I am excited knowing that we will be going into a New Year with a new leader stepping in.  With all the ups and downs we have had in the stock market, real estate market it will be nice to have a fresh spin on things.  I do not think things will turn quickly but having someone who actually cares about the working class reform will take place.

Well as everyone knows the scare the banks have had due to them being over leveraged is now causing banks to tighten there loans to other banks, to small businesses, credit cards and you the counsumer.  What can you do?  Well this is the time that you want to have cash on hand just in case you are one of the people the banks deem unfit for a loan or a HELOC.  As with all downward spins in the economy things will change. However with government intervening you can expect loans to be much more regulated in the future and only those with income, credit, and a job will be getting loans. 

With prices falling and the banks tightening the lending requirements for borrowers what is a Buyer to do.  These days cash is king but FHA loans are back and stronger than ever. Obiviously there are challenges to FHA loans but if you have good credit, work history and some cash on hand getting a loand in Fort Lauderdale is still very possible.

As we all read the newspapers, watch tv and read the articles on line one would think that no one is buying homes. Well that is just not true. In most neighborhoods inventory is down 30-40% from is mid 2007 highs.  Foreclosures are coming on the market but selling quickly.  So if you are thinking about real estate this is the time to get the deal and make that profit if your in it for 3-5 years. Fort Lauderdale is full of opportunities.

With things starting to look up in the Fort Lauderdale Real Estate market summer is bound to be an interesting time. Investors are starting to find those great deals and inventory throughout Broward county has shrunk considerably with homes being rented, sold and some foreclosed on. Opportunities are available for those willing to step back in to the Fort Lauderdale market.

With Broward county seeing pending sales up over 30% since January of 2008 many people believe that we have hit bottom for single family homes in Fort Lauderdale. Inventory has come down and sales are going up...this might be the ideal time to buy in Fort Lauderdale.

As Fort Lauderdale prices continue to decline there is much speculation as to when we will hit bottom. As you look back in history it is typically the investors who are willing to step back in when the market is close to finding the bottom.  Over the last month or so we are seeing investors who have been sitting on the sidelines finally making a move. They see the stock market floungering, cd rates have dropped and with the drastic price reductions in the Fort Lauderdale market investors can again purchase property and have positive cash flow. It has been a long time since that was possible.

This past Wednesday evening I went to the Broward County Master Brokers Forum which I have been a part of for the past 2 years. The main topic and the positive for the Fort Lauderdale market is how many foreign Buyers are stepping into our market. Over the last year over 15 % of the purchases of both existing and new construction have come the way of foreign investors. With expanded inventory and the weak dollar if you are seeking appreciation, a safe haven for your currency and the amazing sun and fun Fort Lauderdale has to offer, this is a wonderful time to step in to our market.

Over the last few weeks the 30 yr fixed rate creeped over 6.0 % and with another rate cut pending on with the federal funds rate rates have come down on the 30 yr fixed to 5.87%.  So with home sales on the up tick in Fort Lauderdale combined with historically great rates today is presenting some wonderful buying opportunities.

Well if you have been sitting on the sidelines waiting to step back into the real estate game this might be the year. With foreclosures up over 100% from last year Fort Lauderdale's pricing has come back to earth. We have seen mroe sales over the past 3 consecutive months along with inventory actually shrinking.  So if your an investor or wanting the warm Florida sun this might be the time to buy in Fort Lauderdale.