Gifts we Found in Real Estate News for 2012

Santa will be here in less than a week, but according to National statistics the Real Estate Market has a few gifts to share now!

• The housing recovery is nearly halfway complete, according to Trulia’s Housing Barometer, which in October posted its largest increase since it began tracking recovery 18 months ago. Trulia monitors delinquency and foreclosure rates, existing home sales, and construction starts and compares them with their worst points during the housing crisis and their normal pre-bubble levels. All three indicators showed improvement in October. 
• Housing recovery is the real deal - U.S. builders started construction last month on the most homes and apartments since July 2008, more evidence that the housing recovery is gaining momentum. 
• Housing in recovery, will boost GDP - Housing data released over the past few months clearly shows a market in recovery, according to the MarketPulse report released last month by CoreLogic Inc. CoreLogic estimates housing recovery could boost GDP a quarter-percent in 2012 and a half-percent in 2013. 
• Consumer confidence holds at five-year high - Consumer confidence held at 82.7 in November, marking a five-year high based on the widely followed survey by Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan. 
• Existing home sales jumped 25% in October in Florida. 
• Pending sales, those expected to close within 90 days, but not yet completed shot up 56.7 in October from a year ago. 
• The median sales price increased year to year by 9% to $145K.  
• Florida’s unemployment rate fell to 8.5% reaching the lowest point in nearly four years. 
• Sales of homes priced at 500K and above have jumped more than 40% in the past year.

With all this good news it looks like 2013 is

shaping up to be a very Happy New Year for all!

11 Reasons to List During the Hollidays

1. People who look for a home during the holidays are more serious buyers.

2. Serious buyers have few houses to choose from during the holidays; less competition means more money for you.

3. You may receive more money for your home now, because you have less competition.

4. Throughout the holiday season, you may restrict showings during your personal family events.

5. Houses show better when decorated for the holidays.

6. Buyers have more time to look for a home during the holidays especially during vacations.

7. January is traditionally the biggest transfer month – and you must be on the market to capture those buyers since transferees cannot wait until Spring to buy.

8. By selling now you can have a delayed closing or extended occupancy until the beginning of the following year if you want it.

9. When you sell during the winter you have an opportunity to buy during the spring, when many homes are on the market.

10. You may have fewer actual showings but more qualified and motivated prospects.

11. Some people must buy before the end of the year for tax reasons.