Melbourne Real Estate News, Brevard County Florida by Sandy Shores Melbourne FL Realtor

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These Bring Back the Memories

This weekend my daughter, Stephanie and I headed over to the car and motorcycle show at Calvary Chapel in Melbourne.  We spent a a lot of time admiring some of the gorgeous cars that were there. We would have loved to take a spin in a couple of these beauties.

Several of the cars we saw reminded me of cars that we had while growing up, like the VW van.  But ours was lime green and it was a full size van. My mom used to drive it.

 

For years when my Dad was younger, he was a mechanic.  He worked on different makes and models of cars. Years later, I remember when he got home each night from his job at Florida Gas Transmission Company, he would eat dinner and head out to the garage to work on cars for hours on end. He had a buddy that was in the car repo business. After the cars were repossessed, they were later sold.  My Dad often got first dibs on the ones he wanted to buy.  He would drive (or sometimes tow) cars home and work on them. He'd fix whatever they needed - rebuild the engines, clean up the interior and often paint them.  He finished with some beautiful vehicles.

I remember my older sister used to be out in the garage working right beside him, under the hood of a car, up to her elbows in grease. She loved working with my dad.

I can't tell you the makes of all the cars we saw this weekend. Although, some of them sure brought back the memories. QUJDUTV7HPC4


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Sandy Shores REALTOR®, Melbourne/Palm Bay FL Real Estate

Brevard County, Florida's Space Coast Real Estate & Investing

I specialize in Residential, Investment & Relocations. 

We have a team of professionals that can help facilitate your Short Sale.

I buy, sell, rent, own and manage Investment Property.


Looking at Houses When It's Raining Can Tell A lot About a Property

Looking at Houses when it's raining can tell a lot about a property

Yesterday, I headed out to show properties to a new buyer. The weather forecast was 100% chance of rain.  We both brought our umbrellas.  After looking at a couple of houses the clouds grew dark and the wind began howling.  Then, the sky completely opened up. It started pouring.

I always recommend that buyers look at or take a drive by a property they are considering, during or right after a hard rain to see if there are water problems.  They should also drive by at different times of the day and sometime on the weekend, if at all possible.  This gives buyers an idea of what is going on in the neighborhood.

While it was pouring, my buyer and I only had a couple of houses left on the list to look at. One of the properties had a severe drainage problem.  The backyard was quickly becoming a mini lake. So she ruled that one out completely. The other two we looked at were fine.

As we listened to the weather on the radio, there were reports of severe thunderstorms and tornado warnings, so we decided to call it a day, and get off the road.

In the past, in looking at properties in the rain, I have found roof leaks, problems with water coming seeping into low lying additions, and driveways that were impassable. 

So, if possible (and I know this sometimes depends on the time of year - rainy season or not), do a drive by on a house that you are considering after a heavy rain, BEFORE making an offer.

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Sandy Shores REALTOR®, Melbourne/Palm Bay FL Real Estate

Brevard County, Florida's Space Coast Real Estate & Investing

I specialize in Residential, Investment & Relocations. 

We have a team of professionals that can help facilitate your Short Sale.

I buy, sell, rent, own and manage Investment Property.

Set Those Clocks Forward this Weekend - Spring is in the Air

Set Those Clocks Forward this Weekend - Spring is in the Air

The weather is getting warmer and Spring is right around the corner. It's my favorite time of year.  The bees are buzzing and the birds are chirping.

This weekend we get to Spring forward by turning our clocks ahead one hour.  We get an extra hour outside in the  evenings to do the things we enjoy.  It gives us more time to see properties while it's still light out.  And, it gives us an extra hour of daylight to get outside to take in that regular exercise.

The weather is warm, but not too hot, and the humidity is relatively low.  So, it's not sticky outside.  There's usually a warm breeze in the air. 

Since we had an unusually cold winter here, it's time to get out into the yards and cut back some of those plants.  Some didn't make it through the freeze.  Others can be trimmed back to the green on them.  For those that are brown, try to peel a portion of the bark back to determine if the plant is still green underneath. If it is, clip it back a bit.

