I have just received the January figures from The Lake City Board of Realtors comparing January 2008 to January 2009 for the Lake City, Fl. areas. In January 2008 there was 24 Homes sold and in January 2009 there was only 16 homes sold. That is a negative 33%. The good news for Home Buyers is in the same time frame the Median Sales Price went from $154,000 to $130,500. That is a negative 15% in price. If you are a Home Buyer now is a good time to buy. Looking for Lake City, FL. Real Estate? Check out www.NorthFlHomesandLand.com . Thanks Bruce Dicks, Realtor, e-PRO Coldwell Banker Bishop Realty Lake City, Fl. 02/26/2009

Based on all economic indicators interest rates will HAVE to start moving upward in the relatively near future. In the recent months/years there have been several factors that have kept interest rates low: Starting on 2001 after the Sept 11 slowdown the Fed started cutting interest rates which brought down mortgage rates & helped stimulate the housing market.  At that time there was a feeding frenzy & everyone knows about the resulting housing boom that lasted 5-6 years. During this time interest rates stayed low mainly due to the insane amount of real estate transactions happening during those years. In early 2005 the Fed started raising the key interest rate again, but that was in the midst of the housing boom & interest rates were only slightly affected. Throughout all this China's v... 02/24/2009

Source:  www.lakecityjournal.com       Dale Brill (from left), John Adams, Eric Godet and Alex Sanchez share their economic experience with members of the Lake City/Columbia County Chamber of Commerce. (Lake City Journal photo) Columbia County poised for early economic recovery and business growth, state experts tell Chamber membersBy Karl BurkhardtColumbia County has many assets that attract new businesses and will help speed economic recovery. That was one of the key messages at a special meeting hosted by the Lake City/Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Monday at Lake City Community College. Alex Sanchez, President of the Florida Bankers Association; John Adams, President of Enterprise Florida; Dale Brill, Director of the Governor's Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development;... 02/24/2009

Since my last post, I've been to San Francisco for the CRS Sellabration convention. I learned a great deal at this 2 1/2 day convention and have been anxious to share. However, I am still sorting through all of my notes and trying to stay caught up with running my real estate business. I'm trying to be more timely with my posts, but having a hard time with it. Since my return from San Fran, I've had 2 closings, taken 4 new listings and working with quite a few buyers. I'm asked often, "How's the real estate market?". My response is "busy" and "steady", which in my case is true. Usually we see a little peak around the holidays while folks are off work or visiting relatives in the area, then it slacks off a little bit until the Spring. Not so this year. I have been steady and busy since t... 02/21/2009

I was working hard in my office on new listings on Feb 9th, 2009, when my phone range.  ...It was a investment prospect I had last talked to in August of 2007!!!! He was interested in making a purchase again after not have done anything in the past.., well should we say long time... ...A short time before that a land seller called that had not relisted his property, he was now ready to "do something" ...While getting my oil change, the attendant saw my real estate name tag & said "I want to buy a home now!" ...a before that I had a development prospect interested again in developing a new retail center...He had been waiting things out for 9 months to a year. It felt like that on Feb 9th, there was a surge of new activity, especially these "out of the blue" calls of people ready to get t... 02/13/2009

As the new year begins, so does the need for a change. I've upgraded my online marketing by utilizing some free sites as well as enhanced my listings on Realtor.com. I've been busier than ever since the beginning of the year. I've already had one closing and have 2 more properties under contract. WOW! What a way to start out the year! I'm feeling very positive about our market. I really like being busy. Use this link to see my current listings: http://www.sandykishton.com/My_Listings/page_1705830.html I've been given clearance by the Ortho doctor to start jogging again and eventually run. I'm starting slow so that I don't have another injury. The weather hasn't been real cooperative... imagine, lows in the low 20's in Lake City, Florida. My personal training has also been very successfu... 02/02/2009

What a Super Bowl. The Steelers just beat the Cards in a great game. They won 27 to 23 in Tampa, Fl. Well, now what? Well it is time to crank up those engines and lets start Nascar season and by the wat don't forget about College Basketball. Bruce Dicks, Realtor Coldwell Banker Bishop Realty Lake City, Fl. www.NorthFlHomesandLand.com 02/01/2009

Got another short sale approved today!  It's such a good feeling getting that approval letter in your hands.  It seems like the lenders are really tightening up thier act.  On our way to the closing table. 01/30/2009

The Lake City, Fl. and surrounding Counties that are in the Lake City Board of Realtors, did not look to good. Comparing sales from the year end of 2007, to the year end of 2008 are below;  In 2007 we had 536 sales compared to 2008 of 373. That is approx. a negative 30%. For the same time frame comparing the median sales price we also went down from $167,225 to $150,000. That is approx. a negative 11%. Bruce Dicks, Realtor, Lake City, Fl. Coldwell Banker Bishop Realty www.NorthFlHomesandLand.com   01/29/2009

Does anyone likes FREE MOVIES? I know that I do. In fact, I usually pay to watch DVD's. Now thanks to Red Box, I can every Monday watch a FREE MOVIE! The Red Boxes are located in Mcdonalds, Walmart, Walgreens and a lot of other places. You can go to Red Box's web site at http://redbox.com and sign up for them to text you every Monday for a free code. After you get the code just go to where a Red Box is located near you and put the code in and you just got a free movie, new released movie to watch. This is true and real. I called Red Box and they told my about it. YEA!  I hope you enjoy this and please comment and let me know what you think about it.   Enjoy Bruce Dicks, Realtor Coldwell Banker Bishop Realty www.NorthFlHomesandLand.com 01/19/2009

