Real Estate Market Has Many Short Sales

Hi All,
Well, our real estate market in Manatee County, Florida, is still slow, and so many of the listings are short sale listings. This can be very time consuming and frustrating for many sellers and buyers, especially if they have a time limitation involved in selling or buying. Especially with the large lenders, we are seeing it taking a long time to get an answer on short sale contracts. The time frame is somewhere between 6 weeks and 3 months. So, if you're going to do a short sale, you'd better have lots of patience and not need to move anytime soon if you're a buyer.

Prices continue to come down in our marketplace on single-family homes. Prices haven't come down so much on condos but number of sales has been very low.

I hope the government can get this rescue plan worked out soon, as I think think will definitely help our real estate market. It think buyers are just sitting back and waiting to see what happens here. I can't say I blame them. If I were buying, I think I'd do the same thing.

Well, all for now. Will keep you posted.
Check out my website at: www.aliceohme.com
You can search MLS for all the latest listings on my site.
Have a great day!
Alice Ohme, G.R.I., e-PRO
Realtor
Wagner Realty
Bradenton FL

Manatee County Market Continues to Improve

Hi Everybody,
The Manatee County Real Estate market definitely is getting better. My whole office has had a really good month or two. A number of properties that have been on the market for a year or two have all of a sudden sold. Of course, prices have really gotten down there, as well. It will be interesting to see if this trend continues when all our snowbirds go home, which is happening right now. I think the condo market may slow a bit, but I see no decrease in the number of potential buyers out there for single-family homes. It is important to note, however, that buyers are really taking their time making a buying decision and looking at everything on the market in their price range and geographical location. Mortgages continue to be somewhat of a challenge, but if a buyer is well qualified, it really isn't a problem. Even the marginal buyers can get a mortgage, but should expect to pay a little higher interest rate and fees.
All in all, I think the market look good and I look for it to continue the upward trend.
I'll keep you posted.
I invite you to post here your real estate experiences.
Check out my website at http://www.aliceohme.com for slideshows and virtual tours on all my listings.
Alice Ohme

Manatee County Real Estate Still Better

The news is getting even better. Our real estate market in Manatee County is getting really busy. We are having lots of showing activity and even condos are getting shown. We're busy!! Prices are still down, but I think they've pretty much bottomed out (which is really good). I'm optimistic. Now is the time to buy! Interest rates continue to be low, inventory is still high, it's time to get out there and buy!
Check out my listings and virtual tours at www.aliceohme.com.

Wagner Realty Red Tag Sale

Hi Everyone,
Wagner Realty is running a repeat this coming weekend (Feb 23 and 24) of our Red Tag Sale Event. If the sellers of properties we have listed wish to participate, their listing will be offered for this weekend only at 10% off the list price. Some properties will be held open during the course of the weekend, and many others will just be advertised at the reduced price.
We last ran this program in October and sold a number of properties as a direct result of the promotion. Since activity is better now, we are expecting good response to this weekend promotion. A large advertising campaign has already started and will features details on the participating listings in this Saturday's Bradenton Herald Real Estate Section.
This is an excellent opportunity to get that home or condo you might have been wanting at a greatly reduced price. We also welcome participation from agents with any other company.
Please see the details section of my listings on my website at www.aliceohme.com for specific details on the participating listings. I look forward to seeing and hearing from you this coming weekend
I'll let you know how this program turns out.
Thanks,
Alice Ohme, Realtor, Wagner Realty

Manatee County Real Estate Market is Active!

Hi Everyone. Well, the local real estate market is getting better still since my last post. I put together three contracts the last 10 days, one on a manufactured home, one on a condo, and one on a single-family home. So, our activity has been pretty much across the board. I've been busy! A lot of the activity, however, is still with the lower priced properties, but we are seeing increases in activity on more expensive homes, as well.I hope this is not just a seasonal thing and that this increase in activity will continue even after our tourist season ends about the end of April. With interest rates at historical low levels, I think it will continue. Isn't it hard to believe that a person can now get a 30-year fixed rate mortgage for somewhere in the 5.5 to 5.75% range? We are even starting to see investors coming back into the market (however very cautiously!). Folks, NOW is the time if you've been waiting to buy. Low Interest Rates, Huge Inventory and lots of selection now!Anyway, this is an entirely different market picture here in Manatee County than it was a year ago today. What a difference!I'll keep you posted on how this is going. Let me know your thoughts and experiences, as well. I'd love to have your post on my blog.Please go to my website at http://www.aliceohme.com/ for slideshows and virtual tours on all of my listings. I'm never too busy for YOUR business.Have a great day!Alice

Real Estate Activity is Picking Up!!

Well, I can't hardly believe it, but it's finally happening. I am very busy showing property to prospective buyers. It seems like all of a sudden the buyers are coming out of the woodwork. Most aren't ready to make commitments yet and make an offer, but looking is certainly the first step. It's great to see this after over two years of not much activity. I'm even getting a lot of interest on condos. Interest rates are extremely low right now and it is the perfect time to buy. Inventories continue to be high and prices have come down to a very affordable level. I'm strongly urging everyone in Florida to vote on the upcoming amendment on the ballet on January 29th about Taxes. It's not a perfect solution, but it definitely is a step in the right direction. If this doesn't pass, we'll be stuck with these ridiculous taxes for at least another year. Please, everyone, get to the polls and vote YES on Amendment 1.
Thanks. I'll be in touch! Check my listings at http://www.aliceohme.com. I have slideshows and virtual tours for every property I have listed.
Alice