[floridaorbust]

We have noticed that that home values are still dropping in FL. Mainly looking into the space coast and treasure coast area. My question is: are the prices starting to hold steady or still dropping "like a rock"? I understand not all areas will be the same. But just a rough quess-stimate. thanks

[FLBob]

The pricing is being set by the banks. Foreclosure sales are making up about 50% of sold properties.
I'm seeing listing prices falling, but the actual selling prices have started to stabilize. The market is about at the 2002 level. In my area I see bank owned properties closing at about 95% of list.

Just using median price, and working normal historic appreciations of about 4% -6% annual appreciation. The current median is below where you would expect if you purchased in 2000.

[HowDeDo]

Consider the Panhandle to live. I just bought a nice 3 bedroom Home on one acre out in the woods yet 5 miles from a major town. The People are nice, values and morals abound, close to beautiful beaches.

[sunrico90]

Check the county appraisers web-site and you can see the current trend on sales. This is a free tool that you can use to you advantage.

Northwest Florida is also a great choice, construction of new home is available and on-going. Due to the large military population rotation homes are always available for sale. Next year the Army is relocation about 4 thousand members to the area and the prices will go up really fast.

Here is the link to the monthly sales...Sales Listings

[floridaorbust]

We have never really considered the panhandle. I guess because it seems they get his really hard during the storm season. Or at least that what you hear on the Weather Channel Any truth to it?

We thought about Jacksonville. Our friend, former SR Chief, loves it there.

[Lilybeans]

St. Lucie County is still falling. Martin appears to be stablizing.

[FLBob]

Originally Posted by floridaorbust

We have never really considered the panhandle. I guess because it seems they get his really hard during the storm season. Or at least that what you hear on the Weather Channel Any truth to it?

We thought about Jacksonville. Our friend, former SR Chief, loves it there.

The threat of storms is why I never bought in the panhandle but the beaches do make you want to throw caution to the wind.

Jacksonville is the area in Florida that has the lowest occurrence of land falling tropical storms.

I looked at Jacksonville about 8 years ago, loved the area, almost bought a house in the Mandarin area, but someone else thought the house was special. And we tired of looking for a property that compared.

[HowDeDo]

Originally Posted by FLBob

The threat of storms is why I never bought in the panhandle but the beaches do make you want to throw caution to the wind.

Jacksonville is the area in Florida that has the lowest occurrence of land falling tropical storms.

I looked at Jacksonville about 8 years ago, loved the area, almost bought a house in the Mandarin area, but someone else thought the house was special. And we tired of looking for a property that compared.

You must be kidding ?! if you look at CityDatas info, youll see major hurricanes are VERY FEW and far between for the Panhandle. Prior to Hurricane Ivan which directly hit Pensacola, you have to go back to the 1960's to find another major hit. Further, living inland on the Panhandle offers a good buffer from sea storms.

[HowDeDo]

P.S. I stand corrected ; I forgot about Major Hurricanes Opal and Dennis both occuring in 1995. The last one ,Hurricane Ivan happened in 2004, so....a 9 year spread in Hurricanes isnt really too bad (Gulf Coast Hurricanes)

[FLBob]

Originally Posted by HowDeDo

You must be kidding ?! if you look at CityDatas info, youll see major hurricanes are VERY FEW and far between for the Panhandle. Prior to Hurricane Ivan which directly hit Pensacola, you have to go back to the 1960's to find another major hit. Further, living inland on the Panhandle offers a good buffer from sea storms.

Man don't get me wrong I'm not dissen the panhandle, it's just that my impression over the many years that I've lived in Florida the panhandle is frequently in the cone. Remember it only takes 1 to ruin your day.