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!
We are not perfect, well most of us that is to say. Here is a post from Sandy Shores of Melbourne Florida that demonstrates what it means to adapt to what seems to be limitations. Sometimes a wall is not an obstacle.
This story was emailed to me this morning and it absolutely touched my heart.
This dog was born on Christmas Eve 2002. *He was born with2 legs.
He could not walk when he was born.
His mother did not want him, because he was different than the rest of her beautiful pups.
His first owner did not think that he could survive and was thinking of 'putting him to sleep'. But, he was blessed when he met Jude Stringfellow, who fell in love with him and took him under her wing.
She was determined to teach this precious little dog to walk by himself.
So she named him 'Faith'.
In the beginning, she put Faith on a surfboard to let him feel the movement.
She used peanut butter on a spoon as a lure to reward him for standing up and jumping around.
Jude's other dog encouraged Faith to walk by himself.
Amazingly, after only 6 months, with the love and devotion given to this sweet, determined little animal, Faith learned to balance on his hind legs and to jump to move forward.
After further training in the snow, he began to walk like a human being.
Faith loves to take walks now.
No matter where he goes, he attracts a crowd of people.
He is quickly becoming famous on the international scene and has appeared in various newspapers and on TV shows.
There is now a book entitled 'With a Little Faith' being published about him.
He was even considered to appear in one of Harry Potter movies.
His owner, Jude Stringfellow has given up her teaching job and has plans to take him around the world to show that even without a perfect body, one can have a perfect soul.
With determination, anything is possible.
In life there are always obstacles that we must overcome.
Faith overcomes them everyday.
We should each be thankful for every day set before us.
Faith is the continual demonstration of the strength and the wonder of life.
Faith's owner is hoping that her story will be spread across the world. So, we can all have a little bit of Faith and see that nothing is impossible, especially when someone believes in you! Love goes a long way!
*FOOTNOTE: I wanted to do additional research on Faith, as I was so taken with the story of this woman that chose to adopt this helpless little pup. It seemed to me she looked like a little girl dog. I did find that Faith is a female dog. And, she was actually born with 3 legs, the front one was deformed, so it had to be removed.
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!
Today was Sunday...during football season. So, like millions of others I watched National Football League games. And one thing that stood out was the pink!
Pink towels, pink gloves, pink sweatbands, pink ribbons painted on the field. There was no way to get away from the pink. Even pink visors on the coaches hats!
This is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the NFL did their part. What about you? There are lots of ways you can contribute...Check them out.
By the way guys, it is not an issue for women only!
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!
Sometimes we wake up to a new reality. The truth is reality has not changed, only our perception.
Friday evening our cable system went out for an hour or so. For whatever reason all the stations froze - except for one. It was as if I were a child agin with no choice of channels (clue - 1960s).
Anyway, the only program on the one channel was wrestling! Yippee! A long long time ago I believed wrestling was the real deal.
While out for my early morning walk, I was thinking about how some of the homes in my area were bought several years ago for a lot more money than they are worth today.
Some thought they were buying an investment. Some who were taking out all these HELOCs (home equity line of credit) thought they were using their investment wisely.
Now, reality has set in...
A house should not be viewed as just another (or primary in some cases) investment. A house should not be used as a bank where you borrow unwisely against your home.
Life is a great teacher - even if the lesson is a difficult one to accept!
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.
Would this guy be your choice to lead you into your new fitness regimen? 
Grand Isle is one of 
Today was Sunday...during football season. So, like millions of others I watched National Football League games. And one thing that stood out was the pink!
;)
;)
