Here in the Brevard County Florida area (Melbourne and Viera) home prices are really attractive. On top of that the lower (historically low) interest rates make the bargains even more enticing.
How long will interest rates stay low? Not forever that is sure. Joe Harris of Morgan Financial provides us with a good explanation of where we are and will be heading.
Let me make a statement, and I hope you truly digest what I am about to say: the interest rates on mortgages here in Brevard County, Florida are about 1/8% off of their lowest levels in history. That means that if you qualify for a mortgage, you could potentially get a better rate on your loan than just about anyone in history. With interest rates and home prices as low as they are, and with the first time homebuyer tax credit extended into 2010, people should be lining up to buy homes. However, these rates have only one way to go, and we are headed there soon.
One of the biggest factors in our low rates right now is not the Fed's decision to keep the overnight rate as low as it is, rather it is from their decision to continue to purchase mortgage backed securities in the many Billions of dollars per week. When this purchase program ends, the demand for Mortgage Backed Securities will be less, therefore the price will decrease, and the yield (or interest rate) will increase.
Another factor that is keeping rates low, has been the low threat of inflation. While inflation is not happening right now, there are many concerns of inflation coming once the economy starts to improve. We are already seeing signs of inflation as the Core CPI (Consumer Price Index) came in higher than expected, and a little higher than this time last year. It is inevitable that when you dump as much into the economy as we have, and when the cost of money is as low as it is that we will see inflation. In inflationary times, bonds are not as attractive because they become devalued.
So, with Inflation around the corner, and the Fed finishing their Mortgage Backed security purchasing program coming to an end in 2010, interest rates are going to increase. The increase in interest rates will affect buyer's purchasing power, as well as their cost of money. I have said it before, and I will say it again: Now is the time to buy! Rates are low, but rising; home prices are down, but will go up; sellers are generous, but they will be greedy. Please take advantage of this opportunity, before it goes away. If you are currently renting, talk to a professional to see if you can buy; if you know someone who is renting, encourage them to see if they can buy.
Gary L. Waters, Florida licensed real estate agent, Century 21 Baytree Realty, Rockledge, Florida serving Florida's Space Coast including the cities and communities of Melbourne, Viera, Rockledge, Suntree, Merritt Island, Cocoa Beach and the surrounding region. Whether your interest lies in a 55+ community, a golf course community or water front, give me a call!
It has got to say more than..."Hey, you! Yes, you! Call me!"
I received an inquiry yesterday from someone who had found me on ActiveRain. This person was in search of information on 55+ communities in Viera, Florida - specifically Grand Isle and its sibling Heritage Isle.
(Actually both communities were developed by Lennar Builders although a couple of other builders including Burgoon Berger and Tiffany Homes were also involved in the Heritage Isle undertaking.)
After playing phone tag I finally got a chance to discuss the 55+ communities in Viera. We also discussed Indian River Colony Club in Viera but that was dismissed pretty quickly as IRCC is an entirely resident owned not for profit corporation with more expense for the owner.
After obtaining her contact information I promised to mail her some information about the communities. She will be making a trip here soon to look further.
As I was about to hang up she let me know that she would only be working with me as her real estate agent in Viera, Florida.
The reason, in her words, "I provide information and don't just say ..."Hey, you! Yes, you! Call me!"
That means a lot because here on ActiveRain when someone contacts you there is tangible proof that your efforts are not fruitless!
Gary L. Waters, Florida licensed real estate agent, Century 21 Baytree Realty, Rockledge, Florida serving Florida's Space Coast including the cities and communities of Melbourne, Viera, Rockledge, Suntree, Merritt Island, Cocoa Beach and the surrounding region. Whether your interest lies in a 55+ community, a golf course community or water front, give me a call!
Is it a 55+ community in Melbourne, Florida or a 55+ community in Viera, Florida?
It is Heritage Isle - Brevard County, Florida's premier 55+ communityand it is located in the planned unit development of Viera. And the mailing address is indeed Melbourne, Florida.
So, either way - it is the same place!
Right now there are about 25 active single family units for sale and about a dozen condo units on the market. That is plenty of choice for anyone looking for a new home in Heritage Isle!
Prices range from about $145,000 to almost $400,000. Plenty of choice in that range although most homes can be found in the $200-230,000 range. Also, there is still a chance to purchase new construction in Heritage Isle.
