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

We recently went out and had dinner at the Pizza Gallery & Grill located at 2250 Town Center Ave Suite 113 in the Avenues Shopping Plaza in Viera, Florida.

The Pizza Gallery & Grill has been serving for 20 years.  They serve the best in italian food, fish, steak, salads and sandwiches.  They have been voted the best pizza. It's no wonder, they have more toppings, types of cheeses and pizza crusts than you can imagine.  Create your own. You can pick from 11 different cheeses and 19 different sauces.

For dinner, I chose the calzone stuffed with pepperoni, ham and black olives. It was much too big for me to finish.  I had to have them wrap it in a doggie bag so I could take the leftovers home.

My daughter ordered the stuffed shells. The presentation was gorgeous.  The shells were excellent.

My husband ordered the antipasta salad.  Being the huge salad nut that he is, he was hoping for more greens, but indicated that the food was quite good.

My sister ordered the Penne Neopolitan, a hearty mixture of peppers, onion and sausage mixed with pasta.  She said it was quite good.

Our visit to the Pizza Gallery and Grill was quite an enjoyable one. We went on a Friday night, and we waited 20 minutes to be seated. Our server was excellent and our food came quite quickly.

Don't forget, when you head to the Pizza Gallery & Grill be sure to try an order of the Assorted Garlic Knots.  They are delicious little knots of dough, brushed with butter, sprinkled with seasonings and parmesan cheese and served with a marinara sauce.

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  with your Short Sale.

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

I received this today in an email.  Now the fraud e mails are coming from people claiming to be American Soldiers in our military admitting that they are engaging in illegal activities.  It's incredible that these people are stooping to these levels by disgracing our American soldiers that are out on the front lines fighting for our freedom.  These crooks are trying to defraud others out of their hard earned cash.  I was not happy when I read this.  Read it for yourself,

HOW ARE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY?. HOPE ALL IS WELL.

MY NAME IS ( SGT 1ST CLASS MIKE PETERS, I AM AN AMERICAN SOLDIER, SERVING IN THE MILITARY WITH THE ARMY’S 3RD INFANTRY DIVISION. WITH A VERY DESPERATE NEED FOR ASSISTANCE, I HAVE SUMMED UP COURAGE TO CONTACT YOU. I FOUND YOUR CONTACT PARTICULARS IN AN ADDRESS JOURNAL.

I AM SEEKING YOUR KIND ASSISTANCE TO MOVE THE SUM OF ( $28 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS ) TWENTY EIGHT MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS TO YOU, AS FAR AS I CAN BE ASSURED THAT MY SHARE WILL BE SAFE IN YOUR CARE UNTIL I COMPLETE MY SERVICE HERE. SOURCE OF MONEY: SOME MONEY IN VARIOUS CURRENCIES WAS DISCOVERED IN BARRELS AT A FARM HOUSE NEAR ONE OF SADDAM’S OLD PALACES IN TIKRIT-IRAQ DURING A RESCUE OPERATION, AND IT WAS AGREED BY STAFF SGT KENNETH BUFF AND I THAT SOME PART OF THIS MONEY BE SHARED AMONG BOTH OF US BEFORE INFORMING ANYBODY ABOUT IT SINCE BOTH OF US SAW THE MONEY FIRST. THIS WAS QUITE AN ILLEGAL THING TO DO, BUT I TELL YOU WHAT? NO COMPENSATION CAN MAKE UP FOR THE RISK WE HAVE TAKEN WITH OUR LIVES IN THIS HELL HOLE. OF WHICH MY BROTHER IN-LAW WAS KILLED BY A ROAD SIDE BOMB LAST TIME. THE ABOVE FIGURE WAS GIVEN TO ME AS MY SHARE, AND TO CONCEAL THIS KIND OF MONEY BECAME A PROBLEM FOR ME, SO WITH THE HELP OF A BRITISH CONTACT WORKING HERE AND HIS OFFICE ENJOY SOME IMMUNITY, I WAS ABLE TO GET THE PACKAGE OUT

