Babies are cute…not houses!

I saw another new listing today with my least favorite narrative descriptors – cute house! I was a cute baby! [I was told this many times!] OK, that may be is a bit of a stretch.

A few other comments that are…well, you tell me.

• ALL OFFERS WILL BE CONSIDERED. Duh…in this market, this is not a secret.
• Home includes the Lot. If it is not an RV, then this is another common assumption.
• This is NOT a short sale. This price is so good we must have an explanation!
• HOME COULD BE REALLY NICE WITH SOME WORK! Let’s see…you mean it ain’t so nice in its present condition?
• The owner purchased this home and put $20k plus in upgrades. His loss is your gain? Many upgrades are not really enticing to buyers...not a big return on the investment here!
• The half bath is pool-ready. Does that mean it has a really big bath tub?

Most of these are innocent comments. And, besides, the real estate agent has to write something. Of course, I always figured that “great price, must see” works for them all!

This post was written a little tongue in cheek. The real estate market encompasses many emotions - humor, joy, sadness, disappointment. Today I choose humor!

If I am selling your Viera home, I will avoid humor - until we have it sold, I promise! Gary Waters, Florida licensed real estate agent, Century 21 Baytree Realty, Rockledge, Florida.

Read my other blogs at www.gwatersc21.activerain.com and www.moving2brevard.blogspot.com.

Foreclosure filings down in Brevard County - that’s bad?

Reading the Florida Today newspaper a couple of days ago I was a little surprised by one article about how the Brevard County Clerk of Court’s office is looking at possible furloughs and closures due to budget problems.

The smaller print under the larger title identified the real culprit - “Foreclosure dip hurts revenue.”

I saw on the news a few weeks ago that the Orlando Utilities Commission was discussing raising fees – conservation has cost them the revenue needed to continue normal operations. I heard the toll road authority in the Orlando area was discussing raising tolls to combat lower traffic on toll roads.

Stretching the dollar is a challenge for all of us. If you are looking to sell your Viera or Rockledge home, please give me a call to discuss how I can market your home. If you are a buyer in the Viera and Rockledge area, call me. Remember, buyers do not pay the real estate agent - sellers do.

Gary Waters, Florida licensed real estate agent, Century 21 Baytree Realty, Rockledge, Florida. Call me (direct 321-693-3850) to assist you with the purchase or sale of residential real estate in Brevard County, Florida.

Do unto others….

The Golden Rule…we have heard about it many times. As a Century 21 real estate professional I am partial to “gold” anyway.

Real estate, whether buying or selling, involves others. And, like many things in life, it is all about relationships and respect.

As a seller, disclose everything – period. If your home has problems, go ahead and let everyone know.

As a buyer, respect the seller’s time and property. Look but don’t touch!

Buying and selling real estate is more than just a business transaction. It is a significant life change for most. It is a significant financial transaction for most. It is a time of stress for most.

As a real estate agent in Brevard County, Florida, I practice the Golden Rule and strive to minimize the stress for my clients. If I can assist you in any way, please let me know.

Gary Waters, Florida licensed real estate agent, Century 21 Baytree Realty, Rockledge, Florida.

Please read my blogs at www.moving2brevard.blogspot.com and at www.gwatersc21.activerain.com.

A bachelor Pad may be nice … if you are not selling!

I was reading a report today that said “single women earn 13% less than single males but they purchase twice as many homes.*”

This got me to thinking about some of the houses I have shown over the past. Many of these were not decorated – OK, some were decorated in the “frat house 2000 – revisited” style.

I remember one house I showed to a mature couple. We went in the front door…no furniture to be seen except for mattresses on the floor. Only thing in the refrigerator – beer.

Now to the master bath, in the garden tub – a nicely staged pet turtle with a mound of rocks as a resting place! How sweet!

And then there was the women’s lingerie strewn all over the place.

Oh yeah, a very nice framed diploma on the wall from one of the premier universities of our country. But – it was not very appealing for a new (less than a year old) house! My clients moved on and bought elsewhere!

Selling in today’s market requires differentiation – in a positive way! And the purchaser may very well be a single women, not a frat brother!

If you are considering buying or selling in Viera, Suntree, Rockledge or any Brevard County Florida area, call me. I would welcome a chance to discuss how I can assist you in your marketing effort.

Gary Waters, Century 21 Baytree Realty, Rockledge Florida, phone directly at 321-693-3850 or email me at agent@moving2brevard.com.

