Miami and Florida in general, were particularly affected by the real estate crunch. Homeowners saw their property values plummet and many individuals were unable to unload their houses when they had originally planned. The market, however, goes up and down and this situation was, and is, not at all static. The market is already showing signs of recovery, largely represented by an increase in home sales over the last year. Florida in general and Miami, in particular, showed impressive increases in sales while, at the same time, prices continued to drop, allowing many buyers to get in on the market at excellent prices.

Miami posted a 7.2% increase in home sales over the last year. This represents a significant increase in one of the hardest-hit areas of the nation. At the same time, Florida at large showed an increase in home sales of a whopping 45%. These increases were seen in several different metropolitan areas. The increase affected both condominium and single family houses. Mortgage rates area also at low points, which means that financing, the prices of homes and the sales figures for the existing inventory all point to it being a good time to enter the market as a buyer.

A large part of the real estate crash’s most devastating effects centered around the value of homes already owned. For buyers, the crash rather represented an opportunity. When prices climbed to the levels seen preceding the crash, it became impossible for many people to even get a house. But the market today is much more favorable for those who want to purchase a new home. This condition is called a “buyer’s market” by realtors and represents a market condition, not a tragedy. As the increasing sales figures in Miami show, the market recovers and it recovers rather quickly, even in hard-hit areas.

If there is one thing that most Americans can agree on today, it’s the deplorable state of our economy. Though most of the market reports are saying that we’re stabilizing, and some companies are even beginning to report quarterly gains, most of us at home aren’t feeling the optimism.

The real estate market in particular has been threatening. Ever since the housing bubble “burst,” the reports of foreclosures, mortgage defaults, and short sales have been never ending. Though the media has almost stopped reporting on the horrible state of the real estate market, it doesn’t mean that the situation has improved much.

The one thing that we can always count on – regardless of the market – is that someone, somewhere will find a way to take advantage of other people’s hardships. It’s not surprising that the way people have found to take advantage of this situation is “house flipping.”

“House flipping” is a popular term for those that buy a dilapidated or foreclosed property, and perform general maintenance, repairs, and basic improvements in appearance before selling the house for a profit.

House flipping is not new. In fact, one of the most popular television programs of the 2000s – TLC’s “Flip That House” – chronicled the trials, tribulations, and eventual victories of people participating in this very business. But even before TLC started rolling the cameras, you can see from a simple search on Google, home income “gurus” were already well versed in this idea, and perhaps even more well versed in how to sell it to you.

Robert Allen (not associated with the Robert Allen furniture design store), John Alexander, Bill Bowen, all familiar faces on the late night infomercial circuit, promising that they will show you how to take advantage of this opportunity for a price. Fortunately, due to television shows like “Flip That House,” this concept has already been blown wide open.

AE already has a follow up show, “Flip This House.” HGTV has multiple shows that teach the tricks of “home staging” for a fast sell, and the whole DIY network is dedicated to “do-it-yourself” home improvements. And if taking notes in front of the TV set isn’t your thing, there is a magical place called “the library” where you can find books filled with knowledge.

Or, if you still refuse to go to that library because your son has a $30 fine from a book he lost, there’s always Old Reliable – Google. Home income “gurus” aside, there are hundreds of websites that will explain to you the difficulties of purchasing a foreclosed home, the most important steps you should take once you’ve purchase one, and the top ten things you should improve to get the best price on your house.

There are people who say that they enjoyed and learned from the programs being sold by Robert Allen, John Alexander, Bill Bowen, and the rest of them, but if you want to save that seminar money to put toward granite countertops in your new foreclosed home, then you certainly have that option.