Ft Lauderdale Lifestyle Blog

February 27th, 2009 10:33 PM
Home sales up in Florida, down nationwide

South Florida Business Journal - by Susan R. Miller

Wednesday, February 25, 2009


Cheaper home prices and lower mortgage rates are luring more Floridians back into the housing market, but the same story isn’t playing out nationally.

Florida’s existing home sales rose 24 percent last month, the fifth consecutive month to show an increase in activity, according to the Florida Association of Realtors.

Nationwide, however, sales of existing homes fell 5.3 percent in January to their lowest levels in nearly 12 years.

In Florida 8,450 existing homes sold, up 24 percent from the 6,810 homes sold in January 2008, according to FAR.

“Many people are looking at today’s market and seeing opportunities to find the home or business they’ve always wanted,” FAR President Cynthia Shelton said.

What’s good news for buyers is bad for sellers, as foreclosures continue to depress home values.

The statewide median sales price for existing homes last month was $139,500, down 33 percent from last year, when the median sales price was $206,900.

Condos also are selling, with FAR reporting a 13 percent statewide gain to 2,556 units sold, up nearly 13 percent from 2,266 sold in January 2008. The existing condo median sales price last month was $113,400, down 40 percent from last January, when it was $190,200.

Fort Lauderdale saw home sales soar 52 percent in January, to 467 from 307 a year ago. Values continue their downward spiral, with the median price at $191,000, down 39 percent from last January’s median price of $314,200.

Condo sales in Fort Lauderdale were up 29 percent, to 531 units from 411, but median prices were nearly halved to $85,000 from $153,000 a year ago.

Miami reported a 47 percent hike in the number of existing home sales, to 407 from 276. The median price, however, fell 38 percent, to $208,100 from $336,800.

Miami condo sales were up 27 percent, to 379 units from 298. The median price fell 48 percent, to $149,100 from $284,000.

Activity wasn’t as upbeat in West Palm Beach, where January sales were up just 11 percent to 408 homes sold from 369 a year ago. Median prices were down 32 percent, to $232,100 from $343,200.

Condo sales were up 24 percent, to 375 units from 303. The median sales price was down 31 percent, to $108,900 from $157,700.

The national median sales price for existing single-family homes in December 2008 was $174,700, down 14.8 percent from a year earlier, according to National Association of Realtors.

“It appears some buyers are taking advantage of much lower home prices,” NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun said. “The higher monthly sales gain and falling inventory are steps in the right direction, but buyers will continue to have an edge over sellers for the foreseeable future.”



Posted by Eileen Kedersha on February 27th, 2009 10:33 PMPost a Comment (0)

Subscribe to this blog
Recent Posts:

Archive:

My Favorite Blogs:

Sites That Link to This Blog:

Fort Lauderdale BlogFollow us on TwitterBecome a Fan on FacebookSee our Video PageFort Lauderdale Homes
Follow Fort Lauderdale Luxury Homes on PinterestGoogle
Eileen Kedersha
Eileen@EkLuxuryHomes.com
Direct: (954) 462-3600
                           William Kedersha
William@EkLuxuryHomes.com
Direct: (954) 817-2900

One Sotheby's International Realty
888 East Las Olas Blvd
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
www.EkLuxuryhomes.com
Toll Free: 1-800-696-3100
Fax: 1-888-954-3535

 

 

                                      

iPhone users scan the below codes to start searching homes on your phone!

Scan the below code to call us now!

Mobile users scan the below code to start searching homes on your

Fort Lauderdale Homes

Fort Lauderdale Homes

Fort Lauderdale Homes

4611

 

Fort Lauderdale Luxury Homes Get Flash Player

About UsProperty SearchArea InfoBuyer InfoSeller InfoDistressed Property Info | Contact Us

Copyright © 2012 One Sotheby's International Realty
Portions Copyright © 2012 a la mode, inc.
Another XSite by a la mode, inc. | Admin LoginTerms of UseSite Map
All rate, payment, and area information are estimates and approximations only.