Grand Isle Waterfront Sunset Lakes House for Sale - Miramar, Florida 33029

Grand Isle Waterfront Sunset Lakes House for Sale - Miramar, Florida 33029: "Beautiful 4,380 sf Botticello Model with 4 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms and a 3 Car Garage. Waterfront property with panoramic views of the lake and a nice pool with lots of privacy. Great floor plan with 3 bedrooms upstairs and two balconies. 1 Bedroom downstairs with a full bathroom. Gourmet kitchen with Corian countertops, island and wood cabinets. High ceilings with crown moldings and window treatments. Designer paint everywhere. Intercom with surround sound and CD player. This beautiful home shows like a model !!!Community has 5 Star Clubhouse. This house is spacious and spotless with many upgrades. Call Ericka to see it today because this home will sell fast!!! "

Contact Ericka at 954-647-8989 for Details, or visit www.ErickaMyRealtor.com for more information and photographs.

The South Florida Real Estate Craze-Fort Lauderdale and Miami Single Family Homes and New Condominiums

The South Florida Real Estate Craze-Fort Lauderdale and Miami Single Family Homes and New Condominiums: "South Florida real estate is hot right now. The warm weather, beautiful beaches, and the eclectic culture make Florida the perfect mix of sun and fun. From the high appreciation of single family homes and condominiums, to the boom in new construction projects, south Florida is a desirable place to live.
(PRWEB) June 16, 2005 -- The Real Estate Craze-Fort Lauderdale, Florida. June 14, 2005. According to the National Association of Realtors*, single-family homes in Broward County have appreciated 31.8% in the first quarter for 2005. Miami homes have increased 28.4%. Nassau, New York, residences have appreciated 16.3%, and Los Angeles, California, homes have increased in value 21.1%. * Reported by Les Chrisite, CNN/Money Staff writer Fort Lauderdale, Florida. New Loft-Style Building Going Up Downtown. The Waves, a 20-story residential tower is under construction. Prices range from the $400�s to the $600�s. This unique project is the first loft-style building in the area-complete with industrial-style staircases & polished concrete floors. "

International real estate sales booming here

International real estate sales booming here: "International real estate sales booming here
Buyers from overseas, particularly Europe, are investing heavily in Southwest Florida.
By TOM ARTHUR

tom.arthur@heraldtribune.com

Lured by low interest rates, a weak dollar and the area's astonishing increase in home values, foreign buyers are entering the Southwest Florida real estate market in record numbers.

In Manatee County, overseas buyers accounted for 2 percent of the total sales of homes and businesses to individual property owners in 2004, the highest percentage ever recorded.

Realty firms are taking notice, hiring agents who speak multiple languages and making sure information on their Web sites can be translated into foreign languages with a mouse click."

FDIC: Gap is high between home prices, incomes

FDIC: Gap is high between home prices, incomes: "SOUTH FLORIDA -- June 29, 2005 -- The gap between home prices and income has reached a record level in Miami-Dade County, according to a study released Tuesday by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.

As increases in home prices far outpace gains in income, 'Affordability may be emerging as an issue not only for lower-income households but also for more affluent, white-collar buyers,' the agency warned.

Underlining how South Florida's real estate boom is pricing many buyers out of the market, the price of a home in Miami-Dade is now more than six times income levels -- a record for the region. Home prices statewide jumped to 4.4 times income levels in 2004, higher than the national average of 4.1, the FDIC said."

Bubble discounted by officials

Bubble discounted by officials: "Bubble discounted by officials
WASHINGTON -- June 28, 2005 -- Bubble, what bubble?
Top officials at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., which regulates national banks, on Monday dismissed fears that rising home prices nationwide reflect a speculative bubble ready to burst.
Nationwide home prices grew by more than 12.5 percent in the first quarter of this year, 11 percent last year and 8.4 percent over the past five years. The nation's hottest markets have had price gains exceeding 30 percent in the last three years. Some economists believe that housing prices are being driven by speculative investment based more on faith that prices will rise even further than on economic fundamentals."

