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

I got the letter in the mail yesterday.

"You may have seen or heard the recent announcement that State Farm Florida Insurance Company (State Farm Florida) has submitted a plan to discontinue its property insurance lines in Florida.  I want to clarify for you that this plan involves coverage only for homeowners, renters, condominium unit owners, personal liability, boats, personal watercraft, personal articles, and business property and liability policies.

State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company (State Farm Mutual) and its affiliated companies will continue to provide -as they have for decades - automobile insurance, life insurance, health insurance and other financial products and services in Florida..."

It is my understanding that it will be approximately 90 days before State Farm knows anything for sure.  And then if it is determined that State Farm will be pulling their property insurance line, my agent has indicated that it will be late 2009, early 2010 before policyholders will have to have their insurance shifted to a different insurance company.

..."we will not be taking any action under the plan until regulatory approval has been received. We took this action only after persistent efforts to secure adequate rates and to ensure financial stability.  It is our responsibility to provide a sound financial framework for the coverages we provide."

Well, I guess I better get going...I'll have to find insurance on my primary residence AND my rental houses that are insured with State Farm.  UGH!

And, I thought all this time that 'like a good neighbor State Farm is there!'

This article is authored by

Sandy Shores, Brevard County Real Estate

Melbourne Florida Real Estate News

Florida landlords and tenants must be sure they understand the Florida Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, Florida Statutes Chapter 83.  The law is very specific about the proper handling of a tenant's deposit.

I have known some landlords that kept every tenant's deposit, no matter what the circumstances of the tenant move out or the condition of the property!  I have also known tenants that fought for their deposit after they moved out, even when the property was left a complete mess! 

Per Chapter 83, Part II, Section 83.49 states that whenever money is deposited or advanced by a tenant on a rental agreement as security or as advance rent the landlord shall hold the money in a separate interest bearing or non interest bearing account. It must be held in a Florida banking institute for the benefit of the tenant.  Be careful if the money goes into an interest bearing account, as special rules apply.

If the landlord intends on imposing a claim on the security deposit for early termination of lease, loss of rent, move out condition of property, upon vacating the premises the landlord must give written notice, by certified mail to the the tenant's last known address, within 30 days of move out of his or her intention to impose a claim on the deposit.  Special verbage is required in the letter to comply with Florida law. The tenant has 15 days to object in writing to the deduction, otherwise the landlord will be authorized to deduct the claim from the deposit.

If the landlord does not send the claim in writing to the tenant within 30 days, then the landlord forfeits the right to impose a claim against the deposit. Landlords must be certain to retain their supporting documentation; certified mail receipts, etc.

If the landlord does not intend to impose a claim on the tenant's security deposit, the landlord has 15 days to return the deposit and any interest due (if applicable).

Many landlords keep their tenant security deposits upon move out, but NEVER formally notify the tenant by certified mail! This can come back to bite them in the butt later!

As landlords, we must be certain to follow the letter of the law in dealing with tenants.  We must be sure that we understand the laws in our state as to the proper handling of security deposits.

Be sure to check the Landlord/Tenant Laws in your state.

This article is authored by

Sandy Shores, Brevard County Real Estate

Melbourne Florida Real Estate News

The Florida Association of Realtors is reporting that home sales in Florida increased in December 2008.  11,053 homes were sold, which was an increase of 27%, over December 2007 at 8,712 homes sold statewide.  December was the fourth month in a row that the number of homes sold increased.

In December 2007 median sales prices on existing homes was $213,600.  In December 2008 the figure dropped to $155,500, a 27% decrease. This is positive news for homes buyers in the market. In addition, mortgage interest rates have dropped from 2007 to 2008. Last month they were approximately 5.29%.  A year earlier they averaged approximately 6.10%. That variation in interest rate allows a buyer to purchase more home with their money, than last year.

A total of 124,215 homes sold in Florida in 2008 compared to 129,855 in 2007.  This reflected a 4% drop from 2007 to 2008.

Home sales activity has been increasing across Florida, Arizona, Nevada and California; in areas with the largest numbers of short sales and foreclosures. First time home buyers, investors and buyers shopping for second homes or vacation homes appear to be making up the bulk of Florida purchasers today.

This article is authored by

Sandy Shores, Brevard County Real Estate

Melbourne Florida Real Estate News

We've all met them... people that have little faith in their abilities, their talents. They feel as if they have no chance of taking charge of their lives.  And it struck me that

Some have less faith in themselves than in things they can't control.

