San Francisco-based realty broker Herman Chan, a previous guest on two HGTV reality shows, notes that much of it is staged. Moreover, the shows mainly cover the fun parts of homebuying and ignore the unglamorous aspects. For example, viewers rarely see house shoppers selecting a property agent, meeting with home inspectors or applying for a mortgage.

“It’s a very condensed version of what to expect,” says Chan, who agrees the shows focus on the happy moments. “Afterward is when it gets problematic,” he says. “What if the appraisal doesn’t come in, or there are whackadoo neighbors?”

In addition, the listings featured on TV shows suggest that they’re clean and well lit. But in reality, Chan says, “Babies might be crying or peoples’ laundry might be hanging in the background.”

However, Chan and other realty professionals say that actually could help by convincing sellers to “up their game.”

Janice Leis – who handles properties in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Florida – says sellers “can learn that you need to clean out your house, you need to paint it. The outside needs to be cleaned up, and you need to take furniture out. (Reality TV) shows sellers what’s important to the masses of people that are out there looking.”

Buyers can also learn a thing or two from the reality shows, even if the examples deviate from real life.

Especially useful, Leis and Chan say, are home buying shows that ask buyers to list their needs and wants first. They say it also helps buyers by getting them to expect some compromises along the way.

“Many economists … expected confidence to erode in April as the effects of the federal budget cuts known as sequestration along with the expiration of the payroll tax began to unfold,” says Chris McCarty, director of UF’s Survey Research Center in the Bureau of Economic and Business Research. “So far, this has had virtually no impact on consumer confidence among Floridians.”

Four of the five components used to determine Florida consumer confidence level increased and one remained unchanged in April. Respondents’ overall opinion that their personal finances are better than a year ago increased five points to 70, while their expectations they will be better off financially a year from now increased six points to 78.

Meanwhile, their trust in the U.S. economy rose three points to 80. They also were optimistic about national economic conditions over the next five years – that assessment rose one point to 77.

Left unchanged from March was whether now is a good time to buy big-ticket items such as cars and appliances. The response stayed at 90.

Not all Floridians, however, are optimistic. Confidence among Floridians making $30,000 a year or less dropped six points to 61, but it rose four points to 85 for those earning more than $30,000.

Age could affect views, too. The overall confidence level of Floridians younger than 60 increased 10 points to 87, but it fell three points to 72 for those 60 and older.

“This difference may have to do with the unveiling of the Obama administration budget proposal that signaled a willingness to negotiate on aspects of Social Security and Medicare,” McCarty says. “Optimism, however, among those aged 60 and under is more likely fueled by economic improvements here in Florida.”

For example, Florida’s unemployment rate continues to drop, coming in at 7.5 percent for March, which is slightly less than the 7.6 percent national figure. Leisure and hospitality showed the biggest job growth of all Florida’s employment sectors. The construction industry also reports slow but positive growth.

Florida’s housing prices also continue to rise, with the median price now at $160,000 – the highest median price since October 2008, though it’s still 38 percent lower than the peak value of $257,800 from June 2006. In addition, mortgage rates continue to hover around historic lows.

Meanwhile, the stock market is still near record highs, bolstering retirement accounts for many Floridians, and gas prices have continued a steady slide.

Despite the encouraging trends, many economists still expect the effects of sequestration to be felt throughout the country, including Florida, but it may take months for the effects to be fully realized. Until then, “Floridians are increasingly optimistic,” McCarty says.

Conducted April 13-25, 2013, the UF study reflects the responses of 407 individuals, representing a demographic cross-section of Florida. The index used by UF researchers is benchmarked to 1966, which means a value of 100 represents the same level of confidence for that year. The lowest index possible is a 2; the highest is 150.

© 2013 Florida Realtors®

The Present Situation Index that measures short-term confidence increased to 60.4 from 59.2. The Expectations Index that measures attitudes about the economy six months from now improved to 73.3 from 63.7 last month.

“Consumer confidence improved in April, as consumers’ expectations about the short-term economic outlook and their income prospects improved,” says Lynn Franco, director of economic indicators at The Conference Board. “However, consumers’ confidence has been challenged several times over the past few months by such events as the fiscal cliff, the payroll tax hike and the sequester. Thus, while expectations appear to have bounced back, it is too soon to tell if confidence is actually on the mend.”

Consumers’ assessment of current conditions improved moderately in April. Those saying business conditions are “good” increased to 17.2 percent from 16.4 percent, while those stating business conditions are “bad” decreased to 28.1 percent from 29.1 percent.

Consumers’ assessment of the labor market was mixed. Those claiming jobs are “plentiful” edged up to 9.8 percent from 9.5 percent, however those claiming jobs are “hard to get” increased to 37.1 percent from 35.4 percent.

