Now could be the perfect time to invest in vacation real estate

There are many questions when it comes to investing in real estate today one of which is, is it a good time to invest in vacation real estate? Currently it is a buyer’s market almost anywhere in the Country, as well as many locations overseas. If you can acquire financing or have the extra cash to invest real estate has always been seen as a good investment because while it may take its dips, historically it has always rebounded. Many signs point to it being a great time to invest in vacation real estate. These signs include:

• Low interest rates

• A drop in home values

• Fewer buyers, therefore less competitive market place

• Lower property taxes due to drop in home values

• Higher inventory, therefore more homes to choose from

If you have been wanting to purchase or invest in a second home there hasn’t been a more attractive time to purchase vacation real estate in quite some time.

For more information on investing in vacation real estate visit the Realty Times web site.

Real Estate sales were up considerably in July

Positive signs for real estate have surfaced yet again, indicating a troubled market that appears to be stabilizing.  July housing statistics are in and have exceeded economists’ forecasts with sales up over 9%.  While the number of sales are down considerably from the peak of 2005, they are up quite a bit from January.

The upswing of Real estate sales is largely attributed to the first time homebuyer tax credit which covers 10% of the value of the home up to $8,000. The current tax credit is only good until December 1^st and there is a big push to extend the credit. Home builders in particular want to see the credit extended because any projects that are started today cannot be guaranteed finished by the tax credit cut-off date.

For more information on July’s sales and the current state of the National real estate market visit Yahoo Real Estate.

Home prices rose in 18 of the 20 cities that are part of Standard & Poor’s Case-Shiller Index. It was the first quarterly increase in three years, providing a glimmer of hope that the housing market is beginning to make a recovery.

After three years of declines, home prices rose 2.9 percent in the quarter ended June 30, according to the report.

Las Vegas and Detroit, hit hard by the housing crisis and high unemployment, were the only two cities where prices continued to fall.

Cleveland, with a 4.2 percent gain in home prices between May and June, and San Francisco, with a 3.8 percent gain, were among those cities to realize the most gain.

Prices in the Miami metropolitan area rose 0.5 percent between May and June, improved from a 0.8 percent drop between April and May. However, year-over-year prices in the Miami area were down 23.4 percent.

“For the second month in a row, we’re seeing some positive signs,” said David M. Blitzer, chairman of the Index Committee at Standard & Poor’s, in a news release.

As of the second quarter, average home prices across the U.S. are at similar levels to what they were in early 2003. However, from the peak in the second quarter of 2006, average home prices are down 30.2 percent.    

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Real Estate values and sales seem to be on the rise

The Clear Capital Report sees home prices rise across the country when analyzing quarterly results.  The report sees home value gains in all regions of the country, averaging out to 5%, with the Midwest gaining the most at 11.2%.  The real estate improvements are linked with summer being a buying season, increased investment opportunity and the previous large drop in home values.

The second quarter of 2009 followed a period of extremely low real estate activity, couple that with tax incentives, low mortgage rates and reduced home values, and the evidence of a true buyer’s market became omnipresent.  Acquiring a mortgage is probably still the most difficult part of the home buying process but money is strating to loosen.  Increased sales volume indicates an improvement in the real estate sector, a welcome sign for a beleaguered economy.

For a complete look at the Clear Capital report click here.