Low rates could be around for long term

Low rates could be around for long term: "Low rates could be around for long term
NEW YORK -- June 27, 2005 -- Federal Reserve officials this week are expected to institute the ninth interest-rate hike in a year, boosting the federal-funds rate to 3.25 percent, and also to focus on the strange behavior of long-term interest rates."

MBA expects home boom to continue

MBA expects home boom to continue: "WASHINGTON -- June 24, 2005 -- Mortgage Bankers Association Chief Economist Doug Duncan says he expects dramatic home-price gains to continue next year. He also anticipates a jump in the homeownership rate over the next two years, with 2005 marking the fifth straight year of record home sales.

According to Duncan, baby boomers will account for a majority of the buyers, as only 70 percent of them own homes at the present time. Additionally, he believes that interest rates will rise only slightly during the next two years, enabling many homebuyers to fit a mortgage into their budgets."

Builders take steps to curb speculation in housing markets

Builders take steps to curb speculation in housing markets: "Builders take steps to curb speculation in housing markets
WASHINGTON -- June 21, 2005 -- Home builders have been taking steps to curb speculative home buying by investors in the nation�s hottest housing markets, according to a series of surveys conducted by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

'Builders -- especially the largest builders -- early on recognized the dangers of excessive speculative activity and took steps to discourage sales to investors who did not intend to occupy the new homes,' said NAHB Chief Economist David Seiders. 'As a result of these proactive efforts, speculative activity in the national market for new single-family homes has been well contained.'"

Dade's jobless rate is best in 20 years

Dade's jobless rate is best in 20 years : "
MIAMI -- June 20, 2005 -- South Florida's steady but strong economic growth has pushed the jobless rate in Miami-Dade County down to a level not seen in 20 years, and Broward County is enjoying virtually full employment.

Last month, the unemployment rate in Miami-Dade County dropped to 4.3 percent, its lowest level since the mid-1980s. In May 2004, it stood at 5.5 percent.

In May, Broward's jobless rate dipped to 3.8 percent -- a level so low that qualified workers in the county can quickly find new jobs. The unemployment rate there was at 4.6 percent in May 2004."

Condo conversions spike higher in 2005

Condo conversions spike higher in 2005: "
MIAMI, Fla. -- June 15, 2005 -- Real Capital Analytics reports an increase in purchases of rental apartments slated for conversion into condominiums to $13 billion in 2004 from $3 billion the previous year, with a focus on the Miami, Las Vegas and New York markets."

New homes: Through the roof

New homes: Through the roof: "NEW YORK -- June 10, 2005 -- Economy.com Chief Economist Mark Zandi estimates that only 1.9 million new dwellings are needed each year to meet the needs of an expanding population, provide second or vacation homes to investors and replace aging properties. However, builders are on pace to complete 2.2 million new units this year, leading him to believe that oversupply will become a major concern in the coming years."

Grand Isle Waterfront Sunset Lakes House for Sale - Miramar, Florida 33029

Grand Isle Waterfront Sunset Lakes House for Sale - Miramar, Florida 33029: "Stunning 4,500 Sq. Ft. home on waterfront property with awesome views of the lake and nature preserve. Gorgeous staircase. High ceilings with custom made window treatments. Gourmet kitchen with granite countertops and wood cabinets. Tile in all the living areas. Elegant master bath with a roman tub. Master bedroom with a private balcony. Visit the virtual tour at http://www.360house.com/181210. Very private backyard with a pool, overlooking waterfront, overlooking nature preserve. No neighbors in the back, view looking West... Spectacular sunsets!!! Community has 5 Star Clubhouse."

Contact Ericka at 954-647-8989 for Details, or visit www.ErickaMyRealtor.com for more information and photographs.

