Melbourne Real Estate News, Brevard County FL Real Estate by Sandy Shores REALTOR®

According to the insurance industry there are certain types of dogs that tend to be more "dangerous" than other breeds. As per recent statistics these breeds are apt to bite or attack more often than other breeds.  Studies have shown that the dogs on the dangerous dogs list are:

Akitas

Alaskan Malamutes

American Staffordshire Terriers

Boxers

Chows

Doberman Pinschers

Great Danes

German Shepherds

Perro de Presa Canarios

Pit bulls

Rottweilers

Siberian Huskies

Wolf hybrids

Today, many insurance company will refuse to provide homeowners insurance to families with one of the above types of dog breed, as liability claims for bites can get costly.

Our insurance company forbids us from renting to tenants with a dog of one of the above mentioned breeds. 

FOOTNOTE:  PLEASE DON'T SHOOT THE MESSENGER.  I did not compile this list. And, I am not indicating that I completely agree with all of the breeds in this list. My last dog was a Doberman Pinscher/Great Dane mix and he was the sweetest, most loveable, docile lap dog you have ever seen. I believe that it really depends on how you raise your pet as to what type of temperment they have.

This article is authored by

Sandy Shores Realtor, Melbourne FL Real Estate

Brevard County Real Estate & Investing

Palm Bay Florida Real Estate News

 

 

We are hearing more and more stories in our current market about realtors that are getting tougher in the types of sellers they are willing to do business with. Homes today are just not selling for yesterday's overinflated prices and realtors are putting their foot down. Many across the nation are now refusing those over priced listings that are no longer selling in today's market.

Price is key in quickly moving a property off of the market, especially with the large numbers of short sale and foreclosures in some areas.  A typical seller just cannot compete. So, if that owner occupied property is not priced perfectly, it doesn't stand a chance of moving off of this highly competitive market.

So don't be surprised, when you hear that realtor say, "No, I can't help you sell your home at that price. It's unrealistic!"

This article is authored by

Sandy Shores Realtor, Melbourne FL Real Estate

Brevard County Real Estate & Investing

Palm Bay Florida Real Estate News

 

According to the National Association of Realtors, home sales picked up in February 2009, just over January numbers.

First time home buyers accounted for more than half of all buyers in the market. They are usually in a better position to buy than others, as they do not have another home that they are waiting to sell.

Buyers are out searching for a deal and they are finding them.  Nearly 50% of homes that sold were distressed sales, either foreclosures or short sale properties. These distressed properties are coming with a price tag of about 20% less than a typical sale.

First time home buyers are also out right now taking advantage of the $8000 first time homebuyer tax credit. This chart highlights the differences between the previously established $7500 tax credit and the now revised $8000 tax credit.

Home sales are anticipated to increase even more in the Spring.

This article is authored by

Sandy Shores Realtor, Melbourne FL Real Estate

Brevard County Real Estate & Investing

Palm Bay Florida Real Estate News

 

We have just received word that a Foreclosure Forum will be held on Tuesday, March 31 from 9:00 to 11:00 AM at the Melbourne Association of Realtors facility at 1450 Sarno Road in Melbourne. 

Speakers will include Circuit Court Judge W. David Dugan, as well as Brevard County Clerk of Court Scott Ellis.

They will discuss trends in legal filings, forclosure proceedings, mediation processs and future outlook. 

It should prove to be an interesting session.

Be sure to mark your calendars for Tuesday, March 31.

 

 

This article is authored by

Sandy Shores, Melbourne FL Realtor

Brevard County Real Estate & Investing

Palm Bay Florida Real Estate News

According to the Melbourne Association of REALTORS here in Brevard County Florida,  Real Estate Statistics for February 2009 are as follows:

For single family residential units:

There were 556 new listings.

This is a decrease of 34.82% from Feb 2008 of 853 new listings.

Year to date in 2009 there were 1262 new listings.

Year to date in 2008 there were 1779 new listings.

 

There were 252 sold listings.

This is a 13.51% increase from Feb. 2008 of 222 sold listings.

Year to date in 2009 there were 465 listings sold.

Year to date in 2008 there were 383 listings sold.

 

The average sale price in Feb. 2009 was $159,513.

This is a 26.18% decrease from Feb. 2008 of $20,879.

 

Average days on the market for Feb. 2009 were 97 days.

This is a 19.17% decrease from Feb. 2008 of 120 days.

 

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

There were905 new listings.

There were 293 sold listings.

Average sales price was $124,131.

Average days on the market were 212

 

Types of financing used:

 80 conventional financing

140 cash

 58 FHA

  3 Owner financing

 

 

This article is authored by

Sandy Shores, Melbourne FL Realtor

Brevard County Real Estate & Investing

Palm Bay Florida Real Estate News

 

 

I have been out quite a bit recently looking at homes for sale with buyers.

The question often comes to mind, when there are two real estate agents, with their buyers that show up at a property at the same time, what is the proper protocol for looking at the home? We had appointments for all the properties we looked at that day, and were within our time window on all of them.

Some buyers are uncomfortable looking at a home when other buyers are inside looking at it at the same time.

Some buyers are perfectly fine with it.

At at open house when multiple parties show up at the home, everyone is invited in to look together. I know that is an entirely different situation.