If you are just starting your research on Florida 55+ communities here are a few links to previous articles I have written.
For information on Heritage Isle, Grand Isle or Indian River Colony Club in Viera, Florida, contact me at agent@moving2brevard.com or call me directly at 321-693-3850.
Gary L. Waters, Florida licensed real estate agent, Century 21 Baytree Realty, Rockledge, Florida serving Florida's Space Coast including the cities and communities of Melbourne, Viera, Rockledge, Suntree, Merritt Island, Cocoa Beach and the surrounding region. Whether your interest lies in a 55+ community, a golf course community or water front, give me a call!
As I walk every morning I have come to expect to see some some scary things. I am amazed at times over what people will (or will not wear) when they take the trash out in the early morning hours. I wonder if they forgot that the time change last week makes it daylight earlier!
One man around the corner always calls my dog a bulldog although he is a Boston Terrier!
And then there is older gentleman down the street who I fiirst met as he was shuffling down the driveway to get his newspaper.
I offered to bring it to him but he snarled in a friendly way instead.
Now I see it as my challenge to circle the block before he makes it down the drive and back in the house - a race I usually win!
Just as he declined my offer of assistance so do many FSBO (for sale by owner) sellers.
Some folks are independent and want to do everything for themselves. I can understand this for some FSBO sellers. Some do succeed - 15% according to some surveys.
Some eventually decide it is not worth the hassle and call a real estate professional.
In the Viera, Rockledge and Suntree areas of Brevard County, Florida I have been fortunate to work with several FSBOs. I have some FSBO reference materials which I gladly give them in the interim.
If they need me, I am there - just as I will gladly walk the gentleman's newspaper up the drive to him if he asks.
If you are buying or selling a home or condo in Brevard County, Florida, call. If you are a "FSBO" in Viera, Suntree or Cocoa Beach - anywhere in Brevard County - call me!
Gary L. Waters, Florida licensed real estate agent, Century 21 Baytree Realty, Rockledge, Florida serving Florida's Space Coast including the cities and communities of Melbourne, Viera, Rockledge, Suntree, Merritt Island, Cocoa Beach and the surrounding region. Whether your interest lies in a 55+ community, a golf course community or water front, give me a call!
This is not my 900th post on this blog but it is a summary of my 900th post on one of my other blogs.This is nothing but plain old selfish self promotion here....
I saw a new listing with an obviously overly inflated price a couple of days ago. The MLS entry read "This is not a short sale." My thought "then it darn well better be a dream!"
My posts are sometimes characterized as having very little humor or sarcasm with lots of information or very little information with lots of humor or sarcasm. [I guess they reflect who I really am!]
More importantly though is I have generated lots of business from these blogs. They are part of my marketing efforts as a real estate agent in Brevard County Florida.
This is post number 900 on this blog! I have been trying to think of something really intriguing to write.
Then I got a headache.
Then I thought..maybe a few of my older posts were ready for new life.
Like If you don't care if your home sells, who will? where I said "I can not overemphasize this point.....buyers will know how much you care about your home. Your presentation as someone who takes pride in your home will influence your potential buyer."
Or in a May 2007 post titled A market report for the pessimist where I summed it up as "My simple market report? Homes for sale - Bunches; Homes Sold - Not a lot; Opportunities available - Bunches."
And way back in March of 2006...around the ides of march (the 15th) I discussed Curb appeal is everything where I revealed (it really is not a secret) that "I have never sold or bought a home without going inside. If the yard is a potential cover for "Junkyard Monthly," get your act together."
So although this 900th post is not a home run (Go Phillies!) I hope it will kindle your interest if you are relocating to Brevard County Florida, selling or buying a Brevard County Florida home, or retiring to Viera, Florida.
Gary L. Waters, Florida licensed real estate agent, Century 21 Baytree Realty, Rockledge, Florida serving Florida's Space Coast including the cities and communities of Melbourne, Viera, Rockledge, Suntree, Merritt Island, Cocoa Beach and the surrounding region. Whether your interest lies in a 55+ community, a golf course community or water front, give me a call!
Does size really matter? Do the number of listings or the size of the brokerage have anything to do with the ability of the agent to market and sell a home successfully? Is it the brokerage or the agent that is the determining factor?
