Brevard buyers picking up pace.

The action is now moving from the low $100,000 price range to include up to the $400,000 range. This reflects the buyer's confidence in the upper middle values in today's market.
A slight increase in sales in the higher end market also reflects an increased confidence by buyers.

Fewer listings are coming on the market each month, giving a glimmer of hope for a change in this buyer's market . . . possibly sooner than the now-predicted three- to five-year period.
Interest rates continue to flutter but still hover below the 5 percent level, further enticing buyers to commit to purchase.

Prices continue to dip slightly but not nearly at the rate of depreciation in the past few months and the past year. Some neighborhoods show fewer to no available homes, but contracts reflecting any market appreciation are constantly stymied by low appraisals and are unable to close. As many buyers are now paying cash as are those who choose conventional financing. Federal Housing Administration and VA financing still are popular methods of purchase for moderately priced homes.

The luxury market is now being assisted by some lenders offering more competitive rates on jumbo loans, but lenders still are conservative in appraisals and loan-to-value ratios of 30 percent to 70 percent in this category.
Brevard County continues to find recognition for all it has to offer in housing, in climate, in beaches and lifestyle.

Having recently traveled to Alaska and finding cold temperatures in addition to rain, my heart still finds comfort in everything our area has to offer. Our own Northern Lights are the spectacular sunsets on the Indian River or the night launches that shake the earth with their power. No, we do not have the magnificent glaciers with aqua crystallized accents and the moose and bears that traverse the vast wilderness, but I will opt for the dolphins as they capture the bait fish.

I will enjoy the blue herons and our favorite river bunnies. And I will close my eyes at night as the stars and the moon shine through my window. There is nothing not to love in Brevard County. Spoken by a true native Floridian.