Fort Lauderdale Real Estate Blog

For the 4th straight month, Home Sales in Fort Lauderdale continue in positive territory.

May 2009 figures report double digit positive percentages for both Single Family Home sales and Condo Sales.

Pending sales for both categories up double digit percentages as well, while total inventory for Single Family and Condo sales continues to shrink.

Closed sales for Single Family Homes for sale in Fort Lauderdale  rose 21% in May from the previous month and were up 65% from this time in 2008.  44% of homes sold in May were Fort Lauderdale Foreclosures.

The Single Family Average Sales Price in May was down 10% from last month and down 32% from last year.  Again, Fort Lauderdale REO Bank Foreclosures and Short Sales in Fort Lauderdale contributed to this decline.

The Single Family Median Sales Price off 15% from April and off 39% from same period last year.

Pending Sales for Single Family homes increased 12% over April and up 107% from same time last year.

Inventory for Single Family homes decreased 7% from previous month and decreased 38% from last year.

Closed sales for Condos in Fort Lauderdale up 21% in May and up 65% from last year.

Average Sales Price in May for condos down 10% over last month and down 32% from same time last year.

Median Sales Price for condos dropped 15% from April and down 39% from same period last year.

Pending Sales for condos in May up 16% over last month and up 112% from last year.

Inventory for Condos decreased 5%  in May and is down 27% from last year.

With 4 straight months of numbers in positive territory for the Fort Lauderdale Real Estate market continues to signal the bottom may have been reached.  There will still be short sales and bank foreclosures for awhile and buyers and investors continue to snatch these properties up.

Interest rates are still relatively low and the tax credit is still attractive for first time buyers.

For more information about buying or selling, contact me at 954-850-2397.

Buyers can begin their home search by viewing the Fort Lauderdale MLS for available property listings for sale including short sales and foreclosures.

April 2009 Fort Lauderdale Real Estate Market Continues Upward Trend

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April 2009 figures for Home Sales in Fort Lauderdale continue for the 3rd straight month with an upward trend.

Both Single family home sales and Condo sales were up double digits in April as well as up double digits for Pending sales in both categories.

Total Inventory for all property types has shrunk.

Closed Sales for Single Family Homes for sale in Fort Lauderdale shot up 29% in April over last month and up 16% from same period last year.

Average Sales Price for a Single Family home was down 7% from March and down 35% from last year.  No doubt Fort Lauderdale short sales and Fort Lauderdale REO Bank foreclosures played a significant part.

The Median Sales Price for a Single-Family home was down 4% from last month and down 30% from same time last year.

Single Family Pending Sales up 29% from March and up 87% from same period last year!

Single Family inventory is down 9% from March and down 33% from April 2008.

Closed Sales for Fort Lauderdale Condos in April were up 24% from March and up 17% from April 2008.

The Condo Average Sales Price was down 14% over last month and down 45% from same time last year.

The Condo Median Sales Price was down 11% from last month and down 45% from April 2008.

Pending Sales for Condos in May were up 26% from last month and up 73% from same period last year.

Condominium Inventory is down 6% from March and down 24% from April 2008.

3 straight months of positive numbers for the Fort Lauderdale Real Estate market has many believing a bottom has been reached.   There are still short sales and bank foreclosures, and this will continue for awhile, however, I am seeing multiple offers more and more with cash buyers becoming very aggressive.  I am also seeing qualified sellers seeking to take advantage of loan remodifications.

First time buyers are taking advantage of low interest rates as well as a possible tax credit.

Contact me today at 954-850-2397 if you are considering buying a home or condo or if you are interested in selling your home.

Buyers can begin the home search process by viewing the Fort Lauderdale MLS for available properties for sale including short sales and REO Bank Owned Foreclosures.

March Home Sales & Pending Sales Continue Upward | Inventory Falls

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March 2009 Home Sales figures in Fort Lauderdale continue in positive territory.

Closed Sales were up for for both single family homes and condos.  Pending Sales were up for single family homes, however, Pending Condo Sales were down slightly in March.  Total Inventory continues to shrink.