What Does the Brokerage Bring to the Table?
One of the biggest issues I encounter on listing presentations are questions regarding the brokerage itself. Most questions revolve around marketing. What does the brokerage do in terms of marketing for the listing?
I think that most sellers assume that since the brokerage is “big” and has capital behind it, that they are the ones spending big bucks on marketing the home. But this is rarely the case. Many big-box national brokerages build on that confusion and perpetuate the myth that their brokerage “brand” makes a significant difference in selling a home for top dollar. They also tout their “marketing package” in terms of the amount of support they offer. Some actually stress that the number of agents in the brokerage somehow makes that brokerage better or somehow more able to move the property. With all the hype and misinformation out there it is small wonder that sellers are confused.
I would challenge these large brokerages who claim that their numbers speak for themselves to enumerate exactly WHAT they do to justify their claims? And while they are at it, I would like to have some hard numbers to back up their success stories. I haven’t seen any of them come up with any marketing advantage that holds up under scrutiny. Most of the time they appear to be blowing smoke. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not slamming big brokerages. That would be rather foolish since the brokerage that I am currently associated with is quite large. What I am trying to do is cut through the hype.
Follow the Advice of Deep Throat:
Who actually sells the listing? The agent or the brokerage? To figure that out you have only to listen to the words of “Deep Throat” in All the President’s Men. He told Robert Redford to “Follow the money!”
If a brokerage has hundreds of agents, it is likely that they have close to 1000 listings. Brokerages are business to make money on sales. For a big brokerage like this – the listings are a numbers game. Throw 1000 up against a wall and maybe half will “stick.” So how important is your individual listing going to be to that brokerage? Answer: not very.
But what about the agent? Most agents have just one to two listings at a time. Top producers can have as manay as 20-30. Agents are paid on commission. If the property doesn’t sell – all the work they did is down the drain….and there is a lot more to than sticking a sign in the ground. When a listing fails to sell an agent is out usually well over 150 hours of time AND they are generally out a good deal of marketing money as well. Do you think that agent cares if your home sells? You better believe it.
Take Home Lesson: Look to the AGENT to market and sell your home.
Stay tuned for part 2 – where some major marketing myths will be revealed.
Gary L. Waters, Florida licensed real estate agent, Century 21 Baytree Realty, Rockledge, Florida serving Florida's Space Coast including the cities and communities of Melbourne, Viera, Rockledge, Suntree, Merritt Island, Cocoa Beach and the surrounding region. Whether your interest lies in a 55+ community, a golf course community or water front, give me a call!
The things that grab your attention may not always be as they appear - even when it comes to real estate agents.
When you are ready to sell your Brevard County, Florida house or condo, interview several real estate agents.
Some may have pretty dazzling web sites and blogs.
Some may have an attractive photo on their print advertising. Some may be blessed with a silver tongue.
But, in the end, do they walk the walk? Is there a personal connection?
In the end choosing a real estate professional to work with you (yes, it is a team) is more than choosing the one with the pretty face.
Would this guy be your choice to lead you into your new fitness regimen?
After all, he is on the Internet, is advertising, is available, calls himself a personal trainer so he must be qualified!
If you are choosing a real estate professional to market your home in Brevard County, Florida, call me and lets talk.
I may not have all the glitter, the pretty face, the most dazzling of blogs but I get the job done with hard work.
Results are what you seek!
Gary L. Waters, Florida licensed real estate agent, Century 21 Baytree Realty, Rockledge, Florida serving Florida's Space Coast including the cities and communities of Melbourne, Viera, Rockledge, Suntree, Merritt Island, Cocoa Beach and the surrounding region. Whether your interest lies in a 55+ community, a golf course community or water front, give me a call!
This should be a question on the "exam on life..."Which of these statements is the most true?
I am from the government and I am here to help.
I am from your mortgage lender and I am here to help.
Happy Hour...get two drinks for the price of one.
A short sale is a quick and painless process to sell or buy a house.
OK, this is not really a test question however comma.... Have you ever run into a person who insisted on saying "however comma" when they speak?I have and they are sooooo irritating.....
I had a client once tell me that what I write gives them a chuckle as well as occasionally some good information. Useful information should be delivered with a good delivery system. Joel Osteen has figured this out just as Publisher's Clearinghouse has it down!
