SI Real Estate Tampa and The Beaches

International consumers have always played a vital role in American economy. Today, more than ever, internationals from neighboring and distant countries are contributing to our real estate recovery both on a local and national level. Individuals from a variety of countries have homeownership increasing to around 36% from 2000 to 2010 and by 2020, it is expected that 50% of all home buying will be fueled by international home buyers. If those numbers don’t seem significant, consider 100 billion worth in mortgage loans! Florida is a “gate way” state in which many internationals choose to invest. Our close proximity to Mexico and other Caribbean countries makes it attractive for those desiring the “American Dream”. Many foreigners find our Florida market so attractive because of favorable exchange rates and similar climates. Our Canadian neighbors to the north are streaming into states like Illinois, New York and New Jersey at rates we haven’t seen in quite a long time. Californ

Recent data released by Florida Realtors Association indicates that the Florida housing report for Q1 was quite favorable. In fact, sales, pending sales, median prices, and closings all saw increases! Single family homes, townhomes, and condo properties experienced increases in median sales price, which is the 15th consecutive month we have seen such an increase in Florida! All of this real estate activity continues while housing inventory and mortgage rates remain extremely low. Home buyers are feeling the constraints of the low levels of inventory, especially in the new home purchase arena. Prices continue to climb, some on a month-to-month basis and others less frequently. The median days on the market for a home to sell has dipped down to only 57 days for single-family homes and 61 days for townhomes / condo properties. At least 50% of the homes in Florida re selling in less than 2 months, GREAT NEWS! Closed property sales, typically 30-90 days after buyers and sellers go t