Well, the big game is set. It will be Pittsburgh steelers vs the Arizona Cardinals. It should be a good game to watch down in the sunny Tampa Florida. I am going to say that The Pittsburgh steelers win it 28 to 17. What do you think? Bruce Dicks, Realtor Coldwell Banker Bishop Realty Lake City, Fl. www.NorthflHomesandLand.com 01/19/2009

Here it is a Monday Morning and all I can think about is what will 24 be like tonight. I can't wait to be able to sit down and watch it.  I never thought that I would be looking forward to Monday's but it has happen, thanks to 24. Bruce Dicks Coldwell Banker Bishop Realty Lake City, Fl. 01/19/2009

What a year Them Gators had. Now it is wait and see who will go to the NFL draft. The great news is that Tim Tebow is comingback, but the best news would be that Percy Harvin and Brandon Spikes both will come back. I guess time will tell as at midnight tonight they have to let the Country know. I believe that Brandon will come back, but Percy I think might go. Also, good news is that The Florida Gators looks to have a solid top 5 Freshman Class coming in. What do you think?   Bruce Dicks, Realtor Lake City, Fl. Coldwell Banker Bishop Realty www.NorthFlHomesandLand.com   01/15/2009

Here in Lake City, Fl.we are turning 150 years old. Wow! Today is going to kickoff the celebration for Lake City. Tonight there will be a banquet and there will be more going on through out the year. Lake Cityis going in fact in the last few months there has been a new Publix, Food Lion and other restaurants open. This weekend also they will be a new Family Dollar open. If you are looking for a small town with big ideas, this could be a place you would want to check out. We are located at the I-75 and I-10 interchange in North Florida, approx. 60 miles from the Ga. line. Thank You Bruce Dicks, Realtor Coldwell Banker Bishop Realty www.NorthFlHomesandLand.com 01/15/2009

 Good morning to all. Well here in Lake City, Fl. it is going to get cold for us. Tonight and/or tomorrow night we are possibly going to get into the low 20's or high teens. WOW! Right now it is 37 degrees. I know for the people that live in the North that this is nothing, but here in Florida this is COLD! I am already for the sunshine to come back out. I hope everyone has a great day and sells some real estate.   Thanks Bruce Dicks, Realtor Coldwell Banker Bishop Realty Lake City, Fl. www.NorthFlHomesandLand.com   01/15/2009

Wow, since my last post I've had a lot going on... My other real estate closing has been postponed, but I have another under contract scheduled to close next week. Over the holidays, I had a lot of my listings shown, but no offers. Went to Jacksonville for Christmas Had all of the family over in Lake City at some point in time, for multiple night stays, alternating one or two at a time. Babysat my niece and nephew on New Year's Eve, made smores by the fire and did fireworks. Fun !! I've started Physical Therapy on my knee and am ready to run... well almost. By the end of the month, hopefully. I'm ready to register for a few races, but am waiting till the last minute. I have 5 personal training clients right now, haven't seen any new ones (or old ones come back) since the first of the ye... 01/06/2009

Wow!! the National Association of Realtors just released the affordibility index for November 2008, it has reached 142...   On this index the higher the number the more affordable it is to buy a home based on interest rates, median home prices, and median income ...   This truly is one of the best times financially to purchase a home even compared to anytime in the past 20 to 30 years!!!   Great rates, Great prices, things are looking good for 2009. 01/01/2009

Well again, the Realtor Sales for November, 2008, for The Lake City Board of Realtors fell 40% (comparing November of 2007 to November 2008) occurring to the Lake City Board of Realtors Newsletter. The median sales price stay the same at $155,000. The Lake City Board of Realtors covers mostly Columbia County, Suwannee County, Hamilton and Union County, located in North Florida.    Thanks Bruce Dicks, Realtor Coldwell Banker Bishop Realty Lake City, Fl. www.NorthFlHomesandLand.com 12/30/2008

Earlier this year HUD changed its rules on the minimum amount a borrower needs to bring to closing. Previously there was a 3% contribution required & there was a loophole where the DP could be reduced to 2.25% for borrowers that were paying at least .75% of their closing costs (Thereby equaling at least 3% from the borrower). With the new legislation a borrower is required to bring 3.5% specifically for the down payment, regardless of how much of the closing costs they are paying. This is important: These changes take effect for all FHA case#'s pulled after Jan. 1. A case# is an FHA identifying number that the loan officer pulls for a particular borrower/property. It's important to note that the loan doesn't have to close by Jan 1, the loan officer just needs to assign the case# before ... 12/18/2008

In Lake City, Fl. I just got a re-finance for 4.625% 30 year fix. WOW! I talked to an Appraiser two days ago and he said that Appraisals are going in, in this area approx. 15% less then a 2007 year appraisal would come in at. With these low interest rates and good deals on property and homes, where are the buyers? Bruce Dicks, Realty Coldwell Banker Bishop Realty Lake City, Fl. www.NorthFlHomesandLand.com 12/18/2008