ACTIVE LISTINGS ON ANNA MARIA ISLAND TOP 600

The number of active property listings on Anna Maria Island continued to increase in January, going from 431 at the start of ‘06 to 632 as of Feb. 13 ‘06.

The current list comprises 250 single family residences, up from the 167 reported in the January ‘06 issue of AMIPSR.

There are also 254 condominium listings, up from 174 last month.

A total of 78 duplexes and triplexes are currently on the market versus 57 last month.

The number of lots on the market more than doubled in the last month, going from 15 then to 31 currently.
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Rates Continue On Slight And Gradual Upward Trend

McLean, VA Freddie Mac (NYSE:FRE) today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey^SM (PMMS^SM) in which the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 6.28 percent, with an average 0.5 point, for the week ending February 16, 2006, up from last week’s average of 6.24 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 5.62 percent.

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By Rick Catlin
Island Reporter

Despite record levels of single-family homes, condominiums and duplexes for sale on Anna Maria Island, the market is still strong and people are still buying, Island real estate agents say, although prices may be leveling off.

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By Holden Lewis
BANKRATE.COM

After five years of sizzling growth, home price appreciation shows signs of cooling.

For prospective home buyers, the market shift provides a chance to remaster an old negotiating tactic: the art of the lowball offer. Strategies for securing a below-market price vary by locality. In any region, however, experts say bargain-hunting buyers can close favorable deals by applying a few basic principles.

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