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Melbourne, FL Real Estate News

By Sandy Shores FL Realtor®, Melbourne Real Estate, Brevard County Real Estate, Florida's Space Coast
(M & M Realty of Brevard Inc.)
I just wanted to take a moment to reflect back on the beauty of 2008. I love taking pictures. And blogging keeps a camera in my hand everyday now. There are so many reasons to live in Brevard County Florida... Lake Washington Sunset Gleason Park in Indian Harbour Beach Florida Melbourne Beach Pier in Melbourne Beach Turkey Creek boat ramps in Palm Bay Florida Indian Harbour Beach Corky screw flowers at Turkey Creek in Palm Bay Boat ramps at Eau Gallie Causeway in Melbourne Florida A squirrel gathering nuts Thunderstorm Rolling into Palm Bay Florida Eau Gallie Yacht Basin Aquarina Golf Resort and Community in South Melbourne Beach Melbourne Florida Sunset Red hibiscus flower Tropical Storm Fay, not a pleasant memory, but a reminder of when we were hit with over 30 inches of rain in less ...
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By Sandy Shores FL Realtor®, Melbourne Real Estate, Brevard County Real Estate, Florida's Space Coast
(M & M Realty of Brevard Inc.)
I have seen the current economy take it's toll on some of my tenants here in Brevard County Florida.  A couple have been laid off. Some have had hours cut at work, Some have lost their jobs.  Good things happen to good people.  Some have less than desirable spending habits.  Regardless, of what the issue is...some rents, from some tenants, are becoming a bit more difficult to collect. So, we have been setting up payment plans with our own tenants. Some can afford to pay $200 a week, while they've got the money in their hand, rather than wait to gather a full $800 for the month.  Some cannot get the full amount together, as it is a bit too tempting to have that all at once, and they're afraid they'll spend it. Some are better with their finances than others.  In some situations, dependin...
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By Sandy Shores FL Realtor®, Melbourne Real Estate, Brevard County Real Estate, Florida's Space Coast
(M & M Realty of Brevard Inc.)
Yesterday, my daughters and I headed out to Lake Washington here in Melbourne Florida.  We try and catch the sunset every chance we can, because no two sunsets are ever the same.  We watched as the airboats came screeching in - you can hear them for miles around. And we watched the crowds gather to catch a glimpse of the miracle of the sun fading into the horizon. We live only 5 minutes from Lake Washington, so often we get on our bicycles and ride there. We felt blessed to have been fortunate enough to have caught such an incredible sunset this particular evening. This article is authored by Sandy Shores, Melbourne FL REALTOR. South Brevard County, Florida Space Coast.
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By Sandy Shores FL Realtor®, Melbourne Real Estate, Brevard County Real Estate, Florida's Space Coast
(M & M Realty of Brevard Inc.)
There are so many reasons to love living here in Melbourne Florida. My daughters and I like to walk across the Eau Gallie Causeway as often as we can, for beautiful views of the Indian River Lagoon. It takes about 35 minutes to go from one side to the other and back again. It would probably take less if I hadn't been stopping to take so many pictures. We just came from from our walk and it is nice a cool outside, the weather couldn't be more perfect.     This article is authored by Sandy Shores, Melbourne FL REALTOR. South Brevard County, Florida Space Coast.  
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By Sandy Shores FL Realtor®, Melbourne Real Estate, Brevard County Real Estate, Florida's Space Coast
(M & M Realty of Brevard Inc.)
I remember a story here locally about a small, frail haggard looking man.  He was poorly dressed, he hadn't showered in many days and his hair was unkempt.  He was the person that you might find yourself stepping to the other side of the road if he were coming towards you. You may move away from him in a grocery store line.  In looking at him you may find his appearance distasteful and pathetic. One day this kind, gentle, smelly man headed out to buy a brand new car.  He knew exactly the type of car he intended to purchase. He stepped foot into one car dealership after another, with a wrinkled old sack in his dirty jacket. Each time he approached a salesmen he was shooed off the lot, as a transient, a vagrant, a menace, a pest. Until one day he stepped foot onto a special car lot.  A ke...
