Tight Home Inventory Levels Affecting Buyers & Sellers

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While more and more positive real estate news trickles in, we examine some of the direct causes of these seemingly endless, yet favorable outcomes.

Housing inventory has waned over the last year. So much so, that we have seen the amount of homes available on the national level drop by about 1.8 million units.  At a more local level, Tampa, Florida has seen a dramatic decrease of 68% in home inventory! 

So we ask, why so low? 

Well, about 22% of homeowners remain underwater with their mortgages. Sellers are usually deterred from listing their home if they have to bring cash to the table or embark on a short sale. Now that home values are finally bouncing back, both home values and the amount of sellers who owe more than their property is worth are two factors that will continue to have an impact on home inventory.

Investors are always trying to grab the best deals that produce the highest returns. This usually involves paying cash for real estate purchases. The rental market has seen an uptick in activity; so many investors are holding their real estate inventory while turning higher profit with rentals. Being that Tampa, Florida is a hot spot for international investors; we live this wave of activity daily. 

So while some sellers continue to wait until their homes value is closer to what is owed on mortgages; and a large volume of investors snatch up bank owned properties and short sales, we may continue to see housing inventory fall both in Tampa, Florida and on a national level.

One thing is for sure, the longer sellers wait, the more chance they have of mortgage rates ticking back up, which will restrict some buyers from entering the market.

Qualified buyers may choose to rent, but can warned that they may be missing the most opportune time to own a home ever!

About us:
SI Real Estate offers highly personalized, multilingual, full-spectrum real estate purchase and sales services. We are a boutique for sophisticated investors, select owners or renters who may be upgrading locally, or those making traditional relocations. We also provide turnkey landlord and tenant management. Blending comprehensive insight into the Tampa Bay area with international perspectives for a worldwide clientele, we like to think that “SI Real Estate is Global Real Estate in Every Way!” 

Comments

Unknown said…
I really think you have put together a great article. It is amazing what these springfield illinois real estate agents are willing to do. They know about such a large variety of homes on the market, so they can get you exactly what you are looking for.
March 19, 2013 at 5:34 PM
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