Please read my other blogs at www.gwatersc21.activerain.com and www.moving2brevard.blogspot.com

*White Paper What you Need to Know About First-Time Home Buyers (2008 NAR Survey Results) by ApartmentToolKit.com

Be afraid, Be very afraid…

Interesting words supposedly first uttered in the 1986 horror film The Fly. If you really have an inquiring mind click here for more on the origin of the phrase.

The real estate market in Brevard County, Florida offers opportunities for buyers; challenges for sellers.

But - it is not something to be afraid of, just cautious!

A buyer has plenty of choices in this market. In Viera and Rockledge, Florida there are lots of short sale properties on the market as well as resale homes available. Then there are the builders who have many offerings as well. Yep, the choices are plentiful.

With interest rates at historical lows and prices to match, this is an exciting time to be a homebuyer! So proceed with caution - but not fearfully!

Gary Waters, Florida licensed real estate agent, Century 21 Baytree Realty, Rockledge, Florida. Contact me directly at 321-693-3850 or email agen@moving2brevard.com.

Buy the worst home? You are kidding…..

There are lots of attractive values in the local Brevard County Florida real estate market. There are folks who are buying up some of these short sales, foreclosures and other “under valued” properties.

So what makes good sense? In a nutshell I consider things such as

• Buy the worst home in a well maintained safe neighborhood,
• Buy in a good location as it is ALWAYS ABOUT LOCATION,
• Buy with local real estate knowledge,
• Buy with a bit of realism (don't bottom feed)!

If you are looking for attractive buyer opportunities in the Viera, Rockledge and Suntree areas of Brevard County, Florida, I would welcome a chance to assist you in the process. Gary Waters, century 21 Baytree Realty, Rockledge, Florida.

Read my other blogs at www.gwatersc21.activerain.com and www.moving2brevard.blogspot.com.

First Time Home Buyers are buying…

That is what I am hearing. I received an email yesterday that urged me as a real estate agent to target first time home buyers.

I clicked on the link to the sender's site which of course was willing to sell me some other services. There was a summary of the National Association of Realtors Profiles of Home Buyers & Sellers, 2008.

Back to first time home buyers…. Why target them?

• No house to sell! They are not tied down to a property that may or may not sell.
• Ability to make a decision now.
• Almost 40% of all home purchases made by first time buyers (reason enough).

How do you target a first time home buyer? Work with an agent who uses the Internet to market! Over 90% of first time buyers used the Internet to search for their home and almost 40% found the home on the Internet!

Selling in the Viera, Rockledge and Suntree area of Brevard County Florida? Call me. I would welcome a chance to discuss how I can assist you. [You did find me on the Internet.]

If you are a first time home buyer in Viera and Rockledge, call me. The process may seem daunting but it is not when you have help from a licensed Realtor. And remember, buyers do not pay the agent - the seller does!

Read my blogs at www.gwatersc21.activerain.com and www.moving2brevard.blogspot.com.

Sometimes we get it wrong…

I saw President Obama on TV recently where he admitted making a mistake. He was referring to his nomination of Tom Daschle for a cabinet position.

Sometimes I miss the mark as well. I have been performing price opinions for lenders for some time where I provide an estimate of a selling price given the current market – sometimes an aggressive price. [Many of these are "short sales."]

I routinely go back a couple of months later and see if any of these homes had sold yet. The one I just reviewed was still on the market – two months later at a price of twenty thousand less than I thought was a good great price!

I looked at my comparable properties. They were still on the market as well at the same price as they were two months ago.

Hindsight shows the competitive properties were (are) overpriced as was my estimate. How is that for not accepting responsibility!

In reality we (sellers, real estate agents) must price the properties attractively so buyers will look.

After all – it is the buyer who really sets the price!

Need a professional real estate agent, give me a call. Gary Waters, Florida licensed real estate agent, Century 21 Baytree Realty, Rockledge, Florida, proudly serving buyers, sellers and renters in the central Brevard communities of Viera, Suntree, Rockledge, Grand Haven, and Cocoa.

If it looks the same on the outside....

There is the real thing and then there are the knock-offs. You see this in the fashion world all the time. Things look the same but when you really examine closely, there is a real difference.

Think of your house as the real thing. I know there is an ad phrase for Coke I believe that coins that phrase. This is not about Coke - I am a Pepsi guy anyway! Back to your house...

In the neighborhoods around Brevard County's Viera area you will find lots of homes that look similar. In some neighborhoods (with lawn service included), the yards make it all look very, very similar.

Lots of houses for sale. Lots of houses that look the same. As a real estate agent who has viewed many of these properties I can assure - they are not the same.