The other day, my buyer and I arrived at a property that was already being shown, with an agent and potential buyer inside.  We graciously waited outside and then another party showed up to look at the unit, behind us.  I stuck my head in the door and I politely told the agent that there were other people outside waiting (as they appeared to be finished looking, but were just talking in the living room).

Later that day we were at another property looking at it, when another agent walked right in with his buyer.   My buyer was visibly uncomfortable and made a comment under her breath.  I asked the agent if he would be kind enough to just give us 2 more minutes and we would be out of his way. He was great, and stepped outside with his buyer. I thanked him very much as we left.

When inside a home, looking at it with multiple parties, does it give buyers a sense of discomfort or does it give some buyers a sense of urgency, like at auction, that they must move quickly if they are serious about purchasing the home?

So, I am curious, what do other agents do, when faced with this situation. 

If another buyer and realtor are already walking through a property when you arrive with your client, what do you do?  Do you proceed on in or do you wait outside?

This article is authored by

Sandy Shores Realtor, Melbourne FL Real Estate

Brevard County Real Estate & Investing

Palm Bay Florida Real Estate News

This lovely home is centrally located close to dining, shopping, and churches. It is minutes from 1-92 which takes you to the beaches or to I-95 or Walt Disney World. Don't miss it, see it today. This article is authored by Sandy Shores Realtor, Melbourne FL Real Estate Brevard County Real Estate & Investing Palm Bay Florida Real Estate News

I was out showing houses on Tuesday. We were looking at gorgeous townhomes in Satellite Beach Florida. Oh, so much to choose from. On one of units I was told by the listing office that there was an alarm system on the property, and they gave me the alarm code to disengage the system.

The listing agent on this property was smart.  She had a note on top of the electronic lockbox that said, 'You need the security code to disarm the alarm system before entering.'  Smart idea, I thought. Okay, I had been told twice that there was an alarm system that needed to be disengaged. I was ready, I had the code written down.

We got into the property and nothing, there was no light flashing on the security system and there was no beep, beep, beep, beep indicating that the system was actually engaged. Maybe it was already off. I certainly didn't want to turn it on by accident.  (Okay, there, that was my excuse). I moved over to the keypad to take a closer look, seemed like we'd been in the house for less that 5 seconds and the siren starting screaming.  OH NO! I disengaged it within 3 siren screams.  Oh great, the knuckle head realtor set off the homeowner's alarm system, and I was that knuckle head. Ugh.  Thankfully, this was my first time setting off a homeowner's alarm system (and hopefully the last time).  The home phone rang immediately (the alarm company calling). 

I could see it now, police coming, 'M'AM come out, put your hands up and feet spread apart! 

I immediately called the listing agent directly.  She told me to call 911.  911. I thought 911 was for emergencies? I did.  I told her that I was a realtor, showing a property and I set the alarm off in error. "What was the name of the street?" Could you spell that?" I did.  I will connect you to the Satellite Beach Police Department.

I looked at the mother and her 3 year old that I was showing houses to.  The 3 year old was hiding in a corner.  "What are you doing, Sarah?"  "The police are coming, so I'm hiding."  Oh great I thought, nightmares for her for a week!

The Satellite Beach Police Department told me they would stop the officers enroute to the property.  That would be good, I thought, and save me a bit of further embarassment.  Good deal, we're all set.  I cracked a couple of jokes with the buyer, and I talked again to the other agent who had spoken to the owner.  My buyer was terrific, she just took it in stride.  I love her!

Two minutes later, up walks 2 police officers. No guns drawn (thank goodness).   They were very polite and gracious and were gone in another 2 minutes.  Fiasco ended, thank goodness. No trip to jail (thank goodness)-LOL.

Later that day, I talked to the listing agent on the property, as she was calling for feedback. I apologized profusely for setting the alarm off.  She told me she headed out to the property shortly after we were there.  And guess what?

SHE ACCIDENTALLY SET THE ALARM OFF HERSELF - NO KIDDING!

She laughingly said that I had jinxed her for that day.

I hung up with a chuckle and a little smile on my face.  Too funny.

This article is authored by

Sandy Shores Realtor, Melbourne FL Real Estate

Brevard County Real Estate & Investing

Palm Bay Florida Real Estate News

 

 

 

 

This morning I was out with a buyer. It was our third time looking at townhomes for sale.  Some of the properties were second showings for us, as we had previously seen some of them one of the other times we were out. 

It's always interesting to see a buyer's reaction when they are viewing a property for a second time, on a different day. 

Homes look different the second time around.  Rooms look bigger or they can look smaller.  Or buyers didn't remember certain aspects of a property.  The property can look nicer the second time around or 'boy this one was a real dog, what was I thinking?' Buyers see things in homes the second time around, that they didn't  see their first time out.

Often times their perspective is different than it was the first time out. They have seen more properties for sale. So, they usually have different expectations after they have viewed several properties. Now they have a better idea of what their money can buy them. They are able to more quickly weed out the homes they just don't like, the second time around.

I always like to hang back and watch the dynamics of a buyer taking a second look at homes.  It's a learning experience; they are growing and evolving and becoming educated buyers in our market. I LOVE IT!

This article is authored by

Sandy Shores Realtor, Melbourne FL Real Estate

Brevard County Real Estate & Investing

Palm Bay Florida Real Estate News