If you have been following my articles on this subject, I have been advocating to First time home buyers ( currently renting) to explore buying.

Down payment rates have been reduced. Mortgage insurance premiums have been reduced and loan approvals are not as restrictive as they have been. Some of the investors have dried up, so the process of finding and making an offer on properties is not as depressing as it was in the past.

Some people are not buyers but with rents raising, it may make sense to explore your options.

http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/article.cfm?p=3&id=319569