Hello Tampa Bay:

Here are some notes from an interesting article of The Wall Street Journal.

• Home-price appreciation is slowing (a welcome trend for potential homebuyers)
• Single-family housing prices for Tampa-St. Pete-Clearwater market rose 1.3%  from the same quarter a year earlier (note that the average for the 25 largest metro areas is 4.4%)
• “We see moderation in price gains continuing”
• Interest rates expected to continue to increase next year, which could further slow appreciation

Here is a link to the original article:
https://online.wsj.com/articles/home-price-growth-slowdown-a-mixed-trend-for-economy-1407861595

Best regards,

Elegant Casas

Hello Valued Client:

We just wanted to send you a quick note to say Thank You.

The bulk of our business comes from word-of-mouth referrals.  We do not advertise on Billboards or Street Benches, which experts show has a very low return-on-investment.  As you know, a client sent to us is in excellent hands.

By the way, property values have surged this year!
Click on link below for more details:
Pinellas:
https://www.tampabay.com/news/localgovernment/pinellas-property-values-rise-for-second-straight-year/2182000
Hillsborough:
https://www.tampabay.com/news/business/economicdevelopment/hillsborough-property-values-are-up-for-third-year/2182375

Best regards,

Elegant Casas

Hello Tampa Bay:

I wanted to share with you my predictions for 2014.

PRICES
I predict market values in Tampa Bay will increase by 6% by January 2015.  We are starting to see a stabilization.  The housing market staged a spectacular recovery over the past year.  I see the market continuing it’s upswing, but at a much cooler pace.  Due to this stabilization, as well as lessening inventory and very attractive selling prices, today is a great opportunity to list a home on the market.

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES
I predict that we will continue to see many bank-owned properties and short sales hit the market.  Although the volume is less than previously, there are still many great investment opportunities that exist.  The good news is that many of the professional investors have left the market, which gives more opportunity to find a hidden gem to flip or rent for an attractive profit.

MORTGAGE RATES
I predict that mortgage rates will increase to 5.00% by January 2015.  30-year fixed mortgages were at record-breaking lows, so it appears that they can only go up at this point.  Especially as the Federal Reserve continues to taper quantitative easing.  As the U.S. economy continues to improve, economists foresee mortgage rates worsening.

ELEGANT CASAS
Elegant Casas is defined by both integrity and a very high level of service.  We have the technological tools, financial backing, and professionalism to ensure that you have a pleasurable real estate experience in 2014.

Best regards,

Michael A. Melnyk