Melbourne, Florida is happening right now!  Buyers are raining on the available inventory like a big spring shower.   Beware: these buyers are armed with sharp pencils instead of umbrellas!  Everybody is looking for the best deal - heck, aren’t we all?    The April 30th tax credit deadline is two weeks away and it’s just too good to pass up.  Sellers:  make sure your home is show-ready!!!

Lots of excitement and anticipation out there for both buyers and sellers.   Play nice and keep a cool head.  An overly aggressive style usually bombs out during negotiations.  This is a good rule for both sides to remember. 

Get out there and get a spring deal while they’re blooming!  

Not to be disrespectful to our northern and midwest relatives and friends,  but we’ve really suffered a cold and difficult winter here in Melbourne, Florida!  I realize that having to wear long-sleeved T-shirts for 5 months is no comparison to the folks who have suffered through blizzards and freezes.  Just the same, there’s a reason why we live here and this winter was a real bummer. 

However.....   it looks like our suffering has come to an end.  We’ve spent the past several days trimming bushes, planting tomatoes, and installing new flower beds.  Feels great to have dirt in our hands.  No more freezer burn on out palm trees - lots of new growth jumping out on the trees.

On the real estate front the buyers are swarming high and low.  Our sellers are experiencing lots of showings; plenty of activity.   Looks like buyers are making every effort to contract on a home before the end of April so they’ll be entitled to the tax credit.      Investors are crawling out from their hiding places and making offers.  It appears we are turning the corner in Brevard County, Florida.  

We still have a long way to go - plenty of inventory to sell before our market levels out.  But the signs are here of improvement - and we welcome the activity.  Brevard will be among the first to come out of the slump.  We have beautiful beaches, the wide Indian River lagoon, a friendly small-town atmosphere, and high-tech employment.  All within an hour of Orlando’s attractions - what more could a person ask! 

I’m keeping an eye on the market and ready to report on market changes.  Come on down, Spring has sprung in Melbourne, FL and life is good!

We’re seeing home buying and selling activity increase in Melbourne, Florida.   There are more than our normal Spring time buyers out there looking at homes.  These shoppers are on the hunt to secure their home choice and take advantage of the government incentive.  If they contract by April 30th, qualified buyers will be eligible to receive the $8,000 tax credit. 

The hot deals are the well-priced homes that are fresh, clean and sparkling.  For the right house, people are standing in line.  What’s not hot?  Overpriced homes that are not “show- room ready”.

Inventory is plentiful, prices are very attractive, interest rates are great.   The moon, stars, and the sun are aligned to make it happen.  Buyers still need to remember the basics...  location, location, location!  

A few more rules for buyers:  1) be prepared to compromise; no house is perfect   2) remember that this will be your home;   don’t focus so much on the “deal” that you lose sight of the real goal here.

Let’s not forget rules for sellers:  1) spiff up your place - get rid of the cobwebs and dust; make it shine   2) be prepared to compromise... (sound familiar?) 

Opportunity is out there  - just don’t let the good ones get away!

Why is a fresh start so exhilarating?   What is it about the New Year that brings us all hope and excitement?   I guess the answers don’t really matter as long as the attitude is  there.    This is the time to make promises for a great year.

Therefore I promise to:

 - shake off any “hangover” from difficult or tough business during 2009

 - reach out to all of my current customers with enthusiasm and gratefulness for their business
 - foster an atmosphere of cooperation with my fellow agents ...  try to make their jobs easier

 - keep my desk organized  :) :) :)

 - improve on my efficiency and my technical skills  (yikes - that’s a biggy)
 - figure out ways to do something good for somebody else

Well - that’s a good start for me.  How about the rest of you?

Best wishes to all for a healthy and prosperous 2010!

Teri

‘Tis the week before Christmas on Florida’s coast        
Where Teri at RE/MAX is making the most
of mild winter days and cool breezy nights
she’s looking for houses with all of her might

The buyers are shopping with diligent care
in hopes that the perfect home soon will be there
they search high, search low, scan all around
in time the best property will be found

The sellers are wondering if it all will be fine
Teri assures them, “just give it time”
Looking perfect forever can really get old
but as long as it does, this home will be sold

‘Tis the week before Christmas and even the mouse
knows Teri is out there, selling a house
The market is busy, we know that is true
Happy buying and selling to all of you!

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" !