It's time to fertilize the lawn and to plant those new flowers.

So head outside, and get that much needed daily Vitamin D from the sun.  20 minutes a day is all it takes to boost your energy and your mood.

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Sandy Shores REALTOR®, Melbourne/Palm Bay FL Real Estate

Brevard County, Florida's Space Coast Real Estate & Investing

I specialize in Residential, Investment & Relocations. 

We have a team of professionals that can help facilitate your Short Sale.

I buy, sell, rent, own and manage Investment Property.


 

Brevard County Students will Begin FCAT Testing Today

Brevard County Students will be Taking the FCAT

Students in Brevard County schools will start FCAT testing today. The math and reading parts of the test will be administered to grades three through ten.  Fifth, eighth and tenth graders will also be required to take the science portion of the test.

The FCAT, Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test is used to determine whether schools are teaching the required course materials.  It is an assessment of accountability and it measures each school's grade.  It is also used to determine whether a child will be promoted to the next grade.

Brevard students have historically received top scores on the FCAT, compared to other school districts across the state.

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Sandy Shores REALTOR®, Melbourne/Palm Bay FL Real Estate

Brevard County, Florida's Space Coast Real Estate & Investing

I specialize in Residential, Investment & Relocations. 

We have a team of professionals that can help facilitate your Short Sale.

I buy, sell, rent, own and manage Investment Property.


'I Could Have Bought that Property for Nothing 20 Years Ago!'

I could have bought that piece of property for cheap 20 years ago

Yesterday, I was at the Strawberry Festival and got to talking with some people. We talked for awhile and the conversation turned to real estate.  One of the men began discussing a piece of property he regretted not purchasing.

"You know, I could have bought that piece of property 20 years ago for cheap.  And, I mean really cheap."

"Well, why didn't you?," I asked.

I chuckled. That wasn't the first time I've heard someone use that expression. And, I know it won't be the last.

When people say they could have bought a property years ago, why didn't they?  At that time it probably seemed like a lot of money.  And, they didn't know what the market was going to do; where it was heading, up or down.

Hindsight is 20/20.  It gives us crystal clear vision, doesn't it? We know now what the past holds.  We've been there.  Done that.  We've lived it.  It played out before our eyes.  We saw some buyers buy and we saw potential buyers do nothing.  So, today it's easy and comfortable to say that you could have bought property 20 years ago...  There's no risk in saying those words. We already know what the past holds.

But, what if I told you that then is now?  It will again be 20 years ago, in the future.

Twenty years from now will you be the one saying that you missed a buying opportunity?

If now is then, then why doesn't it feel easy for some to jump in and buy today?  They don't have a crystal ball to tell what the future holds.  It may look like a lot of money today.  But, compared to what?  Prices in 2000?  Surely, not prices in 2005-2006.   Prices have dropped, and in our area they've dropped substantially in spots.  Interest rates are still historically low.  The government is offering tax credits for first time homebuyers, and for move up buyers.  It doesn't get much better than this!

I know that every now and then we will hear people talk about the missed buying opportunities in the real estate market.  Some are still talking about the missed selling opportunities at the peak of the market. 

Oh, if only that crystal ball worked all the time!


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Sandy Shores REALTOR®, Melbourne/Palm Bay FL Real Estate

Brevard County, Florida's Space Coast Real Estate & Investing

I specialize in Residential, Investment & Relocations. 

We have a team of professionals that can help facilitate your Short Sale.

I buy, sell, rent, own and manage Investment Property.

 

 

 

 

A Look at the Bigger Picture

Looking at the Bigger Pictures, Sometimes Gives us a Better Perspective

I have a friend that truly believes that the universe aligns itself so that everything that happens to us, happens for a reason. Often times these events occur so that we can learn something from them. They come at inconvenient times in our lives.  But, later we gain a better understanding of why they happened when they did.  Ironically, the timing was because there was a bigger and better plan set out for us, that we were unaware of.

