Archive for the ‘Featured’ Category

Record 3 million households hit with foreclosure in 2009. Sanibel Island and Cape Coral will continue the same trend with Distressed properties in 2010 as witnessed in 2009

Thursday, January 14th, 2010

chart_foreclosure_rates4.top.gif

RealtyTrac states that over 3 million households were hit with foreclosure in 2009.  Setting a new record.

RealtyTrac, the online marketer of foreclosed homes, reported that one in 45 households — or 2,824,674 properties nationwide — were in default last year. That’s 21% more than in 2008, and more than double 2007′s total.

The dramatic, sustained increase occurred despite efforts, such as President Obama’s Home Affordable Modification Program, to reduce foreclosure filings.

“As bad as the 2009 numbers are, they probably would have been worse if not for legislative and industry-related delays in processing delinquent loans,” said RealtyTrac CEO James Saccacio in a prepared statement.

There was at least one bright spot in the report: In spite of a 21% increase in filings, the number of homes actually repossessed was 871,086 — up just 1.1% above 2008′s total.

2010 is going to prove to be a challenging market.  Giving Buyers the best opportunity in a half century.

Please call or email me if you are a Seller looking for help with your pre-foreclosure.

Jeff

Cnnmoney.com was the contributer for the article.

Canadians, Germans, and the French are Buying Real Estate in SouthWest Florida – Short Sales, Foreclosures

Tuesday, November 24th, 2009

MSNBC reports an increase in Foreign Investors in the USA. We have seen increased sales in Cape Coral, Fort Myers, and Sanibel Island.

Declining Dollar Brings Foreign Investors

 

Falling prices for real estate and the declining value of the dollar are luring investors from all over the world to purchase properties for as little as half what they might have paid four years ago.

“This could be a once-in-a-generation opportunity for real estate investment,” says Arthur Wong, whose Calgary, Alberta-based U.S. Real Estate Fund has invested $5 million in properties in the U.S. Southwest and plans to buy millions more.

Buyers from countries like Brazil, Canada, France, and the Netherlands, whose currencies are particularly strong against the dollar, are spending millions on luxury condos in New York City, Las Vegas, and Miami. Foreign buyers also find the warm climates of California, Texas, and Arizona attractive.

Peter Zalewski, a principal with Miami-based Condo Vultures, says he has sold foreign condo buyers seven bulk deals in downtown Miami alone, with investors coming from Argentina, Canada, Colombia, Italy, Norway, and Venezuela.

Source: MSNBC (11/22/09)