First time home buyers usually are pretty easily identified by their questions.  Knowing you have a first time home buyer as a client gives you a great starting point.

The challenge is knowing exactly the knowledge level of the prospect who tells you they have purchased (or sold) a home previously.  They may look and talk like an experienced buyer but sometimes looks can be deceiving.

For example, the blizzard conditions in the Washington, DC area this weekend reminds me of when I lived in Maryland. 

As a Navy officer stationed at Fort Detrick MD, my car had a Florida tag.  Born and raised in Florida, my experience had been mostly the warmer climates!

So, when it snowed, other drivers saw my Florida tags and would let me on the highway.  When I retired I had to get Maryland tags. 

What a change!

The normal aggressive driving extended to driving in snow!  If they had only known that I was a less experienced driver but all they saw was that Maryland tag.

The same goes for clients. 

You may have them "tagged" as experienced buyers but that experience may be very limited!

I wrote this almost two years ago for one of my other blogs. I think it still holds true.

Look for results...not just the advertisement!

OK, this is probably - no, it is, written tongue-in-cheek.

When you are looking to "hire" a real state agent to sell your home, be cautious if you hear these words of "wisdom(?)".

1. You want to list your house at that price? That is way too low for this market!
2. Don't worry about the yard...buyers only want to see what is inside!
3. For you I will reduce my real estate commission
4. Advertise on the Internet? Why? I only advertise in newspapers.
5. Oh, a sign out front is really all we need.
6. I only return calls in the evening.
7. I don't work weekends.
8. Staging a home in this market is not really required.
9. A lockbox is not required. We can have all showings scheduled when you can be home!
10. I will try....

What do I say? For a further explanation of these responses, please feel free to contact me.

1. Price it right;
2. Enhance the curb appeal;
3. This is my living;
4. Most clients come from Internet promotion. Newspaper ads are nice for open houses;
5. A sign out front is only the first step;
6. I return calls at my earliest convenience - several times a day;
7. I work every weekend;
8. Staging is critical;
9. Ease of showing is a critical marketing step;
10. I do. If I can't do more than "will try" then I don't take on the task!

Have you ever gone into a house or condo only to see football memorabilia everywhere? The greatest sports fan ever lives here! The kitchen with high tech appliances and gadgets everywhere? Obviously the home of a gourmet cook.

Ever glimpse a garage full of "equipment?"  Oh yes, the super handyman lives here!   If you have been in the market searching for a new home, you know what I mean here....

There can be a fine line between these two things - selling your house and your lifestyle. 

I will admit that there are times when you are throwing in a lifestyle with the house. That is just an additional marketing point!

Selling in a 55+ community in Viera Florida? Then you should be promoting the lifestyle as well as the house. Selling your golf course community home such as Baytree in Suntree area of Melbourne Florida? Then, you are throwing in your lifestyle.

But your lifestyle is not necessarily the same as your house!

The location, amenities and area all support the marketing of your house.   But, don't forget, there are other houses in the same neighborhood with the same location, amenities, and the like. Buyers can get your lifestyle when they purchase a nearby home.

Bottom line....prepare and sell your house first!

Most of the subdivisions around the Viera and Rockledge Florida areas have homeowner associations with annual fees. Even the town house communities usually have associations with fees.

And, condos have fees as well! Usually every month. Depending on the complex they can be fairly steep.

What do these fees pay for? It varies but could include...

• Common area maintenance,
  
• Exterior maintenance,
  
• Common area taxes,
  
• Electricity for common areas,
  
• Pool maintenance,
  
• Clubhouse maintenance,
  
• Putting green maintenance,
  
• Fitness/exercise equipment,
  
• Insurance for the exterior of the buildings,
  
• Association cash reserves, parking lot maintenance,
  
• Entry way maintenance/gates or gate guards,
  
• That dock on the Indian River,
  
• Tennis and basketball court upkeep….

The list is sometimes quite extensive and the above may or may not be included.

The point is - condo dues exist and must be paid!

So, when looking for a condo or house in the Brevard County area, including Cocoa Beach and Satellite Beach, remember to include the condo or home owner association dues in your budget

Recently I had the opportunity to provide a short term rental for some folks who are relocating to "somewhere" in Florida after having sold in Michigan. The condo was a short sale under contract and they are flexible so it works our for all parties.

As I was leaving after dropping the keys off they asked me about short sales. I explained that short sales require lots of flexibility.

They mentioned short sales because they were going to see houses the next day in another area and all the agent wanted to show them was short sales.

As I was leaving I asked a simple question, “Did your agent refer you to them?” The answer was no.

