Good News for Florida

Florida's existing home sales ROSE in March, which means that sales activity has increased in the year-to-year comparison for 19 months, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors®.

Existing home sales increased 24 percent last month with a total of 16,294 homes sold statewide compared to 13,090 homes sold in March 2009, according to Florida Realtors. Statewide existing home sales last month increased 37 percent over statewide sales activity in February. Also noteworthy: While March's statewide existing-home median price of $137,000 was down from the same time a year ago, it was 4.3 percent higher than February's statewide existing-home median price.

Florida Realtors also reported a 63 percent increase in statewide sales of existing condos in March compared to the previous year's sales figure; statewide existing condo sales last month rose 40.6 percent over the total units sold in February. Though March's statewide existing-condo median price of $96,900 was down compared to the year-ago figure, it was 5.1 percent higher than February's statewide existing-condo median price.

Seventeen of Florida's metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) reported increased existing home sales in March while all MSAs had higher condo sales. A majority of the state's MSAs have reported increased sales for 21 consecutive months.

I believe we are heading in the right direction! It also means the PRICES WILL SOON RISE!

if you are a buyer I believe the time to act is NOW, tomorrow might be to late.

FLORIDA AVERAGE RESIDENTIAL SALES PRICE

The March 2010 average residential sales price of $180,069 represents a 6.01% increase over last month, a 5.38% increase over last quarter (3 months ago), and a 2.58% decrease over March of 2009. Although we're close, we have not broken through the low hit in January 2009. After about 18 months of finding news lows every month, we have spent the last 13 months supporting the low found in January 2009.

The Average Residential Sales Price represents the average sales price of closed residential sale transactions as reported through the MLS for single family homes, townhomes, condominiums, and villas. As noted on the GTAR website, these figures do not represent private sales or new construction sales unless entered into MLS. This is only one of many available indicators, but taken consistently over time, provides a good view of residential market activity.

The reality of what we've been through - The March 2010 average residential sales price represents a 26.11% decrease from 2 years ago, a 36.26% decrease from 3 years ago, and a 42.35% decrease from the high of $312, 356 hit in July 2006. It is encouraging to see what appears to be tremendous support at this average sales price

will things get better or worse? what is your take. I believe that we are doing the right things to get the market back where it should be however because we are so deep in the hole it will take a long time for us to get back to normal, my prediction is late 2011.

New changes

Dear Clients:

I hope this email finds you well, as always I am constantly looking for ways in which to improve my business so that I may
Better serve you my clients.

This past year has been a trying one for the real estate industry as you have probably heard, many businesses have gone
Under and an estimated 67% of agents have either quit the business or gone part-time. The industry has been hit with a
Big right hook however many of us are still standing while others have folded. This is why I have aligned myself with one
Of the most successful teams in Florida to be able to better serve you.

Team Brumbach Realty Group has been in the real estate industry for over 10 years, together we have over 30 years of real estate experience
To better serve you “our clients”. Team Brumbach is also a “one stop real estate solution” where we offer you, residential sales, commercial real estate,
Property management, short sales expert, distressed property certified, REO’s, Mortgage Lending, and Loan Modifications. Team Brumbach Realty Group
Does it all and we are here to serve you.

This was not an easy decision to make however it was the right decision to make. While looking for the right team to merge with, I needed someone that
Shared the same value’s as I did as well as shared the same goals and ambitions while at the same time keeping our focus on customer service, the team
That always came out on top was Team Brumbach Realty group.

Please consider Team Brumbach Realty Group for your next listing or purchase and or any of your real estate needs.

We are now stronger than we ever have been, while others are leaving the business we are growing our business.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

RISING PRICES NOT JUST AT THE GAS PUMP...
If you've noticed your grocery bill getting bigger lately, you're not alone - and it's likely not because you're eating more. According to Rising Food Prices: Policy Options and World Bank Response, global wheat prices have increased a whopping 181% over the past three years - and overall, food prices have increased by 83%!
Concerned? You're not alone. A recent poll showed that 73% of consumers cite higher grocery bills as a concern; with nearly half saying food inflation has caused a hardship for their households. In fact, food prices ranked just below record-high gasoline prices on the list of things people are worried about.
According to Gregory Karp, author of Living Rich by Spending Smart, here are three simple ways you can save when it comes to food and drink prices:
Time your grocery shopping. With the exception of milk, eggs, and bread, most grocery store products are put on sale at least once every 12 weeks, as Karp notes, often for "20%-30% their usual price." So instead of buying what you need every week or two, stock up on non-perishables when they go on sale. It may take a little planning ahead on your part, but the annual savings is substantial. As Karp writes, "The average American family of four spends about $8,500 on groceries each year. Trimming that bill by 20% saves $1,700."
Make eating out a special treat. Enjoying a nice meal out is always a fun thing to do, so let it be just that, a fun thing to do rather than a solution for being too tired or too rushed to cook. When you do have the time and energy to cook, make two or three times the amount and freeze the extras. Then, when you're rushed, a home-cooked (and probably healthier) meal will be waiting in your freezer, and will likely take less time to reheat than a night out or take-out delivery. And you will save more than time: According to Karp, "A restaurant meal for two costs $30 even at inexpensive chain restaurants. Home-cooked meals typically cost half as much, if not less. Convert two restaurant trips into two frozen homemade dinners each month, and you will save $360 per year."
Don't buy bottled water. Believe it or not, recent tests have shown that bottled water and tap water are pretty equal when it comes to safety and taste. For example, ABC News tested New York City tap water and bottled water for bacteria and found no difference in purity. Plus, there are environmental benefits of using less plastic. Karp estimates that people who drink one $6 case of bottled water each week can save $311 per year if they stop buying bottled water. He notes that "tap water costs five cents per gallon, or less than two cents per equivalent case - about $1 for the year."
Hey, if you eat...rising food prices impact you. Use the above tips and suggestions to help minimize your concerns about rising food prices, and stay healthy and smart.