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By Yvenert Silfain
(United Realty Group)
Why do some professional have the capacity to influence others to follow them; however, many of them don't have capacity to keep those they have influenced? Could be the fact that we have a double standard, for example, when we are doing business for ourselves, or for close relative, or even a love one we have one standard. And when we are doing business for a client we have another standard. In this case I would believe someone have a double standard. Unfortunately, when your colleagues, co-worker, and client realized that particular person does not have a core standard, principle and value that is applicable to all, then those who recognize the double standard would begin to look at this individual in a different way. Soon others will begin to say I'm not going to refer my family to h...
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By Stanley Homes
(Stanley Homes)
Work in Orlando and Live by the BeachReduce Stress. Live Longer. Be Happier. Enjoy Life What could be better than a relaxing drive home from work, being greeted by the neighborhood Sandhill Cranes, then pulling up to your new home which is nestled next to a beautiful nature preserve. Perhaps, during the summer months, you could get in a round of golf before dark or walk the beach at sunset. If you lived in Stanley  Home's beautiful Bella Luna neighborhood in Melbourne, then this could be you. Living in a new home in the Melbourne area of Brevard County is a great option if you  commute daily to Orlando or need easy access to the Orlando International airport.  Stanley Home's Bella Luna an easy 45 minutes (or less!) drive to Orlando's International Airport.  Did I say easy?  When you com...
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Interest rates are incredibly low.  Homes are priced to sell.  Now, more than any time in the last decade, it's a great time to buy a new home in Melbourne, FL.  For first-time buyers, the reason to buy a home in the next 6 months is even better thanks to the Federal Tax Credit for First Time Home Buyers. For aspiring first time home owners who need a little nudge to make the decision or that extra financial help to reach their goal, legislation enacted earlier this year providing a tax credit of as much as $7,500 for first-time home buyers might just be the opportunity of a lifetime.But like so many of the good things in life, time is of the essence for buyers who want to take advantage of this outstanding opportunity. Only homes purchased before July 1, 2009 are eligible. Here's the t...
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By Sandy Shores FL Realtor®, Melbourne Real Estate, Brevard County Real Estate, Florida's Space Coast
(M & M Realty of Brevard Inc.)
  Today we are hearing that identity theft is on the rise.  Yesterday I read an article in our local paper about a landlord and prior tenant that had a dispute over $200 in back rent. The prior tenant alleges that his previous landlord took his credit and personal information and posted it on a subscriber list of companies that sell all types of electronics. According to the tenant, within months his credit score fell from 700 to down below 500 due to the dozens and dozens of companies checking his credit.   Identity theft is on the rise. I have even read that identities are being stolen from people under 18 years old. To protect yourself from Identity Theft: 1 - Pay only with cash or credit card.  Do not carry more than 1 or 2 credit cards with you at all times. Leave your checkbook at...
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By Sandy Shores FL Realtor®, Melbourne Real Estate, Brevard County Real Estate, Florida's Space Coast
(M & M Realty of Brevard Inc.)
Sandy Shores, Realtor | M & M Real Estate, Inc | 321-253-4545 1919 Radnor Drive, Melbourne, FL Affordable Central Melbourne Florida 2BR/1BA Single Family House offered at $67,998 Year Built 1958 Sq Footage 704 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms 1 full, 0 partial Floors 1 Parking 1 Car garage Lot Size 6,534 sqft HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION 4% commission to buyers agent Cozy home centrally located to mall, beaches, dining, I-95 and so much more. Large fenced yard. Close to New Haven Ave. Owner reserves the right to limit repairs, D&N. Not a short sale or foreclosure. see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES Central A/C Living room Yard ADDITIONAL PHOTOS Seller contact info: Sandy Shores, Realtor M & M Real Estate, Inc 321-253-4545 For sale by agent/broker Equal Opportunity Housing Posted: ...
