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Archive for March, 2009

Central Florida Real Estate Market Update – Mar’09

March 25, 2009 Leave a comment

The Central Florida real estate market receives more good news in it’s monthly housing sales according to the Orlando Regional Realtor Association’s (ORRA) latest monthly statistics.  Once again, the number of homes that sold in February 2009 outpaced the number of homes sold in February 2008 by a little over 28%.  February 2008 sold 951 homes and February 2009 sold 1,219 homes.  It’s getting hot out there!  With our areas median price dropping yet again to $145,500 and interest rates dropping yet again to 5% or below and along with the incentive of the $8,000 tax credit for first time home buyers, we are set and ready to gain even more sales in the coming months.  Spread the word: “It’s a great time to buy!” 

ORRA stats show that February 2009 median price is now 34.75% below February 2008 median price.  Our ‘Pending’ sales increased again in February 2009 and are still going very strong with 4,348 homes under contract which represents over double the number of homes under contract in February 2009 than in February 2008 with only 2,175.

Another positive note for February’s numbers is that we decreased by 445 homes on the market compared to the previous month of January 2009 numbers. we are still 3,000 less homes on the market in February 2009 than in February 2008.  We are currently at 22,168 homes for sale in February 2009 compared to 25,984 homes for sale in February 2008.  Single family homes make up 16,057 of the 22,168 homes on the market, while the remaining numbers are comprised of condos, duplexes, town homes and villas. Click Here to visit ORRA’s web site for even more stats.  Please do not hesitate to contact me if you or someone you know is interested in buying or selling real estate in the Central Florida area.

SOLD – 5/2 Remodeled Home In East Orlando

March 16, 2009 Leave a comment

elevation-1

Enjoy a practically brand new home with plenty of room and large fenced-in back yard with paver patio and no direct neighbors to the rear.  This home has been completely remodeled by builder/investor with all permits, inspections and approval from Orange County Building Dept.  Beautiful inside and out.  Home had fire damage from previous owners and was completely rebuilt, taken back to exterior walls, existing slab w/tile and interior wood studs.  Features new drywall, new HVAC, new electric, new plumbing, new roof, new insulation, new windows, new carpet, new kitchen and baths, new appliances, new doors & trim, new paint, landscaped with irrigation and inside utility room.  You don’t want to miss this home!  Ready for quick close!  CLICK HERE for more info!

2009 First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit

1st TIME HOME BUYERS DON’T MISS OUT.  You have a limited time to take advantage of the 2009 1st time home buyer tax credit of up to $8,000.

In Feb’09, Congress passed legislation that truly helps out 1st time home buyers.  Since the 2008 Stimulus package was passed last summer giving 1st time home buyers a $7,500 tax credit, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) had been pushing for an upgrade.  You see, the 2008 tax credit presented 1st time home buyers with a $7,500 tax credit that needed to be paid back over a 15 year period.  NAR was seeking for a change to the 2008 tax credit and was hoping it would be increased to $15,000 and not have to be paid back.  When all was said and done with the 2009 Stimulus package, we ended up with an $8,000 tax credit that does not have to be paid back.  For example, if the 1st time home buyer qualified for the full $8,000 tax credit and say they owed the IRS on their 2009 taxes $2,000.  They would not owe anything to the IRS and the IRS would write them a check back for $6,000.  This is GREAT NEWS and a good start to hopefully help the housing market back on track.

Of course there are a few stipulations/requirements to the credit, but basically, if a 1st time home buyer closes on a home on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009, they could qualify for the $8,000 tax credit on their 2009 taxes or even possibly on their 2008 tax returns.  The 1st time home buyer should check with their tax adviser to be sure.  Now keep in mind that the law defines a ”first time home buyer” as a buyer who has not owned a principal residence during the 3 year period prior to purchasing a home.

The amount of the tax credit is 10% of the purchase price.  So a property of $80,000 or more would qualify the 1st time home buyer to take full advantage of the $8,000 tax credit.  If the property was purchased for $60,000, then you would qualify for a $6,000 tax credit.  The first time home buyer would only have a repayment requirement if the home was sold within 3 years from the date of purchase.  There are income requirements for the 1st time home buyer to qualify.  CLICK HERE for much more complete information formulated and presented by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) on the 2009 tax credit.

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