The economic news over the past few days has been making people a little nervous. Despite that, there are buyers out there looking.  SHowings are on the rise and offers are being made.  Even in the worst of times there will always a smal percentage of people uneffect by what the market is doing.  The choice is do you focus on what the news reports, or do you focus on the day?

NO CRYSTAL BALL 

Homes sales have actually been on the rise.   For several consecutive months homes sales have edged upwards.

The prices have come down, which was the catalyst for first time and investor buyers to hit the streets looking for the best bargains. 

As result of foreclosure homes, banked owned properties, and builder inventory liquidations, barhgains have been plentiful.

We have seen an increase in cash deals, as well as an increase in overall activity since the second quarter of 2008 indicating that the market is making strides towards recovery at least in my market of Osceola County, Florida.

This of course is a byproduct of the housing market meltdown, and credit crisis. The high rate of foreclosures fueling the fires and the glut of now banked owned properties in conjunction with the weak economy and overall economic slowdown.

By these dynamics all in play, are resulting in a return of the buyers to the market, as stock uncertainty abounds and speculation of worse times ahead, suggest to many that, now may be the best time to buy real estate. 

HISTORICALLY SPEAKING

Doing a litle digging in the archives revealed that even in 1929 the housing market saw a 6% increase in sales.

While it is true, not many of us around can recall the Great Depression, or the the human toll it took, but we have all heard stories from our elders that recalled the dire desperation of those times. Lack of jobs, money, or hope for many.

While we are not in a Great Depression, and many safeguards have been put into place since that time, the economy certainly is experiencing something unique to this generation.

However, as recent activity suggests, it does appear that people are willing to take the plunge back into the real estate market now that housing as hit previous boom levels in asking prices. Money buys more house than it used to as little as three years ago.  Moderately priced homes are selling quickly and competition in low cost housing is emerging with greater numbers of buyers competiting for these discounted homes.

While it is true that we are facing some tough times ahead, an individual who buys now has a hedge against inflation, and a building block towards protecting their overall personal wealth.  Buy wisely.