Dollar House

Tampa Bay Condominiums

Condominiums in the Tampa and Clearwater area have become a popular choice for those seeking to buy second homes, real estate investments, or for those desiring a break from outside maintenance and upkeep. This is due to the multitude of benefits associated with condominium living. Combine those benefits with the beauty, abundant sunshine, pristine beaches and coastline of the Tampa Bay area, and attractions like: Busch Gardens, Disney World, Universal Studios, and Sea World and you have a winning combination that pays for itself again and again.

How so you might ask? Why should you consider a condominium over a single-family dwelling for example? When you buy a single home, you will need to purchase homeowner’s insurance to secure financing from most lenders and also to protect yourself from loss due to fire, theft, etc. When you purchase a condominium, the insurance is included as a part of the monthly maintenance fee; most lenders therefore, don’t require you to purchase separate homeowners insurance policy.

If you buy a single-family dwelling you will have to maintain your home and your lawn yourself, whereas, condo owners can spend their time doing other things while someone else mows the lawn and cleans out those gutters! Upkeep and maintenance are included in the Condominium’s maintenance agreement, and these owners are more than happy to pay a monthly fee in order to not have to worry about getting these things done themselves.

For the most part, condominium maintenance fees are reasonable when you add up the costs involved and how much it would cost for you to hire someone to do these things for you. On the Florida beaches you will find higher condominium maintenance fees and this is because there is simply much more maintenance that comes with owning a home near the ocean. On the other hand, owning a condominium slightly inland can save you a lot of money on the purchase as well as the monthly maintenance fees.

The safety of your family and the security of your real estate property are of course, very important to you. While the owners of single-family homes may choose to equip their homes with expensive alarm systems, most condo owners have the benefit of gated security, which provides 24 hour protection, even when you’re away. Such security also makes it harder for the “unlawful” to spot an unoccupied dwelling. Single homes, whose owners are away, are easier to detect due to such things as: uncut grass, no lights on in the home, and no activity around the home. At a condominium complex, there is always some kind of activity, which helps to conceal that you’re away from your property.

Condominiums provide some pretty terrific amenities right there on the property. Some of those amenities are: fitness rooms, pools, spas, restaurants, hair salons, tennis and golf to its residents. It would be impossible for a single home owner to duplicate some of these amenities and cost-prohibitive to acquire some of these amenities. Keep in mind that the more amenities there are in a condominium, the higher the maintenance fee can be. It costs money to keep up the amenities for the residents to enjoy. Amenities are what makes condo living so popular though. In the long run, the more amenities the condo has, the more saleable and desirable the condominium will be on a resale.

Real estate investors will find that some condominiums, depending on the condo restrictions, are easily rented out short or long term. If you and your family use your condominium only part of the year, consider leasing it out for additional income for yourself. Have your real estate agent check the restrictions for you before making an offer for purchase. Not all condos are alike on this policy.

Now that you know about the many benefits to owning a condominium, add the undeniable value that owning a condominium in the Tampa Bay area of Florida’s West Coast holds for you. Now you will have a place to escape to when the temperatures up north get down right cold! You won’t ever have to worry about no vacancies at hotels, and resorts either. The beach and ocean with bountiful amounts of sun are at your doorstep. Your Tampa or Clearwater area Florida Condo offers you the opportunity to get away from areas that are overcrowded with tourists, and yet you’re only a short drive from Florida’s most popular attractions. If you’re looking for a way to make some additional income, consider renting out your condo unit when you head back north in the summer.

Contact your Tampa Bay area realtor today to get started on finding the condominium property that meets your needs. They can assist you whether you’re looking to buy a first or second home, a retirement home, or investment property.

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Texas Real Estate Auction

Auctions have been around for a long period of time and they are steadily gaining in popularity as the way to buy and sell property effectively over the Internet. The majority of people attending a Texas Real Estate Auction are the ones building up a property portfolio but there are also many people seeking out their dream house.

Texas is one of the most populous states and has more than 478 cities and towns and people here in towns and cities look for the investment options and participate in online or offline auctions.

