"Jacksonville Market Watch" Newsletter.

Welcome to this month's "Jacksonville Market Watch" Newsletter.

Well, the last year has been difficult for sellers and great for buyers. With 12,953 single family homes for sale and 3,086 condos for sale as of today, it's still a "buyers market" in Northeast Florida.

Re-sellers are finding themselves competeing with new home builders who must literally liquidate their inventory and have slashed prices like we've never seen before. What was selling for $200,000 a year ago is selling for $190,000 - $180,000 today. New home builders can also offer incentives that re-sellers can't offer such as pre-paid HOA fees and free options.

Home values DO rise & fall just like the stock marker and the cost of gasoline! It's all about supply and demand.Â

Housing Starts Up 9 Percent, But Still Lag 28.5 Percent
Housing starts rebounded 9.0 percent in February following a 14.3 percent drop the month before, according to figures released by the Commerce Department. The pace of construction increased to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.525 million units for the month, but was down 28.5 percent from a year earlier. Full Story Â

Sellers... don't dispair! Builders are running out of inventory (commonly called "spec homes") and buyers who need a place to live NOWÂ will find that they will have to select a home that isn't brand new. If you are selling, just be willing to negotiate with a buyer because if you don't then the buyer will probably go down the street to your neighbors house!

Buying a home?? If you're wanting to buy, then DO NOT wait any longer! NOW is the time. There's plenty of homes for sale to choose from and I personally know for a fact that new home builders are RAISING THEIR PRICES on what's left of their inventory! They can't continue to sell at a loss.

OPEN HOUSE TODAY: If you're looking for a townhome, then I have a great value for you! It's 1,496 SF, 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths and backs up to a preserve. Piced at $178,500, this home is $20,000 LESS than similiar units in the sub-division. OPEN HOUSE TODAY from 1pm to 4 pm. More info and virtual tour at http://13494SunStoneSt.jacksonvillehomeinfo.net

To see all my current listings visit here .

Best wishes & Happy Home Hunting

Steve Burnett
Cross Star Realty
www.JacksonvilleHomeInfo.net