Perception is Reality...or Is it?

Well, everyone knows the old saying, "Perception is Reality" and that is the case with the real estate market here in Florida. I keep reading all these reports, from this expert and that expert and they all say the same thing: "The Tampa market is stable and is in good shape". But here is the kicker...if people think that the market is bad, then the market will be bad, plain and simple.

Don't get me wrong, people are still out there buying, and there are some great deals to be had, but if you think the market is bad, then it must be bad. Well, not so. I know that there is a lot of mixed reports out there coming from all the news agencies saying the housing market hasn't hit bottom. But keep in mind, that each state/market is different and that the Market in MA for example is very different than the market in CA, as is with Florida.

So lets try to change the "perception" and lets all put together our collective thinking caps and lets "think positive" so that everyone suffering from losing their homes can have some piece of mind, and at the same time, the people buying get a great deal. That way, everyone is happy!

To Buy or Not to Buy...That is the question

Well, this question is asked of me all the time. Should I buy now or should I wait? Well, the answer is "It depends" What is your motivation for buying. Do you need to move, have you outgrown your current living conditions, or do you just want a change of scenery. This is what I tell most people...If you are looking to move to the Tampa area, now is a great time to buy. There is an abundance of property on the market, the conditions for a Buyers market is there...people are getting some great deals right now from people that have to sell.

The insurance and tax issues are being addressed by the Governor and he has vowed it to be fixed by end of year. I myself believe him as I just changed insurance companies and saved myself almost 1/2 of what I was paying. I am paying less now than what I was paying when I first moved here over 3 years ago.

As far as taxes go...my latest tax bill actually went down far more than I had anticipated...still not enough though, but the super exemption will kick into effect for next tax season so my savings should be substantial.

So, again, to answer the question as whether to buy or not...it depends on your circumstances, so choose wisely.

Tampa Florida Picked as #1 place in the Country to Buy a Home

I am sure all of you have been reading the news and keeping up with the market...but if you haven't, here is the latest...

Tampa Florida was picked as the #1 place in the country to buy a home and the Tampa Bay area was gearing up for a complete "V" shaped recovery by Jan 2008. What that means to you is that if you plan on moving to the Tampa Bay area and you want to pay less for your home...now is the time to buy. Developers that I have spoke with in the past week know about this and they are reserving prime lots for release at the end of the year to capitalize on this recovery.

Here are some links to the articles and or videos that discuss the topic.

And when you ready to Buy, please use the tools at our site to find exactly what you're looking for. You can reach us at www.TeamMasse.com.

Links to the reports:

Click here for the ABC Action News Video

Click here for link to the Forbes Article: Top Buyers Markets

Click here for a link to Video of the Forbes Article: Top Buyers Markets