Oralndo Price of Homes Remain Strong

Nationwide home sales have fell for 5th straight month, pushing median price down by 1.7%, which represents first decline in 11 yearts. Nationwide inventory of unsold homes to 3.92 million.

In Florida, single family home sales plunged by 34% in August compared to last year, but median price of home remains at $250K up 9% from last year.

Orlando Real Estate home sales fell by the same amount as State of Florida and the median prices of a home is $261K which is up 5% from August 2005. While Orlando median price of a home remains stable, other Florida cities have seen double digit declines such as Sarasota-Bradenton, Panama City, Melbourne, Titsville, and Fort Walton. Double digit median price increases are occuring in Gainsville, Ocala, Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater.

Sales have slowed sharply due to rising mortgage rates and slowing economy. It is still a great time to buy with volume of choices for buyers and more favorable terms for buyers. Courtesy of Orlando Sentinel 9/26/06.

Home Buyers Buying Young

Tomorrows home buyers are under age 25, are tech savy and searching the internet for homes. Many these home buyers are purchasing homes at a younger age than their older brothers and sisters as well as their baby boomer parents. Many young home buyers see purchasing real estate as a good long-term investment and no longer waiting for a long term relationship or getting married to make a purchase. The percentage of young home buyers have increased from 11% in 2001 to 14% in 2005. The trend of single female home buyers has increased from 14% in 2001 to 21% in 2006. Courtesy of Planet Realtor 9/25/06.

Central Florida Plans for Future Growth

At Daytona Beach community college 50 elected officials around the area came together with residents and representative from www.myregion.org to plan for Central Florida growth. It is estimated by 2050 Central Florida's population is expected to grow to 7.2 million. Ten years ago the average housing density was 1.5 acre per home, now it is 1 acre per home. Team got together to view Volusia county region via lap tops to divise ways to implement public services such as roads, water, emergency services, and public transportation to plan for the growth, while preserving land for wildlife. Courtesy of Orlando Sentinel 9/25/06.

Flipping Homes Not So Profitable

The real estate boom has brought investors from all walks of life and occupation to purchase real estate in the hopes of making a profit since the past few years. Today with the market softened investors are faced with the possibility of having no or little profit from their venture. Nearly 1 in 5 flippers who sold from April to June lost money on the deal, which is the highest level in 2.5 years according to HomeSmartReports.com. This report will be released an show flipping activity in 147 metro areas. With speculators pulling out of the market, it is accelarating the decline in home sales this year. Life has become hard for sellers, while buyers have more choices and incentives, as sellers cut prices. However, there are sellers holding onto their high price tag, with dreams of making a profit. The four hottest real estate markets such as California, Florida, Arizona, and Nevada has hit the hardest with slow sales for flippers. Nationally, the level of real estate flipping declined to 4.7% in a quarter, down from a high 6.4% in first quarter of 2005. With the number of speculators bailing, the number of inventory of homes has hit an all time high in the US.

Orlando Flipping Statistics:

• 5.3% of homes flipped in past 5 years
• 6.0% of homes flipped in 2nd quarter 2006
• $33,750 profit flipped homes in 2nd quarter 2006
• 11.7% flippers lost money 2nd quarter 2006
• $17,150 lost money in 2nd quarter 2006

Courtesy of Planet Realtor and HomeSmartReport.

Historic Home Auctioned In Downtown Orlando

A Victorian era home built in 1887, and called the O'Neal house, will be auctioned off on 10/7/06 to the highest bidder, which is located on Lake Cherokee in the heart of downtown Orlando. This home has been updated through the years an offers polished wood floors, fireplace with ornate carvings, upgraded kitchen, pool, 5 bedrooms, and 4.5 baths. This home is two of surviving six homes located on once called "Honeymoon Row" because prominent newly weds lived here at once called Lake Minnie rather than Lake Cherokee. This home is a historic landmark and comes with restrictions that require the owner to obtain permission to make any changes. Four of the original homes have been torn down, but regulations require as much preservation as possible.

There will be no minimum bid. The bidder must put down $25K in cash or cashiers check and 10% due on day of auction and remaining balance within 30 days. This property is estimating to be sold from $1-2 million. Courtesy of Orlando Sentinel 9/21/06.

Status of Orlando Real Estate

The number of homes sold in the core market of Orlando dropped 34% compared to August 2005. August 2005 noted to be the single busiest month in history of Orlando Regional Realtor Association. The median price of a home increased by 2% over August 2005 which is at $249,900. Buyers are holding back due to increasing insurance rates and taxes, leaving the number of inventory homes over 20,000. This represents a 10 month back log supply. In addition, the number of new construction homes being sold through the realtors are rising which has not been seen in the past. As a result of the slow down, sellers are having to slash prices, to get any activity. Surrounding Orlando counties are feeling the same slow down, but Brevard county and coastal communities have builder cutting back on construction and buyers walking away from their deposits. Mortgage rates have been steadily rising, but recently the average rate went from 6.53% to 6.20%. Courtesy of Orlando Sentinel 9/15/06.

College Park More Development to Come

College Park located just on the west of Interstate 4 near downtown Orlando offers a quaint town center along with historic homes. A 50 year mobile home park located at the corner of Edgewater Drive and Maury Road home to many elderly residents has just delivered 6 month eviction notices. This mobile home park along with 9 acres south, which is still in negotiations with Orange County Public Schools, will be redeveloped with office, retail, and homes. Many elderly residents cannot afford to rent for $225/month. The builder indicates it will help residents to move their mobile up to $3000.00, if new enough and up to building codes, or compensate $1375.00 to $2750.00 depending on home size. Still residents do want to move 30 miles away or can afford to pay $10,000.00 needed to anchor the mobile down. Courtesy of Orlando Sentinel 9/13/06.

Good Luck Finding an Orlando Apartment

Orlando occupancy rates of 97.5% the highest since 1987 combined with rising rent prices are causing difficulty in finding affordable apartments. Orlando ranked 8th in the nation for increased rent prices by 7.7% in past year. Short supply of apartments has occurred as because of the condo conversions (converting apartments to condos). Orlando has been the second leader in nation for condo conversions. New supply of apartment complexes will be built, but not fast enough because of rising construction costs and opposing from residential areas. Rent prices are starting to stablize. With low employment rate, generation of jobs, continue to draw people to the region. Courtesy of Orlando Sentinel 9/10/06.