This week I was out with buyers showing houses in Palm Bay. I met them at a nice home that was advertised as a short sale.  Earlier in the day I called the listing agent for showing instructions on the property.  He told me to knock first and then to use the combination lockbox on the front door. 

When my buyers arrived, we chatted for a couple of minutes, then headed for the front door. I rang the doorbell a couple of times. No answer. I tried the lockbox code.  It didn't open. I tried it again, it still didn't open.

So, I called the listing agent. "Could you please confirm the lockbox code as I am unable to get in to see this property?"  

"Okay, let me go through my list of codes of what it could be.  Here try this one."  I tried it. Nope, that didn't work.  I tried it again. No luck again.

"Okay let's try this one. Maybe this is it," he said. I tried it, and low and behold, that was the one.  It worked.  I thanked him profusely, I rang the doorbell two more times and unlocked the door.  "Hello, is anyone home?"  I called out, as I always do.

All of the lights were off and the shades were drawn. It was quite dark inside.  I began flipping lights on.  As we walked into the dark kitchen we noticed that there were 2 pots steaming on the stove. Uh-oh, I thought, someone must be here.  I looked at the buyers and they thought the same thing. "Someone has to be home with pots getting ready to boil over on the stove."

"Hello, hello, anyone home?" No answer again.

Feeling a bit uneasy we headed down the dark hall and flipped on a light.  I stuck my head in the door of one room while my buyer stuck his head in the room next room. 

"Sandy, there's a woman sleeping in the bed," the buyer sputtered. He talked so fast, I wasn't sure what he had said at first.

I turned around, and next thing I know, my buyers were racing through the house towards the front door.

The woman woke up.

We had alarmed her.

She came down the hall and I told her I was there to look at the house and I had spoken to her agent to set an appointment. 

"Is this a good time?" 

She starting swinging her arms above her head and screaming in a language other than English.  I'm not sure what she was saying, but it was perfectly clear that we were not welcome in her home.  I knew she wanted us out, NOW.

I headed for the door, apologizing.  "I'm sorry, to alarm you.  I was unaware that anyone was home. I rang the doorbell several times, and there was no answer. I am sorry to have caught you at such a bad time." 

As she continued waving her arms in the arm, suddenly she hesitated, she stopped and shook her head.  Then, she began waving for me to come back in. "Are you sure?" I asked.  She shook her head.

I called for the buyers to come and look at the home.

The seller began opening doors for us, all the while speaking in a different language.

We finished our tour and thanked her very much.

When we got outside the buyer's wife was shaking. "Are you okay?" I asked.  "Oh my gosh, that scared me half to death. How often do you walk in on someone?" 

"Not very often. Unfortunately, it's not the first time and it won't be the last."

As a seller I wouldn't want to come face to face with someone standing in my living room, without me knowing they were there.  Although I had spoken to the agent and confirmed an appointment earlier in the day. And, I was standing out front talking with the listing agent, to get the correct lockbox code just minutes before we walked into the home.

Just another day in the life of a real estate agent.

I just hope one day I don't walk into the home of someone packing a pistol.

Sandy Shores REALTOR®, Melbourne/Palm Bay FL Real Estate

Brevard County Real Estate & Investing

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

According to the Melbourne Association of REALTORS here in Brevard County Florida Real Estate Statistics for October 2009 are as follows:

For single family residential units:

There were 623 new listings.

This is an increase of 11.05% from October 2008 of 561 new listings.

Year to date in 2009 there have been 5909 listings.

Year to date in 2008 there were 7516 new listings.

There were 323 sold listings.

This is a 34.02% increase from October 2008 of 241 sold listings.

Year to date in 2009 there are 3110 listings sold.

Year to date in 2008 there were 2694 listings sold.

The average sale price in October 2009 was $148,791.

This is a decrease from October 2008 of $190,937.

Average days on the market were 107 days.

This is a 24.11% decrease from October 2008 of 141 days.

For all properties, including single family residential, condo and townhouse:

There were 868 new listings.

There were 393 sold listings.

Average sales price was $147,236.

