ecopal said:
>>>Yesterday 10:59 PM
from SHELLY "The bargins are only just beginning. Expect more the closer we get to property taxes coming due."<<<
to SHELLY:
so you are recommending to wait longer for better deals?-
how low do you think prices will go?
if you were looking for a place to buy on 30a when would you consider buying?
what variables would be watching to help you determine when the prices have hit a bottom?
Each property owner is different depending on their ability to keep paying out carrying costs (mortgage, taxes, insurance, etc.). There is also the added factor of investors who've been boasting how much their property is "worth" to their buds at the cocktail party and not wanting lose face by admitting to their circle of friends that they took less money for the property than the others got for their properties 2 months ago. "Premium" properties will pretty much hold their price and appreicate at lower levels. Many of the "cookie cutter" beach city properties are held by speculators who will be unloading these gems as the short term captial gains period expires, adjustable interest rates increase, easy credit dries up, insurance and taxes increase, and St JOE keeps cranking out more and more "cookie cutter" beach towns (as opposed to Bedrock-by-the-Sea with the Flintstones waterpark).
"The Bottom" like the "The Top" can only be seen in hindsight. If you're looking for a place to live, enjoy, and raise your family, and you're looking for a cheap mortgage--now isn't a bad time. Set your price at what you can afford and put it out there. If you're paying cash, check the records to find out what the person paid for the property--if they bought the property a couple years ago and really want to sell, they may be more apt to take a lower price than someone who bought in at the top of the market (which in my estimation was after Katrina and before Wilma).