It seems that I'm always running to get somewhere.  There never seems to be a spare minute in the day to stop and catch my breath.  There's not enough time.  But, yesterday morning on my way to an appointment, I decided to make time.   I think sometimes we forget to take in the beauty that's all around us.  This guy was so busy grooming, he didn't seem to mind how close I was.  I drive by this fountain a couple of times a week. It is surrounded by a beautiful park.  I walked around the lake, taking in the gorgeous weather we have been having. There were kids playing on the playground, ducks swimming and people feeding dozens of birds. It was so peaceful and serene. And, as for this grumpy guy... he was on a mission. He never stopped moving.  He was my reminder that it was time to get t... 10/21/2010

I recently went to meet with a seller that has an interest in putting his house up for sale in Melbourne FL.  I asked him to walk me through the property and tell me what he could, so I would get a better "feel" for the house.  When we finished our tour and sat down at the kitchen table he looked at me and told me that he didn't have to sell. He continued, 'the difference between me and other sellers is that I don't have to sell. I'm not going to give my house away.  I can wait.' This isn't the first time I've heard these words and it won't be the last. I think that many sellers feel like this.  I remember when I sold my house 10 years ago, I didn't want to "give" my house away, either. Sellers today are smart, and they pay attention to what's going on in the market.  Many are aware th... 10/20/2010

Currently the majority of real estate buyers in Melbourne Florida are paying cash. Is cash still king?  Does it matter if the buyer is getting a mortgage to purchase a home?  Or does cash make a purchase easier?  A buyer purchasing a home with a mortgage has to be preapproved for that mortgage. They typically are required to get a termite inspection, most get a home inspection, the house must appraise for the purchase price and a survey of the property boundaries is usually required.  Those buyers have to jump through the hoops that the lender requires of them.  And, today some of these hoops can be quite stringent. A cash buyer does not have to worry about a mortgage.  They have the option of whether they get a home inspection and/or a termite inspection. No appraisal or survey is requ... 10/19/2010

This picture was taken at the pier at the corner of Riverside Drive and the 192 / Melbourne Causeway overlooking the Indian River Lagoon in Melbourne. Melbourne FL Real Estate Search for Melbourne FL Homes for sale Brevard County Real Estate Photos Visit Sandy Shores, Melbourne Real Estate Agent, Google Profile page I specialize in Brevard County Real Estate - Residential, Investment & Relocations. We have a team of professionals to facilitate your Short Sale. I also buy, sell, rent, own and manage Melbourne Real Estate & Investment Property 10/15/2010

If you are a car buff then head on over to the VW car show in Melbourne Florida. Sunday October 10, 2010 It's from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. At the Wickham Park Pavilion, Next to BCC & the King Center 3865 Wickham Road Melbourne Florida They are expecting over 150 VW's. Now this is an event after my own heart.  I learned to drive on an old volkswagon hatchback.  It was a stick shift - 4 on the floor.  I remember one of my driving lessons with my Dad sitting next to me in the passenger seat (he made me terribly nervous).  I was making a left turn into a busy intersection and let up on the gas to push in the clutch, to change gears.  I threw the clutch - the clutch rod snapped. The car came to a clunking halt, in the middle of all lanes of traffic. I was horrified, being all of 15 years old at... 10/09/2010

According to the Associated Press, Florida is seeing an influx of international buyers scooping up attractive real estate deals for cash.  The number of investors from England, Italy, France, Canada and Venezuela are higher than ever.  The vast majority of the properties being purchased are down in the Miami area. Here in Brevard County we are also seeing international buyers taking advantage of our central location, beautiful climate and our great Melbourne FL real estate prices. Some other parts of the country are also enjoying the purchasing power of these international buyers, including parts of California, Las Vegas, Washington and D.C. So Realtors, if you haven't done so already, now would be a great time to brush up on that foreign language you learned in college. You'll need it... 10/08/2010

This is one of my favorite times of year.  It's been absolutely gorgeous outside. The temperature is perfect  with no humidity.  I turned the air conditioning off and opened the doors and the windows. I love the clean, fresh, crisp air. I didn't want to get out from under my warm, toasty blankets this morning.  We woke up to a cool 59 degrees today here in Melbourne.  To me it was a bit chilly. This is the time of year when all of the fall festivals are held.  And, the Oktoberfest is just around the corner, with rides, games, beer and brats.  (I think I'll skip the beer, though.)  I love getting outside every chance I can to enjoy the perfect weather we are having.  Soon, it will be time to run out and pick out a Halloween pumpkin.  I like the tall skinny ones. So much to look forward ... 10/06/2010

