We bought a new home here in Tampa Bay last year, and we’re not too thrilled with the dip in the market. Our house is probably worth less now than we paid for it - that’s ok for right now, because it is the home we wanted, and we’re not going anyplace. But people who bought to make some money in the short term aren’t quite so lucky. It’s a great time to be a home buyer, provided you can afford the taxes and homeowners insurance. Mortgage rates are looking pretty good right now too! In fact, 30 year fixed mortgage rates for Tampa, FL are right around 5.77% right now - that’s lower than the rate we have from just last year. I can only hope that by the time we’re ready to refinance next year, that we can still get that kind of rate, if not lower.

I know of quite a few Floridians, especially retired Floridians, who said “the heck with it!” and moved back north. What could prompt such a mass exodus of the Sunshine State? How about hurricanes, heat, and rising home prices? In particular, a lot of people have decided to make their new home in the mountains of North Carolina, or the foothills of Tennessee. With prices that cost much less than what we have here in Tampa, it’s easy to see why Asheville homes are so popular with people.

Now, before you discount North Carolina as a place that is lacking in diversity and culture, take a look at what the state has to offer. Asheville, located in western North Carolina has entertainment, arts, culture, fine dining, skiing, and other outdoor sports. Frommer’s named Asheville as one of 12 must see travel destinations this year! Downtown is hip and happening, and the outdoor activities are awesome, from hiking to boating to skiing to farmers markets. Oh, and did I mention the views? Gentle rolling hills, sloping mountains, fall colors, quaint small towns…I’d move just to be able to enjoy that view on a daily basis!

Massachusetts is on my list of states to visit still, in my quest to visit every state in the nation. My husband went to Boston for a wedding once, but that was “B.C” - Before Colleen. I came across this site selling Boston Condos. They illustrate the variety of availability across the city, from brownstones in Cambridge to new units in Back Bay. There’s a huge selection to be had in Boston, and the Boston Condo Group hopes to help you narrow down your search by dividing the available offerings into neighborhood and type of condo, i.e. new construction, a historic brownstone, or a renovated condo. The site even offers an MLS search, so that you can compare the listings on your own, and see where you’d like to live.

If you’ve ever driven on I-4 between Tampa and Orlando, you’ve probably seen the offices for Palm Harbor Homes, and their on site display of manufactured homes. Forget everything you think you know about mobile homes - these are not your Grandma’s doublewide! Even from the quick peek I get from the interstate, I’m impressed. These modular homes have garages, 2nd stories, front porches, and lots more. One is even built up on stilts for those of you who live close to the water. The gallery of homes might surprise you too - take a look at those floorplans! These factory built homes are air tight, and built to last. Because they’re built in a factory, and put together on site, your costs remain low. Have you seen the rising prices here in Tampa? These homes represent an affordable option for many people priced out of town. Buy your own land, and live in privacy on your acreage, in your brand new modular home!

I was talking to a few of our neighbors this week, and they heard from the mail lady that several homes in our neighborhood are in foreclosure. I guess investors bought the homes, couldn’t sell them because of the market taking a dive, and now they’re willing to walk away from the home. Eek! I’m sure that doesn’t do much for your debt management situation! I hope those investors are very happy in the homes they already own, because I’m sure that loans are hard to get once you’ve walked away from a house and you let the bank take it.

The builder wasn’t supposed to sell to investors - but the first salesperson in here was a bit shady, and she did whatever it took to sell the homes. Unfotunately, this is the end result. 10-15 homes sitting vacant - never even lived in. Plus the builder has their own inventory homes they’re trying to unload. They’re so desperate to sell, even people with bad credit remortgages could get a brand new home right now. Builders are doing all sorts of things to entice people. They’re giving away cars, paying your mortgage for a year, giving you free homeowners insurance cover, paying off credit cards - I’ve never seen the market like this in my life.

Well people, summer is coming. It’s April and we’re already running the a/c in my house. How about you? It’s days like this when I wish I lived somewhere other than Florida - not that I’m moving any time soon, but still, it’s nice to dream. But where would I go?

I’ve always said that I’d love to live in the mountains. Someplace with all 4 seasons. And somewhere that doesn’t get as hot and humid as Florida does. Marysville WA Real Estate be be just the place for Floridians looking to beat the heat. This small town is located in Washington state, bordered by mountains, close to Puget Sound. Some Marysville homes even offer views of Puget Sound. Now, I wonder if you’re able to see whales and such there? That would be amazing, to sit on your deck outside your house and do a bit of whale watching. Even if you can’t see whales, the wildlife is amazing - you’d probably see nesting eagles and a few deer and bears. Does it get humid in Washington state? I’m not sure it matters - because I don’t think ANY place could possible be as hot and humid as Florida is in the summer!

Extreme Makeover visited a home in South Tampa back in January. You may remember hearing about the Tate Family in the news - back in June of 2006, a small plane crashed into their home, killing the pilot and destroying the house. Thanks to Extreme Makeover, the Tates have a brand new home. The episode featuring the tates aired March 4th.

The Tampa Bay area has been in a slump as far as real estate is concerned, since 2006. My husband and I sold our home in November of 2005, just before things started to go south. We were lucky to sell when we did, because we got top dollar.

In our new neighborhood, there are several homes that were purchased and built by investors hoping to make a quick buck. You can easily tell which ones were purchased by investors, because they’re the ones sitting empty. They can’t sell them, and they can’t even rent them out. There’s simply too much supply, and not enough demand.