We are all a part of a plan, a bigger master plan. A plan that we may not know where or how we fit into.  So, we realize there are some things in our lives that are out of our control. 

Difficult things happen in our lives so that we can learn to appreciate the good things. For every negative thing, a positive thing takes it's place...perhaps not always right away.  But, every action has an equal and opposite reaction.

The negative things help us build character, make us more resilient, and help us grow stronger.

These things happen for a reason. They provide us with a reality check.  They help teach us to look within,  for our inner strength, to change things in our lives that aren't working for us any longer.  They help give us a different perspective on our lives. 

They help teach us to cherish the precious times in our lives. 

And, they teach us to appreciate how truly blessed we really are.

It's all part of the master plan.

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Sandy Shores REALTOR®, Melbourne/Palm Bay FL Real Estate

Brevard County, Florida's Space Coast Real Estate & Investing

I specialize in Residential, Investment & Relocations. 

We have a team of professionals that can help facilitate your Short Sale.

I buy, sell, rent, own and manage Investment Property.

 

Cancer Took Her Life, But Her Spirit Remains Alive in our Home and In our Hearts

It's been a year ago, today.  Sometimes it feels like an eternity, with so many memories and so many tears shed.  It's been an extremely difficult time for my husband; the passing of his mother that he was so close to. They had a wonderful relationship. But, I can remember every tiny little detail about her last day, as if it were yesterday. And, I imagine that day will always stay with me. 

Dawn Shores was a phenomenal woman. A person like no one else I've ever met in my life. My daughters are having an incredibly difficult time this anniversary.  Dawn will always be in our hearts. 

So, I am reposting the blog I wrote last year, the day after her passing, to keep her close in our thoughts.

She Died Yesterday, The Day Her First Great Grandbaby Was Due 

Dawn Shores 1935-2009

My husband's mother lost her battle with cancer yesterday. We got the call at 4:30 to come immediately as it would only be a matter of time.  We walked into her apartment 5 minutes too late. Her sister Joan and niece, Debbie were with her when she passed away. My teenage daughters were devastated.

Dawn was one of the most courageous women I had ever met.  She was diagnosed almost four years ago. She had a pea sized lump on her lung. In time it grew and became the size of a grapefruit. She had the slow growing cancer, squamous cell cancer.  As time progressed the cancer began wrapping itself around her heart and her left lung. Her lungs began filling up with fluid, so she had to have one drained twice a week.  Doctors feared that her heart would give out because of the strain. The cancer took it's toll on her body. She went from 135 lbs down to less than 90 lbs. She was fragile and frail.

She wouldn't let you say the word 'cancer' around her. She was in complete denial. And that's why she lived so long beyond her initial diagnosis.  Everytime she went to the doctor they marveled that she was still alive.

Every new ache or pain was not because of the cancer.  She would say, "I don't know why they can't figure out why this hurts so much.  I've been telling the doctor for 8 months there's something wrong with it, but they just can't figure it out."

Dawn got out of bed eveyday and was insistent on getting dressed. She wanted to be ready to go out for a bite to eat or to head to the store (just in case).  She put makeup on everyday, until the last week and a half.  The chemo took her hair, and as it began growing back, when we went to her apartment to see her, she had to grab her wig or a hat before she let us come in. She apologized profusely for not wearing any makeup. "Oh, I must look awful today," she'd say.

She died when my husband was out of town on a business trip - and that was his biggest fear.  Should I go? he asked.  I couldn't make that decision for him, I would support him one way or another. His mother had been diagnosed 4 years ago. She looked good when he left. The prognosis was good. His trip got pushed back a day, and then a week.  There were family members that devoted their days, weeks, months and the last couple of years to her, including my husband. So, someone was always with her. Hospice was there too, and they were absolutely incredible.

She wouldn't discuss final arrangements. In her mind if she did, she was giving into the cancer.

