New Miramar home owner Alget Campbell, 83, bought his first house this
week. Campbell was able to take advantage of the lowest house prices in Broward County since 1994, according to Moody’s Economy.com, with the combination of the $8,000 federal tax credit and the low closing price of $71,425. Housing affordability has increased
so that the family earning the median family income can afford more
than the median priced home in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach,
economist Chris Lafakis said. [more]

Economists point to a boost in home sales and renewed confidence in
stocks as signs that the economy is in a bottoming process and the
recession is starting to end. That won’t mean a smooth or rapid rise to
recovery, but unemployment should lessen eventually, government
spending will play a bigger role in the state and consumer confidence
will grow. However, Florida is traditionally one of the slowest states
to recover, said Moody’s Economy.com economist Chris Lafakis.
[more]