FOOTNOTE: Bailey was fine in this picture. It was early in the morning and I had just gotten him up. I take pictures as I enjoy sharing them with others. If you would like to use one of my photos, please ask, I am usually happy to oblige, however I would like to receive mention of having taken the picture. Sandy Shores REALTOR®, Melbourne/Palm Bay FL Real Estate Brevard County Real Estate & Investing I also buy, sell, rent, own and manage Investment Property.   10/14/2009

I take pictures as I enjoy sharing them with others. If you would like to use one of my photos, please ask, I am usually happy to oblige, however I would like to receive mention of having taken the picture. Sandy Shores REALTOR®, Melbourne/Palm Bay FL Real Estate Brevard County Real Estate & Investing I also buy, sell, rent, own and manage Investment Property.     09/20/2009

The orginal building for the Second Advent Church situated in old Eau Gallie, Florida still sits at the corner of 1598 Highland Avenue. Can you imagine, back in 1914 there were only 30 church members? Today, this old church building serves as St. Paul's Thrift Store. I love shopping for a deal. You never know what kind of bargain you'll find when you go in there.  They carry clothes, shoes. belts, bags, dolls, toys, nick nacks, pictures, books and so much more. They have a shed out back with some miscellaneous pieces of furniure. Donations are welcome. Their hours are Monday thru Saturday, 10:00 to 4:00.   Sandy Shores REALTOR®, Melbourne/Palm Bay FL Real Estate Brevard County Real Estate & Investing I also buy, sell, rent, own and manage Investment Property.     09/02/2009

I take pictures as I enjoy sharing them with others.  If you would like to use any of my photos, please ask. I am usually happy to accomodate the request,  however I would like mention that I took the photo. Sandy Shores REALTOR®, Melbourne/Palm Bay FL Real Estate Brevard County Real Estate & Investing I also buy, sell, rent, own and manage Investment Property. 08/21/2009

The Gym has just opened here in Melbourne Florida.  It’s owner Spero Tshontikidis has a true passion for what he does. His gift is in giving back to his community. He works with kids and coaches them on powerlifting: squats, deadlifting and bench press.  Tshontikidis’ philosophy is to keep them happy, healthy and busy and it keeps them off the streets. He opened The Gym, a warehouse, where families can come with their kids to lift weights and exercise. Family comes first to Tshontikidis.  Both of his teenage sons work with him at The Gym. Tshontikidis is the founder of RAW United Powerlifters. It is a federation of young men and women from across the US that have one thing in common…their love for lifting.  Lifters range from 10 to 75 years old. He has frequent meets where all the lifte... 08/15/2009

On Saturday August 8, 2009 a first time homebuyer forum will be held at the Maxwell King Center for Performing Art located on the  Brevard Community College campus from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. It is located at the corner of Wickham and Post Road in Melbourne, FL.  Information will be provided from the Department of Housing and Urban Development.  They will explain buyer assistance programs, the first time homebuyers credit and FHA loans. There will be bankers, representatives from HUD, Realtors and credit counselors present. The purpose of forum is to increase awareness and promote interest in the real estate market. This article is authored by Sandy Shores REALTOR®, Melbourne/Palm Bay FL Real Estate Brevard County Real Estate & Investing I also buy, sell, rent, own and manage Investment P... 08/07/2009

Picture this:  beautiful three story condo, two car garage, private elevator, spectacular view of the Indian River in Brevard County FL, priced in the mid $200's.  Sounds wonderful doesn't it?  What the description doesn't tell you is that there is no direct entry into the complex.  One must drive through an older single home neighborhood to access the complex.  And what the description also doesn't tell you,  in addition to the spectacular view, most units also have a spectacular view of the gas station next door.  Nor does the description tell you the complex is located just feet from a major highway.  The units are beautiful, the floor plans are awesome, as are the room sizes, and don't get me started on the private elevator in each unit, to die for.  But the minute you step outside ... 08/03/2009