As a seller it is imperative you make your home stand out from the rest. You want to be the real thing - the one folks remember. The one folks get excited about! For suggestions about how to make your home stand out, please contact me.

Gary Waters, Century 21 Baytree Realty, Rockledge Florida, serving Viera, Suntree and all of Central Brevard County Florida. Email me at agent@moving2brevard.com.

Florida Home For Sale - $20,000

I caught a glimpse of this sign at an on ramp to I-95 in Brevard County Florida a few weeks ago. I went by the same intersection yesterday and it was still standing.

It got me to thinking about the good and the bad of this humble sign.

First, the good. The price is quite attractive. After all, a home in Brevard County Florida for $20,000! Another good quality is the truthfulness - "Needs Work" may be obvious at that price but you may as well tell them up front!

Now, the bad. Placing a sign at the Interstate off/on ramp is not effective advertising. How many builders are "belly up" who used live sign folks last summer?

So, how do you sell a home in Viera Florida? Price it right for the

• Location
• Condition
• Competition

Want to know how to advertise it effectively? Give me a call. I will gladly share my marketing knowledge!

Gary Waters, Florida licensed real estate agent, Century 21 Baytree Realty, Rockledge, Florida. Call me at 321-693-3850 or email me at agent@moving2brevard.com

Resources for those Moving to Brevard County Florida

Years ago - I hesitate to say how many - I was a young Navy officer who had just received orders to Okinawa, Japan. For all I knew, I had just been banished to the most remote place in the world!
Now, move forward to 2009...You possibly work for one of the major employers in the area (Harris Corp, Rockwell Collins, NASA) or are serving in the U.S. Air Force or U.S. Navy. You have just found out you will be moving to Brevard County, Florida. It is not Japan but it is perhaps a ways away from your current "home."

Today, unlike 25 years ago, you have a multitude of resource available, especially the Internet. So where does one go to find out information? Some of these sites are "my competitors" however my goal here is to assist you - not "kidnap" you! May I suggest...

• http://www.moving2brevard.blogspot.com/
• Florida Today newspaper
• http://www.brevardmls.com/
• http://www.health-first.org/
• http://www.wuesthoff.org/
• http://www.brevardcounty.com/
• http://www.c21baytree.com/
• http://www.moving2brevard.com/
• http://www.viera.com/
• http://www.schoolmatters.com/
• http://www.cityofrockledge.org/
• http://www.cocoafl.org/

If you are relocating to Brevard County, Florida, be it job related, to be near family, to retire to a 55+ community like Heritage Isle or Grand Isle, please contact me for assistance.

Gary Waters, Florida licensed real estate agent, Century 21 Baytree Realty, Rockledge, Florida. Call me at 321-693-3850 or email me at agent@moving2brevard.com. Read my blogs at www.activerain.com/blogs/gwatersc21 and http://www.moving2brevard.blogspot.com/.

Market Report Plantation Point, Rockledge Florida

Plantation Point is a subdivision located off Barnes Boulevard in Rockledge Florida. Ideally situated, the development is about 15 minutes from Patrick Air Force Base, convenient to major north south routes (US 1 and I-95), great golfing and more!

As of today there are 8 properties for sale in Plantation Point. These homes are larger (2,000 sq ft or more), recent construction (built 2004 and 2005), and boast 4+ bedrooms!

So what is on the market? First of all, three of these are short sales. Short sales are situations where the sales price will be less than the mortgage owed and will take a little longer to close. The short sale properties are listed from $229,900 to $247,875. The highest priced home in the development is priced at $449,000.

There are some very attractively priced properties in Plantation Point as well as at the very nice golf course direct properties down the street in Augusta Trace at the Turtle Creek Golf Course.

For information on any of these Brevard County properties, please contact me. I can be reached by email at gwatersc21@aol.com or by phone at 321-693-3850.

Please read my other blogs at www.moving2brevard.blogspot.com and www.activerain.com/blogs/gwatersc21.

Alamanda Key - another 55+ community in Melbourne Florida

There are more than a few 55+ communities in the Brevard County Florida area. I have written several posts on my blogs (www.moving2brevard.blogspot.com) about the communities, specifically Heritage Isle, Grand Isle and Indian River Colony Club which are all located in the planned unit development of Viera.

One 55+ community I have not written about is Alamanda Key located in Melbourne, Florida. Alamanda Key is a very attractive community with Key West style homes.

All of the homes have metal roofs and most have front porches. The design is really a lot different than the previously mentioned 55+ communities.

Another feature is the narrow, long lots with double garages without a driveway. Almost resembling an alley, the homeowner pulls directly in the garage!

