...some "good" real estate news in the press. By good, in this case, I mean any article that is not all doom and gloom and indicates that there is light at the end of the tunnel just maybe we're beginning to see it now. At least in southwest Florida - Naples, Bonita Springs, Estero, Fort Myers, and Cape Coral...
Two articles, one on the front page of the News-Press Local 7 State section with headlines above the fold and the other in the Bonita Daily News on the front page also above the fold tell essentially the same story.
The story...there is a lot more activity in the real estate market since the 1st of the year with February and March being particularly busy. I can attest to this based on my own experience as a Realtor. Somewhat unique for southwest Florida is 1) it is the season that we have the most visitors from the north, 2) the weather in the north has been, well, pretty bad, 3) the word is spreading that there are very good bargains to be had. The market below $300,000 is perhaps the busiest or the segment with the most interest. This is likely for two reasons: 1) for those looking for a second seasonal home it's now affordable and you can buy at lot with $300,000 and less and, 2) it's will be a stepping stone and gets you into the market so when values rise in a couple fo years and you want something different you will have benefited with your purchase today.
There is even some impulse buying going on with an example the Bonita Daily News. Impulse buying! We haven't heard that in a long while.
I can tell, also, because my website has been lighting up all week and folks are sending me e-mail with their phone numbers. Many of the numbers are "up north" and when I call find them here in SW FL driving around looking at properties.
Most importantly though, the activity is translating into contracts and new pending homes sales. The numbers are up, and that's the fact.
At this point, we still have a strong inventory and prices are still low. But, the buyers are here...
If you are interested in pre-foreclosures and short sales please click here and following the red button.
Bob Pisa, Realtor
www.BobPisa.com
239 898.6865