The online Texas Real Estate Auction provides a new and unique system that allows prospective buyers to view properties and bid online for any property offered. There are lot of advantages to an Texas Real Estate Auction among which are included: feasibility, better prices and quick sales. With online auctions, you can purchase the desired property from the comfort of your own home. Also, you can buy properties below market value and make a fast sale as everybody interacts over the Internet.

The online Texas Real Estate Auction opens up a favorable condition for the buyer and it gives him the opportunity to search for his needs and select the best option. For the seller, it gives a chance for many sales channels and generate interest in his property.

Real estate differs from one state to the next. When buying real estate in Texas you should know the laws and rules that will effect you. Some things, however, are universal and apply to anyone buying real estate anywhere. These things are also important to know before getting into a real estate transaction.

Understanding the rules of a Texas Real Estate Auction is vital to winning the bid and saving some money. Sellers should also play their part and answer any given questions correctly and truthfully. In their answers, it is important to not give long descriptions; on the contrary, they should be short and concise.

In the state of Texas, you will find a number of auctions take place annually and the owners of the property are able to sell their property at much higher price on some of the occasions. Therefore if you think that your property is at the prime location in one of the town or city or even in rural area, you can take help of one of the auctioneers in Texas and offer the property for sale. Most of the time Texas real estate auctions are able to attract large number of bidders and you can expect the best price of real estate in one of the auction.

There are two relationships between buyers and agents in Texas, Buyers Agents and Transactional Brokers. A buyers agent is a representative of the buyer. The buyers agent is required to look for the best interests of the buyer. They must tell the buyers everything about the real estate transaction and follow any direction of the buyer. A transactional buyer does not represent the buyer. They are there to sell real estate. They are not required to tell the buyer everything about the transaction. For specific information regarding a buyers rights in Texas you should contact the Texas Real Estate Commission.

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Stop Foreclosure Fast With Help From webuyhousesforcash

When a person falls upon financial hard times without their fault at several times and they are behind on mortgage payments they may need some financial help to stop foreclosure on their property. You can stay apart from foreclosure through hard work and not by sitting back and giving up frequently. You have the potential to do some things for stopping the foreclosure because nobody wants the sheriff to deliver a foreclosure notice. In any circumstances do not ignore letters or phone calls concerning your aberrant mortgage payments. Get in touch with the lender and elucidate your situation, as they may be keen to work and know that you are annoying to make things in an exact way so offer you financial help to stop foreclosure. While discarding the property you may get debarred for aid. When you work with the lender and your financial problems are temporary, the lender might be able to help with financial help to stop foreclosure. Often this is a one time loan, bringing your mortgage payments up to date. The upside is that the monthly mortgage payments are smaller but the lender interest rates are higher.

Always be honest and upfront with the lender and they will work with you. After examining your financial position and the reason for your nonpayment, the lender could reduce the monthly payment or suspend payments temporarily. Be honest with your lender and by working with them and examining the options available as it is possible to get the financial help to stop foreclosure. Foreclosures cost lenders money, big money, so it is in their interests to reach a workout with the borrower, either to rescue the mortgage, if this is possible, or to reduce the loss as a result of foreclosure. Don’t be intimidated by the lender or his attorneys. Apprise yourself of your exact financial position. Know your rights as well as options and be honest in your statements. Maintain a written record of all communications.

Read all communications from your lender. Time is your enemy, so the earlier the potential problem is recognized by both parties, the better the chances of a resolution. If you are suffering from financial loss due to the death or loss of a spouse, illness, or unexpected increase in your outgoings, contact the lender and request a loan modification, which effectively changes the terms of the loan to lower the payments. This is a very common process, but you will need to offer evidence about the change in your circumstances. If you feel that you are qualified for a loan modification, and your lender refuses, contact the HUD for advice. Get in touch with your lender and request forbearance if your loss of income is temporary. This means that you may get period which is granted during which your monthly payments are “suspended”, after which you must resume your monthly payments with a partial payment in addition towards the payments you missed.