I HAVE NOW FOUND A VERY SECURED WAY OF GETTING THE PACKAGE OUT OF IRAQ TO YOUR COUNTRY FOR YOU TO PICK UP, AND I WILL DISCUSS THIS WITH YOU WHEN I AM SURE THAT YOU ARE WILLING TO ASSIST ME, AND I BELIEVE THAT MY MONEY WILL BE WELL SECURED IN YOUR HAND BECAUSE YOU HAVE FEAR OF GOD. I WANT YOU TO TELL ME HOW MUCH YOU WILL TAKE FROM THIS MONEY FOR THE ASSISTANCE YOU WILL GIVE TO ME. ONE PASSIONATE APPEAL I WILL MAKE TO YOU IS NOT TO DISCUSS THIS MATTER WITH ANYBODY, SHOULD YOU HAVE REASONS TO REJECT THIS OFFER, PLEASE PLEASE AND PLEASE DESTROY THIS MESSAGE AS ANY LEAKAGE OF THIS INFORMATION WILL BE TOO BAD FOR US SOLDIER’S HERE IN IRAQ. I DO NOT KNOW HOW LONG WE WILL REMAIN HERE, AND I HAVE BEEN SHOT, WOUNDED AND SURVIVED TWO SUICIDE BOMB ATTACKS BY THE SPECIAL GRACE OF GOD, THIS AND OTHER REASONS I WILL MENTION LATER HAS PROMPTED ME TO REACH OUT FOR HELP, I HONESTLY WANT THIS MATTER TO BE RESOLVED IMMEDIATELY, PLEASE CONTACT ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE WITH MY E-MAIL ADDRESS WHICH IS MY ONLY WAY OF COMMUNICATION.

The beginning of the new year is always a great time to do some decluttering around the house. I've picked up new things around the holidays and I have Christmas gifts that I have to finish finding a place for. I know that if I don't take the time to get rid of some of the things that I don't use or want anymore, then I'll get buried in "stuff".

So, this past weekend was time to clean closets and dresser drawers of items that I no longer wear. It took me several hours to get through everything. And, I couldn't help but think of the advice we give our sellers in making sure their home is clutter free before it goes on the market, "clear out as much as you can. And, box up the extra items. Buyers need to see how big rooms and closets are."

I know I'm not always as good as I should be about getting rid of things. I'm not terrible, but I do tend to hang on to items, and then eventually, I let go.  But, I got alot accomplished.  I cleaned the closet from top to bottom and I got rid of many bags of clothes. I will take them to the local church and donate them. 

When I stopped to look at the job I had done, I thought, "this would never be okay, if I were selling.  The closet is still too cluttered and more than half this stuff would have to go."

Oh well, thank goodness I won't be selling anytime soon.

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  with your Short Sale.

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

All rights reserved. These beauties will be heading to Sebring, Florida on February 4 to hit the race track to prepare for the 12 hours of Sebring race that will be held in March. Copyright 2010.

These photos cannot be reproduced without the express written permission of Sandy Shores, REALTOR.

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  with your Short Sale.

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

I was recently contacted by a woman, through the internet, that inquired on putting her recently deceased father's Palm Bay home on the market. We arranged for a time to meet, so we could discuss the current market, my marketing plan for selling the home and a realistic list price for the property.

Prior to our meeting, I contacted my title company to do a preliminary search on the home's title, to discuss the way in which title was held on the property and what documents would be needed for a closing on this estate.

At our meeting, I asked what her target date was for getting the house on the market.  She said she was ready to put the house on the market that day. 

Uh-oh! That wasn't going to work. The house was in a state of disarray. The family was in the process of going through the father's belongings to see what was staying and what would be going.  Since the parents that lived in the home had been elderly and sickly, there were some minor maintenance issues that needed to be addressed BEFORE the house went on the market.  I explained this to the daughter. 

The misc. items/knick knacks must be boxed up and put away. The old curtains needed to come down. The house needed a good, thorough cleaning, including kitchen and baths.  Scuff marks should be removed from the walls.  A couple of short walls needed a coat of paint. Carpets needed cleaning. The furniture needed to be rearranged to show off the roominess of this well loved home.

