According to the Florida Association of REALTORS, April 2008 is the third consecutive month in which Brevard County home sales increased from previous months, in single family and condo units. We are seeing the market pick up a bit, relative to the past several months sales. This holds true statewide, also. However, figures are down compared to sales in April 2007. The median price of a single family home sold today is $160,000 compared to $195,500 a year ago. Condo prices dropped from $180,000 a year ago to $161,700 today. Median price means that half of homes sold for more and half of the homes sold for less money. In some areas, across the nation, there is a 10 to 12 month supply of single family homes available for sale. Is the market still declining? Have we hit rock bottom? The b... 05/24/2008

81% of Brevard County third-graders scored a level three or higher on the reading portion of the FCAT test this year, compared to the statewide average of 72%.  Last year, 78% of Brevard County third graders scored a level three or higher.  83% of the Brevard's third graders scored a level three or higher on the math portion of the test, this year, compared to 76% at the statewide level. Brevard County had the highest average math and reading scores in the state, compared to Florida's ten biggest school districts. The FCAT, the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test,  is given yearly to third through eleventh graders.  It is used to measure the academic level of students.  Students are expected to be working at a level three, at grade level, or higher in order to be promoted to the next... 05/23/2008

by Sandy Shores Melbourne FL REALTORA foreclosure forum was held at the Melbourne Rialto Place Hotel on Tuesday. The event was to help those caught in the market slowdown and provided tips to help homeowners avoid foreclosure. The forum pointed out that banks are not in the business of owning real estate. They want to work with homeowners and help them through their financial problems.Foreclosure proceedings typically begin when a mortgage holder is three months behind on their mortgage payment. Not every filing leads to an actual foreclosure.According to HUD, US Department of Housing and Urban Development tips for avoiding foreclosure are as follows:1. Don't pretend the problem doesn't exist.The further you get behind, the worse your situation will get.2. Contact your bank or mortgage ... 05/22/2008

Kingsmill Subdivision Lake Washington Road North Melbourne Florida Kingsmill is a conveniently located subdivision close to city conveniences, but tucked away near a country setting.  The 323 homes in Kingsmill are situated on 1/4 acre to 1/2 acre well apppointed lots.  The area is well maintained.  Kingsmill boasts 2 community parks. Homes are typically from 1500+ square feet to just over 2000 square feet of living, built between 1986-1989.  The primary home builder is Maronda Homes, with some custom homes built on 1/2 acre lots by Joyal Construction and Tiffany Construction.  Kingmill is centrally located, just minutes to shopping, dining, schools, Lake Washington, the Maxwell C King Center for Performing Arts, Wickham Road, I-95 and US1.  Walk to groceries, shopping and fast food. Ho... 05/21/2008

Well, we feel it when we walk outside...that warm, balmy, soon to be summer weather, creeping upon us.  It's time to close the windows and turn the air conditioning on. We are hearing that electricity costs are due to rise over the summer  because of the price of natural gas and coal. Here's a couple of tips to help prepare your home and help keep your electric bill down: Check out your thermostat.  Do you have a programmable one, that can be adjusted to set different temperatures at different times of the day and night? If you don't have one, consider having one installed at a small cost. What is your thermostat set on?  Set it for a couple degrees warmer in the house while you are away at work. And then when you're home, have it drop back down.  (Don't forget about your pets during th... 05/20/2008

MLS#  4853312260 FRONTMELBOURNE, FL 32901Offered at: $2,000 Elegant furnishings and finish. Dining room view of harbor & dockage. The location is an oasis as depicted. I would have provided more interior pictures; however, the surrounding views could just not be adequately described. Available winter seasonal with an early start and 6-month + 1-day min. with utility allowances = $3250 (seasonal rate). Long-term furnished or unfurnished. for more info please go to http://www.bestbrevardrentals.com 05/19/2008