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Ten Benefits of Owning a Condo Hotel

You may have heard about the latest trend in vacation homes ? condo hotels. Suddenly, consumers have the ability to own a second home in a wonderful destination without any of the hassles of ownership. To see why the condo hotel concept has so much appeal, consider these benefits:

1. You can own a piece of a world-class property. Most condo hotels are of three- to five-star quality.

2. You?ll have a vacation home in a fantastic destination. Most condo hotels are located in premium locales ? on the beach, near golf courses, next to ski slopes and in bustling downtowns. Miami Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Myrtle Beach, Las Vegas, Chicago and the Bahamas are some of the most popular condo hotel locations.

3. Use your vacation home when you want. Flexibility in use means you always have a place to ?get away from it all.? When you?re not using your vacation home, place it in the rental program.

4. A professional management company will take care of all maintenance and operational issues. Most condo hotels are managed by premier hospitality firms, often the biggest names in the business, Ritz-Carlton, Trump International, Hilton, Starwood and Hyatt, to name a few.

5. You receive approximately half of the rent revenue your condo hotel unit generates when you?re not using it. The management company takes care of renting your condo for you. The revenue helps offset your costs of ownership. Plus, most management companies have sophisticated reservation systems and invest in professional marketing, enabling them to keep your unit rented far more than you likely could on your own.

6. The management company deals with the guests. Part of the hassle-free nature of condo hotel ownership is that the management company handles everything regarding guests, from attracting them to checking them in and out of the hotel and solving any problems that arise during their stay.

7. You?ll have access to luxury hotel services. Unlike a single-family home, in a condo hotel vacation home, you can take advantage of all the perks of the hotel such as a brand-name spa like Canyon Ranch or Elizabeth Arden Red Door, concierge, room service, fitness facilities, pool, fine dining restaurant and more.

8. Share your condo hotel unit with family and friends. The unit is yours, so you decide how it?s used. Want to lend it to your Aunt Betty and Uncle Lou? No problem.

9. Purchase your condo hotel unit with traditional financing or even as part of a 1031 exchange. A variety of loans are available to invest in condo hotels. Condo hotels also qualify for tax-deferring strategies like 1031 exchanges.

10. Realize appreciation when you resell your condo hotel. Like traditional real estate, over time your condo hotel unit has potential to appreciate. Because of its quality location, professional hotel management and on-site luxury amenities, the value of your vacation home should increase. You keep the profits when you sell.

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The Advantages of Home Ownership

Buying a Home is at the heart of the ?American Dream?. It can bring happiness and provide a solid foundation for you and your family. It has also proven to be a wise investment in recent years. It has many benefits, but the following three in particular ?

Tax Breaks

When compared to other investments, few can generate the healthy and long lasting tax breaks that home ownership does. When you become a homeowner, there may be tax breaks that you can take advantage of that renters and non-homeowners cannot, the mortgage interest deduction being just one of them. In addition, the deduction of your real estate tax on your federal income tax return is a common practice. Some homeowners choose to use their homes equity to obtain Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOC) or home equity loans. Interest on these loans may also be tax deductible. With investment real estate, additional tax advantages include the deduction of depreciation and other expenses. With proper planning you may receive tax advantages that last a lifetime. As always, consult with your own tax advisor as to the specific benefits of home ownership that apply to you.

Equity

A home is an investment that can, and usually does, increase in value over time. In some markets, home values have been rising dramatically in recent years (California, Florida, Nevada, Arizona, etc.). In other markets the rise has been more slow and steady.

In addition, you can use your own hard work to make improvements that will increase the value of your home. Each improvement that you make will add to the overall value of your home and your way of living.

As the value of your home increases, and the amount of your mortgage shrinks, you build equity. That is, the money that would be left over if you sold your home and paid off the mortgage. As mentioned above, you can borrow against this equity should the need arise. It?s almost like a savings account that you live in.

Community

Moving into a home gives you a chance to meet new people, get involved in your community, patronize local merchants, and shape your new neighborhood. It?s a way to put down roots and invest in your town. Home ownership provides a sense of permanence and a solid foundation for our lives, and the lives of our children.

Buying a home may be the single, largest investment you will make in your life. But there are so many benefits, some tangible and some emotional. If you are paying rent year after year you are missing out on the advantages mentioned above. Maybe now is the time for you to take the plunge and buy a home, condominium or townhouse and experience this part of the ?American Dream?. Choose a Realtor and get going today.

