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

I buy, sell, rent, own and manage Brevard County real estate.

11 comments • Sandy Shores, Melbourne/Palm Bay FL, Brevard County Real Estate & Investing • May 27 2009 09:24AM

Hurricane Preparedness Week

Hurricane Season begins on June 1 and ends on November 30. The past several years have been pretty quiet in our area and we are hoping for yet another uneventful year. This week marks National Hurricane Preparedness Week.

The most information we can provide is to be sure that you are prepared in the event of a hurricane. Did you know that Florida Disaster.org offers a FREE emergency family or business plan in the event of a hurricane? It only takes a couple of minutes to fill out. The plan will outline the following information:

Your family meeting location and out of town contact information

List of evacuation routes

A plan for family members with or without a disability

A kid and pet items supply checklist

A supply checklist for food, water, ice and first aid kit items

Your local emergency contact information

Checklist of things to do before and after a disaster

In the event of an upcoming hurricane, follow your outlined plan.

The site will also give you helpful information on how to strenghten your home.

You may also find it helpful to check the City of Melbourne website. They provide links to local, state and federal agencies.

Florida Today Newspaper has a weather page , where you can check the Florida map to see what the weather forecast is. It also has a 7 day forecast.

The National Weather Service also has a Melbourne Florida page that will give you their current weather forecast.

If you are still looking for additional storm information check with Brevard County Office of Emergency Management.

Preparing ahead in the event of a hurricane saves lives and property.

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I buy, sell, rent, own and manage Brevard County real estate.

12 comments • Sandy Shores, Melbourne/Palm Bay FL, Brevard County Real Estate & Investing • May 26 2009 11:00AM

Summer Is Right Around the Corner

Summer is Around the Corner

I hope that today families are spending time together this Memorial Day. It's a reminder that summer is almost here.

The weather here is gorgeous, and we are looking forward to a wonderful couple of months. There are so many things to do here in Brevard County Florida and in the surrounding areas.

Florida is full of theme parks; Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, MGM Studios, Epcot Center, Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, Wet 'n Wild, and the list goes on and on. These are located in Orlando, just about 40-50 minutes from Melbourne.

We have beautiful beaches on the east and the west coast of the state, with water skiing, jet skiing, parasailing, surfing, swimming, and fishing.

There are so many great reasons to come to Florida for your summer vacation.

We certainly plan to head around the state to see places that we have never been before.

Have a wonderful day and bless you all!

This picture was taken at Goode Park in Palm Bay. It's a beautiful location to put your boat in and spend the day.

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I buy, sell, rent, own and manage Brevard County real estate.

16 comments • Sandy Shores, Melbourne/Palm Bay FL, Brevard County Real Estate & Investing • May 25 2009 03:41PM

Paying Renters, With Nonpaying Landlords Facing Foreclosure

paying renters with nonpaying landlords going into foreclosure I called on a rental the other day for a prospective tenant. The listing indicated that the landlord was looking for a 3 to 6 month tenant. I spoke with the agent, who indicated that the landlord was looking for a short term tenant, as he is behind on his payments, and knows the property will be going into foreclosure.

We are hearing many stories such as this one, where owners are behind on their payments, but are offering their homes for rent. Or, we are seeing rental deals that are too good to be true. A 2500 square foot home, 1 year new, barely lived in for just $1000.

We have also heard in the past of many unknowing tenants that have been paying their rent, that are being put on the street once a home goes into foreclosure. The tenant is often left with nothing. No last month's rent that he paid, and often times they have also lost their security deposit. Many don't have any savings to be able to move somewhere else. They are forced out.

Well, what is a tenant to do?

This week a new law was enacted to protect the rights of tenants that are renting a property that goes into foreclosure. Previously, a foreclosure ended a lease, except in Washington DC and New Jersey. According to the Associated Press the law stipulates that the tenant is allowed to stay through the end of their lease if they have remained current on their lease payments. And, then they can stay for an additional 90 days. If a tenant is without a lease, then they are allowed to stay for 90 days, after the foreclosure. But the question has been asked, who determines when the 90 days begins?

But, often lenders are not aware there is a tenant in the property. And, new owners are ready to take possession of their newly purchased property, and may be asked to wait. How will this work?

Now, this is definitely an improvement to what tenants were offered before. Often times, nothing.

Is this a win-win situation for the lender and the tenant? The lender will have income coming in, no immediate vacancy and someone taking care of the property.

But, on the other hand, who will handle any major maintenance issues? What about when the property is offered for sale and there are a number of people in and out, such as realtors, appraisers, etc.? And, will the tenant be insured that they will receive their security deposit back if they return the property in the condition in which they found it?

I think that this is definitely a step in the right direction to protect these paying tenants, with non paying owners facing foreclosure.

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I buy, sell, rent, own and manage Brevard County real estate.

13 comments • Sandy Shores, Melbourne/Palm Bay FL, Brevard County Real Estate & Investing • May 24 2009 11:38AM

In Flanders Fields...Happy Memorial Day!

In Flanders Field, Happy Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a three day weekend that marks the beginning of the summer.

It originally began on May 30, 1868 for the purpose of decorating the graves of soldiers that lost their lives defending out country in the Civil War.. It was called Decoration Day.

Memorial Day is celebrated across the country. It is customary to fly the United States flag at half mast from sun rise to noon. Often American flags are placed on gravesites at National Cemeteries.

Families gather to have outings, such as barbeques and picnics. Often times they go boating and just spend quality time together.

