In an effort to attract buyers, home sellers in major cities throughout Florida are reducing prices by more than 10 percent, according to a monthly survey of home listings conducted by ZipRealty, an online real estate brokerage based in Emeryville, California.

In February 2010, sellers in Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and Palm Beach reduced list prices by an average of 14.89 percent, or $36,000. Prices of homes for sale in Orlando were slashed by 13.16 percent, or $25,000, and Jacksonville home sellers cut prices by 10.76 percent, or $19,000.

“Contrary to the national trend, sellers in Florida seem to be cutting their asking prices aggressively to attract buyer interest,” said Pat Lashinsky, ZipRealty CEO. “First-time buyers looking to take advantage of the $8,000 tax credit, those looking for a second home, and real estate investors are finding there are deals to be had in South Florida, Orlando and Jacksonville.”

The number of homes on the market with reduced prices in Orlando surged 17.1 percent in February compared to January, and Miami had the second highest number of price-reduced homes available for sale nationally, though 4.7 percent less in February compared to January. In addition, nearly one out of every two homes for sale in Jacksonville included at least one price reduction last month.