Goodbye 2010 and Here's to An Incredible 2011 - 12/31/10 10:25 PM

As we close out yet another year, it's time to sit back and reflect on what this year has meant to us. 
At the end of each year, I like to look back to see that I have grown a bit stronger, wiser and more determined than I was.
It's a time to learn from our mistakes, to grow through the tough times and to relish the wonderful times.
2010 brought with it many challenges; obstacles that often tested our strength and resolve. 
Several times this year, I had to reach within, for my inner strength to handle the difficulties … (11 comments)

On Closing Day the Buyer Gets the Keys and Takes Possession - 12/30/10 03:02 PM
Here in Florida, typically, on the day of closing, the buyer and the seller sign their documents for the property the buyer is purchasing.  Often, each party sits at a different closing table, at different times, depending on scheduling and the complexities of the transaction. It takes the buyer longer as he has more documents, especially if he is getting a mortgage.
On this day, it is customary for the seller to have all of his belongings out of the property, with no expection of returning to the house.  The seller must be prepared to hand the keys over to the … (6 comments)

Shortage or Overage? - 12/29/10 01:20 PM

Yesterday, I received my Escrow Analysis Disclosure Statements in the mail.  
At least once every twelve months your mortgage company reviews the amount of taxes, insurance and mortgage insurance, if applicable, being paid from your escrow account. In our area this is typically done in November, when taxes are paid and statements are mailed in December.
If they have collected too much over the past 12 months, typically they will spread the overage throughout 12 months, and lower your escrow payment, thus, lowering your mortgage payment.  If the overage is too large, they will often mail a check back to … (6 comments)

You've Got to Roll with the Changes - 12/28/10 12:57 PM

Times have changed, and they will continue changing.  The wheels of progress will continue moving forward.
Yesterday, my youngest daughter, Sam, was waiting to hear back from a friend on a project they were getting together to work on. 
"Sam, has Susan called?" I asked.
"What?"  she asked, as if I had just spoken in a foreign language.
"Has Susan called you yet, or do you need to try and get in touch with her again?"
"Mom, my friends don't call and either do I. We text each other," she responded nicely, but as if she was talking to … (13 comments)

A Time to Look Forward - 12/27/10 04:20 PM

Oh, the hustle and bustle of the season.  The busiest time of year... not always in real estate, but in other aspects of our lives.
This time of year has us running this way and that.  There are so many wonderful things to enjoy.  And, it seems that we try to do them all.. We never stopped running (just like everyone else).  I'd like to think that everything got done perfectly. But, it didn't.  But, you know what? It didn't matter.  No one noticed.  I spent time with my family and friends and to me that is truly the most … (14 comments)

The Joy of the Season - 12/25/10 11:38 AM

Part of the joy of Christmas is in listening to the
beautiful music of the season.
It warms the heart.
Melbourne FL Real Estate
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… (8 comments)

Merry Christmas from Our Family to Yours - 12/24/10 06:29 PM
 

Merry Christmas to You and Yours!
Here's wishing you a beautiful season and hoping you get some quality time with your family!
Melbourne FL Real Estate
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We have a team of professionals to facilitate your Short Sale.
I also buy, sell, rent, own and manage Melbourne Real Estate & Investment Property
… (11 comments)

Two Million Pounds of Sculpted Ice - Best of Florida Christmas at Gaylord Palms - 12/23/10 08:56 PM
The Best of Florida Christmas Ice and Snow Show is being held at Gaylord Palms Resort through January 2, 2011. There is an ice exhibit with over 2 million pounds of ice sculpted to tell the story of The Night Before Christmas. The ice is sculpted by Chinese Artisans.  The exhibit is breathtakingly gorgeous.  It is amazing that everything you see is carved out of ice. The colored ice is beautiful.
Guests are given parkas to wear inside the ice exhibit because it is a cool 9 degrees.
And, enjoy the snow exhibit where you tube down a snow bank or … (11 comments)

Not a Care in the World - 12/17/10 10:16 AM

This picture was taken on the Eau Gallie Causeway in Melbourne, FL overlooking the Indian River Lagoon. 
This sailboat was one of many that we saw out on this beautiful day.
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I specialize in Brevard County Real Estate - Residential, Investment & Relocations.
We have a team of professionals to facilitate your Short Sale.
I also buy, sell, rent, own and manage Melbourne Real Estate & Investment Property
 