For sports fans, the Indianapolis 500 traditionally is held on Memorial Day. This has been going on since 1911.

We also see Veterans of Foreign Wars offering poppies in exchange for donations to commemorate this holiday.

In Flanders Fields

Author, Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD

(1872-1918)
Canadian Army

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Enjoy your Memorial Day, with your family.

And, remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

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I buy, sell, rent, own and manage Brevard County real estate.

10 comments • Sandy Shores, Melbourne/Palm Bay FL, Brevard County Real Estate & Investing • May 23 2009 05:40PM

Neighborhood Stabilization Program

The number of vacant homes due to short sales and foreclosures is increasing in Melbourne, Florida. So, the Melbourne City Council has approved a new registration program for mortgage holders. The city council believes that this will make it easier to contact the correct party should there be a code compliance complaint at the property.

Some of these abandoned properties are found in disrepair, with lawns that are overgrown. Some have broken windows, algae filled pools, or various other problems.

The City council has applied to the Florida Department of Community Affairs. They are hoping for a nearly $2 million grant for a Neighborhood Stabilization Program. The money will be used to buy and rehabilitate distressed properties. The properties will then be resold and rented.

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I buy, sell, rent, own and manage Brevard County real estate.

3 comments • Sandy Shores, Melbourne/Palm Bay FL, Brevard County Real Estate & Investing • May 23 2009 05:27PM

Brevard County Schools Rank Top in the State!

Brevard County Schools FCAT scores

FCAT scores are out and Brevard County Florida Schools were top in the state.

Brevard had 2 schools in which 100% of third grade students passed the reading and math portions of the test. There were only 6 schools in the state where all students passed.

Brevard’s schools FCAT scores came out at the top in comparing the 10 largest counties in the state.

The Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test is administered to third through tenth graders. It is a measurement tool used to determine if students are working at grade level, or above or below. A level 3 means the student is working at grade level. A level 1 or 2 is considered below grade level. And a level 4 or 5 indicates that the student is working above grade level.

79% of Brevard County’s third graders are working at or above grade level in reading, compared to the statewide average of 71%.

82% of Brevard County’s third graders are working at or above grade level in math, compared to the statewide average of 78%.

Check here for additional info on Brevard County Schools.

Congratulations on all your hard work, Brevard County Students!

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I buy, sell, rent, own and manage Brevard County real estate.

2 comments • Sandy Shores, Melbourne/Palm Bay FL, Brevard County Real Estate & Investing • May 23 2009 02:34PM

I Was Sure That I Just Took This Picture Yesterday...

Well, I just dropped my girls off at the bus stop. And, today is the first day of exams at their school. Time seems to be moving at an accelerated pace. The school year is winding down and the first official day of summer vacation will be next Friday, May 29, 2009.

Time Passes By So Quickly

How did we get here so fast?

We just started the new school year, didn't we?

My girls are already 14 and 16 years old, and as each year passes, the next one flies by more quickly.

I hear that the older you get, the faster it goes. Uh-oh, I better hold on for the ride.

We must remember that our time here is precious and we must utilitize each minute, each hour, each day.

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I buy, sell, rent, own and manage Brevard County real estate.

20 comments • Sandy Shores, Melbourne/Palm Bay FL, Brevard County Real Estate & Investing • May 22 2009 07:23AM

Property Tax Estimates for Buyers

With so many new buyers in the market today, and property values decreasing, we like to be able to provide our buyers with an idea of what their upcoming property taxes will be.

Property taxes here in Brevard County Florida are paid in arrears. Property tax bills come out at the beginning of November for the current year. So, in November 2009, your property tax bill will cover January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009. The bills will be based on values from January of 2009.

Today, buyers should be aware that the current taxes on a property are based on a January 2008 property value.

For an estimate of what upcoming taxes may be, the Brevard County Tax Assessors office best advice is to go to the property tax estimator on their website. Find the millage rate for the city where you are purchasing, and input the price of the home you are buying. This will give you an approximate value of what your upcoming taxes may be.

Now, be aware if you are going to occupy the property as your primary residence, you may be eligible for homestead exemption. But you will need to file prior to March 1, 2010. This could give you an approximate savings of $450 on the first $25,000 of taxable value of the property and an approximate $240 exemption on the next $25,000 taxable value of the property.

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I buy, sell, rent, own and manage Brevard County real estate.

5 comments • Sandy Shores, Melbourne/Palm Bay FL, Brevard County Real Estate & Investing • May 21 2009 06:37PM

Hooray for the Rain!

Here in Brevard County Florida our rainfall levels have been low for sometime now. We have been on mandatory watering restrictions. We have been waiting on rain and it is finally here. It has been raining for the past 3 days and it continues to come down. It must be the rain dance that Mary Douglas did for us in Colorado! Thanks Mary, we need it!

Reports just came in that some areas of Melbourne have had more than 6 inches of rain. The projection is that the rain will continue for at least the next 2 to 3 days. This should alleviate the high risk of wildfires.

Our typical rainfall at this time of year is 11.93 inches. I'm sure this should bring us up to normal levels.

The National Weather Service has indicated that more than 1/2 inch of rain per day is unusual in the month of May. So, now they are indicating that are rainy season is here early.

Hooray for the Rain

I was out earlier today, and came face to face with this guy. I think I jumped about 6 feet. He wanted to get up close and personal and must have been displaced from his home by the the heavy rains.

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