[vconnie]

Hello everyone!! I have appreciated all the replies I have rec'd in recent wks. I know would like to ask for opinions on buying or renting a home in Florida. We have been wanting to move for some time now, but with a business to sell we have been "stalled" for longer than we like. So for over two yrs. now we have a wonderful agent down in WPB who has been very patient with all the questions we have. During our last phone conver.(yest.)he told us not to worry about loosing a house down there. That about 200 come on the market each week!! He feels in his opinion that the market will not begin to "upswing" for two to three yrs.. The feeling is it hasn't quite reached the bottom yet and needs to do that before it could climb again. So, he feels why not rent for now and "really look around" before purchasing. What is everyones feeling on this and the real estate market overall? Thanks, look forward to reading all who answer.

[121804]

Rent. It's going to be longer than 2-3 yrs to get rid of inventory. The property tax issue is going to special session, hurricane season is about to start, & homeowners insurance is just beyond understanding.
Rent. Take your time. There are going to be lots of homes to choose nationwide for a long time.

[HockeyMom72]

Rent. I am holding on to my money from the sale of our house in New York.

Not the time to buy, ANYWHERE.

[killaloe]

It's almost a no-brainer: RENT.

But if you have some very niche-type needs in a property and one that matches your needs comes on the market, you may as well jump on it. It is a buyer's market and you might have to wait a long time before another match appears.

[JSnFla]

R E N T

R E N T

R E N T

[vconnie]

Thanks everyone!! "All roads are leading toward"....the rent option. I think it will be for the best all around. We (me mostly) have issues with school, as I have stated before in posts. I just about 100% positive with location though, but something still "nags" at me about checking out Melbourne again. Haven't been there in about 17yrs. and I hear a lot of change has taken place. Posters have mentioned the good schools there, and the affordable housing. Any opinions on Melbourne? the mainland or the beachside? Thanks all!!!

[sunrico90]

Rent looks as the logical option....

[jbravo]

Originally Posted by vconnie

now we have a wonderful agent down in WPB who has been very patient with all the questions we have. During our last phone conver.(yest.)he told us not to worry about loosing a house down there. That about 200 come on the market each week!! He feels in his opinion that the market will not begin to "upswing" for two to three yrs.. The feeling is it hasn't quite reached the bottom yet and needs to do that before it could climb again. So, he feels why not rent for now and "really look around" before purchasing. What is everyones feeling on this and the real estate market overall? Thanks, look forward to reading all who answer.

My god what an agent! Keep him. Bear him a son, anything!
This agent is much unusual; he's honest.

Oh, as to your question...I agree with the previous 6 posters. I will own because I am building my house without a builder; It will cost me about 50K less to do so. Even then, I might only break even if I decide to sell in a year after construction. Yeap, it's that bad.

[JimKing]

Rent....Rent....Rent.

Anyone who has any doubts should read the Housing Bubble Blog. You will find story after story that the Florida housing market has not even begun to come down. It will take years for this to play out.

[vconnie]

Thanks again everyone! Renting seems to be the best way to go. The only way I think we would consider buying is if our "dream" house was to become available at some ridiculous price. As far as renting I am wondering if we should just rent as opposed to rent w/option to buy. I say this because I would not want to lock ourselves into a price right now if the price will continue to go down. And of course there would be a larger down with a rent to purschase. Any thoughts? Thanks!!