Last month the national media was in a frenzy about the decline of home sales, yet this month the Wall Street Journal reported that, "The U.S. homeownership rate climbed [...] to the highest level in nearly five years." As mortgage rates remain low and national and local programs aimed at assisting first time home buyers become more widespread, many people who previously were not able to attain homeownership are now finding it easier to do so. This month, the $15,000 down payment assistance program is now back for first time buyers in the Tampa Bay Area, so please reach out to me if you would like further information. In February in the Tampa Bay area, over $1.2 billion of residential real e