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The “REAL” Real Estate Roller Coaster

Buying a home is a process fraught with emotional ups and downs. For most people, it’ll will be the most expensive and involved purchase they ever make. On top of the indisputable importance of this purchase, is the indisputable lack of time one has to make a decision before purchasing a home. The average amount of time a potential homebuyer spends looking at a prospective home is 96 minutes! For a home that you may spend the next ten to twenty years living in, well, an hour and a half seems like an un-justly short amount of time to make such a drastic decision. This “hot” decision making environment, where the pressure is on, is one of the key aspects of buyer’s emotional stress. But, the fact is, good homes sell fast, and buyers have to be ready to commit to a purchase in a short time. This being said, the “sure fire” way to make a good decision in a such a short period of time, is to learn to become a smart, analytical shopper. Not that emotions need to go entirely by the way side- but you must know when emotions are playing into your decision making process, what is at the core of those emotions and whether or not they are helpful to your process. Be your psychologist, and the sooner you’ll get off the doctor’s couch and into a new home!

One approach to help mitigate the emotional roller coaster of the buying process is to truly set out your specific priorities in terms of what you want and need in your new home. Ask yourself, ” In order of importance, what are the most important elements for my/.our new home?” Proximity to schools, the location of the neighborhood, commuting distance, property taxes, energy efficiency, shopping accessibility, and recreational facilities are just a few of the considerations a buyer should prioritize beforehand. If purchasing with a spouse or partner, you may discover your priorities are slightly or even greatly different. It is very important that you spend the time to make concessions and get on the same page as best you can.

Other aspects of your priority list may include the type of home you are looking for. These parameters could involve the size of the home or a particular style of home. If you’re set on a particular style of home, this may effect the neighborhood parameter of your search, as not all houses of certain types are in every neighborhood. So, as you see, one way to help curb emotional reactions, is to make sure you know what you’re looking for, and in doing so narrow your search. This way, what you’ll be looking at will be within the list of parameters you set out in your priorities. You can then rank homes based on how well they fit into your priority system. Of course, there will be concession to be made here, as it may not be that a home fits your every single priority in exact order- but at least you’ve done some good analytical homework in advance and have a system for ranking your prospects.

Another tip for dealing with emotions, is to catch yourself when you are honing in on one particular feature of a home, as the “dream feature” of the home. A “dream home”, should be so, because it satisfies those myriad components (priorities) that create “your dream of your home”. You may want to check in and ask yourself if your being clouded by one enticing feature and have lost touch with your list of priorities.

Another dangerous aspect of buying a home based on your “gut” feeling, is that your guttural instinct may be good for you, but not so great for re-sale. It is, in almost all cases, very important that you consider the potential re-sale value of your home as one of your top priorities. You don’t want to be stuck with a “dream home” that turns out to be everybody else’s nightmare. The investment aspect of purchasing a home, lies in it’s re-sale value. Now, this doesn’t mean you have to buy in a well-established, totally investment-proof neighborhood. You may have done your homework and feel confident in buying in a neighborhood that has great potential for five to ten years down the line. Likewise, the home you are investing in may need improvements that you have the funds and/or the expertise to accomplish. But, you must at least consider the re-sale value of your potential home. Otherwise, you could be investing in a money pit, that you’ll never be able to get off your hands.

Keep in mind, smart sellers are bound to know the realm of buyers emotions, and will appeal to your weaknesses. Keep critical eye sharp, especially when a home seems to smell of professional home staging. It’s not that home staging is trickery, or dishonest, but you might need to work extra hard to look beyond the beautiful and well-appointed furniture and the incredible artwork and the enticing smell of apple pie- as none of the above are included in your purchase. Just make sure you look at the house itself and not it’s decor, set-up- and, DON’T EAT THE PIE!

If all these steps have been taken, you’ve approached the searching process having analyzed and prioritized your wants and needs, and you’ve considered the re-sale potential of the properties, then you can allow your emotions to guide you somewhat. Perhaps you’ve been lucky enough and smart enough to mine out two potential properties that both fit your priorities and parameters, at this point, a bit of the old gut instinct can refine your process and actually help, and not hinder the decision making process.

