The Florida Association of Realtors reported Monday that for December, home sales in the Sarasota-Bradenton area climbed significantly at a rate of a 43 percent increase and a 42 percent increase in Charlotte County-North Port area. Meanwhile, the nation dropped about 17 percent. An incrase in distressed sales in the region coupled with lower prices are contributing factors to a wave of buyers getting into the market grabbing up deals.
Also out yesterday was The Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index report of a January increase to 55.9 - reflecting the third straight month for forward movement, and the highest index level in more than a year. This result was better than forecasted by economists who anticipated 53.5.
Helping to ease the short sale approval process, banks are also beginning to shorten their approval turn around time. The market is seeing cash-deal investors buying properties. And, for the first time in four years, sales of previously occupied homes rose in 2009.
The market saw a dip in first-time homebuyers, down to 43 percent in December - only about half of November's reported activity, according to a report in yesterday's Herald Tribune.
Are you considering jumping into the market and taking advantage of the federal homebuyer tax credit program? If so, where are you in the process? Are you finding deals that suit your needs?
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