Dawn Shores was a phenomenal person and an incredible grandmother. Her husband died when her boys were 5 and 7 years old. She raised her two boys by herself, working two jobs. No grass ever grew under her feet. She had an infectious personality, she was a very active member of the community, and she was always out, staying busy. She never missed a ball game, a wrestling match, a school play. She was an active part of her grandchildren's lives. She was at all of their dance shows, school plays, powerlifting meets, birthday parties. If her grandkids were in it, she was there.

She was feisty and funny. She had a great sense of humor. And, she was so incredibly inquisitive about everything in your life, no matter who you were. She was interested in everyone and was a great listener. When my daughters went to see her she would ask them 30 questions about school, boys, sports, dance, you name it. She loved them dearly and said her biggest regret was that she wouldn't be alive to see them grow to have families of their own.

Dawn's first great grandbaby girl, April,  was due yesterday, March 5, 2009, the day she died. Everyday she would ask what day it was and wasn't that baby due on the 5th? She knew. 

Dawn Shores, 45 year resident of Melbourne Florida died at 74 years old. Dawn was my husband's mother and the only father he ever knew, ( as his dad died when he was 5 years old).

She was one of the "good ones".  It makes no sense to us why she was chosen to leave us at such a young age.  We have learned so much from her. We will miss her dearly, but we know that she fought with all that she had in her.  Now, it's time for her to lay her head down and finally rest, as it has been such a painful struggle for her.

God bless you, Dawn, and thank you for everything that you have given everyone whose life you have touched.

 

 

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Sandy Shores REALTOR®, Melbourne/Palm Bay FL Real Estate

Brevard County, Florida's Space Coast Real Estate & Investing

I specialize in Residential, Investment & Relocations. 

We have a team of professionals that can help facilitate your Short Sale.

I buy, sell, rent, own and manage Investment Property.

 

Bank Owned Properties - Buyers, Do Your Homework First

Bank Owned Properties - Do Your Homework First

Bank owned properties... It seems that they are cropping up all over.  There are some good deals out there.  But, they are a bit different than other properties being offered for sale.  These properties are offered in AS IS, where is condition.  The utilities are not on. They are sold with no disclosures, or warranties from the bank/seller.

Some are cash only properties.  Some won't qualify for any type of financing. A property that has some type of damage; structural, roof, electrical may be advertised as cash only. 

Often a buyer gets one shot at getting one of these properties and that's it. His first offer may very well be his only offer. If there is more than one offer; a multiple offer situation, buyers can be asked to present their highest and best offer.  OR, the bank will decide to negotiate with just one buyer, if his is the best offer.  It depends on what the offers look like, if they came in at the same time, or what the difference was in the purchase prices being offered.  The bank or listing real estate company has no obligation to respond to any one specific offer. 

Most often these banks have their own contracts and addendums they require the buyer to sign.  Be sure to read the fine print.

Sometimes these banks will give the buyer the opportunity to turn the water, gas and electric on, with time to hire professional inspectors.  If the inspections are unacceptable to the buyer, then the buyer's escrow deposit will be returned to him.  However, not every bank allows the buyer time to get utilities on, nor the time to get professional inspections done.  We had a bank this week ask if our buyer would forfeit his right to inspections.  This can be a risky proposition... especially with a house that had a half full slimey green pool, a roof caving in from severe water damage, PVC piping running hodge podge along the laundry room walls, an old Federal Pacific electrical panel, and electrical wiring in several rooms that looked like a botched weekend project.

In addition, often bank owned properties come with additional closing costs to the buyer; costs customariliy covered by a seller. Some can run into a couple thousand dollars.  Sometimes the costs vary based on the assigned title company or attorney's office that will be handling the closing.

A bank owned property should be purchased with title insurance.  (But, properties being sold on the courthouse steps are not being sold with any guarantee on the title of the property. Leave those transactions to the real pros who know the in and outs of bank auctions.)  Title insurance insures that the property is being purchased free and clear of any liens or encumbrances.  And. if any do turn up, the title company takes care of them.  