According to the US Census Bureau Florida has four million tourists visit each year from over 100 different countries. It is easily accessible through it's 31 major airports and it's 14 deepwater seaports. Florida has a diverse culture, with 43 different languages spoken here including Spanish, German, French, Creole, Vietnamese and Portuguese. The current rate of exchange is quite favorable between the pound and the dollar, thus it makes traveling here quite affordable.   05/17/2008

According to the Melbourne Association of REALTORS average sales price statistics for April 2008  in Brevard County Florida are as follows:   The average sale price of a single family home was $226,713. This is down by 7.63% from April 2007 at $245,431. However, the largest number of homes sold in the $120,000 - $139,999 price range. Then, the next largest category of homes sold was in the $180,000 - $199,999 range.   The average sale price of a condo was $227,864. This is down by 17.41% from April 2007 at $275,882.   The average sale price of a townhouse was $200,721. This is up by 5.67% from April 2007 at $189,526. The largest number of condos and townhouses sold in the $250,000 - $299,999 price range. The second largest number of units sold was in the $120,000 - $139,999 range.   05/16/2008

According to the Melbourne Area Association of REALTORS the Monthly Statistics for Brevard County Real Estate for April  2008, are as follows...   There were 287 residential listings sold for the month. This was an increase of .35% in units sold from March 2008. But a decrease of 12.23% in units sold from April 2007. Average market time was 124 days for sold units.   There were 29 condo listings sold for the month. This was an increase of 20.83% in units sold from March 2008. This was also an increase of 16% in units sold from April 2007! Average market time was 143 days for sold units.   There were 22 townhouse listings sold for the month.  This was an increase of 29.41% in units sold from March 2008. This was also an increase of 29.41% in units sold from April 2007! Average market tim... 05/15/2008

Real Estate Career Opportunity: Mailand Realty, LLC is always looking for motivated and enthusiastic Realtors to join our family oriented growing team.  We offer competitive commission splits and have essential knowledge, understanding and practices to offer agents who are personally committed to the success of their own business through dedication and personal development. Our office offers agents computer use for property search and form preparation.  We have current real estate forms available for immediate use and pick up in the office.  We have a printer/copier/fax/scanner as well as a color printer available for every agents use.  Our digital camera is available to take quality photographs of your listings for marketing purposes.  We have knowledgeable onsite assistance for messag... 05/12/2008

Corner lot. Surrounded by newer homes. This home needs major renovation, or can be leveled. City permits needed for any and all changes. Owner says "Bring all offers." For more info please go to http://www.mailandrealty.com/our_listings.html MLS#  5059412509 CANALMELBOURNE, FL 32901Offered at: $60,000   05/12/2008

In Brevard County Florida there are currently 359 bank owned homes for sale through the Multiple Listing Service.   The good news is that 148 foreclosed homes have contracts to purchase on them and 240 bank owned properties have sold since the beginning of 2008. At this same time last year there were less than 80 bank owned homes for sale through the MLS. 05/12/2008

REDUCED FOR IMMEDIATE SALE!!!! One story attached villa. Completely painted on the inside with neutral colors. New ceramic tile in bathrooms and kitchen. New vanity in hall bath. TLC is done and its ready for new owners complete with home warranty! Community pool. Quiet dead end street. Slider from kitchen to one patio and private patio off living room slider. Storage closet outside for bikes and beach equipment. For more info please go to http://www.mailandrealty.com/our_listings.html MLS#  4779901470 MALIBU Offered at: $107,000 05/12/2008

Darling One bedroom Condo-Totally remodeled! END UNIT! Many upgrades, recently new tile, baseboards, bathroom & kitchen remodeled, paint through-out, newer appliances. Condo complex has new roof, paint,resurfaced pool,landscaping and much more. Amenities include -huge pool, rec. room, HOA fee includes: water, TV cable,pest control, garbage, lawn & pool maintenance, exterior insurance. GREAT LOCATION and great starter home or winter retreat TOO! Best Deal in Town! For more information please go to http://www.brevardsbestagent.com/my_listings.html MLS#  442169138 SAN JUANMELBOURNE, FL 32935Offered at: $72,900 05/12/2008

