Competition is really heating up in the southwest Florida market. During a recent buying tour with an out of state client, we encountered multiple offers on nearly every property that we placed offers on. My client, like many others, was looking to pick up a great second home at a very good price. Not very difficult you might think, considering the number of homes for sale in our market.

Once we waded through the overpriced listings and discarded the short sales (short on sales, long on time!) we came to the bank or corporate owned homes. Now my buyer thought that just because of the economy, he could lowball offers because no one is buying right? How wrong could he be, as I mentioned there were multiple offers on nearly everything he wanted. He really wanted something to buy and was getting frustrated. So my advice to him was;

You're in a strong bargaining position -- meaning, you look particularly welcome to a seller -- if:

• You're an all-cash buyer; or
• You're already pre-approved for a mortgage; and
• You don't have a present house that has to be sold before you can afford to buy.

But you are competing with everyone who has seen the news, read the newspapers, or tracked this market online. Investors are back looking at cash flow properties, snowbirds are looking for a place to escape, and primary homebuyers who were once shut out due to price are all looking to buy.

Sales volume for the first 2+ months of 2009 have been at a frenzy. Foreclosed homes and distressed properties are obviously leading the way, but how long will it last? Inventory is on the decrease, new housing starts are virtually nonexistent.

If you are looking for opportunity, then look no further than southwest Florida. Check us out today at http://www.Hope4Homebuyers.Listingbook.com

In Faith

Neil G. Blair-Bennett
Broker-Associate
Alliance Realty Group
14090 Metropolis Ave #206
Fort Myers, FL 33912
Direct Line: (239) 645-3798
NeilBlairBennett@Gmail.com
http://www.Hope4HomeBuyers.org