Pinching pennies has become  a necessity in today's economic times.  We clip coupons, look for sales, and hold back on spending.  But can you afford to skip an all important step when putting your house on the market?  The answer is a resounding "no!" Most home sellers think a home, is a home, is a home.  Their home serves their purpose, is arranged to suit their lifestyle, and truely believe that everyone that walks in the door will buy into the old saying "home is where you hang your hat."  Well thats mostly true. But hanging your hat in someone else's home, does not automatically make that home yours.  And potential buyers are keeping that in mind when they view your property.  Within 10 seconds of walking in the front door they will most likely make the decision that your home is no... 07/27/2009

Friendship is friendship and goes way beyond trivial matters such as a free, over the phone, staging consultation.  One of my best friend's is putting her house on the market in the DC Metro area.  They've totally retrofitted the house, new windows, doors, roof. Its an older home and needed the work.  Soon they will pack up and move to their retirement home in another state, leaving the house vacant, and to the mercy of potential buyers who "might" be able to see the home's potential. I recently counciled her on the benefits of home staging.  Minimal cost, maximum punch!  Leave a few pieces of furniture, the blinds, some accessories.  Stage the kitchen and bathroom with things you don't need, or go to a discount store and purchase some attractive items. The answer to all my suggestions ... 07/27/2009

You've decided to move, either down size, or up size, but what to do about the lazy real estate market.  You know you're competing with foreclosures and short sales, not to mention For Sale By Owner and MLS properties.  What can you do, in frugal times to make your house shine? My first recommendation would be to run the numbers and figure out how much you can afford to spend to prepare your home.  $100 or $1000, it makes no difference.  Any amount you can put toward proper preparation, is money in the bank if you sell your home in a timely manner. As a home stager, my second recommendation would be to let your fingers do the walking through Google and find a home stager in your area.  We're here to give you the tools you need for proper preparation.  If you only have $75 to spare, put ... 07/27/2009

What happened?  You got an estimate of your closing costs to close on your new home.  You went through all the motions of obtaining financing.  You got to the closing table or maybe you were lucky enough to know a day ahead of time that you do not have enough money to close the transaction.  Has this happened to you?  What do you do?  Many times borrowers are faced with this dilemma of where to find the additional funds at the last minute.  The most recent person to call us was $1500.00 short at his closing and we were not involved in the transaction!  In 33 years in the mortgage business, we've learned that there are others in the industry who are not as professional as they appear to the unknowing consumer. An estimate is just that...an estimate.  In today's society we've all learned ... 07/23/2009

Stanley Homes Debuts New Floorplans for Veranda Place -   Their Newest Melbourne community Stanley Homes hit the ground running with their newest Melbourne neighborhood, Veranda Place.  With the paint barely dry in their new furnished model, traffic and sales are outpacing expectations. Veranda Place is a custom gated neighborhood nestled in a spectacular tree-lined location. It offers privacy and tranquility along with the convenience of highways and shopping.  The home sites are expansive (1/3 to ½ acres) and most back to lush conversation area or have lake views.  Custom homes with lot start from the $380's.  Stanley Homes is soon to debut five new floor plans for Veranda Place. The new floor plan designs will include custom architectural details, well-planned areas for living and en... 07/22/2009

The West Shore Junior/Senior High School Dance team traveled to the University of Central Florida in Orlando this week to attend UDA Dance Camp from Monday to Thursday. The girls stayed in the college dorms. There were 17 teams that attended, compared to just 8 teams last year. The girls practiced each day in the UCF Arena. Dancers were divided into groups and their coaches could place them in 4 different level dances. UDA instructors taught the dancers 3 different dance routines throughout the week. The girls started dancing at 8:30 in the morning and finished at 9:00 PM. After they finished, they returned to their dorms and practiced some more. There were team building exercises and pajama parties, lots of giggling and little sleep. There was some real bonding going on between these g... 07/17/2009