AUTOMOBILE These major north/south routes are important arteries that connect a number of communities: Titusville in the north; Cocoa , Cocoa Beach and Rockledge in central Brevard; and Melbourne, Melbourne Beach and Palm Bay in the south Interstate 95 skirts Brevard County on its north/south trip from Maine to Miami. Interstates & Highways Running from Maine to Miami, I-95 is the most heavily traveled north-south interstate on the East Coast, and for the convenience of businesses and residents alike, it runs directly through Brevard County. State Road A1A along the coastline. US1 In the barrier islands (Melbourne Beach to Port Canaveral. East West routes State Road 405 to the north, which traverses the NASA Causeway to the space center S.R. 528 (the Beeline Expressway) in the center of... 05/12/2008

According to the latest survey from info USA, a provider of proprietary databases, Melbourne came in at No. 4, tied with Miami, with 16.5 percent growth over the last five years in the number of businesses in the metropolitan area. The city saw its number of businesses grow from 19,337 in 2000 to 23,159 in 2004. Only Fort Myers reported higher business growth, coming in at No. 2 with 18.3 percent growth.First a few statistics: The Central/Space Coast’s unemployment rate has remained lower than the state and national averages since 1995. In 2004, the unemployment rate of 4.6% was 0.2 percentage points below the state average, and nearly 1 percentage point below the national average. Because of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and Spaceport Technology Center as well as several providers of sim... 05/12/2008

Major price reduction! Light and bright open floor plan home in popular Coral Springs. Spacious island kit with 42-inch maple cabinets. Newer neutral berber carpet in bedrooms. Master bedroom has sliders to porch and deluxe master with double vanities. Also sliders from liv rm and fam rm to porch leading to very private back yard with oleander hedge and mango tree. Community has 2 pools, tennis courts, playground and clubhouse. Ideal place to enjoy the Florida lifestyle. Come see it today! For more information please see http://www.yourmelbourneagent.com/my_listings.html MLS#  4977241127 ACAPPELLAMELBOURNE, FL 32940Offered at: $250,000 05/12/2008

The Biotech Industry is getting all the money it needsThe biotech industry is honing in on seed and early-stage venture capital and workforce development.(PressMethod) - Per a November report by Lakeland life science analyst Michael Schmitt, the good news in Florida is that the average size of venture capital life sciences deals is up 88% since 2005 to $17 million. The second area of industry focus is on workforce training. Science and technology education in middle school and high school is the No. 1 focus for BioFlorida this year. The group is putting together a Bioscience Education Foundation to build on its annual Career and Education Exposition, held in schools across the state to encourage careers in science. The expo as well as the foundation will provide training for teachers, i... 05/12/2008

                        Did you know that there are several different ways in which a person, or two or more people can take title to a house that they purchase? So often buyers ask me how they should take possession of a property. As a REALTOR, I am unable to provide legal advice to clients.  Each individual homebuyer's situation and portfolio must be looked at on a case by case basis. There are many different options in which buyers are able to purchase a property and hold title to it. They can hold title to it individually, jointly, in a trust, as a co op, or in a corporation. I am attaching a recent article from the New York Times, explaining the various forms of homeownership. If you have questions on which form of homeownership may be right for you, you may consider having an att... 05/10/2008

Brevard County FCAT Scores - How did your school perform? Each year Florida students must take the standardized FCAT test or the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test. The test is used to determine whether a student is eligible to go on to the next grade. A student must score a level three or higher, which is at grade level, on the FCAT. Third through tenth grades are required to take the reading and math tests. In addition, grades four, eight and ten take the writing portion of the test. And, grades five, eight and eleven take the science portion of the test. How did your school perform? See the Brevard County School FCAT scores 05/09/2008