I found another positive news article from Inman news addressing the Tampa Bay Area Housing Market.  This study shows that Tampa is in the top 20 for appreciation and is a very good sign that now is the best time to buy a house.  It also compares costs of owning versus renting in our market which on a US study is encouraging.  It seems that they are basing this study on the current purchase prices of homes, which has become extremly affordable and the future potential to gain equity within 3-4 years.

Statistics have shown the Florida Real Estate Market is much different than many other markets across the country.  One, we have foreign money coming into our state from investors looking to get a great deal, two people still want to move to the Sunshine State!

Prospects for buyers improve

Study: Upside by 2012 seen in two-thirds of markets

By Inman News, Tuesday, October 28, 2008. Inman News

Purchase a home in 67 of the nation’s 100 largest metropolitan areas and you should be able to build positive equity by 2012, according to a new study comparing ownership and rental costs.

The report from the Center for Economic and Policy Research concluded that prospects for building equity by 2012 have improved somewhat in 36 cities, compared with an analysis performed in the spring. In many markets, declines in house prices and modest increases in rents are helping return rent-to-price ratios closer to historical levels, the report found.

 Equity Accrual Rates in the Top 100 Housing Markets

NEGATIVE Equity    POSITIVE Equity