Kat's Blog

Median Single family prices are up over the this time last year. And have trended upwards over the past three.  Good news? Maybe.  But I'll be the first to let you know when this news goes from good to GREAT!

Let me tell you more about the SW Florida Marketplace

Kathleen Bryce
Cert. Res. RD4424
239-940-2225
email me at appraiserkat@earthlink.net

Tougher requirements for mortgage brokers might help Florida rid itself of unscrupulous loan originators.

License renewals have dropped more than 60 percent from the year before as stricter requirements take effect. The new requirements in place since fall include state and federal criminal checks, a national test and submitting a credit report for regulator review.

Of the nearly 43,000 mortgage brokers licensed in Florida at the end of last year, only 15,219 had applied for renewal with the state Office of Financial Regulation by early February. No applications have been denied yet in Florida.

The state attributed the drop in renewals to the bad economy and the new licensing requirements. The tougher standards could strengthen an industry criticized nationally in recent years for fueling the housing crisis by awarding loans to unqualified buyers, mortgage professionals said.

Read more at the St. Petersburg Times.

One thing for sure, economically we may be in a recession and virtually everyone in South West Florida has been affected in some way.  But what I am seeing more and more a overall physical malaise overtaking our beautiful area.

Sure the economy is in the tank, that is given.  Our Real Estate markets are playing Filene's basement.  And the cure for this is going to be a long and bumpy road.  So what can you do you may ask?

Well you may not be able to fix the economy, solely on your own.  But you can work on fixing your own personal depression.  Here are a few tips to help you keep your chin up and stress levels down. Whether you are unemployed or not here are a few things that will help you get out of the doldrums.

• Exercise - after all we have the time to do it now.
• Go to the library - Amazing place, don't just go to the book shelves and leave.  Explore you will be astounded at what you may find
• Volunteer - Get involved with an organization that will appreciate your help.  Voluntarism goes a long way towards increasing the feel good chemicals in your brain.
• Increase your intake of Omega-3 fatty acids.  Fish oil or Flax seed supplements really help!
• No job to go too today, hop on the bus and go somewhere, anywhere.  Take the bus to the beach, or to the park downtown.  And just enjoy.
• Visit your friends or neighbors.  It is well documents that those who have close friendships live longer and happier.  Don't have any friends, maybe you should check out the self-help section at the Library.
• Get a Pet, if you can afford one.  It's hard to stay depressed when there is someone else there that needs feeding, walking and loving.
• Put candles on the dinner table tonight and dine, even if it is macaroni and cheese.

I'm sure I could go on and on.  But by working on our own selves we may help the overall malaise of the country and ultimately uplift our economy by feeling good again...

How important is the housing industry in Florida? And what impact will it have if the state makes a change in the way it taxes real estate? A 56-page report released by FAR has some answers. Researched by NAR, the report, "Effect of Policy Changes on Homeownership - Focus: Florida," provides an overview of housing's impact nationally and in Florida. It then analyzes possible changes the Florida Legislature could consider - transfer taxes, business receipt taxes, property taxes and general housing taxes - and how those changes could impact Floridians and the real estate industry.

To read the complete report, visit FAR's Web site, floridarealtors.org, at: http://www.floridarealtors.org/LegislativeCenter/Research/index.cfm

It's been a long time since I've heard the jokes about people being sold Florida Swamp land.  But it sure was a popular theme not so many years ago...  Even Dinsney World was once know as a swamp.

Well I had a very interesting Date of Death Appraisasal that I completed for an estate.  The date of death was 3rd quarter of 2006.    This lot was located in the Middle of Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve.  If you  are not familiar with it Fakahatchee Strand was the setting for Susan Orlean's book "The Orchid Theif" and the movie based on it "Adaptation".  WE ARE TALKING SWAMP LAND FOLKS.

http://www.floridastateparks.org/fakahatcheestrand/  

http://www.friendsoffakahatchee.org/

Would you beleive that I had no trouble finding sales for this report, lots of sales many were flipped several times.  One party buying 4-5 of these lots!  The problem is they can't be used for anything.  You may camp on them but you may not Build any permenent structures, nor may you hunt in the strand.  Further, you need a permit from the state to hike there.

The inset in this picture shows the individual lots.  The white marks are 2006 sales.

This goes to show just how crazy the Real Estate Bubble got.  And that people still buy Florida Swamp land

Kat Bryce
http://www.leecountyappraisals.com