Report: Oil spill impacted more than just Gulf Coast

Real estate agents have yet to get a clear indication on just how much their local markets have been affected by the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill.

What is clear is that moving activity to the Gulf Coast could slow down significantly, with the southern coast of Alabama and the Florida Panhandle reporting the most significant physical impact, according to a survey of real estate professionals by Clear Capital. The report estimated that home values in those areas could drop beween 5 and 15 percent, seriously harming their appeal to homebuyers considering moving there.

Even inland communities that weren't physically impacted by the oil spill are suffering from "social stigma," said the report. St. Petersburg, Florida, is hundreds of miles from any oil and has suffered no damage. Even so, brokers in that city report falling sales and waning interest from buyers who have stayed clear from Florida since the oil spill.

"While social stigma appears to be the largest factor influencing the slowdown in home buying activity, it is clear the effects of the spill are being felt well inland from the coast," said Alex Villacorta, Clear Capital's senior statistician.

Separate reports have indicated a slowdown in Florida's moving activity. According to the Florida Realtors, year-over-year home sales in the state dropped 14 percent in July.

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