SI Real Estate Tampa and The Beaches

Real Estate Pulse:  Recapping 5 years! Active Housing Market keeps persuading buyers and now sellers The last 5 years of the real estate market has been a wild ride to say the least. In 2010, first time home buyers increased dramatically over the norm due to the large tax credit given out by the federal government.  That triggered the highest number of first time buyers ever. While this group accounted for half of the homes purchased in 2010, the other key players were the international (cash) investors who were purchasing the rock-bottom-priced inventory. This same group of investors and first time home buyers were the main consumers of real estate through 2012.  By this time, the excess inventory had been purchased one way or another.      In 2013, values of homes were finally catching up and or exceeding the mortgage pay off(s).  Finally sellers and their listings began trickling into the market. This segment of the housing market was prev...

We are hearing more and more about Millenials in the news, and how this new group of 90 million “Generation Y-ers” is finally reaching the time to consider homeownership. While many will point out that student debt and credit standards may keep these potential homebuyers on the sideline, even more hold high expectations that the largest demographic in the nation’s history will continue to be a major player in today’s real estate market. Encouraging signs that timing is working in favor of the Millenials show that median debt of households made up of people ages 35 and below has diminished by 29% from 2007- 2010. For example, a recent survey by a national home builder shows that over 65% of renters’ ages 18-34 have an income of more than $50K. This same survey shows that 30% of home sales are to first time home buyers who fall into the 18-34 year old age group. Tampa, Florida has seen increased building permits and home starts this year as inventory continues to evaporate and a lar...