SI Real Estate Tampa and The Beaches

So far, 2014 has been very positive for the housing market and for the overall economy. Steady increases in home prices and home sales are indicating a continuous trend of strong buyer and seller confidence. The outlook towards real estate is improving quarter by quarter and we are expecting it to stay this way for the upcoming months and years. According to Fannie Mae’s April 2014 National Survey, “for the third month straight, the share of respond ents who believe now is a good time to sell a home increased and hit 42%, an all-time survey high.” One of the other factors feeding the economic upturn is the low mortgage delinquency rate. TransUnion’s latest mortgage report states that in the first quarter of 2014, the rate fell to 3.61% which is a 24% decrease in comparison to last year, and it is now exactly at the same level as it was in the second quarter of 2008. It’s encouraging to see mortgage delinquencies drop once again, especially during a period when mortgage origin...

The 21 st century revolutionized the way we are living and everything around us and the Real Estate industry is not an exception. With introducing new ways of communicating with clients, auctioning properties online, marketing listings on the internet, and in some cases even working with customers living in other countries and purchasing properties they have never seen in real life, the Real Estate professionals had to adjust in order to stay successful. Here at SI Real Estate, we have managed to develop the perfect set of marketing efforts which enabled us to stay strong during the financial crisis and even evolve in a more successful entity during the recent years of the market recovery here in the greater Tampa Bay area. The year 2013 has been our most successful year ever and we are excited to see what the upcoming years will bring.  However, with all great achievements and growth which we have experienced as a company, we have never forgotten about the group o...

The year 2013 has been a very positive year when it comes to the recovery of the housing market. We have followed the rising prices of homes, increase in newly build constructions sold,   homebuilders regaining trust and increasing the inventory, and we also witnessed people who went through a bankruptcy rejoining the housing market after rebuilding their credit. It is obvious that we still have work to do in order to reach the country’s potential but analysts agree on the fact that we are heading towards a bright future. According to David Crowe, chief economist for National Association of Home Builders, “the cards are in play for a decent and fairly strong recovery in 2014 and particularly in 2015.” What does this mean for people who have real estate needs but are not sure if it is the right time to enter the housing market? With a better inventory and more options on the market and with stricter but also more secured mortgage loans, the customers will realize that the ...

Since 2009, existing home sales have never been so high. July 2013 recorded and increase of 6.5% in comparison to June of the same year. A seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.06 million in June went up to 5.39 million in the month of July. This indicates a double-digit year-over-year increase in the real estate market. The median price for existing homes was $213,500 in July which was 13.7 % more than in the previous year at the same time. Also, 15% of the July sales were distressed homes foreclosures and short sales which indicated the lowest share since October 2008.   “The size of the increase was a surprise,” given the number of people applying for mortgages has dropped sharply since rates began to rise in early June, said Patrick Newport , an economist at IHS Global Insight. The increasing mortgage rates also play a big role in this.   According the Freddie Mac , “fixed-rate mortgage rose to 4.37% in July from 4.07% in June; being the highest since July 2011. ...

In today’s real estate market, we are seeing more and more home buyers come forward in part from the low mortgage rates and increasing job stability.   The demand for home ownership continues to increase.   An increase in home prices is expected to continue throughout this year while our property inventory continues to be at an extremely low level.   Prices of homes in the U.S. rose by more than 12% since May 2012, which is the highest increase that the real estate market has seen in over seven years.   For most, this appears that the market is continuing to gain strength.   It is prudent to understand what impact home prices and interest rates have in the long run and how they may affect the rapid recovery of our real estate market in our Tampa Bay area.   Potential effects of recent mortgage rate changes may include a slight reduction in borrowing power of buyers.     However, it is possible that the rising rates could spark ...

In today’s real estate market many industry professionals are dealing with the lowest level of housing inventory in many years to show their ready and anxious home buyers. On both a national level and locally in Tampa Bay, we have experienced the effects of the dwindling inventory as it relates to real estate options. We are frequently encountering multiple offer scenarios and bidding wars between buyers and sellers requesting highest and best offer.  New home construction is gaining tremendous momentum and offers home buyers enormous options and appeal. Various areas of Tampa, Florida are on the right side of this opportunity.  We have always enjoyed the benefits of newly developing communities, new home starts, and luxury of turning to new homes as viable options for our home buyers. The U.S. census reported that about 36.5 million people moved into a new home in 2012! The demand for homes in Tampa, Florida is clearly up and mounting. Last year concluded on a high...

In many cities across the nation, and especially here in Tampa, Florida, we have seen a dramatic increase in multiple offer scenarios in our real estate market. This is of course a seller’s dream and somewhat of a “price is right” guessing game for home buyers and their real estate agents. However, this shouldn’t be viewed as a negative occurrence for either side of the transaction. For sellers, having the option to consider multiple offers at various price points had been a thing of the past. This year, it is finally becoming more and more prevalent in our real estate market. An article published by Inman News identifies that most cities that are in real estate recovery (or beyond!), like Tampa, are seeing bidding wars on homes prices in all price ranges. This has nothing whatsoever to do with distressed homes. Other advantages of multiple offers for sellers include: generally quicker sales, less home disruption due to showings, and a “safety net” for the seller is created in cas...