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Tarpon Springs Florida

Tarpon Springs is a great place to live. If it?s Tarpon Springs real estate you are interested in, Tarpon Springs offers many types of homes, from bungalows to gated communities to mansions. You can enjoy the waterfront view from your front porch along the beautiful Anclote River. There are many beautiful waterfront communities in Tarpon Springs along the Gulf of Mexico and bordering Lake Tarpon. For roughly %3 million dollars you can buy a 6000 square foot home that is reminiscent of old European grandeur on S. Florida Avenue that has a wide open view of the Gulf of Mexico. The property sits on 1.6 private acres. On the low end, you can buy a condo-hotel with waterfront access for under %150,000. There are many other great choices in between for Tarpon Springs real estate on and off the water.

For recreational activities in Tarpon Springs, my family and I have spent many days at Howard Park, with picnic facilities, playgrounds and its own beach where we enjoy the beautiful Florida sunsets. Tarpon Springs is known for its historic Sponge Docks and the biggest Epiphany celebration in the country, held annually in the month of February. You can enjoy authentic Greek food and pastries in its many restaurants. We enjoy a little restaurant called Plakas where they say they are the ?Greek McDonalds?. They have wonderful gyros and offer appetizers of Greek specialties such as marinated octopus! The Sponge Dock area also offers shopping, day-trip cruises, casino cruises or fishing trips. You can have a tour aboard a sponge boat and watch divers as they retrieve sponges from the Gulf of Mexico. You can also visit authentic Greek clubs where men spend the afternoon telling stories and playing cards.

Along with its Sponge Docks, Tarpon Springs offers a 120,000 gallon aquarium, a Performing Arts Center, a Cultural Center, and the Leepa-Ratner Museum of Art which has been brought to the city by the St. Petersburg College of Tarpon Springs. For the fourth time in four years, St. Pete College has been rated number 1 in the state of Florida for distance education.

We also enjoy attending the Sunset Beach concerts, The Fine Arts Festival each April and attending wine tasting events at the Tarpon Springs Castle Winery. The historic downtown area offers First Fridays and Second Saturdays where the shops and restaurants are open late and there often is free entertainment to enjoy while you shop and dine.

Tarpon Springs, in northern Pinellas County, is centrally located to Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater and is only 90 minutes away from Disney World and Sea World which are in Orlando, Florida. Tarpon Springs is a great place to call home or buy real estate with all it has to offer.

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Tax foreclosures property investment could be a nightmare investment

The term ?Tax Foreclosures? is a legal procedure or process that is expected to occur if a buyer defaults on a loan or the taxes applicable on the property, which he lends for mortgage. The lender or lending institution takes back the hold of the property because of irresponsibility of the borrower in paying off dues and applicable taxes or loan applied on mortgaged property for whatsoever reasons. Therefore it is in the best interest of the borrower to pay off all the dues and applicable taxes prior to agreed period of time so as to make sure that no legal action, such as auction of his/her property in public, is taken against him/her. The most notable thing for a borrower is to that he/she must keep all the documents with him/her meeting all the terms and conditions to avoid any Tax Foreclosures in dealing with other parties in future.

Tax foreclosure property procedures are different in every state. Many states follow an easy and simple tax foreclosure, whereby you only have to appeal the county court or maybe through processes of applications to obtain the deed to the property. Mean while, in other states, to go through the tax foreclosure property, you will have to spend most of your time in dealing with an attorney, which will consume lot of your time and waste your money.

In the United States, there are two sorts of property foreclosure in most common law states. Using a “deed in lieu of foreclosure,” the bank claims the title and possession of the property back in full satisfaction of a debt, usually on contract. In the proceeding simply known as foreclosure (or, perhaps, distinguished as “judicial foreclosure”), the property is exposed to auction by the county sheriff or some other officer of the court.
Other states have adopted non-judicial foreclosure procedures, in which the mortgagee, or more commonly the mortgagee’s attorney or designated agent, gives the debtor a notice of default and the mortgagee’s intent to sell the immovable property in a form prescribed by state statute. This type of property foreclosure is commonly referred to as “statutory” or “non-judicial” foreclosure.

The schedules for auctions of the tax foreclosures properties can be obtain by approaching the office of the Clerk of the District of the area in which the mortgager owns the property. However information on such listings can also be obtained from the courthouse.