Buying bank owned properties isn't for everyone.  And, every bank and/or listing real estate company is a bit different on how they handle their distressed properties.  It's best to do your homework, first. Because, when these properties come on the market, there's typically a flood of activity and they go fast. Often we are seeing that the typical homebuyer is being muscled out by the cash paying investors.

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Sandy Shores REALTOR®, Melbourne/Palm Bay FL Real Estate

Brevard County, Florida's Space Coast Real Estate & Investing

I specialize in Residential, Investment & Relocations. 

We have a team of professionals that can help facilitate your Short Sale.

I buy, sell, rent, own and manage Investment Property.

 

 

A Great Old Song from the 1980's

Silent Lucidity by Queensyrche

Hush now, don't you cry
Wipe away the teardrop from your eye
You're lying safe in bed
It was all a bad dream
Spinning in your head
Your mind tricked you to feel the pain
Of someone close to you leaving the game of life
So here it is, another chance
Wide awake you face the day
Your dream is over... or has it just begun?

There's a place I like to hide
A doorway that I run through in the night
Relax child, you were there
But only didn't realize and you were scared
It's a place where you will learn
To face your fears, retrace the years
And ride the whims of your mind
Commanding in another world
Suddenly you hear and see
This magic new dimension

I- will be watching over you
I- am gonna help you see it through
I- will protect you in the night
I- am smiling next to you, in Silent Lucidity

-spoken during solo-
[Visualize your dream]
[Record it in the present tense]
[Put it into a permanent form]
[If you persist in your efforts]
[You can achieve dream control]
[Dream control]
[How's that then, better?]
[Dream control]
[Dream control]
[Dream control]
[Dream control]
[Hug me]

If you open your mind for me
You won't rely on open eyes to see
The walls you built within
Come tumbling down, and a new world will begin
Living twice at once you learn
You're safe from pain in the dream domain
A soul set free to fly
A round trip journey in your head
Master of illusion, can you realize
Your dream's alive, you can be the guide but...

I- will be watching over you
I- am gonna help to see it through
I- will protect you in the night
I- am smiling next to you....

 


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Sandy Shores REALTOR®, Melbourne/Palm Bay FL Real Estate

Brevard County, Florida's Space Coast Real Estate & Investing

I specialize in Residential, Investment & Relocations. 

We have a team of professionals that can help facilitate your Short Sale.

I buy, sell, rent, own and manage Investment Property.

Charming 2 Bedroom, 2 Bath Condo for Rent

Sandy Shores, Realtor | M & M Real Estate, Inc | 321-253-4545
2748 Golf Lake Circle #811, Melbourne, FL
Melbourne Florida Condo - Ground floor, end, corner unit overlooking lake, tucked in the back of the complex
2BR/2BA Townhouse
$695/month
Bedrooms 2
Bathrooms 2 full, 0 partial
Sq Footage 1,140
Parking 1 dedicated
Pet Policy Small dogs (< 25lbs)
Deposit $750

DESCRIPTION

Charming well maintained condo in great central location! Light & bright! Comfortable home! Kitchen with pantry. Dining area off of living room. Attractive light colors! Screened porch overlooking lake and pool area. Laundry room with washer & dryer in the unit. Rent includes cable and water. Minutes to I-95, US1, Wickham Rd, the beaches, across from shopping and Harbor City Golf Course.

see additional photos below
RENTAL FEATURES

- Air conditioning - Central heat - Tile floor
- Living room - Dining room - Refrigerator
- Stove/Oven - Washer - Dryer
- Laundry area - inside

COMMUNITY FEATURES

- Swimming pool(s) - Lake


LEASE TERMS

Available immediately! Owner would like one year lease, with $750 security deposit.
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS


End, ground floor, corner

Community pool

Living & dining rooms

Screened porch

Master bedroom

Drive 10 minutes to river
Contact info:
Sandy Shores, Realtor
M & M Real Estate, Inc
321-253-4545

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Posted: Mar 3, 2010, 10:29am PST