Consumers were considerably more upbeat about the short-term outlook. The percentage of consumers expecting business conditions to improve over the next six months increased to 16.9 percent from 15.0 percent, while those anticipating business conditions to worsen decreased to 15.1 percent from 17.7 percent.

Consumers’ outlook for the labor market was also more positive. Those expecting more jobs in the months ahead improved to 14.2 percent from 13.0 percent, while those expecting fewer jobs decreased to 22.4 percent from 26.0 percent.

The proportion of consumers expecting their incomes to increase rose to 16.8 percent from 14.6 percent, while those expecting a decrease declined to 16.0 percent from 17.7 percent.

Nielson conducts the monthly Consumer Confidence Survey, based on a probability-design random sample, for The Conference Board. The cutoff date for the preliminary results was April 18.

NAR’s Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contract signings, rose 1.5 percent to 105.7 in March from a downwardly revised 104.1 in February, and is 7 percent above March 2012 when it was 98.8.

Pending sales have been above year-ago levels for the past 23 months; the data reflect contracts but not closings.

“Contract activity has been in a narrow range in recent months, not from a pause in demand but because of limited supply,” says Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist. “Little movement is expected in near-term sales closings, but they should edge up modestly as the year progresses. Job additions and rising household wealth will continue to support housing demand.”

The pending index in the Northeast was unchanged at 82.8 in March and is 6.3 percent higher than March 2012. In the Midwest, the index increased 0.3 percent to 103.8 in March and is 13.7 percent above a year ago.

Pending home sales in the South rose 2.7 percent to an index of 120 in March and are 10.4 percent higher than March 2012. In the West, the index increased 1.5 percent in March to 102.9 but is 4.3 percent below a year ago.

NAR predicts that total existing-home sales in 2013 will increase 6.5 to 7 percent over 2012 to nearly 5 million sales this year, while the national median existing-home price is forecast to rise about 7.5 percent.

According to the study, the timing of a first-home purchase hasn’t changed a lot over the years, but an upswing in later marriages means more couples are buying a home before they walk down the aisle – if they ever do – or making a purchase earlier in the marriage.

About one in four married couples between the ages of 18 to 34 purchased their first home together before their wedding date, compared to 14 percent of those ages 45 and older. According to the survey, 35 percent of all married couples purchased their first home together by their second wedding anniversary; 80 percent of these married homeowners said it strengthened their relationship more than any other purchase.

“What we’re seeing is that young couples are switching up the order and purchasing their first home regardless of whether or not they have set a wedding date,” says Dr. Robi Ludwig, a psychotherapist and Coldwell Banker lifestyle correspondent.

“This is a huge movement within the American culture,” Ludwig adds. “While younger generations may be focusing more on their career, and in turn waiting longer to get married and have children, they are not delaying their dream of homeownership.”

Other survey trends

• 17 percent of all married couples surveyed purchased a home together before their wedding day.

• 72 percent of married Americans in the South waited until after they were married to purchase a home, compared to 60 percent of Americans in the Northeast.

• Only 16 percent of married U.S. adults have not purchased a home together with their current spouse.

Ludwig says the tasks involved with a home purchase can strengthen a marriage. “(Married couples) not only learn about each other’s wishes and dreams during this process, but they also learn how to be practical with each other and compromise,” he says. “Buying a home has more of an impact on a couple’s relationship than any other purchase they will ever make.”

Impact of home buying on a marriage

• 93 percent of homeowners who purchased their first home while married always planned on owning a home after marrying.

• 80 percent said purchasing a home with their spouse did more to strengthen their relationship as a couple and family than any other purchase they have made together.

• Over one-third of married homeowners (35 percent) wish they had taken the plunge (into homeownership) sooner than they actually did.

Ludwig offers the following tips for couples buying their first home together:

1. Decide “needs” vs. “wants,” and be willing to compromise. Ludwig says it’s common for a couple to uncover conflicting values, interests, likes, dislikes and tastes to come that create tension. But no one gets everything on their checklist, so it’s important to compromise to get a home that pleases both people. Patience, understanding, compassion and compromise are key.

2. Work together to prioritize what’s important in a home. Make an independent list and compare notes. Even the closest couples are still two people with separate ideas and agendas. Searching for a home can bring up a couple’s different priorities and ideas about life. Working together to decide what is best for a combined future strengthens the bond between individuals and prepares couples to effectively deal with future disagreements.

3. Be open, honest and organized with finances. This includes the ability to talk about personal savings, debts, budgets and credit ratings. Money is one of the leading causes of marital discord.

4. Think about the future for three, five and even 10 years down the road. Before buying a home, talk about plans for careers, having a family, and what that means in terms of neighborhood and space. For some people, talking about their future needs creates anxiety. Support each other if it does.

