In the heart of Apollo Beach, hidden by swaths of vacant land, is a scene reminiscent of the boom years. ...more

September 7, 2008

A Realtor running for county commission said he was "floored" when he learned he was not endorsed by the organization created to promote the local real estate industry. ...more

August 1, 2008

The Bay area's housing market is weak, but there are signs that home sales are starting to stabilize. In other parts of the country, though, selling a home is getting tougher, according to two reports from real estate groups Thursday. ...more

July 25, 2008

How did Tampa Bay's housing market fare in June? Well, it depends on how you look at it. Slightly more single-family homes sold in June than in May, and the median sales price rose by more than $2,000, according to existing home sales data released today by the Florida Association of Realtors. The median price — in which half the homes sold for more and half for less — was $178,700, up from $176,100 in May. ...more

July 24, 2008

Until about a year ago, the local real estate market was booming. Over about a three-year stretch, builders routinely filed plans for major commercial and residential developments, including some with hundreds of homes. The city building department could hardly keep pace. ...more

May 31, 2008

Just about everyone is feeling the queasiness associated with our nation's — and especially our local – economy. Quality businesses are cutting wherever they can. Good workers are concerned about layoffs and the general economic outlook is dismal. All of us are affected and it's not a pleasant situation. That said, most of us know that better days are coming. The difficulty is hanging on until then. ...more

February 6, 2008

It's become a familiar drumbeat among some Highlands County residents every time there is a mention of the downturn in the local real-estate market. Blame impact fees. Sure, impact fees add to the cost of a new home but what about hundreds of existing homes for sale. There is no impact fee weighing those houses down. The real-estate market in Highlands County is suffering for the same reasons that plague it nationwide. Buyers are waiting for prices to fall down further, the state's insurance premiums and property taxes are keeping homes out of the reach of average homeowners, and lenders have become extra wary of who they want to lend to. ...more

January 15, 2008

Many homeowners are waiting for the slump in the housing market to hit bottom and want some kind of positive sign before buying their next home. ...more

September 9, 2007