From the Publisher
What a Year
Few builders, developers and other real estate pros will be sorry to see 2007 come to an end. As everybody knows, sales have slowed from the blistering pace set in 2005 and 2006, and media coverage of the state of the housing industry has been generally negative.
But the coverage is, in many respects, misleading. Particularly unfortunate is the impression news accounts give that it might be smart to wait to buy a new home until prices drop.
I can tell you that few credible experts believe that Tampa is going to experience a significant price “correction.” The region is still growing and all the elements that made it an appealing relocation destination two years ago are still in place.
Only now it’s even more appealing because a temporary oversupply of new homes has eased price pressure, putting buyers in the driver’s seat for the first time in a long while.
Nobody, of course, can predict what will happen in the real-estate market with total certainty. But a consensus seems to have emerged that the pace of building and buying will gradually pick up in 2008 as those who have been perched on the proverbial fence begin to realize that the time to make a move is now.
Many of those fence-sitters will no doubt wind up buying in Hernando and Pasco counties, where vast tracts of groves and ranchland are sprouting new communities. These once-sleepy counties are set to explode, and smart buyers are snapping up homes now, while there are still bargains to be had.
In this issue, we take a trip to Hernando and Pasco counties and look at what’s available. Why don’t you ride along?
Also in this issue, we look at how Connerton, a lovely master-planned community, has adopted breast-cancer research as its cause. And we offer our usual thorough community directories, school listings and neighborhood roundups.
If you’re ready to buy—and now is truly the time—then I know you’ll find plenty of information in this issue that you can use.
Finally, for those who attended the second-annual Greater Tampa Bay Luxury Home Tour, I’m sure you were as thrilled as we were at the caliber of this year’s homes. There were an array of stunning showplaces on display in some of the region’s most exclusive communities. Thanks to the builders who entrusted us to bring them qualified, ready-to-buy prospects. In fact, I’m pleased to hear that there have been several signed agreements as a direct result of the Tour, which hopefully is a sign of things to come in this market.?
We look forward to bringing you another high-caliber event next year.
But the coverage is, in many respects, misleading. Particularly unfortunate is the impression news accounts give that it might be smart to wait to buy a new home until prices drop.
I can tell you that few credible experts believe that Tampa is going to experience a significant price “correction.” The region is still growing and all the elements that made it an appealing relocation destination two years ago are still in place.
Only now it’s even more appealing because a temporary oversupply of new homes has eased price pressure, putting buyers in the driver’s seat for the first time in a long while.
Nobody, of course, can predict what will happen in the real-estate market with total certainty. But a consensus seems to have emerged that the pace of building and buying will gradually pick up in 2008 as those who have been perched on the proverbial fence begin to realize that the time to make a move is now.
Many of those fence-sitters will no doubt wind up buying in Hernando and Pasco counties, where vast tracts of groves and ranchland are sprouting new communities. These once-sleepy counties are set to explode, and smart buyers are snapping up homes now, while there are still bargains to be had.
In this issue, we take a trip to Hernando and Pasco counties and look at what’s available. Why don’t you ride along?
Also in this issue, we look at how Connerton, a lovely master-planned community, has adopted breast-cancer research as its cause. And we offer our usual thorough community directories, school listings and neighborhood roundups.
If you’re ready to buy—and now is truly the time—then I know you’ll find plenty of information in this issue that you can use.
Finally, for those who attended the second-annual Greater Tampa Bay Luxury Home Tour, I’m sure you were as thrilled as we were at the caliber of this year’s homes. There were an array of stunning showplaces on display in some of the region’s most exclusive communities. Thanks to the builders who entrusted us to bring them qualified, ready-to-buy prospects. In fact, I’m pleased to hear that there have been several signed agreements as a direct result of the Tour, which hopefully is a sign of things to come in this market.?
We look forward to bringing you another high-caliber event next year.
—Trisha Randall, Publisher
trishar@florida-homebuyer.com