A Turnaround for Tampa Bay Homes

Yet, the same problems that are giving builders fits are opening up new opportunities for buyers. Just a few years ago you had to take a number to buy a home in some areas—and you were lucky if the price didn’t go up while you were waiting in line.

That was crazy—and unsustainable. But the factors that converged to burst the real-estate bubble have made new homes more affordable and more attainable for more people than they’ve been in decades.

Plus, all the big government intervention programs aimed at loosening credit ought to be having an impact in the coming weeks and months.

Here at Florida Homebuyer Tampa Bay, we’ve been gearing up for a turnaround. While other publications have cut back or shut down, we’ve invested in our product to be better positioned to help our advertisers and our readers when the market returns to normal.

We’ve redesigned the publication, giving it a brighter, fresher look while retaining all the great information that makes it such a valuable resource.

We’ve enhanced our Web site graphically while embarking on a major search-engine optimization effort to make it an even stronger lead-generator.

And we’ve established some strong strategic partnerships with the Greater Tampa Association of Realtors and the Tampa Bay Builders Association to help disseminate facts—not hype—about the market.

What does 2009 hold? My guess is, a gradual reduction in housing inventory, a firming up of prices, a loosening of credit and a cautious resumption of new construction. In other words, a better year all around.

We’re ready for it. And I’ll bet you are, too.

????????????????????????????????????KIM HANNIGAN
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