Just a note on perspective for some of the foreclosure news you are seeing.
Is it rough out there? Well consider this, in a news article today (see below) there are apparently frightening numbers on forclosure rates - " U.S. Foreclosures Jump 57%" . Awful state of affairs - right? How about this headline for the same article - "99.8% of U.S. Households NOT in Forclosure" Amazing? Can't be true? Check the math.
Use the numbers provided in the article - "More than 234,000 properties were in some stage of foreclosure, or one in every 538 U.S. households... ". Pull out your calculator and work out the percentage - .001859 or .1859% (1 divided by 538). Yep - that is LESS than two-tenths of one percent.
Well that is the national number, you might say, but Florida is much worse. You are absolutely right! Here is what the article says " Florida had the third-highest rate, one filing for every 282 households...". Yes much worse - .003546 or .3546%. LESS than four-tenths of one percent. So the Florida headline should read - "99.6% of Florida Households NOT in Forclosure".
This is not to diminish the real pain and financial peril faced by tens of thousands of homeowners in or facing foreclosure. There is a serious financial and market correction underway in housing and the broader economy. But it is not the end of the world. If you really want to see what a crisis is all about check the numbers from the Great Depression. Nearly 1 in 10 owners was in foreclosure in 1932 and 1933. In the 1920's there were over 40,000 real estate licensees in Florida - by 1941 the number was 1,200.
In 2008 there is no doubt we face a tough and challenging market. Is success still possible? YES. It will take very consistent, very focused, and very hard work to produce results. You CAN do this! But not if you let the headlines drag you down.
About the author:
Jerry LaRose is an Orlando Area Residential Real Estate Expert, who can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in Orlando, Windermere, Winter Garden Florida or any place in the country. Jerry has created a team of professionals throughout Orlando and the country to ensure that you enjoy a smooth transition to your new area. Please visit http://www.jerrysellsorlando.com/ for your real estate needs. Please give me a call if you have questions about the Orlando and Central Florida real estate market.
Jerry LaRose, P.A., ABR, GRI, e-PRO, CLHMS, REALTOR® 407-580-7011
(Copyright © 2008 By Jerry LaRose, P.A. All Rights Reserved.)
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