Are 4.5% rates in sight?

The brain trust in Washington thinks that driving rates down will stimulate a rebound. Read on...
http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n1-120408.cfm

WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR?

This Thanksgiving has really got me thinking about what I am thankful for! As you know being in Real Estate this past 3 years has been a real challenge for me! Many times I have felt like just giving up but it is because of people like you that I have not. I love what I do and feel wonderful when I can help someone. I have always maintained that if I put my customers first I would make it. I have been in this business for 8 years here in Florida and for the first 5 years I worked for developers selling high end custom homes. The money was great and I had a lot of fun but it was not until getting into my own business that I really learned how gratifying my job can be. In June of this year I was contacted by a waitress that I had worked with who was ready to buy her first home. She is in her late forties and has struggled to raise her kids as a single mom. She had no credit and very little money to put down. Joe went to work and got her pre-qualified through a FHA program for $100,000 with only 3% down. Dana our office manager went to work on building her credit off her cell phone bill. The buyer had very specific criteria because she has a dog and needed 2 bedrooms. Our biggest challenge was that there are not many condos that are FHA approved and the budget was limited. I found her exactly what she wanted but it was listed for more than she qualified, I told the owner her story and her budget and a couple of weeks later she called back to say she would accept my buyers offer. She closed on her first home on Sept 3, 2008 and every time I see her she cries. This was the most gratifying sale of my life. For many years I specialized in high end and my biggest sale was 2.4 million which was pretty awesome. However no amount of money can compare to helping someone who was up against such incredible odds. I love my job!!! Thank you all for your support and referrals throughout the years. I would not be here without you! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family and May God continue to bless us all!!!!

Ocean Trust Realty, LLC
Ginger Allen-VP

FORECLOSURES IN LIMBO

More good news, or is it just smoke and mirrors? Only time will tell...

Fannie, Freddie put foreclosures, evictions on hold for the holidays

GOT CONDO?

If you follow the mainstream media and believe the talking heads, Miami has been destined to be an economic wasteland because of all the unsold condos under development. But is that the reality of the situation? According to this article, there is reason for optimism. Read on...

Miami condos finding buyers

Don't Buy Into The Doom And Gloom!

Even though the media feeds on disastrous news, there IS good news! Year-to-date, we are up more than 250% over last year!! Three out of every four sales are cash deals, which means that prices have come down far enough to get buyers off the fence. In fact, in many cases, the offers our customers are presenting are competing with multiple other offers. The U.S. investor has gotten soured on the stock market and the smart money is coming back to real estate. Yes, there is more pain to come... but there is also reason for optimism and we anticipate a significant increase in traffic and closings in the upcoming season. Remember, what you focus on expands!

Read the attached article from FAR:
Florida’s existing home sales increase in 3Q 2008

Credit Default Swaps - The Bet That Blew Up Wall St

Watch CBS Videos Online

Existing home sales jump, prices sink

The statistics are even better in Florida! Looks like we're turning the corner...