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Retirees Could Again Lead Florida Rebound

WASHINGTON – Jan. 4, 2012 – While international buyers have been heralded as the leaders of a Florida real estate rebound, a recent Census Bureau report on migration trends indicates that U.S. residents from northern climates are once again heading to Florida for retirement.

Between April 1, 2010, and July 1, 2011, Florida welcomed 256,000 new residents, or roughly 560 new Floridians each day. Texas grew by 529,000 residents, and California came in second with 438,000.

In total population, Florida retained its No. 4 status, but its 19.1 million residents moved closer to bumping New York, with 19.5 million residents, from its No. 3 spot.

Florida ranked No. 3 for attracting new international residents, behind only California and Texas. However, the Sunshine State ranked No. 2 in attracting residents from other U.S. states. During the 15 months of the Census study, 119,000 moved to Florida from other states, a number surpassed only by Texas’ 145,000 new residents.

The state’s growth according to the Census Bureau surpassed earlier estimates by the University of Florida’s Bureau of Economic & Business Research, and Sarasota’s Herald-Tribune dug a little deeper to find out why. They found that the UF study relies mainly on new electric utility hookups to judge population growth, while the Census Bureau relies largely on tax returns and Medicare data.

Since the Census Bureau numbers were roughly twice UF’s figures, the Medicare data may have made a difference – implying greater demand from retirees – said University of Central Florida Economist Sean Snaith. “I think with the recovery of the wealth, at least through the rebound of the stock market, that has helped the flow of retirees resume,” Snaith said.

Source: Herald-Tribune, Dec. 21, 2011, Doug Sword

© 2012 Florida Realtors®

Florida Existing Home, Condo Sales Up in August

Existing-home sales move up in August, says NAR

ORLANDO, Fla. – Sept. 23, 2010 – Sales of existing homes in Florida rose 1 percent in August, with a total of 13,997 homes sold statewide compared to 13,908 homes sold in August 2009, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors®. Statewide existing home sales in August increased 3 percent over statewide sales activity in July.

Ten of Florida’s metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) reported higher existing home sales last month, while 13 MSAs posted increased existing condo sales. Florida’s median sales price for existing homes last month was $134,000; a year ago, it was $146,500 for a decrease of 9 percent. The median is the midpoint; half the homes sold for more, half for less.

The national median sales price for existing single-family homes in July 2010 was $183,400, up 0.9 percent from a year earlier, according to the National Association of Realtors® (NAR). In Massachusetts, the statewide median resales price was $333,000 in May; in California, it was $314,850; in Maryland, it was $267,489; and in New York, it was $227,000.

In Florida’s year-to-year comparison for condos, 5,706 units sold statewide last month compared to 4,662 units in August 2009 for an increase of 22 percent. Statewide existing condo sales last month increased almost 2.7 percent over July’s condo sales. The statewide existing condo median sales price in August was $81,600; in August 2009 it was $107,200 for a 24 percent decrease. The national median existing condo price was $176,800 in July, according to NAR.

The housing sector faces a long recovery process, due in part to slow job growth and the still-fragile economy, according to NAR’s latest industry outlook. “Home sales will remain soft in the months ahead, but improved affordability conditions should help with a recovery,” said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. The pace of sales has slowed since May, following the expiration of the federal homebuyer tax credit, Yun said, who predicted this “pause period” likely will last through September.

“However, given rock-bottom mortgage interest rates and historically high housing affordability conditions, the pace of a sales recovery could pick up quickly, provided the economy consistently adds jobs,” he said.

The interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 4.43 percent in August, down from the 5.19 percent averaged in August 2009, according to Freddie Mac. Florida Realtors’ sales figures reflect closings, which typically occur 30 to 90 days after sales contracts are written.

Mortgage Rates Drop

Mortgage Rates Fall to Lowest Level of the Year

Mortgage rates fell this week to the lowest level of the year, as rates fell on U.S. government securities. Fixed mortgage rates closely track interest rates paid on long-term Treasury bonds.

The average rate on a 30-year fixed rate mortgage dipped to 4.93 percent this week from 5 percent a week earlier. It was the lowest level since mid-December, when rates averaged 4.81 percent. Low interest rates and low housing prices set Naples Florida up as a great buying opportunity.

Florida's Existing Home Sales Rose

Florida’s existing home, condo sales rise in February 2010

ORLANDO, Fla. – March 23, 2010 – Florida’s existing home sales rose in February, which means that sales activity has increased in the year-to-year comparison for the past year and a half (18 months), according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors®.

Existing home sales increased 21 percent last month with a total of 11,890 homes sold statewide compared to 9,867 homes sold in February 2009, according to Florida Realtors. Statewide existing home sales last month increased 13.6 percent over statewide sales activity in January.

Florida Realtors also reported a 59 percent increase in statewide sales of existing condos in February compared to the previous year’s sales figure; statewide existing condo sales last month rose 9.8 percent over the total units sold in January.

“Homebuyers should take advantage of favorable conditions in the current housing market,” said 2010 Florida Realtors® President Wendell Davis, a broker with Watson Realty Corp. in Jacksonville. “Mortgage rates remain near historic lows at just under 5 percent, but they won’t stay at that level forever. Plus, only six weeks are left before the extended and expanded homebuyer tax credit expires. First-time buyers and current homeowners who want to buy their next home in time to use the tax credit must have a purchase contract signed before the April 30 deadline – then they’ll have until June 30 to close the transaction.”

Seventeen of Florida’s metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) reported increased existing home sales in January, while all but one MSA had higher condo sales. A majority of the state’s MSAs have reported increased sales for 20 consecutive months.

Florida’s median sales price for existing homes last month was $131,300; a year ago, it was $141,800 for a 7 percent decrease. Analysts with the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) note that sales of foreclosures and other distressed properties continue to downwardly distort the median price because they generally sell at a discount relative to traditional homes. The median is the midpoint; half the homes sold for more, half for less.

The national median sales price for existing single-family homes in January 2010 was $163,600, down 0.4 percent from a year earlier, according to NAR. In Massachusetts, the statewide median resales price was $300,000 in January; in California, it was $287,440; in New York, it was $242,750; and in Maryland, it was $234,894.

NAR’s latest outlook predicts a surge in late spring home sales. “Activity should be picking up strongly in late spring as buyers take advantage of the tax credit, which is critical to absorb distressed properties reaching the market and to continually chip away at inventory levels,” said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. “If there is sufficient job creation, housing can become self-sustaining with stable to modestly rising home prices.”

In Florida’s year-to-year comparison for condos, 5,085 units sold statewide last month compared to 3,190 units in February 2009 for an increase of 59 percent. The statewide existing condo median sales price last month was $92,200; in February 2009 it was $109,100 for a 15 percent decrease. The national median existing condo price was $172,400 in January, according to NAR.

Interest rates for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 4.99 percent last month, even lower than the average rate of 5.13 percent in February 2009, according to Freddie Mac. Florida Realtors’ sales figures reflect closings, which typically occur 30 to 90 days after sales contracts are written.

Among the state’s smaller markets, the Punta Gorda MSA reported a total of 239 homes sold in February compared to 216 homes a year earlier for an 11 percent increase. The market’s existing home median sales price last month was $96,600, slightly higher than the year-ago median price of $96,400. A total of 43 condos sold in the MSA in February compared to 33 units sold the same month a year earlier for an increase of 30 percent. The existing condo median price last month was $95,000; a year earlier, it was $88,300 for a gain of 8 percent.