6 ‘Turnaround Towns’ in Real Estate

Florida cities are expected to see some of the biggest recoveries in housing prices in the coming months, according to a new report by Realtor.com that reveals the top turnaround towns. In fact, the signs are already there with drops in inventories and distressed homes, as well as higher listing prices and increases in sales.

The following are the top six housing markets expected to see the biggest turnaround, according to Realtor.com.

1. Miami, Fla.
Median home price: $185,000
Growth: Sales volume of existing single-family homes has jumped 51 percent in the third quarter compared to 12 months prior.
A factor in the recovery: International clients are snagging up Miami homes: In May, they purchased 60 percent of existing houses and condos and 90 percent of newly built homes.

2. Phoenix
Median home price: $129,000
Growth: Homes sold 27 percent faster in the fourth quarter compared tot he same period in 2010.
A factor in the recovery: An improving job market: Unemployment dropped to 7.7 percent in November, which beats the national average and is a 1.1 percentage point improvement over 2010‘s rate in the city.

3. Orlando
Median home price: $145,000
Growth: Inventory of for-sale homes dropped 44 percent in the fourth quarter and homes that were on the market sold 37 percent faster than they did a year earlier.
A factor in the recovery: A strong tourist destination, Orlando is attracting international buyers, such as from South America, Canada, and Europe. Also, the job market is improving there, particularly aided by the development of a major medical complex.

4. Fort Myers, Fla.
Median home price: $115,000
Growth: Median listing prices here had the biggest increase in the nation last year, soaring 31 percent year-over-year.
A factor in the recovery: This retirement hot-spot is getting more attention from Canadians, who are taking advantage of a strong Canadian dollar and the fallen home values here.

5. Sarasota, Fla.
Median home price: $181,000
Growth: Sales volume here increased 17 percent during the three months ended Dec. 31 compared to year-over-year. Plus, home prices rose 2 percent in that time period.
A factor in the recovery: A drop in bank-owned homes and distressed sales is helping the housing market to recover, as well as an improving job market.

6. Boise, Idaho
Median home price: $120,000
Growth: A big drop in inventory: The number of homes for sale during the fourth quarter dropped by 40 percent compared to a year earlier.
A factor in the recovery: The metro area is seeing a growth in the diversity of its employers and the number of jobs its attracting, particularly in the tech industry and a growth in agricultural-based companies.

Source: “Top 10 Turnaround Towns,” CNNMoney (February 2012)