Caroline Dunn, Realtor Cape Coral Florida

It's a New Year . . . Can you feel the energy? Do you sense a change in our midst? But other than a feeling, how do you really know? How do you share that with other people-buyers, sellers, neighbors, friends and family. They are the first to ask you-"How's business?"

Since January of 2008, overall single family home inventory has dropped 27%! Did you know that if all pre-foreclosure and foreclosure inventory were off the market, we would be in the most serious sellers market we've ever seen!

And, did you know that Cape Coral homes sales in the 4th quarter of 2008 were up 195% over the 4th quarter of 2007 home sales.

Alright then . . . inventory is down, sales are up, prices are down below replacement cost and interest rates are down to their lowest level since 1981!

"Business is wonderful! Sales are up 195% over last year, our home inventory is down almost 30% from last year, interest rates couldn't be better. PLUS you can buy property in Cape Coral better than wholesale. Right now prices are below replacement cost! When the inventory is gone-so will these SUPER SALES PRICES!

Think about it this way; the housing market is like finding your favorite "toy" you have wanted for a very long time in the back corner on a clearance table, marked "75% off!" When you buy it-that's it, there are no more, the sale doesn't go on forever. When it's over . . . It's over!

The Bottom Is NOW!

If our inventory dropped another 30% in the coming year and Realtors sold just as many homes in 2009 that we sold in 2008-we would be out of inventory! This is without the mainstream media even touting a market correction, yet alone an economic correction! This is just doing what we are already doing!

It's a New Year . . . Can you feel the energy? Do you sense a change in our midst? But other than a feeling, how do you really know? How do you share that with other people-buyers, sellers, neighbors, friends and family. They are the first to ask you-"How's business?"

The Blackberry Economy?

Sam Zell, owner of Tribune Company recently said, "We are living through our first Blackberry recession where, literally, information is instantly disseminated around the world and people respond to it perhaps, without any particular caution or attention." How true! People are instantaneously responding to media information through their interactions with others and in their own consumerism. Especially fence sitters who need to hear and see that the rest of the world agrees that the market has turned before they will follow the herd. Well, if we are truly in a Blackberry economy, then our own real estate market can instantly turn around through instant media, conversations and hand held communication!

Plug It In!

So how do we create a Blackberry economic turnaround? Communicate the good news and the truth about our real estate market. We can truthfully say there has never been a better time to buy Cape Coral real estate. So let's get the word out to EVERYONE we know that Cape Coral is leading the state and nation in housing recovery! In the past 30 days our Cape Coral Association President has spoken to newspaper, TV and magazine reporters spreading the message of recovery. But it takes all of us.

So, How Is Business?

Next time someone asks you, "So how's business?" be prepared for the question. A well prepared Realtor knows their numbers and their business. Since January of 2008, overall single family home inventory has dropped 27%! Did you know that if all pre-foreclosure and foreclosure inventory were off the market, we would be in the most serious sellers market we've ever seen!

And, did you know that Cape Coral homes sales in the 4th quarter of 2008 were up 195% over the 4th quarter of 2007 home sales.

Alright then . . . inventory is down, sales are up, prices are down below replacement cost and interest rates are down to their lowest level since 1981!

How Do Your Respond?

Next time someone asks you, "So how's business?", you respond, "Business is wonderful! Sales are up 195% over last year, our home inventory is down almost 30% from last year, interest rates couldn't be better. PLUS you can buy property in Cape Coral better than wholesale. Right now prices are below replacement cost! When the inventory is gone-so will these SUPER SALES PRICES!

I tell buyers that our housing market is like finding their favorite "toy" they have wanted for a very long time in the back corner on a clearance table, marked "75% off!" When you buy it-that's it, there are no more, the sale doesn't go on forever. When it's over . . . It's over!

The Bottom Is NOW!

If our inventory dropped another 30% in the coming year and Realtors sold just as many homes in 2009 that we sold in 2008-we would be out of inventory! This is without the mainstream media even touting a market correction, yet alone an economic correction! This is just doing what we are already doing!

Please keep up the good work, encourage your buyers, spread the news and don't take over priced listings.

Now get out your BLACKBERRY and spread the GOOD NEWS!

December 23rd, 2008 8:06 AM

• Sales are up 154% comparing the month of January to the month of December
• Inventory is down is 20% since January 1
• Normally this is a quiet time of year for real estate, but NOT this year
  • Comparing November 2007 to November of 2008
    • November's Closed sales are up 144% above last year
    • Last November buyers were primarily in the $150 to $250k range
    • This November all the action is under $150k
    • Last year we sold 5 homes under $100k
    • This year we sold 188 homes under $100k
    • Of those solds this past November
      • 63% were foreclosures
      • 22% "regular" sales
      • 15% short sales
    • Foreclosures are getting the closest to their asking price (and multiple offer situations quite frequently)
      • Stats for all closed sales through November, 2008
      • Foreclosures 98% of list price
      • Short Sales 95% of list price
      • Regular Sales 94% of list price
• Looks like the bottom of the market is here!
  • Inventory is down
  • Sales are up
  • Interest rates are falling
  • It's 77 degrees and sunny with a light balmy wind

What more could we ask for?

READ MORE from NBC-2

Recently our News Stations in SW Florida had some wonderful articles about the housing market in Cape Coral and SW Florida!

NBC-2 CAPE CORAL: Southwest Florida is leading the nation in foreclosures. But in Cape Coral, experts say the market may be beginning to stabilize. Monthly home sales are way up and home inventories are way down. READ MORE

Wink News reports:

Exposing the "best kept secret in Cape Coral": A non-profit has money to help people get into homes but not enough people to help!

SWFL ready to bounce back from recession: SOUTHWEST FLORIDA - Despite a steady stream of negative economic news, a national magazine is positive about the future for Southwest Florida.