There are many great Gulf Coast Area homes for sale. Click here to perform a full home search, or if you're thinking of selling your home, click here for a FREE Home Value Report so you know what buyers will pay for your home in today's market. You may also call me at (239) 344-7571 for a FREE home buying or selling consultation to answer any of your real estate questions.  As the summer winds down, a slowdown in the market is to be expected. However, a recent national report shows that there is some good news:Annual home price gains: Last year we saw home prices jump 6.8%, as the market was booming. Year-to-date we've seen a more normal 3% gain, which is a good sign of a stable market. Interest rates: You can still get a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage for 4%-4.25%. But top economists are not expecting this to last.Existing home sales: We saw existing home sales come up in the summer. In fact, every price range saw an increase in home sales except the $0-$100,000 price range.ROI in real estate: Real estate still appears to be one of the safest investment opportunities - the report found that return on investment in real estate is 70.6%. Investing in NASDAQ and the S&P will only get you a return of 10.5% and 38%, respectively. These trends are great signs for the market. Right now, buyers have a lot of purchasing power. However, top analysts don't expect this to last long. For example, if you're looking to spend $1,000 a month on a mortgage, you can currently afford a $200,000 home. But if interest rates rise to 5% by next year, as they're expected to, you'll only be able to purchase a home for $180,000 - and this doesn't even take rising home values into consideration! As you can see, conditions are great if you're considering purchasing a home. If you're ready, there is no reason to wait. If you have any questions about conditions in your specific area, or want to make a move, shoot us an email or give us a call. We would love to help you out!