There seems to be no lack of good clean affordable rental housing here in Melbourne Florida. Our rental market in Melbourne Florida has been a bit on the soft side. The phone isn't ringing like it used to, and some of the calls are coming from less than desirable prospects.  So, where are all the prospective tenants?  Over the last couple of years we have seen many owners doing short sales to sell their homes, selling for less than what they owe on their mortgages. Or, we have seen people losing their homes to foreclosure. So, logic would have it that many folks would be looking for a rental property to live in.  But, that just doesn't seem to be the case.  According to the US Census Bureau from 2005 to 2009 more than 3.8 million people moved in with their families. Today, we are seein... 10/05/2010

It's time to get your house on the market to sell it, but there are a number of items that haven't been fixed since you've lived there.  "Oh what the heck, just leave it for the guy who buys the place.  He can do it."  Well, not so fast.  That decision may cost you thousands.  If you don't feel like or can't do the work yourself, hire it out to someone who can. There are alot of people eager to work for $10 an hour to get that clean up done for you. (Be sure to get the proper work done by a licensed professional.) Ten years ago I was approached by a seller that asked me to buy his house from him. He was an acquaintance I had known throughout the years.  He knew that I liked the neighborhood where he was living.  We discussed comparable sales, but he wanted to just walk away from the pro... 09/24/2010

Top reasons to build a New Home in Viera Fl 1. Location! - Viera Is Centrally located in Brevard County, FL with much to offer like New Shops at The Avenue Viera, plenty of Restaurants, new A rated schools, several Golf courses, a Brand New Health First Medical complex, New Sports Complex, Parks and lots of Worship centers. All of this while being just minutes to the Water or 45 Min to Orlando, why move anywhere else? 2. Something For Everyone! - with 16 Communities to choose from and prices starting in the Mid $100's for TownHomes, Upper $100's for Single Family and plenty of style and options to choose from, there is something for everyone here in Viera, Fl! 3. Energy Efficency! - New Energy Efficiency Standards at low low prices. There are many benefits of building a new home today c... 09/21/2010

While out looking at houses with buyers, in the Melbourne Florida area we are still seeing a number of houses that are overpriced. For some owners they owe more on their homes than they are worth in today's market, thus the high price tag.  Other owners are still holding on to the hope that they are going to get those high ticket prices that sellers where getting in 2005 and 2006, at the peak of the market.  But, those houses have to appraise based on recent, comparable sales in the area. As owners drop their asking price, often they are still behind the market.  The reduction doesn't amount to enough to get the price near or below current market value. So, they are chasing the market.  And, it's pretty clear that the longer a house sits on the market, the lower priced the offers that ... 09/21/2010

Picture was taken at Lake Washington Park in Melbourne Florida There's nothing better than the beauty of a sunset. Melbourne Real Estate Search for Melbourne Homes for sale Brevard County Real Estate Photos Visit Sandy Shores, Melbourne Real Estate Agent, Google Profile page I specialize in Brevard County Real Estate - Residential, Investment & Relocations. We have a team of professionals to facilitate your Short Sale. I also buy, sell, rent, own and manage Melbourne Investment Property 09/19/2010

I received a call from a man interested in purchasing Melbourne FL Investment Property.  Perfect, I thought, that's right up my alley, since I own investment property of my own.  We talked about different options and what type of property to buy: single family, duplex, triplex or apartment complex.  We also discussed how close a landlord should live to their tenants.  "How about a house on my street?  Or what about buying a duplex and living in half, while I rent out the other half?"  He was quite sharp and full of great questions.  It was an interesting conversation. Living near your tenants... is it a good or a bad idea?  First, that depends on you.  It could make it convenient for a tenant in dropping off the rent.  And, what about maintenance problems?  The tenant could walk right ... 09/17/2010

The Melbourne Community Orchestra   will perform The Colors of Music - The Magic of Musicals on  September 15 & 16, 2010.  This will be their first concert of the season. Music pieces will be performed from The Sound of Music, Chicago, The King and I, and many more. Be sure to bring the family and bring your picnic basket.  There will be picnic tables set up inside the auditorium, so dine and enjoy the live music of the Orchestra. Tickets are free. Get them at the door up to 15 minutes before the show. Or find them at these participating locations.   The concert will be held at the Melbourne Auditorium, 625 Hibiscus Blvd., Melbourne FL 32901  321-952-9949 Showtime is 6:30 PM and doors open at 5:30 PM.   Melbourne Real Estate Search for Melbourne Homes for sale Brevard County Real Estat... 09/15/2010