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Take a Permanent Vacation

Are you looking for more meaning in your life – a sense of happiness? Are you tired of days that blend into each other? Do you find yourself sitting in traffic feeling the heat rising up your neck? Fighting with your family members, coworkers or neighbors? Are you awakened night after night by the noise of the city? Maybe it’s time to get away from it all: imagine a life where you can just get up in the morning, walk to the beach, have a fresh juice and enjoy the sun.

In fact, if you are feeling the grind, it may be affecting your health: chronic stress can cause or aggravate anxiety, depression, substance abuse, heartburn, chronic pain, high blood pressure, ulcers ? the list goes on. Many Americans have discovered a way to put all this behind them. They’ve discovered a life where the pace of living is relaxed, and the worst day at the beach is better than the best day in the office.

They’ve discovered Costa Rica, land of “Pura Vida”, where the locals enjoy life and take their time to celebrate it. Becoming more popular every year, this refreshing country is a lovely mix of local, North American, European and Argentinean cultures. The people are generally friendly and laid-back. The cost of living is 30 to 50 percent lower than most American cities and the stress levels are considerably lower.

With a well-developed health care system, good public education, a stable political situation and clean drinking water, Costa Rica is a very progressive country. In fact, Costa Rica was the first country to constitutionally abolish its army, disbanding it in 1948. It’s also an environmentally blessed country: Costa Rica contains six percent of the world’s biodiversity, and has 12 different climate zones to choose from. It’s home to more than 850 species of birds, more than all of North America combined.

Owning property in Costa Rica is open to everybody ? foreigners have a legal and constitutional right to own property. In fact, if you don’t want to live here full time it’s not a problem – there is no residency requirement. You can rent your property whenever you like, and sell whenever you like. Financing is very easy to obtain and there are no capital gains tax for the average property owner. Although foreigners without a work permit are not allowed to work, you can own a business here, or enjoy your retired life. Those who do earn income here will enjoy the exceptionally low income tax.

So, if you’ve ever dreamed of getting away from it all, Costa Rica could be your answer. Time to make this dream a reality – It’s easier than you think: Costa Rica is truly the land of the dreams, and it’s surprisingly painless for Americans to make this place their home.

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Texas Apartment Market Update ? May 2006

Although all major Texas markets posted decreases in average occupancy in May, occupancy remains above 90%PRCTG% in all four, with Austin recording the highest at 93.02%PRCTG%. The lowest occupancy was found in Dallas/Fort Worth at 90.18%PRCTG%.

Austin has the highest average rent per square foot as well, at %0.931 per square foot (psf); Dallas/Fort Worth posted the second highest at %0.868 psf. The strongest monthly absorption was found in San Antonio, which absorbed 243 units in May. Posting the weakest absorption figures in May was the Houston market, at -477 units. Austin apartment market occupancy decreased 0.36 points in May to 93.02%PRCTG%, but remains 1.64 points above last year?s
level. Average rents, currently at %0.931 psf, are %0.002 psf higher than last month and %0.003 psf higher than last year. Monthly absorption returned to positive territory, as 236 units were absorbed, bringing annual absorption to 3,709 units.

Dallas/Fort Worth apartment market occupancy was down 0.17 points over the month. Currently at 90.18%PRCTG%, occupancy is 1.46 points higher than this time last year. Average rents increased %0.001 psf to %0.868 psf, and are %0.005 psf higher than May 2005 levels. The market absorbed 216 units over the month; annual absorption now totals 13,468 units.

Houston apartment market occupancy fell 0.19 points over the month to 90.57%PRCTG%, but has gained 3.75 points since this time last year. Rental rates gained %0.001 psf in May and are up %0.026 psf over the year. Absorption over the month was -477 units; however, over-the-year absorption remains well in the black at 22,628 units.

San Antonio occupancy decreased 0.31 points to 91.38%PRCTG%, and is up 0.17 points over the year. Rental rates posted a decrease of %0.002 psf over the month, but are up %0.010 psf since May 2005. Absorption was positive for the fourth month in a row, at 243 units, while annual absorption stands at 3,792 units.

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