Has the market changed in your area? It sure has in mine!

The market on staten island is so hard right now! the sellers would like to much for the house and the buyers cant get loans

Here in Naples were seeing increased activity as well Karen,  I was reading Regina Brassil's blog in Sarasota and her statement mirrored your comments above.

Values in many communities are have been driven so far below replacement cost and true value that even the most hesitant buyers are seeing value that is hard to deny.

Keep up with the hard work and long hours!

I think the market has changed in many areas especially in states (generically speaking) that had big runs (California, Florida, Arizona, Nevada).  Thanks to such high inventory levels, the price points on some deals have become so attractive that savvy move-up or new home buyers and investors are taking advantage of these great deals resulting in a noticeable pickup in activity.

I don't believe these markets have completely bottomed but we are getting closer.  As a result, we are sporadically starting to see better months, better numbers, and some good runs.

Karen - I'm a few miles south of you in Miami and I totally agree.  It is crazy out there and it has been for the past 2 or 3 months...  There are some great buys and the buyers are realizing it.  p.s. just sold something in your back yard (Parkland).  Cheers!

Karen, $$$$$. Nough said! Go get 'em!

We were just talking about exchange rates in our office today and the great opportunities that presents for foreign investment in Las Vegas. Our market feels like it's going a little sideways right now, and I'm not expecting it to really turn the corner for at least another 6-9 months.

LOL Karen... absolutely... Laughing becasue I'm not a group... my name is Garren Grup.  It happens all the time, but I guess it works either way!

Prononced as UP!  ... Hope you're kicking back!

The market is good for me and several in my office. Seems that the overall is slow. At some point the buyers do come in...

As we end summer and go into Fall, we tend to slow a little... that said I am off to show properties today and all weekend...

Karen - Well, I closed on a home about 2 weeks ago, I listed a home this week, and I have a couple of buyers.  So, I think things are looking great.   I'm glad you're so busy!   :)

My market is picking up. I'm encouraged by the amount of "lookers" that have been out since spring. There are also many buyers as well.

If you can send the foreign nationals to Arizona, all of us Zonies will be happy. But in all seriousness, the producers here are starting to get busy, which shouldn't surprise us. Now if we can get 10 agents in every state to re-blog your post, but change the localities, we might get this thing really going again.

That sounds like a great thing!  The dollars is cheap and so are the bargains!

Unfortunately in my area the market is not improving and they don't think it will really for a few more years. While many areas are only hit by the subprime crisis and high fuel costs, we also have one of (if not the) highest unemployment rates in the nation which only adds fuel to the fire. I haven't heard any talks of foreign nationals picking up properties here either, but there may be a few in surrounding areas. There are a few homes I have thought about trying to find a way to pick up... 989k sales price in 05 or 06 when it was built... just sheriff saled for 250k (and its in move in condition) and another similar one in the same sub, needs minor repair for about 23% of original sales price, and another one that is only framed that I have heard the bank would accept 70k for and I can finish it my way... Oh did I mention I have been thinking about getting my builders/ general contractors license too lol

Karen- Thank you so much for the mention. And thanks to the SunSentinal we got a lot of emails that people read the article. It was also posted on RISMedia. Our market is very strong, with such great deals, we are getting multiple offers on our short sales and even our non shorts are selling.

The Bill that was supposed to help homeowners and the lenders, a bail out bill- is going to really hurt the first time homebuyers. The down payment assistant program ( which as you know is huge here in south Florida) is no longer going to be allowed for FHA. FHA is also raising their down payment to 3.5% and it can not come from the seller. The seller can still pay closing costs but bye bye to down payment assistance. Almost all the FHA deals have been with down payment assistance. Big mistake made by congress.

Wachovia says they are not going to reset rates. They are telling their customers to sell as shorts.

Thanks again for your mention!