should i buy a house in florida's west coast now or wait?
110604
Well i would want to wait to buy it...like i would wait till the end of next summer..the weather is going to get warmer and you will wish that you were down in florida when its winter time!
1037592
A lot of people are moving out of Florida, and their property values are going down, or staying stagnant because of that fact. You would get a good deal on a property right now. Will it go up in value? I would say 'yes', because a few years without a hurricane, and people forget. Then they want to live in a nice climate. \n\nBuy why Hollywood, Florida? The big bucks are going to be in downtown Los Angeles. Buy a condo there. Even the stars are snapping them up, because there's no where else to go out there, except up. (condo up, I mean)
4950
It depends. Now is always a good time to buy a house if it's going to be your primary residence. Not only is owning going to take you out of paying rent and probably someone else's mortgage...there are tax benefits as well. There is no better feeling than ownership. It is also a way to force savings (when you pay principle)\n\nIf you are planning on buying a house for speculation or investment/rental...I'd probably hold off. People who are buying and flipping properties are creating this "bubble".\n\nI just heard on NewsTalk radio that there were 8000 homes for sale in the Phoenix area about 6-12 months ago...and right now there's over 20,000.
79604
Situational... \n\nIf you do choose to buy you will get equity over time and don't have to worry about mortgage rates inflating (unless you have an adjustable rate), you can also deduct some of your mortgage and real estate taxes, which you are unable to do otherwise unless you exceed the standard deduction. Depending on the rates, payment, market cycle etc. it can be better to take your mortgage and invest in mutual bonds and the stock market which sees a long term return of around 8 percent. Buying is not necessarily something you should do for the investment as there are other ways to get higher returns on your money *and often more reliably*. \n\nIt is probably not a good time right now to buy; right now it is generally a sellers market I think, as prices have recently been exploding all over the world. I’d save your money at this time and when the market cycle ///demand for houses drop and poeple are willing to sell for less, and then is a good time to buy and wait for it to turn into sellers market again to get a return on ur investment. \n\nLease for now and buy when the market stabilizes is probably going to be the best for you, but then I don’t know your situation.
300105
You may want to visit the web sites listed below.  Weighing your options will be a good idea before you move.  Also something to consider is climate.  You said it'll be for winter.  How will you maintain the home of your choice in the Spring, Summer, and Fall, when you are not living in it?  California gets mud slides, earthquakes, and wild fires.  Florida, is mostly hit by heavy rains that can cause flooding,and not to mention hurricanes.  The Carolina's will have relatively southern temps, and the bare minimal of natural disaster, all except the occasional tornado.  The reason I've mentioned all of this, is because you want to make sure that your investment is protected for years to come.  You'll also need to consider the home owners insurance cost for each state.  As it may be higher in Florida and California.  Ultimately, it will come down to what you are willing to pay for the upkeep of the home when you are away, and the protection you will need in case of a natural occurrence.  Obviously, you have the money to do all of the above, but consider the key elimate in your question...investment!!!  Do your research, and see what you decide.  I hope that from the information you find you will make the best decision for you, and your future.  God Bless
81947
Actually, prices are rising very rapidly. You should buy soon so you can make a nice profit in a year. Western North Carolina is really booming, and has been over the past year or so.
645105
Hi Christian!\nNow that the housing market is finally looking up, it's the perfect time to seek out a new place to live. This summer you need to shake off that "lucky I even have my folks to live with" mentality, polish up your shoes, and explore your living quarters options! There are fun, flexible, fantastic places out there just waiting for someone like you!\nNow, get out there and pound the pavement. Beat on some doors until you latch onto that incredible tree house or fort you always wanted!\n(I heard the esperanza area is a great place to find a cardboard box near the dumpster behind a pizza joint?)\n-zealnik
1161848
No, in Florida the prices of land are skyrocketed. Land can only go up so much and we are at its highest peak. If you purchase land to sell in 2 months you will make no profit because the prices are so high. Wait until the land goes down and then invest.! Good Luck
463182
That depends a lot on where you want to live.  Here in Southern CA, I don't think it will.  First of all, LA & San Diego are slowing due to the latest fed hike in interest rates.  But, because the demand is so much larger than the supply, the pressure for new, affordable homes is still strong.  Unfortunately, with the median price of a home at around $550,000, the income necessary to support monthly mortgage payments is above what most in the middle class make right now.  \n\nBut, you are starting to see some slowing and stagnation in less desirable markets.  That is where "the bubble" will burst, first.  Places like Cleveland, Louisville, Nashville, St. Louis, etc.  Watch as the interest rates go up, more houses will dump on the market because people with variable rates cannot afford the increases monthly.
594868
Dear Ortiz,\nNow that the housing market is finally looking up, it's the perfect time to seek out a new place to live. This summer you need to shake off that "lucky I even have my folks to live with" mentality, polish up your shoes, and explore your living quarters options! There are fun, flexible, fantastic places out there just waiting for someone like you!\nNow, get out there and pound the pavement. Beat on some doors until you latch onto that incredible tree house or fort you always wanted! \n(I heard the Blackhawk area is a great place to find a cardboard box near a dumpster behind the pizza joint?)\n-Noah
1079261
I've been telling my clients that if you're planning on selling you house within the next 5 years, now is probably a good time.  Not because of a big crash, per se, but just because the investment doesn't look to be better than other alternatives right now.  I think housing prices, as a whole, will simply rise with the rate of inflation for the next several years.  Of couse real estate is especially regional, there is no such thing as a national real estate market.  So your place could go way up or down.  \n\nBut the point is that if you want to leave with no debt, I don't see a compelling reason to re-fi and hold.  \n\nIf you are planning on moving back soon, however, it may make sense to hold.  Because the transaction cost of selling and then coming right back and buying again are prohibitive.  If you have no intention of moving back, then go ahead and sell and invest in a diversified portfolio that may include real estate, stocks, bonds, etc.  Of course I recommend seeing a professional you can trust to help with these decisions.\n\nFor more personal finance info please go to my podcast, www.promoneytalk.com.  It's the #1 rated personal finance podcast in the world.\n\nHope this helps,\n\nJason
235973
Buy either. The market is great and will continue to be so as the LA area moves north up the coast.
571572
Buying real property is not like purchasing stock.  Purchase it with the intention it is your home for 4-5 years.  Your return will be on your taxes -  You will gain equity and you can right off  the interest on the loan, & the taxes on the property and get a refund from the Federal Government and possibly State taxes. Waiting has thus far proven that interest rates rise and houses may come down a little, not enough to cover the interest rate hikes.  Speak with a loan officer to find out how much you can actually afford.  Renting is just throwing your money out the door with no return. I am a homeowner and have now been rewarded with a return of equity of over 275% and I still won't sell.  My investment was overpriced in 1971 and I now have an unbelievable return on my investment.  Don't think short term, think long-term and when the price is right sell it and move on.
773865
yes. Interest rates are low. There are less buyers on the market, which gives you an advantage. Anxious sellers and developers/builders are offering many different incentives. Ask about them. The problem with waiting until Spring or Summer is that there are going to be more buyers and you will have a little less negotiating power.
677153
West Palm Beach. To move and purchase a home will be worth your investment as compared to other cities and counties in Florida.  If you are not considering you move as an investment and then send it to me, I'll do it for you. \n\nhttp://www.palmbeachfl.com/
112102
Depends on your situation and the available of housing.  Sometimes going back home is the best choice since you can save money and be able to afford to live in a "nicer" place.
771725
If you like the heat you can go and find a nice house in Phoenix, AZ or Las Vegas, NV. \n\nPortland, OR has good pricing too. Seattle, WA is very reasonable too.