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By Sandy Shores FL Realtor®, Melbourne Real Estate, Brevard County Real Estate, Florida's Space Coast
(M & M Realty of Brevard Inc.)
  Every year US News and World Reports ranks the top high schools in the country.  This year, West Shore Junior Senior High School here in Melbourne Florida was ranked #58 out of 21,000 high schools in the country. Each year West Shore receives a ranking in the top 200 of the best in the country.  This year the teachers, administration, and students should be commended for West Shores' top ranking.  Very impressive! Those students that are fortunate to be a part of the Wildcat team have certainly been blessed! GO WILDCATS! The top high schools in the US - check the report here
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By Sandy Shores FL Realtor®, Melbourne Real Estate, Brevard County Real Estate, Florida's Space Coast
(M & M Realty of Brevard Inc.)
We see them all the time houses for rent 2, 3, 4 and 5 months and sometimes even longer. Some landlords are holding out for the "big bucks".  I have heard the same thing on many occasions, oh,"I've got to have 'x' amount of money per month to rent this place. I'm looking for the big bucks."  I think that depending on the individual situation, sometimes this thinking can be a little short sighted in the current market we are in. In our area of Brevard County Florida vacancies are up this year by over 12%, to a total of about 15%. There are some competitively priced properties for rent.  Not to mention apartment buildings that are offering low and no security deposits.  And a free month's rent (typically given at the end of the lease term). If a house is listed for rent at $1200 a month a...
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By Sandy Shores FL Realtor®, Melbourne Real Estate, Brevard County Real Estate, Florida's Space Coast
(M & M Realty of Brevard Inc.)
The Wildcat Powerlifting World Championships will be held this weekend, December 6 & 7th .  Lifters from across the country will travel to Melbourne Florida to compete in the competition.  There will be 78 lifters competing in the competition.  Lifters range in age from 12 years old to 75 years old. 8th grade World Record Holder Sam Shores and Senior Jayson Wadzinski are heading the Wildcat team this weekend.      Jayson Wadzinski deadlifted 400 lbs in yesterday's competition.   Sam broke her own World record on this 245 lb. deadlift. At yesterday's competition, 13 year old Sam Shores broke 4 World Records. Sam has broken 15 Worlds Records since August 2007.  Sam Shores currently holds 7 World Records in Powerlifting.   Best of luck to lifters competing today. None of this would be poss...
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By Sandy Shores FL Realtor®, Melbourne Real Estate, Brevard County Real Estate, Florida's Space Coast
(M & M Realty of Brevard Inc.)
I love fruit.  And this is the time of year that I am able to pick the fruit from our trees that lasts us for the winter.  We usually have large juicy navels, grapefruit, tangerines and lemons bigger than softballs.  Navel oranges are my favorite. I can pick them off my backyard tree.  The only problem is, sometimes I eat too many. This year I have been able to go and pick some delicious fruit off the trees at some of our rental houses, after I ask the tenant's first, of course.  They are glad that I take it.  In years gone by, my daughters and I have taken all the fruit off the trees and passed bags and bags and bags of it out at school to teachers and parents and friends. Some years we were blessed with over 50-60 full bags of fruit.  We picked every piece and none went to waste.  We ...
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By Sandy Shores FL Realtor®, Melbourne Real Estate, Brevard County Real Estate, Florida's Space Coast
(M & M Realty of Brevard Inc.)
Brevard's Best Youth Entertainment kicked off their Christmas Show this week.  They performed their first show of the season at Courtenay Springs Adult Retirement Community on Merritt Island.  They are scheduled to perform their show of singing and dancing 16 more times between December 6 and December 21. The girls range from age 6 and 16 years old.  They each volunteer anywhere from 75 to 150 hours of community service hours to give back to their community.   They travel from nursing homes to Alzheimers centers to libraries to perform. If you would like a schedule of this year's Christmas performances here in Brevard County Florida, please contact me, I will be more than happy to provide you the list of upcoming show dates and times. This article is authored by Sandy Shores, Melbourne ...