Closed Sales for Single Family Homes for sale in Fort Lauderdale in March were up 30% from last month and up 19% from same time last year.

March single family Average Sales Price is up 12% from February 2009, however, down 27% from last year.  A huge improvement from February 2009 versus February 2008 Average sales price which was down 42%.  Again, mainly due to the number of bank owned foreclosures and short sales.

Single family Median Sales Price was up 3% in March over last month, down 27% from same time last year.

Pending Sales for single family homes were up 3% over last month and up 86% over same period last year!

Inventory for single family homes was down 5% in March over February and down 27% from last year.

Closed Sales for Fort Lauderdale Condos were up 20% in March over February and up 5% from March 2008.

Average Sales Price for condos was down 4% from last month and down 29% from same time last year.

Median Sales Price was up 2% over last month and down 37% from March 2008.

Pending Condo Sales were down 4% over February, however, up 61% from February 2008!

Inventory for Condos is down 2% from last month and down 19% from last year.

It is still too early to tell for sure if we’ve reached bottom, however, it certainly looks like we have.  We need to continue to monitor the next few months.

If you are interested in condos for sale in Fort Lauderdale or buying a home in Fort Lauderdale, it may be time to consider stepping up to the plate.  Low interest rates, low prices and tax incentives may make it the right decision for you.

Contact me at 954-850-2397 if you are considering a home purchase or if you are interested in selling your home.

You can search Fort Lauderdale MLS available property listings including Fort Lauderdale Foreclosures and Fort Lauderdale Short Sales.

February Home Sales Up, Pending Sales Up and Inventory Down

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February Home Sales figures for Fort Lauderdale Real Estate report very positive news for home sales, pending sales and inventory levels for both single family and condominiums.

Single Family home sales are up 5% from last month and up 47% from same time last year.

Average sales price is up 3% from last month, however, it is down (-42%) from February 2008, no doubt due to the number of short sales and foreclosures.

Single Family Pending Sales are up 36% from January and up 128% from same period last year.  This is incredible!

Single Family Inventory is down (-4%) from January and down (-22%) from February 2008.  Awesome!

Fort Lauderdale Condos  - February condo sales are up 16% from last month and up 24% from February 2008.

Average Sales Price for Condos is up 14% from January, however, it is down (-32%) from February 2008.

Condo Pending Sales are up 33% over last month and up 97% from same period last year.  Again, fantastic news!

Condo Inventory is down (-2%) from last month and down (-18%) from February 2008.

In December I posted Have we reached the bottom in the Fort Lauderdale Real Estate Market? 

There are many opinions on this and many are conflicting.  If you remember, I quoted Suze Orman, “It is only when prices start to go up that we’ve reached a bottom.”

I will be watching the next few months closely to see if figures, specifically pending sales continue on an upward trend.

If you have been on the fence about buying, it may be time to consider that interest rates are attractively low and home prices for the most part have rolled back to 2004 levels.

If you are interested in homes for sale in Fort Lauderdale or considering selling your home, contact me today at 954-850-2397.

You can search Fort Lauderdale MLS available property listings including Fort Lauderdale Foreclosures and Fort Lauderdale Short Sales.

If you are an agent in another area noticing similar trends for your market, please post a link to your blog post in comments.

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South Florida real estate may be turning around and heading in a positive direction according to several Real Estate analysts, however, not before a possible further 10-15% decline in 2009.

It is important to understand, that South Florida encompasses a large area and many smaller parts; cities, neighborhoods, communities and condominiums, may face less of a decline and rebound sooner.

With huge property inventory levels including foreclosures and short sales, it will take time for these homes and condos for sale to eventually be absorbed.

Once the rebound begins, real estate values should return to realistic sustainable yearly gains of 3-6% instead of the unrealistic gains of recent years, which along with other elements lead to the real estate bubble bursting.

Real Estate will once again return to its inherent value; a home, a roof over your head, a neighborhood, etc., not the get rich quick opportunity.

If you have been patiently waiting on the sidelines searching Fort Lauderdale homes and condos for sale, contemplating a purchase and are planning to stay in the property for at least 5 years, this may now be the perfect time for you to buy.