I explained that the house would need to be 'show ready' the day it goes on the market.  Ideally, there should be nothing left to do.  In this home's area, approximately 50% of houses currently listed for sale are either foreclosures or short sales. Although many may not be in as good of condition as hers (when it's market-ready), those other houses would most likely be priced lower than hers.  So, hers would need to be in tip top condition in order to compete.  She understoond and agreed. 

I love sellers like this one!

I do understand that not everyone is in a position to do the things that I asked this seller to do (especially in the case of an estate, such as this one). I feel confident that with this realistic and cooperative seller I will have no problem securing a buyer for her deceased father's property in a timely fashion.

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  with your Short Sale.

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

The first time homebuyer tax credit and the move up buyer tax credit will be expiring in a couple of months.  Buyers must have a property under contract by April 30 and they must close on it by June 30, 2010.

Some are missing some of the important details of the tax credit.

Buyers should know they can claim the credit on their 2009 or their 2010 tax return. Some are even going back and amending their 2008 returns.

According to a recent report in CNN Money, buyers claiming the tax credit after they have purchased their homes cannot file electronically. Due to increasing cases of fraud they must fill out Form 5405 and mail it to the IRS with proof of residency.

Buyers can purchase a mobile home or a travel trailer that is fixed to owned land or leased by the land owner.  A mobile home not attached to land doesn't qualify.

The transaction must be an arm's length transaction.  It cannot be purchased from a relative: including a parent, a spouse, a child, a grandparent or a grandchild.

For the move up tax credit, an owner must have occupied the same home for a consecutive five of the last eight years.

A buyer can file a tax return to claim the tax credit, even if he earns no taxable income or doesn't owe any federal income tax. 

But, time is running out for you to take of advantage of the available credits.

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  with your Short Sale.

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

Walt Disney World Theme Parks are running a special from now until May 25, 2010.  4 Parks for 4 Days for only $99, plus tax with their 4 Day Dream Pass.  This does not have to be 4 consecutive days. 

The offer is for Florida residents and includes Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom and MGM Studios.  There are some blackout days that are excluded from this offer.

That's 4 Theme Parks in 4 days for just $99 plus tax!

My family is tickled about this promotion, because the Disney Parks are some of our favorite places to visit!

The Dream Pass is valid from 1/3/2010 - 3/26/2010 and 4/10/2010 - 5/25/2010.

One theme park per day.

Proof of Florida residency required.

Pass is nontransferable and excludes activities/events separately priced.

It must be purchased by May 21, 2010.

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  with your Short Sale.

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

If you own a home in Florida, and live in it as your primary residence, then Florida law typically allows you a $25,000 tax exemption on the assessed value of the property. If you purchased the property in 2009, then it is time to for you to file for homestead, as it doesn't automatically transfer to a new owner, at the start of the new year. An application must be filed. After that, the exemption automatically renews, if you remain eligible.

Homestead exemption may allow a Florida homeowner a savings of approximately $450 on their yearly tax bill. And, with the passing of Amendment 1, many homeowners may be entitled to an additional $25,000 in exemption for a total of $50,000, on the assessed value of their property.  Thus, allowing approximately an additional $240 savings on their tax bill..

New homeowners may apply for homestead between January 1 and March 1, for the first time. You must have purchased your home prior to December 31, 2009.  If you do not file by March 1 you may lose your rights to homestead for that year. You should complete an application (Form DR-501). It must then be submitted to the property appraisers office.  The pdf form can be downloaded here.  

In order to apply for homestead for the first time, an owner must have moved into the home prior to January 1, 2010 and it must be considered your primary residence.  With the completed homestead application an owner must provide a

1- Florida Driver License or Florida ID card.

2. Florida vehicle registration

3. Brevard County Voters Registration card

4. Social security number or social security card

5. If not a US resident, a Resident Alien Card

6. A copy of the trust, if the property is in a trust

7. The recorded deed to the property.

If you would like additional information on Homestead Exemption here is the link for the Brevard County Property Appraisers office.

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  with your Short Sale.

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

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  with your Short Sale.

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