 
… (10 comments)

Brevard County Real Estate Market Report - November 2010 - 12/16/10 07:13 PM
Statistics for Brevard County FL Real Estate according to the Melbourne Area Association of Realtors
Currently there are:
4959 residential listings for sale
1521 rental listings available
1281 condos for sale
 349 townhouses for sale
 119 income producing properties
2371 vacant parcels for sale
Brevard County FL Real Estate, including single family residential, condo, townhouse and vacant lots:
There were 733 new listings.
There were 324 sold listings.
Average sales price was $141,210.
Highest price sold was $1,475,000.
Lowest price sold was $ 550.
Average days on the market were 135.
For single family residential units:
There were 480 new listings.
This … (6 comments)

Foreclosures are Being Put On Hold - 12/15/10 06:13 PM
Freddie Mac has the holiday spirit.
On occupied, single family and 2-4 unit Freddie Mac properties, foreclosures will be suspended through the holiday season, from December 20 through January 3, 2011.
Distressed homeowners will have a couple of weeks not to worry about an eviction.
Melbourne FL Real Estate
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I specialize in Brevard County Real Estate - Residential, Investment & Relocations.
We have a team of professionals to facilitate your Short Sale.
I also buy, sell, rent, … (8 comments)

Pipes Are Breaking in this Freezing Florida Weather - 12/14/10 10:40 AM

In cold snaps like the ones we have been having here in Melbourne Florida there is always the concern of freezing pipes.  This morning we woke up to 28 degrees with a wind chill of 20 degrees. We're not used to that here, although we did have some unusually cold weather last Winter. 
On some of the old houses that still have the old copper pipes, often this cold weather is all it takes to break those old, deteroriating pipes.  Or, they start popping pin sized holes in them.  My tenants have called and said they hear water running inside … (14 comments)

Holiday Light Parade in Melbourne Florida - 12/13/10 09:34 AM
The Melbourne Holiday Light Parade was held this weekend. It started at the corner of Hibiscus Boulevard and Babcock heading North and turned east on New Haven Avenue into the heart of Historic Downtown Melbourne. The streets were lined with people, as is always the case during this festive event. The weather was much milder than anticipated. In years past, I remember some very cold evenings, shivering while watching the parade. We all had light sweaters on. It was nice.
After the parade we headed into Downtown Melbourne to enjoy the Candlelight Shopping Festivities. There were horse drawn carriage rides, … (14 comments)

When the Fog Clears - 12/11/10 11:01 PM

I took this picture of the Indian River Lagoon in Melbourne FL this morning. It was nearly 10:00 AM and I was heading over to the beachside.  We don't get much fog here and when we do it's unusual to see it linger into the late morning. I wondered if it was going to stay dreary, but it cleared up and turned into a gorgeous day.
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I specialize in Brevard County Real Estate - … (17 comments)

The Short Sale Negotiator is Playing Hard Ball - 12/10/10 12:39 PM
Another short sale... and the negotiator is a bugger.
When are some short sale lenders going to start working with us to bring buyers and sellers together for a short sale  BEFORE their sellers go into foreclosure? Especially when we have ready, willing and able buyers that want to purchase these properties?
We bring our buyers to these houses listed for short sale.  Some have been on the market for three, six, nine months and even a year or more. 
The short sale lender is presented with a realistic offer, somewhere near current market value, and our buyers wait a … (7 comments)

A Crooked Little House or Just a Tear Down? - 12/09/10 02:35 PM

I was driving through the old section of Downtown Eau Gallie in Melbourne yesterday and this old house caught my eye.  It is situated on a street lined with beautiful old historic homes and buildings.  I love the old historic districts, as every house or building seems to have a different story to tell.
I had to stop and turn around to grab the shot.
I couldn't help wonder about the history of this crooked little house. I wondered who built it and what the family was like that was lucky enough to have lived in this charming home. 
Then, … (9 comments)

Early Occupancy Can Be A Recipe For Disaster - 12/08/10 06:47 PM
Earlier this week I headed to a closing with a buyer.  It was a smooth transaction; an efficient buyer, a conscientious lender and a johnny-on-the-spot listing agent. It was a great team of people working together to close on this Fannie Mae owned property. 
There is always a concern when we go to closing on these properties that have been sitting vacant for months, even years. We're afraid of breaking pipes, fire, vandalism or theft.
On short sales and foreclosures I like to meet my buyers at the property just before closing to do the walk through inspection.  We don't want … (5 comments)