Satellite High School Scorpions vs. Eau Gallie High Commodores Final score 50 - 20, Satellite High!  Hooray for the Scorpions! I have heard the same comment several times since Friday night's game, 'Satellite High just got lucky!  Eau Gallie would have won.'  Hmmm, I have to think on that one.  They would have won, but they didn't.  Why is it when a team works together, plays a good game and wins, it's called lucky? I don't think it's called 'lucky' when there is a spread of 30 points! "Luck's a dividend of sweat. The more you sweat, the luckier you get." -Ray Kroc "Luck is when opportunity meets preparation." The Satellite High Scorpions played an impressive game and the final score showed it.  When Eau Gallie blocked the Scorps from heading down the sidelines, Satellite changed their ... 09/12/2010

\ This picture was taken on the Eau Gallie Causeway overlooking the Indian River Lagoon in Melbourne FL. Brevard County Melbourne Real Estate Search for Melbourne Homes for sale Brevard County Real Estate Photos Visit Sandy Shores, Melbourne Real Estate Agent, Google Profile page I specialize in Brevard County Real Estate - Residential, Investment & Relocations. We have a team of professionals to facilitate your Short Sale. I also buy, sell, rent, own and manage Melbourne Investment Property.   09/09/2010

I've recently been working with buyers that are looking at Melbourne FL Homes for sale.  We've looked at several properties and have seen all types of different houses.  Some are well maintained. Some are put on the "keep" list, some are forgettable immediately upon leaving and some have been poorly maintained.   So often in showing houses the question arises, "does a house show better with furniture in it or when it's empty?"  Now I know that the staging experts would say that a house "shows" better when it has furnishings in it.  Furnishings help define a space, they show what a room can be used for. Well, the question came up a couple of days ago.  And, I think the answer is, "it depends on different variables."  It depends on the buyer, it depends on the type, style and size of the ... 09/07/2010

Looking for something to do on a rainy Labor Day?  Well, head on down to Brunswick Harbour Lanes Bowling Center. Today, it's just $.99 a game until 5:00 PM. Shoe rental is $3.99. On Sunday mornings from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM it's only $.99 a game. If you have your own shoes, you can save on shoe rental. Sunday night there's a $5.00 cover charge.  Bowling is an unbelievable $.25 a game and shoes are $.25 from 8:00 PM to midnight! Wow, what a great deal. Call ahead to find out what specials they are running. 321-242-2695 See you at the Brunswick Harbour Lanes in Melbourne. They're located almost at the corner of Sarno and Wickham Roads, directly across the street from Wal - Mart.  Melbourne Real Estate Search for Melbourne Homes for sale Brevard County Real Estate Photos Visit Sandy Shores... 09/06/2010

Pat (not her real name) contacted me at the beginning of the week.  She was fed up with her real estate agent.  She found me through an internet search of Melbourne Fl Real Estate.  During our first conversation I immediately sensed the frustration in her voice.  She and her husband were preapproved for a home up to $200,000 and are transferring to the Brevard County area.    They had been working with 2 different real estate agents (at 2 different times) and she said both situations turned out quite poorly.  She said the first agent they worked with told them every house they entered was "beautiful"  and that "it was perfect for them".  Pat got sick of hearing it.  The agent must have thought she was stupid. The second agent did not listen to her.  He showed them houses that he wanted... 09/04/2010

I can never get over the indescribable beauty of a sunset.  Every one is different than the one before and will be different than the next one.  It's as if the brush strokes were carefully painted on a blank canvas to form the perfect combination of colors.   This picture was taken standing at the end of the dock at the Lake Washington Park in Melbourne Florida. Lake Washington is the 41st largest lake in Florida and the largest lake in Brevard County FL, 4362 acres.  It is one of the lakes that makes up the St. Johns River. The John A Buckley water treatment plant sits near the mouth of Lake Washington.  The lake is Melbourne's most important source of fresh water. In addition to providing fresh water to the city of Melbourne the plant also serves other surrounding cities.  Boaters la... 09/03/2010