Your Brevard County Real Estate News

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August 13, 2009 Posted by Your Brevard County Real Estate News | brevard county florida real estate | brevard county short sales, short sales | No Comments Yet

First Quarter Reports Indicate that Sales are Up!

First Quarter Reports Indicate that Sales are Up

According to the Florida Association of Realtors single family home sales increased by 25% in the first quarter of 2009 compared to the same period in 2008. There were 31,412 existing home sales in Florida from January to March. In 2008 the number was 25,071. The figures have continued to rise over the past three quarters.

In Florida, our existing median sale price was $141,000 from January through March. This is a 30% decrease from the same time in 2008, where the figure was $202,300. The National Association of Realtors has reported that these prices may be a bit deceptive, in that short sales and foreclosures are pulling the figures down.

Interest rates averaged 5.06% for the first quarter of the year, according to Freddie Mac, compared to 5.88% in 2008.

I know that here in Brevard County we have been very busy with first time homebuyers, investors, out of town and international buyers. They are taking advantage of the attractive prices on real estate.

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June 13, 2009 Posted by Your Brevard County Real Estate News | brevard county florida real estate | brevard county real estate, brevard county sales, first quarter reports indicate that sales are up, sandy shores melbourne | No Comments Yet

Alligators on the Golf Course? I Think I’ll Just Leave My Golf Ball…

Florida alligators

My husband was recently out one Sunday afternoon golfing with a couple of his friends. As they were rounding the 14th hole, his friend Trevor hit his ball way over by the lake. When Trevor went to find his ball, this is what he found instead…a Florida gator, out sunning himself. Needless to say, Trevor never found his ball, nor did he even attempt to look for it.

These gators should be left alone under ALL circumstances.

When buyers come in from out of town, they always ask about alligators. Often times we tell them if there is a body of fresh water around there may be an alligator living in it. It really depends on where you are. I have only seen 1 or 2 of these gators out sunning themself in the 34 years I have lived here in Brevard County, except, of course, for the ones that we have at our local zoo.

Different people have had different experiences.

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May 12, 2009 Posted by Your Brevard County Real Estate News | brevard county florida real estate | alligators, alligators on the golf course, florida alligators | No Comments Yet

Should A Home Inspection Be Done on a Brand New Home?

I am currently working with a buyer that signed a contract to purchase a brand new home from a local reputable builder. The home is complete and ready to move into.

While we were out looking at properties, new construction, as well as resale homes, we began discussing inspections.

Should a home inspection and a termite inspection be done on a brand new, never lived in home, purchased directly from the builder? The builder is offering a full new home warranty on the property.

Obviously, it is the buyer’s decision.

Could the builder have missed something?

Could there be improper wiring in the house?

Could there be shoddy construction?

Are there any number of items that could be wrong, that the buyer may not be aware of?

Isn’t a home inspection for the protection of the homebuyer?

Isn’t a home inspection an extra security net, even on a brand new home?

Absolutely.

Home inspections are done so the new homebuyer can be made aware of problems or see potential problems, before they purchase a home. And these items can be brought to the attention of the builder, and be fixed, prior to closing.

What about a termite inspection?

The termite inspection is also for the protection of the homebuyer. Termites do hundreds of thousands of dollars of damage each year.

Remember, when hiring a home or termite inspector, be sure they are licensed, insured and reputable. You may want to consider a certified general contractor for the job.

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May 12, 2009 Posted by Your Brevard County Real Estate News | brevard county florida real estate | home inspections, new home construction, should a home inspection be done on a brand new home | No Comments Yet

Okay It was Me, I Did It, I’ll Admit, I’m Guilty, and All the Neighbors Know I Did it Too

okay it was me, I'm guilty, I did it I was out showing houses on Tuesday. We were looking at gorgeous townhomes in Satellite Beach Florida. Oh, so much to choose from. On one of units I was told by the listing office that there was an alarm system on the property, and they gave me the alarm code to disengage the system.

The listing agent on this property was smart. She had a note on top of the electronic lockbox that said, ‘You need the security code to disarm the alarm system before entering.’ Smart idea, I thought. Okay, I had been told twice that there was an alarm system that needed to be disengaged. I was ready, I had the code written down.

