A recent USA Today article listed the woes of today’s housing market. Now that the housing bubble has apparently burst, there is a lot of inventory that is selling slowly – if at all. In an effort to sell their inventory, builders in the markets with the largest housing inventories – namely Florida – are doing all kinds of things to entice buyers. The article cites airline tickets to Hawaii, a lease on a new car, increased commissions paid to realtors, and the list continues.

The problem with these incentive programs is that once you take advantage of them, you have a home in a location where they were unable to sell homes under normal conditions. Meaning, unless you want to personally offer incentives when you resell your home, you may be stuck for awhile. If you are on a fixed income, you will be facing higher property taxes and homeowners insurance associated with that location (if you can get insurance at all).

Savvy buyers are looking for lasting value and ignoring the hype. These buyers are also avoiding the traditional (and expensive) retirement destinations in Florida, North and South Carolina, Arizona, New Mexico and California. They are looking in non-traditional locations where the lifestyle is affordable and their property investment has room to increase in value.

We encourage you to get the “rest of the story” point for point, dollar for dollar, lifestyle for lifestyle; Houston Springs may well prove to be the lifestyle and value you are looking for.