Buyers can take advantage of rock bottom real estate prices down 30-40% or more, rolled back to 2004 levels.  Interest rates are still at historic lows. First time home buyers including those who have not owned a home for 3 years prior to a purchase may be eligible for a tax credit which is expiring soon.

Do your homework.  As with any great opportunity, the best time to get in for maximum benefit is at the beginning.

For more information about buying a home or condo, contact me today at 954-850-2397 or visit my Fort Lauderdale Real Estate website where you can search the Fort Lauderdale MLS for available homes and condos for sale.

In a recent CNNMoney.com article, Zip Realty reports the most searched zip codes and communities in 2008 for real estate searches.   Fort Lauderdale Real Estate ranked #6 in most searched communities.  With all the news about the declining real estate market nationwide, this report reveals that there are buyers still searching for homes and condos and it is interesting to learn where the most popular searches are.

Perhaps as the real estate bottom reveals itself, this may be a quick look into where the first areas to rebound will be?

Search Fort Lauderdale MLS Listings for homes and condos for sale  including short sales and foreclosures.

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The 2 most common questions I hear over and over about the Fort Lauderdale Real Estate market are “Is now the time to buy?” and “have we reached the bottom?”

Every day we read and hear about real estate statistics and figures, inventory levels, foreclosures, sales projections and all sorts of experts claiming we’ve hit the bottom, the bottom is near or those claiming the bottom isn’t even close.

So how can you be certain that we’ve hit the real estate bottom? Financial Expert Suze Orman, in my opinion, gave the most clear and concise answer.

During a recent broadcast of her show, Suze explained “the absolute way to know for sure is prices always dictate if we have reached the bottom or not.”

Suze further explains that in her opinion, it does not matter how many properties are for sale, whether inventory levels are decreasing  or any other statistics.  If prices are continuing to decline, we have not reached the bottom.  “It is only when prices start to go up that we’ve reached the bottom.  

“Since real estate is local, it is important to understand what is happening with home prices in the area you want to buy in.  When home prices start to increase and begin to sell for more than in previous months instead of staying flat or declining, then and only then, can you be certain that the bottom has been reached.  No other facts or figures will accurately reveal the bottom.  Prices speak the truth.”

Home prices in Fort Lauderdale have declined on average approximately 30% +/-.  In most areas, prices have adjusted back to 2004 levels.  Opportunities exist today to buy condos and homes for sale in Fort Lauderdale that were considered unaffordable just a few years ago. Unfortunately, obtaining loans to buy these properties is not easy and it appears the government may step in further to ease this burden.

As with any market, in my opinion, the time to buy is not after, but before the real estate bottom has been reached and before the market begins to rebound.  Unfortunately, timing any market is impossible and we won’t know the bottom has been reached until several months have passed and we are well into recovery.

I think it is safe to say that we are much closer to a bottom than we are to the top.  Many buyers feel the same way and are scooping up great bargains from short sales, foreclosures and sellers who just want to sell and have priced their home competitively.

As with any buying decision, before making any sizable purchase, you must look at your own situation.  Do your own homework.  Does it make good financial and emotional sense for you to buy now?  If you will be staying in the property for a long time, even if prices decline a bit further, you may still be well ahead in the long run.

If you are considering buying or selling a home in Fort Lauderdale or buying one of the many Fort Lauderdale condos for sale, contact me today at 954-850-2397.

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Find Affordable Fort Lauderdale-Area Foreclosures

Fort Lauderdale Foreclosures are at an all-time high as well as in other areas in South Florida and nationwide, and they offer the perfect solution for buyers who are interested in purchasing a new home at a cost below market prices. Along with a wide variety of properties, there are several types of foreclosures, including pre-foreclosures also known as “short sales“, bank foreclosures and HUD foreclosures.

When a homeowner is unable to make the payment of the requisite amount in the agreed time period, the property is reposed by the lender and resold in an auction in an effort to recover the amount that was lent.