Florida's approximately $15 billion, three year take of federal-stimulus spending is already starting to pay off, say agency heads. According to Education Commissioner Eric Smith, the stimulus dollars have helped preserve 26,000 jobs in Florida's K-12 system.  Another 2,700 jobs have been created. Florida is competing for $2.5 billion in high-speed rail grants and waiting to hear whether t will get nearly $50 million in port security grants. $212 million in stimulus dollars have paid for a $25 increase in unemployment compensation benefits. $267 million has extended the length of unemployment benefits. Cynthia Lorenzo, head of the Agency for Workforce Innovation (unemployment), claims that every dollar in spending on unemployment benefits translates into $1.64 in economic impact for a t... 07/16/2009

On the first-ever all-pet airline started by Alysa Binder and her husband, Dan Wiesel, dogs and cats will fly in the main cabin of a Suburban Air Freight plane, retooled and lined with carriers in place of seats. I wonder what they serve in the cabin? Peanuts or crackers?  How cool is this? 07/14/2009

In 1976 the American public was urgently advised by the government, to take the swine flu vaccine. As admitted during a 60 Minutes interview, the vaccine given was not the vaccine that had been previously tested. The result, thousands of people became sick, many with GBS, Guillian-Barre Syndrome. The 60 Minutes documentary has resurfaced and is well worth watching, especially if you have decided the swine flu shot is for you. Swine Flu 1976 & PropagandaUploaded by Dianequiose-4. - Discover more webcam videos and video blogs. 07/13/2009

For all the hype by various real estate organizations, about striking while the iron is hot, and purchasing a foreclosure, all I can say is unless you have a lot of time on your hands, to wait for an answer from the bank, you might want to rethink your decision.  Banks seem to be dragging their feet on accepting offers, and worse, holding out for higher offers.  So, in who's best interest is it to drag out the purchase process?  Of course it is the banks, although common logic would dictate, unloading those properties should be their number one priority.  If you're looking at foreclosure properties, keep in mind there could be a bidding war, and be prepared to offer more than the bank is asking.  If you don't, you have a long wait, while the bank considers any other offers that may be o... 07/06/2009

The Brunswick Harbour Lanes will have 99 cent a game bowling this Sunday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.  This is a great way for a family to spend some quality time together. A family of four can bowl 4 games for less than $20.00!  What a great deal!  When they aren't running this particular special, normally, if you arrive on a Sunday morning before 10:00 for bowling, then all the games you play are 99 cents a game.  You really can't beat it. Currently bowling shoe rentals are $3.99 + tax.  That drives the cost of bowling up.  My husband and I already had our own bowling shoes. I went to the local thrift store, and was able to pick up 3 pair of bowling shoes for $1.00 a pair.  Two pairs looked like they had never been worn.     So, head on over to Brunswick Harbour Lanes for 99 cent bowling... 06/19/2009

Own a lot in Florida’s Space Coast and looking for a reputable builder to build your dream home? Stanley Homes is a 3rd Generation Home Builder in the Melbourne area with a highly-regarded reputation as one of the area’s finest Florida custom home builders.  Stanley Homes is known for their workmanship, attention to detail, quality materials and dedication to excellence.  If you contract with Stanley Homes to build on your site before June 30, 2009, you’ll receive $10,000 in FREE UPGRADES. Call Stanley Homes today for a free site assessment on property located anywhere in Florida’s Space Coast. Stanley Homes will determine the amount of preparation or site improvement required to build your custom home on your land.  Or, if you don’t own your own property, Stanley Homes will help you f... 06/18/2009

In the Lake Washington Area of Melbourne: There are currently 122 homes for sale. These include single family, as well as mobile homes. There are currently 41 properties under contract. Some of these have been under contract for several months, as they are short sales, pending lender approval. There have been 72 homes that have sold in 2009. $            1  - $  250,000      58 properties       11 of these were foreclosures    14 of these were short sales $  251,000 - $  500,000       12 properties         1 of these was a foreclosure     4 of these were short sales $  501,000 - $  750,000       1 property $  750,001 - $1,000,000      0 $1,000,000+                      1 property Some of these sold properties remained on the market for as many as 462 days, 673 days, 722 days, 938 days.... 06/16/2009