Buying a new home can be very exciting, it is important that still being a savvy buyer while getting what you want in your new home. One of the most overlooked factors in a new home purchase is buyer representation . Although many builders are great and have great new homes sales consultants, as a buyer you need to have your own personal advocate and representative! Before viewing new construction homes and reviewing options, it is prudent to speak to a local agent who is familiar with the process and the area. The prime example of real estate buyers seeking to go it alone is on new construction. Builders make it so convenient and easy to walk into a new community and get set up for your new home. Why would anyone consider having a buyer’s agent with them when viewing new construction? The following represent a few examples of your benefits: Free Representation The most important factor for any buyer having a designated agent is representation. This professional is your expert ...

In 2011, real estate remains a true buyer’s market. In Tampa, prices are the lowest in the last decade and interest rates at historic lows, now is the time to purchase real estate. Whether it is your dream home, a vacation home, or an investment property you need to make sure you are looking at the big picture. Buyers now more than ever need to be savvy to recognize the good value when they see it. Realty Times just published an article this week, “ Savvy Buyers Know Value When They See It ”. In this PJ Wade , compiles a list that all buyers should review before their next real estate purchase. She reminds all buyers that you do not need to approve of a sellers color scheme or décor, rather look beyond superficial things to the bones of a home. To help keep you on track during your purchase remember this important tips. Be prepared if the first showing is the right place Most buyers are anticipating the first house to not meet their expectations. If you go into the first house ...

When undertaking the experience of purchasing a home, there are lots of important decisions to make. For instance, if you want a detached home or a community lifestyle, how many rooms, what are you willing to spend? The first and most important question any buyer or investor should ask is what locality do I want to be in. You hear real estate professionals stress this factor often, location, location, location! It truly is the single most important factor on any real estate purchase. If you put the exact same house on two different lots in different areas of town, they will hold different values. How do you decide what vicinity is the best for you? Economic Factors Does this city have a high percentage of unemployment ? Are there a large number of foreclosures? This is a shaky topic for a lot of Americans right now. Many people have unfortunately been let go of their jobs and are forced to default on loans and are not finding work easily. However if an area’s unemployment rate i...

Although there has been a high number of a sale in the Tampa Bay real estate market the last couple of months, the industry is sending some mixed signals. What is happening in our changing market? According to The Tampa Tribune , “Homes sales are climbing, up 16 percent from a year ago and 24 percent from last month”. However since there is such a high number of bank owned and distressed properties, the median sale price is only $111,100. Of the 2,375 real estate sales in Tampa in February 2011, a large majority were bought by investors. They see properties in distress, prices continuing to decline and investors are cashing in. The spring selling season is around the corner however, and projections are expecting more traditional homebuyers to start jumping in. Most first time and repeat homebuyers are not interested in the distressed properties. They start off looking at the price tag, but are not prepared to deal with the challenges once viewing the property. They see the value ...

The Real estate market is still changing. Homes are selling every day however, buyers have changed their expectations. Keeping you informed on what to expect when buying or selling a property in today’s market. 1. Buyers are opting for smaller homes Constraints on housing market really have made buyers reevaluate what is necessary in their next home purchase. A study conducted by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reveals that homes are expected to be ten percent smaller in the next couple of years. “To save on square footage, the living room is high on the endangered list-52 percent of builders expect it to merge with other spaces in the home by 2015 and 30 percent said it would vanish entirely.” 2. Heavy influence on purchase decisions can be swayed in favor of green and eco friendly properties The NAHB reports that not only floor plans are changing. “68 percent of builders are including green and eco-friendly features by 2015. This includes low-E windows, en...

Over the last couple of weeks, SI Real Estate has been posting updates on what we see in the Tampa real estate market. We have shown trends of Housing Affordability being the highest in 20 years , we have discussed that Tampa, Florida is one of the most searched real estate markets  online, and the large increase in Purchases and Multiple offer competitions in the Market . All of this adds up to the conclusion the market is changing and we want to be ready for it. SI Real Estate is front and center in the Tampa Bay real estate market we are seeking some new real estate agents to join our team. SI Real Estate, Tampa is your full-service real estate boutique that assists buyers, sellers, relocations, and investors with their real estate needs. We maintain an entrepreneurial spirit with a relaxed, yet serious and productive environment. We are a team of talented professionals with experience, drive and motivation. Our reputation and client rapport is renowned for unique quality and...

We all know that the housing market has had some challenges in the last couple of years. As the real estate market starts to even out, housing affordability is higher than recorded in over twenty years. This means middle income families can comfortably afford to purchase their own home. The National Association of Home Builder/Wells Fargo records a Housing Opportunity Index (HOI) every year. This index compares the median income of families in a specified area compared to the income needed to comfortably afford a home purchase. This year they report, “73.9 percent of all new and existing homes sold in the fourth quarter of 2010 were affordable to families earning the national median income of $64,400.” This statistic is significant because it is the highest percentage on record since they started collecting this data in 1991. How does this compare to the Tampa Bay market? The HOI in Tampa is 78.2% in the fourth quarter of 2010, with a median income of $59,400. The Tampa real estat...