We got into the property and nothing, there was no light flashing on the security system and there was no beep, beep, beep, beep indicating that the system was actually engaged. Maybe it was already off. I certainly didn’t want to turn it on by accident. (Okay, there, that was my excuse). I moved over to the keypad to take a closer look, seemed like we’d been in the house for less that 5 seconds and the siren starting screaming. OH NO! I disengaged it within 3 siren screams. Oh great, the knuckle head realtor set off the homeowner’s alarm system, and I was that knuckle head. Ugh. Thankfully, this was my first time setting off a homeowner’s alarm system (and hopefully the last time). The home phone rang immediately (the alarm company calling).

I could see it now, police coming, ‘M’AM come out, put your hands up and feet spread apart!

I immediately called the listing agent directly. She told me to call 911. 911. I thought 911 was for emergencies? I did. I told her that I was a realtor, showing a property and I set the alarm off in error. “What was the name of the street?” Could you spell that?” I did. I will connect you to the Satellite Beach Police Department.

I looked at the mother and her 3 year old that I was showing houses to. The 3 year old was hiding in a corner. “What are you doing, Sarah?” “The police are coming, so I’m hiding.” Oh great I thought, nightmares for her for a week!

The Satellite Beach Police Department told me they would stop the officers enroute to the property. That would be good, I thought, and save me a bit of further embarassment. Good deal, we’re all set. I cracked a couple of jokes with the buyer, and I talked again to the other agent who had spoken to the owner. My buyer was terrific, she just took it in stride. I love her!

Two minutes later, up walks 2 police officers. No guns drawn (thank goodness). They were very polite and gracious and were gone in another 2 minutes. Fiasco ended, thank goodness. No trip to jail (thank goodness)-LOL.

Later that day, I talked to the listing agent on the property, as she was calling for feedback. I apologized profusely for setting the alarm off. She told me she headed out to the property shortly after we were there. And guess what?

SHE ACCIDENTALLY SET THE ALARM OFF HERSELF – NO KIDDING!

She laughingly said that I had jinxed her for that day.

I hung up with a chuckle and a little smile on my face. Too funny.

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April 6, 2009 Posted by Your Brevard County Real Estate News | brevard county florida real estate | all the neighbors know I did it, I did it, I set the alarm off, I'm guilty | No Comments Yet

Would it Take A Brick to Get Your Attention?

My mother in law sent this to me a couple of months ago. It touched me deeply when I first read it, as it touched me again today as I read it again.

Would it take a brick to get your attention A young and successful executive was traveling down a neighborhood street, going a bit too fast in his new Jaguar. He was blindly racing down the residential street, not paying much attention, as he car stereo blared. He was oblivious to everything around him. Until something smashed into the side of his Jag.

He slammed on the brakes and backed the Jag back to the spot where the brick had been thrown. The angry driver jumped out of the car, grabbed the nearest kid and pushed him up against a parked car shouting, ‘What was that all about and who are you? Just what the heck are you doing? That’s a new car and that brick you threw is going to cost a lot of money. Why did you do it?’

The young boy was apologetic. ‘Please, mister…please, I’m sorry but I didn’t know what else to do,’ He pleaded. ‘I threw the brick because no one else would stop…’ With tears dripping down his face and off his chin, the youth pointed to a spot just around a parked car. ‘It’s my brother, ‘he said ‘He rolled off the curb and fell out of his wheelchair and I can’t lift him up.’

Now sobbing, the boy asked the stunned executive, ‘Would you please help me get him back into his wheelchair? He’s hurt and he’s too heavy for me.’

The oblivious driver was taken aback. He peeked around the corner to the sight of the rumpled boy tumbled over in his wheelchair. The Jag driver tried to swallow the lump in his throat.. He hurriedly lifted the handicapped boy back into the wheelchair, then took out a linen handkerchief and dabbed at the fresh
scrapes and cuts. A quick look told him everything was going to be okay.

‘Thank you and may God bless you,’ the grateful child told the stranger. Too shook for words, the man simply watched the boy push his wheelchair-bound brother down the sidewalk toward their home.

It was a long, slow walk back to the Jaguar. The damage was very noticeable, but the driver took much time before he bothered to repair the dented side door. The dented door sent a message.

‘Don’t go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at you to get your attention!’