I suggested that they have their local agent also them to agents in the other locations. They said they would mention it to her. I also recommended a couple of my favorite web sites Active Rain and Localism.

When you are relocating to a new area and the options are wide, ask your agent to coordinate with real estate professionals in the nearby areas for you.

Your agent will know what you are looking for and your agent can be comfortable knowing you are working with a qualified professional. And best of all it is a free service!

If you are relocating Florida, check out Brevard County. 

And if you have an interest in other regions of the state, I will gladly refer you to a knowledgeable professional in that area!

“What do you want to be when you grow up?”  I don’t think there is a person alive who was not been asked that question - at least as a young child! Some of us may still hear that on occasion!

I remember my niece identified her goal of being a lawyer when she was in elementary school.  Some achieve that wish expressed so early.  (My niece did!)  

How are these goals achieved?  Not by wishing but rather working.

Selling a house is no different. It is not accomplished by wishing.

When you have decided to sell your Viera or Suntree or Melbourne, Florida home you will interview and hire your real estate agent – a very professional real estate agent like, for example, Gary Waters, Century 21 Baytree Realty.

Now what?

Wishing will not get it done. Crosiing your fingers and hope will not do the job either.  Work is required – by you and your real estate agent.

Selling involves getting ready to sell and following though on things such as:

• clean,
• de-clutter,
• depersonalize (and stage),
• maximize curb appeal,
• paint, if necessary
• a preemptive home inspection in an older home,
• fix those little annoying things you have let “slide”,
• establishing right price,
• make available for showing,
• provide for safety and security of valuables (never know who is coming in your house),
• preparing marketing material,
• Internet exposure,
• writing articles for publication on the Internet,
• taking photos,
• put the sign up (got to have a sign!), 
• advertise (targeted),
• and the list goes on.

In the end your house will sell because of work – not wishing on a star or in a wishing well. Work that you and your real estate agent have accomplished. 

When you are ready to buy or sell a house in Viera, Suntree, Baytree or Rockledge, Florida, call me at 321-693-3850 or email agent@moving2brevard.com.

Purchasing a home is not something one usually does every year or two.  So when it is time to buy or sell real estate it is probably a good time to make a list and stay on top of it. 

This is where your real estate agent comes in as most agents are really good with these lists!

Take jolly ole St. Nick as we approach the Christmas season. He has been doing this Christmas thing for years yet he is still "making a list and checking it twice!" {Had to get that in, please!}

The process of buying or selling a home is filled with opportunities to miss something. You do not get to the closing table by happenstance. It is a planned thing.

So, when you get ready to sell or buy that home in Brevard County, Florida, call me.  I have a great little list and I know some pretty good elves.  Enjoy the holidays.

You do not want to get caught wondering what you forgot!

If you lose your hard drive or drop your laptop, in this age, the salesman down at Best Buy may not have to twist your arm too badly to take that new bundle of joy home.

The same can be said for that Blackberry or I-phone... as one can not be without a phone!

Even a plumber can sell a repair pretty easily if your plumbing is backed up because your little helper decided to toss something down the toilet!

It is also a function of the REO/bank owned and short sale market in your local area as well.

The local area may be as narrow as your neighborhood such as Capron Trace in Viera Florida or as wide an entire city or county.

Real estate really is local!

Even in a buyer's market an appropriately priced home will sell!

If you are considering selling your home in Viera, Suntree, Rockledge or Cocoa Beach, Florida, call me to discuss how I may assist you.

This morning I read a post by Brandi Wells about equity I want a house with equity!... It got me to thinking of this post I had written on another blog about how some lost real money over the past several years by spending the real equity in their older, little houses.

The big house is not incarceration in the literal sense. But rather it is the bigger house some folks purchased several years ago when they tried to beat the big run up in home prices here in Brevard County, Florida.

Amazingly many people sold the old homestead to buy a bigger house.

This is not an attempt to affix blame on anyone.

The prices were escalating at such a rapid pace. The feeling was you had to jump in while you could still afford that “big house.” Thus, many cashed out for a nice profit.

Then they invested that nice profit.

And now, after the past few years, the mortgage is equal to what they owe.

At least they are not upside down.

But the lost real money (not imaginery paper equity), has vanished....like toilet paper in the outhouse!

Buying a house is a big decision. If you are a first time home buyer there are opportunities in this market. But have a plan before proceeding.

If you are a first time buyer in Brevard County Florida and have questions, I am available to answer your questions.

This article was originally posted on my blog Florida Homes for Sale.

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.  

Thanks, Joe.