© 2013 Florida Realtors®

“Florida’s housing market continues to demonstrate its recovery – March marks the 15th consecutive month that the statewide median sales prices for both single-family homes and for townhouse-condo properties rose year-over-year, according to Florida Realtors’ data,” said 2013 Florida Realtors President Dean Asher, broker-owner with Don Asher & Associates Inc. in Orlando. “The median price is up more than 15 percent for both single-family homes and for townhouse-condos.

“Meanwhile, buyer demand is increasing, but supply continues to be constrained in many areas. In March, the median days on market (the midpoint of the number of days it took for a property to sell that month) was 57 days for single-family homes and 61 days for townhouses and condos. That means 50 percent of homes on the market in Florida sell in two months or less.”

Statewide closed sales of existing single-family homes totaled 19,631 in March, up 9 percent compared to the year-ago figure, according to data from Florida Realtors Industry Data and Analysis department in partnership with local Realtor boards/associations. Closed sales typically occur 30 to 90 days after sales contracts are written.

Meanwhile, pending sales – contracts that are signed but not yet completed or closed – for existing single-family homes last month rose 23.4 percent over the previous March. The statewide median sales price for single-family existing homes last month was $160,000, up 15.2 percent from the previous year.

According to the National Association of Realtors® (NAR), the national median sales price for existing single-family homes in February 2013 was $173,800, up 11.3 percent from the previous year. In California, the statewide median sales price for single-family existing homes in February was $333,880; in Massachusetts, it was $278,000; in Maryland, it was $224,048; and in New York, it was $220,000.

The median is the midpoint; half the homes sold for more, half for less. Housing industry analysts note that sales of foreclosures and other distressed properties downwardly distort the median price because they generally sell at a discount relative to traditional homes.

Looking at Florida’s year-to-year comparison for sales of townhouse-condos, a total of 9,957 units sold statewide last month, up 1.1 percent compared to March 2012. Meanwhile, pending sales for townhouse-condos last month increased 10.6 percent compared to the year-ago figure. The statewide median for townhouse-condo properties was $120,000, up 15.9 percent over the previous year. NAR reported that the national median existing condo price in February 2013 was $172,500.

The inventory for single-family homes stood at a 5.3-months’ supply in March; inventory for townhouse-condos was at a 5.8-months’ supply, according to Florida Realtors.

“We continue to be encouraged by the depth and breadth of the housing recovery,” said Florida Realtors Chief Economist Dr. John Tuccillo. “State numbers are up in virtually all important categories and down where they should be down. Even with the difficulty of access to financing for households, we still see the growth in the market continuing for at least the next 18 months.

“Inventory remains an issue, but this is fast becoming a sellers’ market and as sellers realize this, we expect inventories to rise as we approach the last quarter of 2103. Over the long term, we need to correct the imbalance between investors and owner-occupier households that has developed because of financing issues if the market is to prosper for a long time.”

According to Freddie Mac, the interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.57 percent in March 2013, down from the 3.95 percent average during the same month a year earlier.

To see the full statewide housing activity report, go to Florida Realtors website and click on the Research page; then look under Latest Housing Data, Statewide Residential Activity and get the March reports. Or go to Florida Realtors Media Center and download the March 2013 data report PDFs under Market Data.

© 2013 Florida Realtors®

In the end, Florida businesses did fairly well, ranking sixth nationally.

The 10 best state tax systems are:
1. Texas
2. South Dakota
3. Nevada
4. Wyoming
5. Washington
6. Florida
7. Alabama
8. Colorado
9. Ohio
10. Alaska

The 10 worst state tax systems include:
40. Nebraska
41. Connecticut
42. Oregon
43. Minnesota
44. New York
45. Maine
46. Vermont
47. Iowa
48. New Jersey
49. Hawaii
50. California

The 21 measures used to create a single statewide number
1. Top personal income tax rate
2. Top individual capital gains tax rate
3. Top tax rate on dividends and interest
4. Top corporate income tax rate
5. Top corporate capital gains tax rate
6. Added income tax on S-Corporations
7. Whether or not the state imposes an alternative minimum tax on individuals
8. Whether or not the state imposes an alternative minimum tax on corporations
9. Whether or not the state’s personal income tax brackets are indexed for inflation
10. Progressivity of the state’s personal income tax brackets
11. Progressivity of the state’s corporate income tax brackets
12. Property taxes
13. Consumption-based taxes (i.e., sales, gross receipts and excise taxes)
14. Death tax, if any
15. Unemployment taxes
16. Whether or not the state has a tax limitation mechanism
17. Whether or not the state imposes an Internet access tax
18. “Amazon” taxes
19. Gas tax
20. Diesel tax
21. Wireless taxes

© 2013 Florida Realtors®