-we don't stop and look over our vehicle, under the hood, and at all the tires, each and every time, before we get in it and get on the road.

-we have faith that the drivers on the road, complete strangers, around us are going to abide by the rules of the road, and keep us safe.

-we don't stop to interview an airline pilot before we board a plane, to be sure he is qualified to fly that giant airliner.

-we don't know the school bus driver of the bus that drives our children to school each day.

-we blindly jump on board a carnival ride, not knowing how quickly the "crew" threw it together the night before, when they pulled into town.

-we don't stop and closely inspect a meal that we pick up at a fast food restaurant before we eat it.

It seems that so many have faith in things that can't be controlled in their lives.

But, some have so little faith in the one thing they can control...

their own lives and their own destiny...THEMSELVES!

And faith in oneself begins with loving yourself!

This article is authored by

Sandy Shores, Brevard County Real Estate

Melbourne Florida Real Estate News

I just finished reading Ann Haydens Blog today about 10 Safer Driving Tips on how to drive cautiously while there is snow and ice on the ground.

# 2 on Ann's list was to Pack emergency supplies in your vehicle:  food, water, blanket, shovel, sand, ice melt. and #3 was  Keep your gas tank at least half full because you never know when you are going to get into a jam.

Ann always let's us know how the weather is in her neck of the woods of Missouri.  Earlier this week she posted a picture of an ice covered cliff - it made me shiver just to look at it.

We are hearing from our friends across the country about how cold it is where they are.  And, I couldn't help but think how truly fortunate those of us that live here in Florida are. 

Last week I was at the beach, across the street from a home that I was listing for sale. The weather was perfect.

These pictures were taken in Satellite Beach Florida. 

The temperature was about 75 degrees. 

We did have a cold snap last week, where it got down in the 30's for two nights, but that's the coldest weather we have had this winter.

My heart goes out to all of you in cold country. 

When you get sick and tired of the cold, come on down and see us here in Florida!

This article is authored by

Sandy Shores, Brevard County Real Estate

Melbourne Florida Real Estate News

My 13 year old daughter has been studying for an upcoming History test.  She is studying the Industrial Revolution.  The information is very interesting and she has been doing beautifully in quickly remembering what she will need for her test.  Her studying has been going quite smoothly over the past several days, at a quick pace. 

Last night we started on a new Section 3, regarding Nationalism and Sectionalism. Our quick paced studying came to a screeching halt.  We we discussing President's Madison and Monroe and the Era of Good Feelings.  And, we were reading about Henry Clay's American System and the Monroe Doctrine, as well as the Missouri Compromise.

My daughter suddenly hit a wall and had a complete mental block.  We reviewed the info over and over and she still was not grasping it (or she had taken her brain out of her head). She was not getting it at all.

"What's up Sam," I asked her.  "You breezed through the last two sections in no time."

"It's history Mom. I just really don't like History! Besides, this is the hard stuff!"

Hmmm, I thought.  "Well you had no problem with the first 2 sections, at all. You memorized those in no time.  But, then you hit Section 3 and I lost you. You're not focused. If you made an attempt at it, it wouldn't be so hard!"

"I'm tired, Mom," she replied.

Interesting as this is my daughter that gets up 3-4 mornings a week and is in the gym at 5:45 exercising.  Her life is like a whirlwind. She tries to join every single activity she can. I have to remind her to go to bed at night. Otherwise she wouldn't sleep!  This teenage doesn't get tired (until she's studying for History).

It made me wonder.  Was it really the "hard" stuff? Or was it that she just chose to "shut down" and not make the effort to memorize the info?

Is this any different than many other people?  When it's time to learn or to do the "hard stuff" they don't have time to make the effort. 

They shut down. 

They get a mental block.

They tell themselves they just can't do it. 

Is this the "easy" way out?

I have to admit, I remember doing it in school, at times, when I hit a "hard" subject.

We wrapped it up for the night, as we were making no headway at all.  Tonight, it's time for her to put her brain back in her head and "get focused".

I have been telling my girls since they were 2 years old, "If you say you can't do it, then you can't!"

Everyone of us, in our lives, at one time or another have hit a wall when we reached the "hard stuff". If we learned to properly deal with it, get focused and trudge through it, we would see that it would make it easier the next time around. Dealing with the "hard stuff" builds character. And it allows you to be proud of your accomplishments.

Not dealing with it at all is a cop out.

