SURVEY SAYS! NOW IS THE TIME TO BUY YOUR FIRST HOME

This just illustrates the buyers are savvy and know what they are looking for in a home and a community. As I have said before, the customer controls the market with builders, developers, and investors listening loud and clear. It is time for us to prepare now. With the types of incentives being offered today, the growth of our area, and the reduction of military housing in our area, we must start now to meet our area's need now and in our future. The folks know where the Panhandle is now!


Survey: Households say now is good time to buy
Great Time to Buy Florida

ORLANDO, Fla. – March 27, 2009 – Out of 1,000 potential first-time home buyers, 78 percent say that now is a good time to buy a home, despite widespread concern about the economy. And 68 percent think now is a better time to buy than six months ago. The survey was conducted in early March for the Century 21 First-Time Home Buyer Survey. Prices are the driving motivation for potential first-time home buyers, with more than eight of 10 first-time home buyers (85 percent) saying they consider current home prices affordable, and 73 percent citing current prices as a major factor in their decision to buy now. However, potential first-time buyers are still split between “being willing to consider an offer now” (42 percent) and “waiting for prices to go down before they seriously consider making a purchase” (48 percent).“Current pricing, rates and incentives, such as the First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit, provide tremendous opportunities for first-time home buyers to get into the market,” says Tom Kunz, Century 21 Real Estate president and CEO. “Our research shows that while consumers still have concerns about the future of the economy, many are actively considering their options as we move into the spring selling season.”Among the survey’s other key findings:• Bargains in the marketplace provide additional options for buyers to consider. Fifty-six percent of potential first-time home buyers are considering a foreclosed or short sale home, and 63 percent are open to a “fixer-upper” or “as-is” home.• When asked to rate the features that they look for when choosing a home, price is the primary consideration, with 87 percent saying this feature is “very important,” followed closely by neighborhood safety (80 percent) and the home’s condition (71 percent).• Having enough money for a downpayment is a top concern of potential first-time home buyers, as nearly half (46 percent) said they are “very worried” about the issue.• Most respondents (86 percent) are in the market for single family homes.