While many banks and government agencies publish lists of their foreclosed properties, real estate agents can help save buyers money, time and stress when finding and securing a foreclosed home. Realtors can obtain information on foreclosed homes from title companies, lenders and a variety of resources at their disposal.

Realtors can also explain the government auction process and aid potential buyers in the purchase of a government foreclosure home. Quality real estate professionals work closely with banks to sell their foreclosures and put them back in the hands of homeowners. Buyers should chose a Realtor who is very knowledgeable about the neighborhoods they are interested in.

Those interested in purchasing a foreclosed home may also want to check out listings posted online, but beware that many of these Web sites, such as Foreclosure.com, require a small fee. Other Web sites allow buyers to view listings for a short trial period for free. Popular online resources include Hud.org and Realtor.com, and Web sites such as Trulia.com allow buyers to ask questions about foreclosures specific to their city, state or region.

Although challenging, buying a foreclosed property can certainly yield major benefits to homebuyers in search of a bargain. Like many aspects of the real estate world, patience is key. Find a good agent and request a full inspection of the foreclosed home before making a purchase.

While foreclosures can offer great bargains, don’t limit your search for the perfect home. In today’s market, inventory for Fort Lauderdale Homes and Fort Lauderdale Condos is presently at a 20+ month supply without any new homes coming on the market.  Privately held homes are selling below market value and the process is typically shorter than going through the bank.

When buyers go through a bank as oppose to an individual, it can sometimes take a month or two or longer to receive a response to an offer. Short sales are considerably longer.  A good agent should be able to show you a balanced mix of deals on foreclosed and privately held homes.

For more information about buying or selling a foreclosed property in Fort Lauderdale, contact John Sabia today at 954-850-2397 or visit the #1 Fort Lauderdale Real Estate web site.

Don’t Base Your Investments on National Indicators

While it may appear like you’re seeing the same home prices and sales in your local market that are being reported in neighboring counties and states, it’s important not to lose sight of the details specific to your market. Markets can vary widely from city to city, neighborhood to neighborhood or, as in the case of Fort Lauderdale condos such as Las Olas River House, Las Olas Grand,WaterGarden, Symphony, Las Olas Beach Club or L’Hermitage; building to building.

Keeping market-specific details, such as price trends, volume and inventory, in mind when buying or selling residential real estate in Fort Lauderdale and elsewhere, is the key to evaluating real estate deals.

Unfortunately, the media has a tendency to generalize and summarize what’s taking place in the real estate market and often times, both buyers and sellers end up making critical decisions based largely on prices and sales. For real-time state of the market, they should be looking at sales volume and inventory trends, which will show how active or soft a particular market is.

To be successful in this industry, you should never look at real estate through a wide-angle lens. Get a more lucid picture of what’s taking place in your local market by breaking it up and examining the details.

You can probably come up with a slew of characteristics that differentiate various neighborhoods within your local market such as Bay Colony, Coral Ridge, Las Olas, Harbor Beach, Rio Vista, Wilton Manors and Victoria Park.

It’s critical for buyers and sellers to understand these characteristics and, in turn, communicate their buying or selling needs with a real estate professional. In order to get the best advice, service and consultation, buyers and sellers need to be particularly selective when choosing an agent that is most knowledgeable about their local market and will be able to best meet their needs.

On a similar note, buyers and sellers should not get too hung up on waiting for the housing market’s bottom. Many buyers, who are now sellers, missed all the signs of the market’s top and it’s highly likely that buyers may also miss the so-called bottom — if they wait around to read about it in the news.

It takes a good four to six months for statistics to report the start of a recovery and it will be too late by the time it hits the media. While it’s easy to see a bottom coming, it’s impossible to pinpoint when it will happen exactly. People that are fortunate to buy at the bottom won’t realize their good fortune until it’s passed.

Making sure you do your homework when purchasing a home is a no brainier, but all too often people make investments based on what the media reports. One size fits all doesn’t apply to the real estate world.

If you are considering buying or selling real estate in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, contact John Sabia at 954-850-2397 or visit the #1 Fort Lauderdale Real Estate website.