FAR Says Florida's Existing Condo Sales Improve in 1Q 2008 Compared to 4Q 2007

ORLANDO, FL, PRNewswire/ -- Florida Realtors(R) reports positive signs in their local housing markets during first quarter 2008, noting a slower rate of expansion for inventory levels and an increase in pending home sales (based on contracts signed but not closed) in some areas.

In another positive note: Sales of existing condominiums improved from fourth quarter 2007 to first quarter 2008, according to the latest housing statistics from the Florida Association of Realtors(R) (FAR).

A total of 8,581 existing condos sold statewide in 1Q 2008, an 8.3 percent increase over 4Q 2007 when 7,923 units sold.

"If we look at what is happening month-over-month for 2008, it appears that the bottom [of the housing slowdown] may be here," says 2008 FAR President Chuck Bonfiglio (top left photo). "We are now seeing more activity, more sales and even prices starting to rise in some markets. So I believe that there are some really good signs in many areas of our state."

Looking at the year-to-year quarterly comparison, a total of 25,443 single-family existing homes changed hands during the three-month period, a decrease of 26 percent compared to 34,298 homes sold during the same time a year earlier, according to FAR records.

The statewide existing-home median sales price was $202,300 in the first quarter; a year ago, it was $238,900 for a decrease of 15 percent.

In 2003, the first-quarter statewide median sales price was $145,600, which reflects an increase of 38.9 percent over the five- year period. The median is a typical market price where half the homes sold for more, half for less.

To gain insight into current trends in Florida's real estate industry, the University of Florida's Bergstrom Center for Real Estate Studies conducts a quarterly survey of industry executives, market research economists, real estate scholars and other experts. The first quarter 2008 survey, released in March, found the outlook for Florida remains stable because of the state's fundamentals of good climate and in-migration.

"It sounds like an old song re- sung, but our respondents are still keeping the faith in the real estate market," said Wayne Archer, (right middle photo) director of UF's Bergstrom Center for Real Estate Studies.

In a year-to-year quarterly comparison for condo sales, 8,581 units sold statewide for the quarter compared to 11,116 in 1Q 2007 for a 23 percent decrease. The statewide existing-condo median sales price was $178,400 for the three-month period; in 1Q 2007, it was $216,100 for a 17 percent decrease.

Continuing low mortgage rates remain another positive influence on the housing sector. According to Freddie Mac, the national commitment rate for a 30-year conventional fixed-rate mortgage averaged 5.88 percent in first quarter 2008; one year earlier, it averaged 6.22 percent.

The latest industry outlook from the National Association of Realtors(R) (NAR) predicts that home sales activity will remain flat for the next couple months before improving over the summer.

The extent of an expected recovery hinges on better access to affordable loans, according to NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun (photo at right).

"Things are beginning to improve, but the availability of affordable mortgages is uneven around the country and sometimes within metropolitan areas," Yun said. "As anticipated, we continue to look for a soft first half of the year, for both housing and the economy, before notable improvements in the second half. Some time is needed for FHA and new conforming jumbo loans to become widely available."

(For a complete copy of FAR's news release, please contact
Marla Martin, Communications Manager, +1-407-438-1400, ext.2326, or Jeff Zipper, Vice President of Communications, +1-407-438-1400, ext.2314, both of Florida Association of Realtors(R)