Summer time in Florida -  

We love the beaches, the river and all the outdoor activities - but have to         admit it gets a little warm in July and August!

Good news is that the Real Estate market is heating up also and                    we're enjoying that increase in temperature!   

Our inventory in south Brevard county has dropped from  over                         7,000 single family homes listed to just around 4,500 homes for sale.            That's still a lot...  but in time we'll level out and get back to a more          balanced buyer and seller market.

In the meantime -  "If you're lucky enough....."

Cheers!

We all know strict rules apply for our sellers with pets:  GET RID of pets during showings!  No odors, no fur, no pet food, and the biggest atrocity, no kitty litter !!  For 15 years I've played the hard-hearted Broker with my sellers by enforcing the "hide your pets" policy.  Everyone knows that buyers should NOT be distracted by pet odors or, heaven forbid, actual live pets wagging tails and jumping around! 

Holy Meow Mix, the pet rules have suddenly changed.  After 15 years in a "no pet" household we recently adopted 2 kittens from our local shelter.  Funny how being owned by two crazy creatures can put a new slant on the whole  "sellers with pets" policy!   Who are these 4 legged monsters and how did they come to control every aspect of our day?  One of them is even helping me to type this blog!  

Looks like the tables have been turned and my "no pet" brutality act toward sellers is about to be revised!  Guess I'll have to take a more sympathetic attitude toward humans owned by their creatures.   Yikes - what if we decide to sell our home one day?  We know what they say about paybacks....   Meow!

Hurricane Fay is dancing over Brevard County, Florida for the third day in a row.  Actually a tropical storm, Fay is lingering like a long, 3 mile-per-hour slow dance - just not very enjoyable!  Everyone is hunkered down, making soup and hypnotized by the weather reports on TV.  In the past three days we've received nearly 24 inches of rain.

For anyone who grew up in northern states, this is like a snow day with schools and offices closed.   One big difference is that we're not freezing in our homes if the power goes out!   By day three, however, cabin fever will set in and even for kids the thrill will be gone! 

 Fortunately this storm is only mildly catastrophic for our area.   Many roads are closed due to flooding and some large trees have blown down.   The National Guard has been activated and is busy evacuating people flooded from their homes.  Many will have yard debris (and more) to clean up.   This time we're lucky.  Clean up will be a painful chore and then we'll be back to our normal routines. 

 Keep your fingers crossed.  The height of "hurricane season" arrives in September.   Memories of recent horrific hurricane damage along the gulf coast and other areas in Florida are still very strong.  Our goal is to appreciate every minute of the good days and to "be prepared" for the others! 

Patriotism is alive and well in Melbourne, FL.  Our annual Independence Day barbeque is such a treat.  We're fortunate to enjoy a location directly across the river from our city's annual fireworks display.   We have front row seats to the biggest show in town on the 4^th of July! 

Friends gather to enjoy the warm summer evening, good food and great music.  When the fireworks begin our music turns to patriotic favorites.   All ages sing along as they watch the show.  The crowning moment of the evening comes when the entire group jumps to its feet for the National Anthem.  This demonstration of pride and patriotism sends chills up my spine.  What a joyous reminder of pride in our country and our freedoms.  I'm so proud to be an American.  Happy Independence Day!

Today's buyers are navigating difficult waters.  Faced with tremendous inventory, lower prices, great interest rates, and willing sellers,  buyers are overwhelmed.  The moon and stars are beautifully aligned for them and yet it's not enough.   Today's only priority is getting a "great deal" or "stealing it".   What happened to the "location location" rule?  What happened to quality of life and nice neighbors? When did "are these sellers desperate?" become the major criteria in choosing one's home? 

Caution:  very rarely will the perfect elements come together and still be a "steal of a deal".   Buyers should not succumb to the pressure of co-workers or friends bragging on their housing conquests.  If the deal is that great, they've compromised somewhere.  It's called the perfect storm for a reason.  The likelihood of finding a beautifully maintained home, a perfect location, super upgrades AND a desperate seller willing to take a low-ball offer are almost nil.  Chances are better of winning the lotto. 

Buyers should remember to keep real-life priorities in sight.  This will be a "home".  This is personal;  you will be there every day.  Be careful not to allow false hopes for "the perfect deal" to steer you into a storm.  Chart the right course for a "Happy Home" !

Does anybody else think it's time to go back to Real Estate 101?   Back in the old days (not all that long ago) we received courteous service when calling another brokerage to schedule a showing on a listing.   Agents were appreciative to have their listings shown and were happy to assist a selling agent with instructions. 

It seems today that some of our brokerages have forgotten a basic premise.  Selling agents are actually "customers" of that brokerage.   Few agents seem to grasp this basic concept.  If a selling agent has a potential buyer for your listing, try a little courtesy.  Provide that agent the information they need to be effective during the showing.  For example, where did you hide the lockbox?   Do we need to guard the door against bolting cats?    Personally I do not show off my best side when charging across the front yard to tackle an escaping feline.  :)

Providing good service to a selling agent is ultimately a service to your seller.  Who wins here?  Everybody!   If you're not aware of how your receptionist handles showing requests for your listings you may want to try a test call.  Could be an eye opener!

Because of current market conditions our jobs are more stressful than usual.  This, more than ever, is the time to aid our fellow agents.  Back to basics and the golden rule; a little courtesy goes a long way.   Real Estate 101....

Living in Melbourne FL is a dream come true.  We enjoy all the benefits of true coastal living - cool sea breezes and beautiful beaches.   The lifestyle is quiet and laid-back, people are friendly;  "it's all good" here!    Do not, however, confuse us with an outdated  "Florida retirement area" moniker because we're much, much more. 

We are often called "little silicon valley" for good reason.  A well-defined industry cluster, we are home to many major hi-tech corporations and the network of local "spin-off" companies is tremendous.  Young, hi-earning professionals flock to Brevard County for our tremendous employment opportunities.  The article in Florida Today (Business Section April 29, 2008) says it all.   "Brevard No 2 in the country with pockets of interrelated businesses" as ranked by The Brookings Institution.     

I work constantly with corporate relocation buyers.  These candidates and spouses are searching for homes and a new life in Melbourne Florida.  They find that we offer a perfect lifestyle: marvelous climate, gorgeous Indian River lagoon, pristine beaches, great schools, and plenty of shopping & restaurants.  Melbourne offers all of this without the mega-tension of big city traffic and jammed expressways.  Major central Florida attractions are just 45 minutes away.

Our area attracts all ages and lifestyles so we enjoy the best of all worlds.   Retirees like us for the obvious - affordable living, golf, water & great weather.   Young families enjoy healthy incomes and a comfortable family-style community.  Do the math - this mix of all ages and strong incomes is a winning equation. 

At present our real estate inventory is tremendous and buyers are enjoying a huge selection and some incredible deals.   We are really talking Paradise !!

Check us out and consider this your invitation to Florida - the time is right!  By Melbourne Voice, but from the heart.