JUST LISTED!! Prime Lease Location Near Downtown Gainesville
607 East University Ave. * 3,057 Sq. Ft. in Three Story Victorian
Just $2,700 per Month

What a Nice Surprise!

In December, the sale of previously owned homes increased 6.5%, the first upswing since September. The government's initiatives to stop foreclosures and lower interest rates are starting to have an effect, presenting fantastic opportunities for first time homebuyers and bargain saavy buyers snapping up distressed properties. The increase in sales volume, however, has done nothing to curb the downslide in pricing, about a 15% decline since this time last year.

Not so fun fact: Our economy has been stuck in recession since December, 2007. The collapse of the US housing market triggered the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression.

Well...it's a start to clear out the huge inventory of homes on the market and may mark the end of the worst housing market in decades. If you are or know someone looking for a great bargain, there hasn't been a better time in years. There is a pent up demand for housing, and when the market breaks loose...these great bargains will be in short supply, so now is the time to get buying!

Mortgage Rates Drop Again!

Crossposted from FAR News:

"Rates on 30-year mortgages set a record for a fifth straight week by dropping to below 5 percent, the lowest mark since Freddie Mac started tracking the data in 1971.

Mortgage rates have been dropping since late November, when the Federal Reserve said it was going to pump money into the banking system by buying $500 billion in mortgage-backed securities to get banks to lend more money and perhaps aid the ailing U.S. housing market.

Freddie Mac reported Thursday that average rates on 30-year fixed mortgages dropped to 4.96 percent this week, down from the previous record of 5.01 percent established last week. It was the 11th straight weekly drop, and way below the rate of 5.69 percent at the same time last year.

Rates at are their lowest since the company started its survey in April 1971, Freddie Mac said."

This is great news, and consistent with this, lenders that we have been talking to tell us that they have seen mortgage applications more than double since this began. Between this and there still being 14 months residential inventory on the market, it should be all the motivation buyers need to get off the fence and get out and find themselves a great deal!

-Kyle

Grow Your Business in East Gainesville!

Fantastic opportunity to purchase a high visibility .68 acre MOL commercially zoned corner on busy four-lane East University Avenue. Thousands of Vehicles from Jacksonville, Palatka, St. Augustine and coastal Florida towns pass this location daily, as East University Avenue is the major thorofare to Gainesville from all points east. Just a few blocks away is downtown Gainesville with many sidewalk cafes, the Hippodrome, a thriving nightlife scene and a popular farmers market every Wednesday afternoon. The property borders the historic Duckpond neighborhood and is less than two miles to the University of Florida. East Gainesville is popular business location because of it's short distance to Gainesville Regional Airport, Shands, the VA and UF and is host to some of the most thriving businesses in town. The property is about a mile from the new 206,000 sq. ft. Wal-Mart Supercenter, the first in Alachua County. Many attorneys "hang their shingle" in the area due to its proximity to the Alachua County Courthouse. The best in Gainesville dining is so close at at Satchel's, Cafe C, The Topp, The Jones, Leonardo's 706, Juniors and the beautiful Sweetwater Branch Inn Bed and Breakfast. (Old duplex on property to be moved after closing or may be purchased with property at additional cost.)

Mortgage Rates Continue to Plummet!

Rates for 30-year fixed rate mortgages fell for eight straight weeks in the week ended December 24, establishing a new all-time low.

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 5.14 percent with 0.8 point, down from last week when it averaged 5.19 percent with 0.7 point in fees. This is 98 basis points lower than the rate during the same week in 2007 and the lowest rate recorded since 1971!

The 15-year FRM had an average contract interest rate of 4.91 percent, down a single basis point from last week. Fees and points were unchanged at 0.7. This was the lowest rate for the 15-year FRM since April 1, 2004 when it was 4.84 percent.

Finally...Great Garlic Rolls in Gainesville

Our family loves living in Gainesville...everybody knows that! But there has always been one thing missing for us from the city's gastronomic offerings - great garlic rolls! Yes, Leonardo's 706 has pretty good garlic rolls, and the other Leonardos has whole wheat offerings, but no loaded-with-fresh-garlic, dripping in olive oil, melt-in-your mouth killer garlic rolls like we used to get at The Big Cheese in Miami or even some Italian restaurants in Kentucky.

The Original Pizza Palace really doesn't look like much from 13th street, but I drove by at night last week when I could see through the tinted windows that it was really cute and artsy inside. Kyle and I decided to give it a try at lunch a few days later and were so pleased with not only the garlic rolls but the salad and well, everything!

They make all their dough onsite fresh every morning. Delicious! Doesn't the picture speak for itself?? I just hope my endorsement doesn't seal its doom; a lot of places I like have gone out of business. :-(

Please tell me if you know of other GGGR's (Great Gainesville Garlic Rolls,) but it is going to be hard to beat the Original Pizza Palace!


.^.^.

Reduced to Only $435,000! 904 E. University. Vacant Commercial Corner Property.

Fantastic opportunity to purchase a high visibility .68 acre MOL commercially zoned corner on busy four-lane East University Avenue. Thousands of vehicles from Jacksonville, Palatka, St. Augustine and coastal Florida towns pass this location daily, as East University Avenue is the major thorofare to Gainesville from all points east.

East Gainesville is popular business location because of it's short distance to Gainesville Regional Airport, Shands, the VA and UF and is host to some of the most thriving businesses in town.

* The property is about a mile from the new 206,000 sq. ft. Wal-Mart Supercenter, the first in Alachua County.

* Many attorneys "hang their shingle" in the area due to its proximity to the Alachua County Courthouse.

Just a few blocks away is downtown Gainesville with many sidewalk cafes, the Hippodrome, a thriving nightlife scene and a popular farmers market every Wednesday afternoon. The property borders the historic Duckpond neighborhood and is less than two miles to the University of Florida.

The best in Gainesville dining is so close at at Satchel's, Cafe C, The Topp, The Jones, Leonardo's 706, Juniors and the beautiful Sweetwater Branch Inn Bed and Breakfast. (Old duplex on property to be moved after closing or may be purchased with property at additional cost.) Prior survey on file. Please call Kyle or Mona Bugdal at 352-358-4117 or email us for photos and more information. Thank you for your interest!