DS News

» VISIT US ONLINE @ DSNEWS.COM 87 IN THE NEWS Consumer Confidence Slips in Florida e Wells Fargo Economics Group released a recent report outlining consumer confidence in the Sunshine State. e data from April suggests consumer sentiment slipped in Florida one point to 79 for the month, largely due to increased concerns about current economic conditions. e concern, both locally and nationally, outweighed a slight increase in confidence about future conditions for the economy as a whole. e Florida index largely reflected the nation's attitude, with the overall index dropping slightly to 82.3. While consumer confidence declined, things could have been worse, according to the group. April's end of the month index for Florida did improve from a mid-month reading, which had put the drop at two points. Despite the monthly decline, the overall rebound in consumer confidence from a "cyclical decline has corresponded with a re- bound in home prices and the stock market," the group found. "e recent moderation in consumer confidence may signal a lessening of these influences," the group said. Home prices have eased slightly, coming in at a positive 12.3 percent year-over-year change. e Floridian unemployment rate climbed one tenth of a percentage point in March, resting at 6.3 percent. Florida's unemployment rate reflects a national rate of 6.3 percent. However, the national rate is heading the other way, falling downward nearly half a percentage point as winter weather, sequestration, and a significant buildup of inventory have passed to allow for growth. Florida Housing Market Is On the Rise More good news has surfaced in the housing market, this time in Florida. According to Florida Realtors, the housing market reported higher median prices, more new listings, and a stable level of inventory in March. Closed sales of single-family homes statewide totaled 20,081, up 2.8 percent from March last year. For 28 months in a row, statewide median sales prices rose every year for single-family homes and condos. Florida Realtors president Sherri Meadows said, "Realtors across Florida are reporting fewer short sales of distressed properties and more interest from potential home sellers as they observe the return of more traditional market conditions. Statewide, new listings for single-family homes in March rose 16.5 percent year-over- year, while new townhouse-condo listings rose 10.3 percent." e statewide median sales price also went up 7.1 percent, which now sits at $173,000, with condos up 16.7 percent at $140,000. is is in line with the rise of the national median sales price of $189,200 for houses and $187,900 for condos. "What we're seeing is a market we can live with," said Florida Realtors chief economist Dr. John Tuccillo. "Sales are up, inventories are increasing moderately, and days on the market are shrinking slightly. What's of particular interest this month is how market activity has moved up the price ladder. We are seeing greater sales gains and inventory increases, and strong percentage decreases in days on the market, for homes priced above $250,000. is is a break from the trends we were seeing last year and bears watching for the future." Georgia RANK: 33 90+ Day Foreclosure Unemployment Delinquency Rate Rate Rate MARCH 2014 3.08% 1.14% 7 YEAR AGO 3.74% 1.95% 8.4 YEAR-OVER-YEAR CHANGE -17.8% -41.6% -1.4 Top County SCREVEN COUNTY 90+ Day Foreclosure Delinquency Rate Rate MARCH 2014 5.76% 3.13% YEAR AGO 5.77% 1.38% YEAR-OVER-YEAR CHANGE -0.2% 126.9% Top Core-Based Statistical Area BAINBRIDGE, GA 90+ Day Foreclosure Delinquency Rate Rate MARCH 2014 5.21% 2.71% YEAR AGO 4.98% 2.38% YEAR-OVER-YEAR CHANGE 4.7% 13.8% note: The 90+ day delinquecy rate is the percentage of outstanding mortgage loans that are seriously delinquent. The foreclosure rate is the percentage of outstanding mortgage loans currently in foreclosure. State rank is based on the March 2014 foreclosure rate. All fi gures are rounded to the nearest decimal. The unemployment rate refl ects preliminary March 2014 fi gures released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. All other data courtesy of LPS Data & Analytics. Kentucky RANK: 24 90+ Day Foreclosure Unemployment Delinquency Rate Rate Rate MARCH 2014 2.30% 1.74% 7.9 YEAR AGO 2.39% 2.49% 8.3 YEAR-OVER-YEAR CHANGE -3.6% -30.1% -0.4 Top County POWELL COUNTY 90+ Day Foreclosure Delinquency Rate Rate MARCH 2014 2.56% 6.51% YEAR AGO 4.35% 5.99% YEAR-OVER-YEAR CHANGE -41.3% 8.6% Top Core-Based Statistical Area MOUNT STERLING, KY 90+ Day Foreclosure Delinquency Rate Rate MARCH 2014 3.68% 4.19% YEAR AGO 2.77% 5.48% YEAR-OVER-YEAR CHANGE 33.0% -23.6% note: The 90+ day delinquecy rate is the percentage of outstanding mortgage loans that are seriously delinquent. The foreclosure rate is the percentage of outstanding mortgage loans currently in foreclosure. State rank is based on the March 2014 foreclosure rate. All fi gures are rounded to the nearest decimal. The unemployment rate refl ects preliminary March 2014 fi gures released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. All other data courtesy of LPS Data & Analytics. Louisiana RANK: 21 90+ Day Foreclosure Unemployment Delinquency Rate Rate Rate MARCH 2014 3.40% 2.01% 4.5 YEAR AGO 3.44% 2.79% 6.4 YEAR-OVER-YEAR CHANGE -1.2% -28.1% -1.9 Top County ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH 90+ Day Foreclosure Delinquency Rate Rate MARCH 2014 5.92% 4.31% YEAR AGO 5.68% 4.83% YEAR-OVER-YEAR CHANGE 4.2% -10.8% Top Core-Based Statistical Area NEW IBERIA, LA 90+ Day Foreclosure Delinquency Rate Rate MARCH 2014 4.13% 2.81% YEAR AGO 4.25% 3.32% YEAR-OVER-YEAR CHANGE -2.7% -15.4% note: The 90+ day delinquecy rate is the percentage of outstanding mortgage loans that are seriously delinquent. The foreclosure rate is the percentage of outstanding mortgage loans currently in foreclosure. State rank is based on the March 2014 foreclosure rate. All fi gures are rounded to the nearest decimal. The unemployment rate refl ects preliminary March 2014 fi gures released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. All other data courtesy of LPS Data & Analytics.

• Cover