Sometimes, someone whispers in our souls and speaks to our heart.

Sometimes when we don’t have time to listen….

Sometimes we have to have someone throw a brick at us to get our attention.

-Author unknown

It’s our choice to listen or not.

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April 6, 2009 Posted by Your Brevard County Real Estate News | brevard county florida real estate | the brick, would it take a brick to get your attention | No Comments Yet

What Are Buyers Waiting For? They May Not be Able To Anymore

what are buyers waiting for The real estate market seems to be ever changing. Buyers have been taking their time in making decisions on whether they should buy or wait. That’s something that’s been around for a while now. We take them out, show them some houses, and then they wait and wait and wait and wait some more.

Are they concerned about the market? The economy? Their job? Everyone has a different situation.

It seems that in the past buyers could wait around forever, no big deal, because the houses that they looked at would linger on the market.

But, I have begun to see a shift in our current market. Houses that a buyer looked at two to three weeks ago, are not staying on the market. They are going under contract. I have seen these in the under $200,000 range.

I have had situations with 3 different buyers that I have been working with, where this has happened in the past month.

I looked at several homes with a buyer 3 weeks ago, and she wants to look a second time, well 3 of the 6 properties she wants to see again, are under contract.

I have a buyer that I e mail new listings to everyday. We have gone out a couple of times viewing properties. He has waited a week or two to get back to me on some of the listings I sent him, only to find out that 2 of the homes he thought would be “perfect” had gone under contract. He was not very happy.

I went out with a young couple, first time homebuyers and we looked at 7 properties just over 2 weeks ago. 2 of the homes suited them perfectly. They called me yesterday to look at one of the homes again, to write an offer. The home is under contract. They were absolutely heartbroken. I felt bad for them.

I have been in contact with all of these buyers.

Our market here in Brevard County appears to be picking up. The well priced homes in good condition are moving quickly.

Today, buyers must be cautious in waiting for too long, especially if they see that house that they really have to have. It may not be there when they’re ready to write that offer.

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April 6, 2009 Posted by Your Brevard County Real Estate News | brevard county florida real estate | brevard county real estate, buyers waiting, showing houses, what are buyers waiting for | No Comments Yet

High School Students are Graduating with College Degrees

HIgh school students are graduating with college degrees Brevard County Schools are proud to announce another successful year of dual enrollment.

Brevard County Schools rank number one in participation in the ten largest school districts in Florida. Dual enrollment allows a high school student to enroll and earn college credit at a local community college at the same time they are working towards their high school diploma.

There were 4541 course enrollments here in Brevard County in 2008.

In 2008 there were 87 high schools students that graduated with their high school diploma, as well as an Associate of Arts degree at Brevard Community College.

Now, that’s impressive!

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April 5, 2009 Posted by Your Brevard County Real Estate News | brevard county florida real estate | brevard community college, brevard county high school students, high school students graduating | No Comments Yet

Watch out for Those Deals that Are too Good to Be True!

In the past 6 weeks we have been getting a lot of phone calls and e mails from people interested in buying ‘distressed’ property in Brevard County Florida. There is no question about it, currently in Brevard we have some exceptional deals on properties available for sale.

One woman last week asked me to help her find a $15,000 home. She indicated that she had heard that the banks were giving homes away. I asked what area she was looking in and what she was looking for in a home. I explained to her that there were many great deals available, but a $15,000 home was usually gutted and/or uninhabitable, if it existed at all. watch out for those deals that are too good to be true

She told me that she saw homes that were going to be auctioned off. I explained that yes, often times people get great deals on these properties, but if they were being sold on the steps of the courthouse, they are not always being sold with clear title. They could be buying a home with encumbrances or liens remaining on the properties, thus they could become responsible for those liens.

It is crucial in this market, that people do their homework first. These deals are not always what they may seem. We seem to be seeing the crooks coming out of the woodwork again, trying to sell books and tapes teaching people to ‘get rich quick’ off of other people’s misfortunes.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I am not opposed to buyers picking up great deals on foreclosures and short sale properties. I think there are some great buying opportunities today.

Just be careful.

And, be sure to enlist the experience of a knowledgable realtor that can help you steer clear of these “deals that just seem to be too good to be true.” Because, if they seem too good to be true, they usually are.

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