This article is authored by Sandy Shores, Brevard County Real Estate

Melbourne Florida Real Estate News

My annual homeowners insurance bill came in the mail the other day.  It's not due until the end of April, but it is always sent out 2 to 3 months ahead of time. I was very curious and a bit nervous to see what my premium was going to be this year, as I felt certain that it would probably go up (as they always seem to - you know how insurance is.)

Well, the bill was the same as it was last year, $698.00.  I was absolutely tickled! 

In 2007 my insurance premium was over $1700.00 a year.  Then I had a free wind inspection done on my home. A certified, licensed inspector came out and checked the doors, the windows, storm shutters (if there are any), the roof, the bracing on the roof and any upgrades made to the home.  The items that they focus on are items that will keep your home protected in case of a tropical storm or a hurricane. If you don't have wind upgrades to your home, then they recommend the necessary precautions you should take to prevent severe damage in the event of a storm. 

In many instances, if your home has been upgraded with new windows, a newer roof, storm shutters, you may be eligible for deep discounts on your insurance policy.

Since I had a new roof in 2005 and a new garage door my annual insurance premium went from over $1700.00 to $698.00.  I couldn't believe the discount.  I have told many, many people to have the inspection done and most have saved no less than $300 to $500 a year on their insurance.

The state of Florida is still offering wind inspections to residents on their single family Florida properties through the My Safe Florida Home website. 

They performed 400,000 inspections for free.  Although the free inspections are no longer available, you can pay to have the inspection done.  I believe the cost is approximately $150 - $200, but check with the individual inspector to be sure. Certified inspectors can be located online on the My Safe Florida Homes Webite.  It may be well worth the cost of the inspection for the savings on your annual insurance.

This article is authored by Sandy Shores, Brevard County Real Estate

Melbourne Florida Real Estate News

According to the Melbourne Association of REALTORS here in Brevard County Florida Real Estate Statistics for December 2008:

For single family residential units:

There were 509 new listings.

This is a decrease of 5.74% from Dec. 2007 of 540 new listings.

Year to date in 2008 there were 8602 new listings.

Year to date in 2007 there were 11,161 new listings.

This was a 22.93% decrease from 2007 to 2008.

There were 262 sold listings.

This is a 16.96% decrease from Dec. 2007 of 224 sold listings.

Year to date in 2008 there were 3139 listings sold.

Year to date in 2007 there were 3115 listings sold.

The average sale price in Dec. 2008 was $171,192.

This is a 16.27% decrease from Dec. 2007 of $204,465.

Average days on the market for Dec. 2008 were 114 days.

This is a 7.32% decrease from Dec. 2007 of 123 days.

For all properties, including single family residential, condo and townhouse:

There were 756 new listings.

There were 308 sold listings.

Average sales price was $158,774.

Average days on the market were 129

Types of financing used:

89 conventional financing

116 cash

63 FHA

 0 Owner financing

This article is authored by Sandy Shores, Brevard County Real Estate

Melbourne Florida Real Estate News

When a home goes on the market it must be the most competively priced property in an area. Common sense, right? But, what if it doesn't sell right away and then other properties in the area go on the market? And it isn't the most attractively priced property in the area, anymore?

A realtor should be continually regrouping with their seller.  How many showings have there been on the property?  What type of feedback are buyers giving about the property?  Have there been any offers on the property and what do they look like? Is it time for another price reduction?  Is it time to offer incentives to potential buyers? Should the listing comments be rewritten? Is the property being effectively advertised, getting the exposure it needs?

In selling a home, it is important that a realtor follow their marketing plan.  And, they must determine if a bit of refining is necessary to adjust to what is happening in the market.

A realtor should be providing a seller with info about new properties on the market, properties that have gone under contract, and properties sold in their area. If the house hasn't sold, and the seller is in a position to reduce the price, they may want to seriously consider another price reduction in an attempt to place them back in position of most competitively priced property in the area. And, they must continue to reduce, until the property gets sold!

This article is authored by Sandy Shores, Brevard County Real Estate

Melbourne Florida Real Estate News

Today the West Shore Purrfections JV and Varsity Dance Teams competed in the 12th Annual Brevard County Florida Dance Competition held at Melbourne High School.  Teams from across the county competed.

West Shore Junior Varsity picked up first place in the competition in the Junior Varsity Pom Dance Division.

The team's coach is April Shaw.

The Junior Varsity and Varsity teams were also awarded the Spirit Award!

Congratulations to West Shore Purrfections!

This article is authored by Sandy Shores, Brevard County Real Estate

Melbourne Florida Real Estate News