Streeter's blog on the Smith Web Site about a recent example of how the real estate market continues to evolve, I too have stared to see a trend in investors looking for deals.   I even have a collection of buyers still waiting for that special home and wanting something of quality at a reasonable price.

 One of our latest listings was a burned out house had more interest than any other property that we have listed.

While the condo market shows little less promise, single family homes show great opportunity.  Mortgage rates are even lower now than they were during the First Time Home Buyer incentives making homes an even better deal.

I have even gotten the bug this summer and bought a vacation home in the North Carolina Mountains....

Steve Armstrong, Realtor Certifying Agent, Florida Green Builders Coalition Smith & Associates Real Estate http://www.UniqueTampaHomes.com

Oil Disaster = Better Beachfront deals in Bay Area?

As someone who is very concerned about our environment, I am deeply saddened by the BP Oil Disaster. Even though we have not seen any oil here, all of the new hype has started taking their effects on people who rent beachfront properties. "the Unknown" appears to be a reason to consider other options instead of locking in that regular beachfront local.

At the same time, for long term investors, this might be a great opportunity to get an incredible deal on beachfront property with historic low prices.

This article highlights the hype and the opportunity:

http://www.tampabay.com/news/courts/civil/clearwater-couple-sues-bp-claim-spill-de-valued-their-home/1101844


Steve Armstrong, Realtor, GRI, Certifying Agent, Florida Green Builders Coalition Smith & Associates Real Estate http://www.UniqueTampaHomes.com

Flood Insurance Challenges

For those of you buying homes in the flood zone for the next several weeks, there may be some challenges.

Congress has not extended the National Flood Insurance Program that allows new policies for flood insurance to be issued. This could be a large challenge with lenders on waterfront property.

Contact your politicians to identify this as challenge for home values and our coastal way of life. A lapse in the program doesn't help instill the ststability that we need.

Thanks,


Steve Armstrong, Realtor GRI Certifying Agent, Florida Green Builders Coalition Smith & Associates Real Estate http://www.UniqueTampaHomes.com

First Time Home Buyer goes into 2011 for Military Buyers

Just in case you were not following:

For those Active Military Buyers who qualify for the first time home buyer credit of $7500.00 is still live and active until April 2011.

Active Military individuals can still take avantage of a great buyers market.

Steve Armstrong, Realtor Certifying Agent, Florida Green Builders Coalition Smith & Associates Real Estate http://www.UniqueTampaHomes.com

Florida Open House April 10th and 11th

If you are in the market for a house in Florida. Here is a great opportunity to preview what is out there. For a Tampa Bay list of Open Houses, please visit here;

http://uniquetampahomes.smithandassociates.com/open_houses/




Steve Armstrong, Realtor
Certifying Agent, Florida Green Builders Coalition
Smith & Associates Real Estate
http://www.UniqueTampaHomes.com