HUD chief: No national housing price bubble

HUD chief: No national housing price bubble: "WASHINGTON-- June 7, 2005 -- There is no national housing bubble, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson told real estate editors at their national conference in early June.

The official believes the strongest price gains are generally a coastal matter, noting that affordable housing is still available in the Midwest and the Southwest.

He anticipates another five years or more of rising home prices in overheated markets."

Florida Ranks 5th in Home Appreciation Rate at 21,4%

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- June 2, 2005 -- Home prices in Florida are rising at a steady pace, according to a report released Wednesday, June 1.

The Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight's (OFHEO) Home Price Index (HPI), shows that U.S. home prices increased 12.5 percent year over year in the first quarter of 2005, up from 11.9 percent during the previous 12-month period. Florida, meanwhile, ranked fifth with a 21.4 percent increase for the same period.

Preceding Florida, the highest appreciation rates from March 2004 to March 2005 were recorded in Nevada, California, Hawaii, and the District of Columbia at 31.2 percent, 25.4 percent, 24.4 percent and 22.2 percent, respectively. Texas and Indiana were last and second to last, where prices rose 3.8 percent and 4.1 percent, respectively.

Pending Home Sales hits record HIGH!

WASHINGTON -- June 2, 2005 -- The Pending Home Sales Index, a leading indicator for the housing market, has risen to its highest level on record, according to the National Association of Realtors® (NAR).

Based on data collected for April, the Pending Home Sales Index stands at 128.2, which is 3.6 percent higher than March and 9.2 percent above April 2004. The previous record was 128.1 in October 2004. (NAR only started releasing its Pending Home Sales Index in March 2005; however, it began collecting research comparison data much earlier.)

The index is based on pending sales of existing homes, including single-family homes and condos. A sale is pending when the contract has been signed but the transaction has not closed. Pending home sales typically close within one or two months of signing. David Lereah, NAR's chief economist, says the index shows record levels of home sales are possible for May and June.

"Although the record we set for existing-home sales in April was a bit of a surprise, the rise in sales contracts results from declining mortgage interest rates," he says. "Home sales were expected to be tapering this year, but the index tells us that historic home sales are likely to continue." The report on May existing-home sales will be released June 23.

A Pending Home Sales Index of 100 is equal to the average level of contract activity during 2001, the first year to be analyzed. Coincidentally, 2001 was the first of four consecutive record years for existing-home sales.

Sales in 2001 are fairly close to the higher level of home sales expected in the coming decade relative to the norms experienced in the mid-1990s. As such, an index of 100 coincides with a historically high level of home sales activity.

Regionally, the index in the South jumped 7.7 percent to 138.9 and was 12.5 percent higher than a year ago. In the Midwest, it rose 4.5 percent to 122.0 in April and was 4.5 percent above April 2004. The Northeast increased 4.1 percent to a reading of 120.8 in April and was 10.1 percent higher than a year earlier. The index in the West declined 3.9 percent in April to 123.8 but was 8.0 percent above April 2004.

What bubble? Housing more affordable, study says

What bubble? Housing more affordable, study says: "CHICAGO -- June 1, 2005 -- Even though home prices are on the rise, research by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago reveals that income gains and low interest rates have made housing more affordable than during the previous decade.

Based on the mortgage servicing index created by the Chicago bank's senior economist, Richard Rosen, 15.8 percent of the median household income was necessary to cover the monthly mortgage payment on a median-priced home in 2004 -- which is down from 20 percent needed in the mid-1980s and 18 percent in the early 1990s. Rosen believes a boost in mortgage rates to 6.5 percent would spark a 6.5-percent decline in home prices, further calculating that prices would fall 15.5 percent if rates hit 7.5 percent."

FEMA's national flood insurance program urges business to be prepared

Planet Realtor News Item: "WASHINGTON -- June 1, 2005 -- Hurricane season is here, and more business owners need to know how to prepare their businesses for flooding, says Department of Homeland Security Under Secretary and head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Michael D. Brown."