Yes, Location, location, location have been and continue to be great buzz words in real estate.

Those of us living in Florida, know that real well.  After all, world markets continue to recognize the importance of this geographically perfect peninsula, and so should we.

However, as trends also indicate where one should focus attention, I'm going to add a little something to the mix.    

Opportunity, opportunity, opportunity.

That, my friends, is the new trend we're seeing in the field.  What buyers wanted in the early turn of the century, and up until 18-24 months ago or so, is the same thing they want now.  Opportunity.  The opportunity to acquire something, in this case, real estate, at bargain prices, so that they can reap the benefits of untold gains in the future.

Those who have their money in the financial markets, stomach this every day.  Among them, there are the day-traders and the "Buffetians".  Day-traders buy and sell anything and everything and take profits (and losses) along the way, in short-term trades.  Often, trades are done within minutes or hours, or at best, relatively short terms of much less than a few days, weeks or months, but certainly less than a year. 

Buffetians on the other hand, buy long term on fundamentals and drive their gains akin to how Warren Buffet brought his corporate stock to 6 figures per share (Berkshire Hathaway stock - owned by mogul Warren Buffet - BRK-A last traded above $139,000 per share). 

Therefore, if you're not a speculator still dreaming of the day you could buy real estate today, and sell it to your neighbor in the afternoon for a gain (though some investors are able to do that with certain techniques), and you are instead, looking to buy your home or move-up home in the next few months, then you are poised to reap the benefits of the opportunities this market brings.

Therefore, take your cash out of the shoe box, from under your mattress or pillow and deposit it in your favorite bank.  You will need to show some level of seasoning to most banks when you show proof of assets in your 1003 mortgage application.