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By Sandy Shores FL Realtor®, Melbourne Real Estate, Brevard County Real Estate, Florida's Space Coast
(M & M Realty of Brevard Inc.)
  The US Marine Corps Reserve will be collecting Toys for Tots for their annual Christmas Drive.. Toys that are donated must be new and unwrapped. The Melbourne Association of Realtors will lend a helping hand by leaving a donation box at their Melbourne office at 1450 Sarno Road here in Melbourne Florida. Some of these children do not have any family. Toys must be dropped by December 14, 2008.
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By Sandy Shores FL Realtor®, Melbourne Real Estate, Brevard County Real Estate, Florida's Space Coast
(M & M Realty of Brevard Inc.)
  The Wickham Park LightFest runs from November 25 - December 28, 2008.  It is a one mile tunnel of lights that you drive through in your car. Hundreds of thousands of lights are displayed, even a Santa on a shuttle. Proceeds go to charities such as Habitat for Humanity of Brevard, Eau Gallie High School, Florida Today's Reaching out Holiday Fund, Salvation Army and the Speace Coast Marine Institute. Wickham Park is over 390 acres and is located in Melbourne Florida off of Parkway Drive, between Croton Roads and Lake Washington Road.   Times:  6:00 to   9:00 PM Sunday to Thursday             6:00 to 10:00 PM Friday, Saturday and Holidays Cost:   $10.00 per car load Closed on December 21 for a hayride   This article is authored by Sandy Shores, Melbourne FL REALTOR. South Brevard County...
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By Sandy Shores FL Realtor®, Melbourne Real Estate, Brevard County Real Estate, Florida's Space Coast
(M & M Realty of Brevard Inc.)
If you are considering the purchase of gift cards this holiday, you may want to stop and think twice.  We have seen more and more companies closing their doors and going out of business.  The prognosis is that more retailers and restaurants will be going out of business due to the strain of the economy.  If this happens, then what happens to your unredeemed gift cards? Right now, your gift cards becomes void, when the company goes belly up! There are currently no government regulations on how defunct companies must handle unredeemed gift cards.  So, a gift card to a loved one may be a risky choice. I am attaching a link to consumer advocate, Clark Howard's website. This holiday season be cautious with your hard earned cash! As a footnote, if you do choose gift cards, be careful, some co...
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By Sandy Shores FL Realtor®, Melbourne Real Estate, Brevard County Real Estate, Florida's Space Coast
(M & M Realty of Brevard Inc.)
  We were up at 4:15 AM and out of the house by 5:00 AM. We were standing in line at Staples by 5:30 AM and we were about #50 in line - not too bad!  A handful of people had camped out in front of the store the night before.  They were there to buy an HP Laptop with printer for $399. It was a $300 savings.  My 13 year old daughter reminded my that she could sure "use" one of those laptops.  And, I reminded her that she already had a computer. My sister, Jean. who was visiting from Ft Walton Beach and my 2 daughters and I found some great deals at Staples, That's always my first stop the day after Thanksgiving. We headed from store to store.  When we got to the Melbourne Square Mall it was an absolute madhouse. It was absolutely packed.  JCPenneys looked like Disney World.  And, the lin...
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By Sandy Shores FL Realtor®, Melbourne Real Estate, Brevard County Real Estate, Florida's Space Coast
(M & M Realty of Brevard Inc.)
Homes during the holidays are some of the most beautiful homes I've ever seen.  What a wonderful time of year! Homes for sale are decked to the hilt with festive trees, ornaments and family keepsakes. Expensive gifts are purchased and placed under the tree and often the home is filled with loving family members. So, it's very common for home sellers to ask if they should take their home off the market over the holidays. I have mixed feelings on this.  I think it must be looked at on a case by case basis. And, I believe there are so many factors that must be taken into consideration: How long has the home been on the market?  Is it growing stale? What is the sellers time frame?  What is their target move date? Are they motivated to sell or are they just fishing? Will they be home over t...
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