Average days on the market = 122

Types of financing used:

121 conventional financing

152 cash

 98 FHA

 28 VA

  0 Exchanges

  3 Owner financing

Sandy Shores REALTOR®, Melbourne/Palm Bay FL Real Estate

Brevard County Real Estate & Investing

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

I take pictures as I enjoy sharing them with others. If you would like to use one of my photos, please ask, I am usually happy to oblige, however I would like to receive mention of having taken the picture.

Sandy Shores REALTOR®, Melbourne/Palm Bay FL Real Estate

Brevard County Real Estate & Investing

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

So often, in helping buyers find their first home, I can’t help but think back to my first home away from home.  And, oh what a home it was! I was 21 years old.  My first home was a mobile home.  No, let’s just call it what it was, it was a trailer, a rickety old single-wide 12 x 60 foot trailer, that needed alot of tender loving care. It was downright ugly.  It needed a good thorough scrubbing from top to bottom and a coat of paint.

It had red shag carpeting with red lights in the ceiling. The second bedroom was the size of a bathroom. It fit one single bed and a tiny little dresser. You had to practically climb on the bed to get into the closet.

And, it was on the railroad tracks. The master bedroom window was 10 feet from the train. On the other side there was a busy street. So, I lived at the railroad crossing!

Each time a train went by the whole place shook. The dishes clattered in the cupboards and the chandelier danced on the ceiling, threatening to come crashing down.  We had to run across the living room to turn the TV up when a train was going by (it was before the days of remote controls – I know, I know, back in the stone age).  Between the ding, ding, ding of the railroad crossing gates going down, the traffic stopping, the train whistle, and the train roaring by, I was ready to be put in a rubber room.  Although I loved the thought of having a place of my own, after a couple of weeks I really disliked living there.  I cried the first night I stayed there.

But, it was mine, all mine. I paid $3,500 for it, with my own money. I owned it free and clear and I paid $95.00 a month in lot rent to have it parked on a "prime" piece of real estate.

I spent a year a half there and never slept through an entire night, because of the train. 

One day I decided it was time to move on, so I stuck a For Sale sign in the window and sold the place a couple of weeks later.  The couple that bought it didn't mind the train. When I was showing it to them a train came roaring by. They said they were used to living by the tracks as they had for years. It was a match made in heaven.

I took my little profit and my sister and I pooled our money and built a home together. Now that was a real home!

My Dad gave me this picture when I lived in the trailer, as a joke. I have kept it throughout the years. I can now look back on it with fond memories of growing up and heading out on my own for the first time.

Do you remember your first home?  What was it like?

Sandy Shores REALTOR®, Melbourne/Palm Bay FL Real Estate

Brevard County Real Estate & Investing

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

The 2009 R.A.W. United Southern States Push Pull Powerlifting meet was held at The Gym this past weekend here in Melbourne FLorida. There were about 20 lifters competing.

Sam Shores had a 97 lb. bench press.

Shores had a 195 lb. deadlift.

There will be a R.A.W. United Powerlifting meet coming up on December 5 and 6 that will be held at West Shore Junior Senior High School in Melbourne Florida. Lifters will be competing from across the country.  It is estimated that there will be about 75-85 competitors in this meet.

Sandy Shores REALTOR®, Melbourne/Palm Bay FL Real Estate

Brevard County Real Estate & Investing

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

It's a bit cloudy and overcast today, as we are seeing the remnants of Hurricane Ida that passed through the panhandle of Florida yesterday. It was quickly downgraded to a tropical storm.  For some, tropical storms and hurricanes mean waves. And, waves mean it's time to hit the beach to go surfing.

Today, with the Veteran's Day holiday, schools are closed.  Hooray! 

So many are at the beach, taking advantage of the waves that Tropical Storm Ida left behind.

Yesterday, I got a call from someone driving by a home that I have for rent. The house is on a busy street.  There's great visibility when it comes to renting it, and it's a great place to have a real estate sign. It's free advertising for me. I get a lot of calls on this house.  But, not everyone wants to live on a busy street. It has a big fenced yard, with beautiful big shade trees.  But, for people with little ones they may be afraid that their kids may run out into the street. That certainly is a valid concern. 

