The Best Day of the Year to Buy Real Estate | About.com

I would say every day especially in this market, but I guess not. Spread the word!

When is the best time of the year to buy a home? There are at least two days of the year that give buyers the edge. Would you like to guess which two days are best for buying a home?

Every spring, as tulips struggle to poke through melting snow in the North and rosebuds cautiously open in Southern climes, sure as tootin’ real estate signs begin multiplying like bunnies across the country. Soon as the For Sale signs are mounted on the posts, swarms of activity buzz in the streets as sellers, buyers and real estate agents crawl out from wherever they hibernated for the winter to welcome the spring sales season.

There is nothing like a spring real estate market. Offers fly over FAX machines and cell phones ring constantly. Everybody wants a deal, and everybody wants to sell. Typically the marketplace is flooded with inventory. There is more on the market in the spring than any other time of the year.

Read the rest here: Best Time To Buy a Home – When is the Best Time to Buy a Home? – The Best Day of the Year to Buy Real Estate

Tampa sees increase in existing home sales – Tampa Bay Business Journal

Existing home sales in the Tampa Bay area went up in the third quarter compared to a year ago, as home sales statewide experienced an upswing.

Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater had 6,502 existing single-family homes close through the third quarter, up 10 percent from the 5,913 sold in 2007. That was double the state average of 5 percent, although its median value drop of 19 percent to $169,700 was more in line with the drop through the rest of Florida of 20 percent, said the Florida Association of Realtors.

via Tampa sees increase in existing home sales – Tampa Bay Business Journal:

12 tips for saving on your homeowners insurance : Blanco County News

The article below comes from a Texas newspaper, but these helpful hints certainly apply just about anywhere, especially here in Florida. With today’s economic uncertainty, every dollar saved is a BIG help. #7 on this list was a surprising one, thankfully it doesn’t apply to me.

This year, after the food frenzy of Thanksgiving ends and before the holiday hustle and bustle begins, take some time to shop around for the best deal on your homeowners insurance. The Insurance Information Institute offers “12 ways to save” on insurance. Consider these tips when youre making comparisons.

1. Shop around

It will likely take some time, but simply comparing insurers and rates could save you money. The insurer you select should offer both a fair price and excellent service. Talk to a few different insurers to get an idea of the type of service they give. Ask them what they can do to lower your costs.

2. Raise your deductible

Deductibles are the amount of money you have to pay toward a loss before your insurance company pays. Deductibles on homeowner’s policies usually start around $250, but by increasing your deductible to $500, you could save up to 12%. Here are some general guidelines for how much you can save by increasing the deductible amount:

$ 500 – Save up to 12 percent

$1,000 – Save up to 24 percent

$2,500 – Save up to 30 percent

$5,000 – Save up to 37 percent

3. Get your home and auto policies from the same company

Many large insurers that offer several different consumer insurance and financial products will take 5 percent to 15 percent off your premium if you buy two or more policies from them.

4. When you buy a home, consider what insurance will cost

Is your dream house more than 50 years old? Count on your insurance costs rising. Some insurers will offer a discount of 8 percent to 15 percent, if your house is new. By the same token, avoid buying in areas that are prone to flooding and try to buy a home that’s close to the local fire station – your premiums will definitely be lower.

5. Insure your house, not the land

Insure the house – not the property on which it sits. After all, the land under your house isn’t at risk from theft, windstorm, fire and the other perils covered in your homeowners policy.

6. Improve your home security and safety

You can usually get discounts of at least 5 percent for a smoke detector, security system or dead-bolt locks.

for tips 7-12, click here: The Real Estate Corner : Blanco County News

An outsider on the inside…

I think I see something… wait, guess not.

Being a part of the real estate industry over the past few years has been interesting to say the least, and continues to be on a daily basis. What I hope to accomplish through this blog is to bring to light the great things and the not-so great things about this downturn in the industry and more specifically, the Tampa Bay market. I plan to bring the knowledge and information of someone in the industry with a perspective from someone who is still trying to get his bearings on the future of the real estate industry locally and nationally.

With a focus on news, marketing, and advertising, my intent is to constructively criticize and analyze the strategies used by the companies that may be mentioned, and the news that will help shape the perception of the industry throughout the lifespan of this blog. I hope for those that read this site that they are able to take knowledge, information, and a fresh perspective on the real estate market in Tampa Bay as the industry goes through one of its most evolutionary periods.

Your comments and contributions are encouraged. Let’s have some fun.