Pulse 1 ~The Buyers Real Estate Market Local, national and international buyers are purchasing real estate here in the Tampa Bay area and around Florida like there is no tomorrow. The real estate market is booming with sales. Real estate prices are fantastic, mortgage interest rates are great, and people are taking advantage of the opportunities that are available. At this point in time, it is becoming more the norm to have multiple offers on properties for sale, indicative of the swarm of buyers into our real estate marketplace in Tampa Bay. First-time home buyers, along with move-up or repeat home buyers, and local and international investors are all jumping in with both feet to get their piece of the action during these unprecedented times. Pulse 2 ~The Real Estate Rental Market In an article titled, Cheaper to Buy Than to Rent in 72% of Largest U.S. Cities by Inman News dated January 24, 2011, “Despite the rising number of renters across the country, it is cheaper to buy...

2010 has been an exciting year for the real estate market in the Tampa Bay area. SI Real Estate has reported the year’s real estate events on our weekly blog to keep our readers abreast of our ever changing real estate market. Major notable factors in the real estate market came into play producing a fast paced year of sales. The extension of the 2009 First Time Home Buyers Tax Credit into 2010 fueled the market for the first portion of the year. REO (bank owned) properties sold just as quickly as they came on the market, many seeing multiple offer situations. A huge influx of foreign investors getting into the real estate action here in Tampa and in many places across the country caused an interesting adjustment to the home buyer pool. Interest rates hovered at near record lows for the entire year. Wow! No wonder the year went by so fast. SI Real Estate hopes you have had a prosperous year, and looks forward to continuing to report Tampa Bay’s real estate news and events to you in ...

The word is out…real estate in Tampa Bay and around Florida is a hot commodity for foreign investors! Not only is the weather hot in Tampa, Florida, so is the real estate market. International investors from Argentina, Canada, Colombia, France, Israel, Italy, Norway and Venezuala are swarming to Florida for what they see as irresistible real estate deals. According to msnbc.com’s recent article, Foreign Investors Not Scared of Housing Market , “For the international investor class, the United States’ bloated inventory of homes, high unemployment and weak currency make for an unusually attractive buyer’s market.” Peter Zalewski, founder of Condo Vultures, a consulting and brokerage firm stated, “I have never seen such a high concentration of foreign nationals acquiring real estate. Eighty percent of the sales in downtown Miami are foreign-based. This is unprecedented.” And Miami is not the only “hot spot” for international real estate investors. Surges have been seen in Tampa, Washi...

The American Recovery and Reinvestment act of 2009 authorized a tax credit of up to $8,000 for qualified first-time home buyers purchasing a principal residence on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009. Any home that will be used as your principal residence qualifies for the tax credit. The law defines a "first-time home buyer" as a buyer who has not owned a principal residence during the three-yaer period prior to the purchase. First-time home buyers purchasing any type of home, new or resale, are eligible to receive the tax credit as long as the closing date and title transfer occurs before December 1, 2009. The tax credit is equal to 10 percent of the home's purchase price up to a maximum of $8,000. The income limit for single taxpayers is $75,000 and $150,000 for a married taxpayers filling a joint return. The money comes in the form of a tax refund, meaning that you will not receive the money until after the house is bought and your 2009 tax return is ...

Florida consistently earns top rankings from lifestyle, business, education, retirement and travel publications. Constant economic growth, pristine landscape, and the consistently temperate climate are just a few factors that make the state an ideal location to retire, start a family, build a career, attend university, or advance in a profession. Florida is ideal for anyone’s relocation needs. • “Top State Business Climate.” Florida’s business climate ranked 4th among executives and 6th overall on Site Selection magazine’s 2008 Top State Business Climate rankings. Read more . • “Best Tax Climate for Business.” Florida continues to rank among the top five states for best tax climate for business, according to a Tax Foundation survey. With no state income tax, low corporate taxes, a low unemployment insurance tax rate, and sales tax exemptions for certain business transactions, Florida has remained among the top five U.S. states since the survey’s inception. Read more . • “#1 in Online ...

Cash buyers are grabbing deals at rock bottom prices in the Tampa Bay real estate market. According to the market statistics provided by the Greater Tampa Association of REALTORS® ( GTAR ), in April of this year 38% of all financing was cash. This is more than a 10% increase from April of 2008. Cash financing increased from 285 transactions in April of last year to 508 this year. FHA and VA financing has also seen an increased from last year, although not as drastic. Conventional financing has decreased from 555 transactions to 394, signifying that a majority of real estate transactions being made in the Tampa Bay area this year are by cash buyers. According to the same report from GTAR, homes sales have increased from 897 in April of last year to 992 in April of this year, with more than 3,424 total homes being sold to date in 2009. Market activity is definitely moving quickly in Tampa, Florida.