The tenants that have lived in the house throughout the years have varied. Most had pets, but when I think about it, none of them had real small children.  One tenant brought home a pet cow one day. Boy, was my phone ringing off the hook with neighbors calling about that cow.  When I saw it, I had to chuckle. Now, I have to admit, I've never had a tenant bring a cow into a residential neighborhood, before. Oh, but with rentals there's a first time for everything. 

None of the tenants that have lived in this house on the busy street seemed to mind the street out front or the traffic noise.  I suppose that different houses suit different people. 

Did I mention that the railroad tracks are 3 blocks away?

Sandy Shores REALTOR®, Melbourne/Palm Bay FL Real Estate

Brevard County Real Estate & Investing

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

HR 3548 was signed into law, extending the up to $8000 tax credit or 10% of the purchase price, offered to First Time Homebuyers, people that have not owned a house in 3 years.  The original tax credit was due to expire on November 30, thus we had been scrambling to help buyers find properties. Now a buyer has until April 30, 2010 to get a home under contract, and until June 30, 2010 to get that home to closing.  

On December 1, the income limits on the tax credit will change from the original guidelines of $75,000 to $125,000 for single people.  And, from $150,000 for married couples to $225,000

Homebuyers cannot purchase a home for more than $800,000.

Effective immediately an existing homeowner may qualify for $6,500 if they purchase a home.  Their principal residence must be owned for at least five consecutive years, in the past 8 years. These buyers may purchase a home immediately.

A buyer must own the home for at least 3 years in order to not have to pay back the amount of the credit.

The new law also requires new buyers to submit proof of their new home purchase with their tax returns, as there has been so much fraudlent activity in the program already.

Sandy Shores REALTOR®, Melbourne/Palm Bay FL Real Estate

Brevard County Real Estate & Investing

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

Yesterday, I had a first time homebuyer close on their new home. They were tickled. They purchased a cozy house that has been lovingly maintained by the same owner for over 30 years.  They were happy to find an affordable property in an area of well maintained homes.

Prior to closing, the buyers visited the neighborhood and walked the perimeter of the property several times to envision their plans for a garden, picnic area and perhaps a new fence.  They were kindly greeted by the next door neighbor.  He was cheerful in providing his name and his occupation (as he works in a division of law enforcement). 

With his powerful demeanor he was careful in pointing out that he has been in the neigborhood for a long period of time, and he likes things to be a certain way.  As he carefully pointed out his likes and dislikes of each of the neighbors, he was specific in going over his rules in this non deed restricted neighborhood. 

The buyers were informed that he likes to go to bed by 9:00, so there will be no noise after 9:00. 

He was gracious in informing them that the well on the property line (that was put in by the seller of the property they're buying) is a shared well, but he will be kind enough in allowing them to use it. 

A fence between the properties would not be a good idea, as there has never been a fence between the properties in prior years.  A fence would mean that he would have to remove his garden or lose access to the garden that he planted in the neighbors yard (of their new house).  He would also lose access to the controls on the well if a fence were in place. And he'd be watching if they considering putting a fence up.

The seller's daughter told us that he pushed her 80 year mother around every chance he could. Now this is really sad.

It reminds me of the big bad bully on the  playground. I thought all that silliness stopped in grade school!

Ugh!

Some people don't like change. They become set in their ways and they grow accustomed to things being a certain way.  They are happy to have things stay the way they've always been.  I understand that.

But, my goodness, what a warm welcome to the neighborhood!

The buyers for this property are dear people!  In their excitement, they laughed off their conversations with this belligerent man.  One of them told me that he has no problem in telling this neighbor what he thinks. Since I have known him for years, I have never seen him not speak his mind.  And, I'm certain that sometime, someday, he is going to have to do just that.

Well, congratulations to the buyers in the purchase of their comfortable new home!

But, unfortunately I can see some head butting coming in the near future.  And please, no fist fights!

Best of luck!

Sandy Shores REALTOR®, Melbourne/Palm Bay FL Real Estate

Brevard County Real Estate & Investing

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