Homebuyers Go Green to Cut Bills

In an attempt to boost sales in a dismal market, homebuilders are turning to what has been one of the most overlooked aspects of a house: improving the way it uses energy.

While the sales results are mixed so far, industry experts say the move could eventually boost business as more cost-conscious consumers seek to save on rising power bills by having a more efficient home. Already, builder Kevin Enyeart, in Lee Springs, Mo., says he has picked up two contracts and possibly a third over the past six months to sell homes to buyers who specifically requested energy-saving features, such as better insulation and tighter-fitting windows. That's rare good news in a market Mr. Enyeart says is so bad that he has had to cut the number of homes he builds to about 20 a year from 40.

Energy efficiency, in particular, has emerged as a top priority for consumers because power bills have more than doubled in many markets. When asked to list their top 12 influences in buying a home, consumers responding to a National Association of Home Builders survey last year put energy efficiency at No. 2 , behind quality of living space. Five years ago, energy didn't even make the same survey.
Source: wsj.com

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Renters Lose Edge on Homeowners

The relative cost of owning versus renting is swinging back in favor of homeownership in some U.S. markets, buoyed by several quarters of sharp declines in home prices.

At the height of the housing boom, as home prices surged, demand for rentals started to rise as the gap between owning and renting widened significantly. Even after the housing market soured, apartment demand grew as former homeowners became renters, allowing landlords to push healthy rent increases.

Now, after two years of rapid home-price depreciation, the relationship between the cost of rental payments versus after-tax mortgage payments is tilting toward ownership in a number of metropolitan areas.

"We're not saying on an absolute basis that it's cheaper to own a home, but on a relative basis...owning is looking much more attractive than it has in a long time," said Andrew McCulloch, a Green Street analyst.
A separate report by Moody's Economy.com also finds that home prices relative to rents are more in line with their historical relationship. Using data that measure average home prices and rent payments for 54 metro areas between 1984 and 2004, Moody's Economy.com estimated that eight markets are "undervalued." In those eight markets, home prices relative to rents are below or within 5% of their historical levels. "The bottom is coming into view," said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Economy.com, "But we've still got a ways to go."
Source: wsj.com

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Bargain-Hunters Descend, Cash in Hand

Falling home prices are spurring an increase in all-cash home sales in markets that have been hardest hit by the foreclosure crisis, an indication that bargain hunters have descended on the markets looking for deals.
Cash sales are up even more in many Florida markets. In Miami, cash offers accounted for 30% of sales last month, according to a report by Thomas Lawler, a housing economist based in Leesburg, Va. That share more than doubled in Gulf Coast communities such as Punta Gorda and Englewood, Fla., where cash financing accounted for 65% and 60% of sales, respectively.
Cash sales are typically higher in Florida than in other markets, in part because the state attracts lots of foreign buyers and retirees who are more likely to plunk down their savings without taking out a mortgage. But a number of cash buyers these days, in Florida and elsewhere, are also investors scooping up distressed properties and affluent families seeking relatively inexpensive vacation homes.
In some cases, cash buyers are finding that they can get a deeper discount by making an all-cash offer. In markets with a glut of foreclosed homes, lenders are becoming more aggressive to sell "simply because there aren't enough first-time home buyers around to sop up the excess supply," Mr. Lawler says.
source: wsj.com

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Barefoot Beach Closed Sale Report

Barefoot Beach Closed Home Sale Report - January 2009.

Active - 69
Pending - 4
Sold - 1

Source: SunshineMLS, Inc.

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Barefoot Beach - Naples/Bonita Springs, Florida

Balanced perfectly between Naples and Ft. Myers lies one of Southwest Florida's most unique and desirable communities...Barefoot Beach (View Map). Barefoot Beach's residential landscape consists of single family Gulf-front estates, single family bay-side homes with boat docks and Gulf access, townhouses, villas and beautiful Gulf view mid-rise condominiums. All of these provide variety for a tropical and relaxing lifestyle. If not situated directly on the beach, most homes are only steps away. Some homes are on navigable waterways that offer free access to the Gulf of Mexico by boat. The community is gated, and has optional beach, tennis and dining clubs, boardwalks, dockage, swimming pools, fitness clubs and gorgeous Gulf sunsets.


Often described as the American Riviera, Barefoot Beach is the perfect place for shelling, walking, fishing, swimming, boating, kayaking and windsurfing. Nearby are dozens of private & public golf courses inviting the amateur or pro. Barefoot Beach has it all! Other activities and sights include incredible sunsets and salty breezes on the Gulf while watching the antics of dolphins, sea birds and pelicans. Visit the Everglades and take an exciting airboat ride, tour the Henry Ford and Edison Estates in Ft. Myers, shop at the fantastic flea market, or gamble the day away at the Greyhound Race Track or Casino Boat. Nearby Germain Arena, with its hometown hockey team, the Florida Everblades, as well as ice-skating and top-name performers, beckons indoor sports enthusiasts and fans alike. Two nearby performing arts centers with professional orchestras host a variety of entertainment, from celebrities and jazz to Broadway and ballet. Dining and dancing on Naples trendy 5th Avenue is the perfect finish to any busy Barefoot Beach day.

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