Cold Weather Hits the Sunshine State - 12/07/10 06:36 PM

Last night the weather reports indicated that we may be having the coldest night since 1977 with hard freeze warnings in the 30's.  They anticipated temperatures in the 20's with the wind chill.  When I got up this morning my outside thermometer indicated a brisk 38 degrees.  It was cold.
Cold weather isn't my favorite.  My parents moved us to South Florida in the late 1960's from Illinois to get away from the cold.  And, I've been in Florida ever since.  That's why many people move to Florida, isn't it?  To get away from the cold. 
On nights like this, … (19 comments)

Satellite High School Varsity Cheerleading, FIT Expo - 12/06/10 02:55 PM
The Cheerleading Expo was held at Florida Institute of Technology yesterday in Melbourne Florida.  The Satellite High School Varsity and JV Cheerleaders were able to get their routines out in front a live audience before they head to competitions in January and February. 
We saw some phenomenal athletes perform.
Melbourne FL Real Estate
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Brevard County Real Estate Photos
Visit Sandy Shores, Melbourne Real Estate Agent, Google Profile page
I specialize in Brevard County Real Estate - Residential, Investment & Relocations.
We have a team of professionals to facilitate your Short Sale.
I … (9 comments)

Another Beautiful Day in Melbourne Florida - 12/04/10 08:06 PM
This morning when I got up I headed to the Farmers Market
to pick up some fresh produce, my favorite. 
Everything looked so good.  And, the prices were reasonable too.
The Eau Gallie Farmer's Market is open every Saturday
from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the corner of
Eau Gallie Blvd and Highland Avenue in Downtown Eau Gallie. 
It is located just a block from the Eau Gallie Pier overlooking the Indian River Lagoon.
 
I couldn't help but think how fortunate we are, here in Melbourne Florida,
on this gorgeous December day. There wasn't a … (9 comments)

Candlelight Shopping in Downtown Melbourne - 12/03/10 08:41 PM
The holidays are upon us and what better way to get into the festive mood than heading over to Historic Downtown Melbourne for some
Candlelight Shopping
every Saturday night
until Christmas
Shops and restaurants will be open from 5:00 to 9:00 PM
On December 4th come and enjoy the festivities:
 "Father Christmas" and Cookie the Clown  Kids can get airbrush tattoos  Kids Airbrush Tattoos & More  Take a Horse & Carriage Ride with a loved one  Rebecah & Rachel Waldorff will be playing the Violin & Flute  Kindred Spirits - Celtic Folk  Brian & Gary will be featured on … (5 comments)

Just Before the Storm Hits - 12/02/10 09:58 AM

This picture was taken while out showing houses in South Melbourne Beach FL. 
A storm was rolling in and we grabbed some great shots just before the downpour.
Melbourne FL Real Estate
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Brevard County Real Estate Photos
Visit Sandy Shores, Melbourne Real Estate Agent, Google Profile page
I specialize in Brevard County Real Estate - Residential, Investment & Relocations.
We have a team of professionals to facilitate your Short Sale.
I also buy, sell, rent, own and manage Melbourne Real Estate & Investment Property.
… (17 comments)

Hurricane Season is Over - 12/01/10 08:03 PM

Yesterday, the 2010 hurricane season officially ended. And, it was a quiet one here in Florida.  Although, the Atlantic was busy with storms this year. 
Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30 each year.  This year 19 storms brewed in the Atlantic Ocean.  And, 12 of them became hurricanes. This is the 5th year in a row that the United States has not been hit with a hurricane. 
In 2004, after Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jean hit Florida, forecasters predicted that the next 10 years would be filled with storms ravaging the US.  Fortunately, that has not … (11 comments)

 
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Sandy Shores Broker-Associate, Melbourne /Palm Bay, Brevard County FL Real Estate

Melbourne, FL

More about me…

M & M Real Estate Inc. / Florida's Space Coast

Address: Melbourne, Palm Bay, Indian Harbour, Satellite Beach, Suntree, Viera, Rockledge, Titusville, Cape Canaveral FL

Office Phone: (321) 733-6080

Cell Phone: (321) 253-4545

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Melbourne Real Estate and Brevard County FL Real Estate and Investing. _________________ Sandy Shores on Zillow Sandy Shores…


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