Back to the question....
If you are over 16 and slightly aware of the real world you will know that 1 and 2 are rarely true. Statement 4 is definitely not the case as a short sale requires patience.
A short sale requires a buyer who is willing to possibly wait for months for a response. A short sale requires a mortgage lender to act and, more importantly, act favorably to a short sale offer.So, the obvious response is 1.
If a short sale is a consideration given your current situation, give me a call or drop me an email. If you do not live in Brevard County, Florida I have contacts to whom I will be happy to refer you.
Gary L. Waters, Florida licensed real estate agent, Century 21 Baytree Realty, Rockledge, Florida serving Florida's Space Coast including the cities and communities of Melbourne, Viera, Rockledge, Suntree, Merritt Island, Cocoa Beach and the surrounding region. Whether your interest lies in a 55+ community, a golf course community or water front, give me a call!
The price has been reduced on this ideally situated commercial and industrial site in Brevard County Florida. This prime location in Rockledge, Florida, consists of 4.79 acres comprised of two adjoining properties at 480 Barnes Blvd.
One parcel of 2.52 acres in city limits zoned industrial has office, warehouse, walk in cooler and retail store in front. The second parcel of 2.27 acres is zoned agricultural and is outside of city boundary. Currently this property is being operated as a commercial nursery.
With 580 feet of Barnes Blvd frontage (will be four laned), already a major local route with access to Interstate 95 and US 1,a traffic count over 10,000 daily can give your enterprise lots of exposure!
The possibilities really are endless. This is located near the border of the planned unit development of Viera, one of the most desirable residential communities in Brevard County, Florida.
Businesses nearby include Walgreen's Drugstore (CVS where are you?), a Publix Supermarket, Starbucks, restaurants, a golf course, and more.
This property is offered for $750,000 which is well below the appraisal price. For additional information on this property please contact me at 321-693-3850 or by email to agent@moving2brevard.com.
Gary L. Waters, Florida licensed real estate agent, Century 21 Baytree Realty, Rockledge, Florida serving Florida's Space Coast including the cities and communities of Melbourne, Viera, Rockledge, Suntree, Merritt Island, Cocoa Beach and the surrounding region. Whether your interest lies in a 55+ community, a golf course community or water front, give me a call!
Grand Isle is one of Brevard County Florida's most desirable 55+ communities.
This gated community, located in Viera (Melbourne, Florida), is ideally situated near major transportation routes, convenient to the beaches, Patrick Air Force Base and Orlando (45 miles).
Also you will have several golf courses (including the Viera East Golf Course, Turtle Creek Golf Course, Duran Golf Club, Baytree National Golf Links), shopping, restaurants and medical facilities nearby.
The new Viera Hospital is under construction now and there are plenty of physician and denatl offices nearby.
If a 55+ lifestyle with clubhouse, pool and plenty of activity is in your plans, take a look at Grand Isle.
Currently there are six single family homes listed for sale within the gates of Grand Isle. Prices range from a low of $160,000 (2 bedroom 2 bath) to a high of $319,000 ( a 4 bedroom three bath).
Between September 15, 2009 and today there have been five properties that sold in Grand Isle. The lowest selling price was $186,500 and the highest price was $232,500.
Although the development is not quite as large as the "other 55+ community in Viera" - Heritage Isle, Grand Isle offers clubhouse, pool, tennis and many of the same amenities. Not everyone wants a development with over 1,000 properties such as Heritage Isle!
For information on Florida retirement living, please give me a call at 321-693-3850 or email me at agent@moving2brevard.com.
Gary L. Waters, Florida licensed real estate agent, Century 21 Baytree Realty, Rockledge, Florida serving Florida's Space Coast including the cities and communities of Melbourne, Viera, Rockledge, Suntree, Merritt Island, Cocoa Beach and the surrounding region. Whether your interest lies in a 55+ community, a golf course community or water front, give me a call!
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
Here in the Brevard County Florida area (Melbourne and Viera) home prices are really attractive. On top of that the lower (historically low) interest rates make the bargains even more enticing.
It has got to say more than..."Hey, you! Yes, you! Call me!"
Would this guy be your choice to lead you into your new fitness regimen? 
Grand Isle is one of 
;)
;)