I have attached a few photos I took while visiting last weekend. By the way, plenty of new construction is available. You can even buy a lot with a grace period of 5 years for building. There are about 15 homes for sale in the development with prices ranging from $169,000 to about $299,000.

This development is not anything like Heritage Isle and has a character of its own. For information on Alamanda Key or any 55+ community in Brevard County, Florida, call me directly at 321-693-3850 or email me at agent@moving2brevard.com.

Gary Waters, Florida licensed real estate agent, Century 21 Baytree Realty, Rockledge, Florida.

Viera Florida Real Estate Strategist

Last night while watching the "talking heads" as per my "hobby," it finally struck me that every one of these "experts" was called a "strategist."

Let's see..Democratic strategist, Republican strategist, whatever. I looked up the definition and it was amazing that it was one who practices strategy.

When I see strategy I think of former President Bush's use of the word "stratgery" or whatever.

After careful consideration I have now decided to refer to myself as a real estate strategist. After all, successfully buying and selling residential properties in this market requires strategy.

Therefore, I am now your residential real estate strategist for Viera, Rockledge, Suntree and north Melbourne Florida. Call me for all your real estate needs!

Gary Waters, Florida licensed real estate agent, Century 21 Baytree Realty, Rockledge, Florida. Call me directly at 321-693-3850 or email me at agent@moving2brevard.com.

Read my other blog at http://www.moving2brevard,blogspot.com/.

This post was written a bit tongue in cheek, a wee bit seriously, and with a lot of intended self promotion!

Baymeadows of Melbourne, Florida

As a full time real estate agent with Century 21 Baytree Realty, I occasionally perform broker price opinions for lenders. These are not appraisals but rather an opinion of valued based on what has sold and what is for sale in a specific area.

This morning I had the opportunity to do a BPO on a home located in the north Melbourne, Florida neighborhood of Baymeadows. This really nice subdivision is located near the Brevard Community College Melbourne Campus, across the street from Wickham Park and near shopping and restaurants. What a convenient location!

There are about four homes for sale in this neighborhood which consists of maybe 70 homes (that is a rough estimate as there are only a few streets). Most of these homes were built in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

In January 2009 there was one home that sold. It was a short sale, 3 bedroom 2 bath, 1625 square feet which sold for 139,000. Not a bad price!

If you or your child will be attending BCC Melbourne this would be a great place to live! If you are military transferring to Patrick Air Force Base, take a look at this location! Transferring in for a job with a major employer like Harris Corp. or Rockwell Collins, this is a convenient location as well!

For information on homes for sale in Brevard County Florida, please feel free to contact me at 321-693-3850 or email me at agent@moving2brevard.com. Please read my other very popular blog www.moving2brevard.blogspot.com.

Expired listings in Viera and Suntree, Florida...

As a real estate agent working primarily in Viera, Suntree, Rockledge and other areas of central Brevard County, Florida, this morning I was reviewing my day's plans.

Selling real estate is more than just waiting for the phone to ring - got to get out and see my "peeps!" err...prospects [OK, peeps may be a bit informal]. One of the processes I do routinely is review those darned expired listings.

I do not contact sellers who have an active listing/relationship with another real estate agent. However, once the listing has expired I do attempt contact - unless the property is so overpriced the seriousness of the seller is questionable.

I always ask the same thing - why did your property not sell during your listing period? When I do get an answer it always seem to point away from the real issue.

What is the usual response?

• Its the market.
• Its the wrong time of the year.
• Its the problem with people getting mortgages.
• Its my agent - they did not ______(fill in).
• Its the short sales.
• Its the whatever....yadda..yadda..yadda...

I will admit there may be a wee bit of validity to some of those responses but in the end it did not sell because of its...

• Price.
• Location.
• Condition.

If you have considering selling your Viera and Suntree property please give me a call. I will gladly provide information and answer your questions about the market and the process. If a short sale is something you are considering, I can help with these as well.

Gary Waters, Florida licensed real estate agent, Century 21 Baytree Realty, Rockledge, Florida. Call me directly at 321-693-3850 or email me at agent@moving2brevard.com.

Please read my blogs at www.moving2brevard.com and at www.activerain.com/blogs/gwatersc21.

Know Your Demographics....

I overheard an insurance agent yesterday discussing his marketing plans with an associate. I was not eve's dropping I assure you.

His remark that caught my ear - "35 to 54 years old, that's my target demographic." He knows who his potential buyers are. As a seller, do you know who your market is?

More importantly, as a seller interviewing potential real estate agents, ask then "Do you know who my potential buyer is?"

If they are somewhat knowledgeable of the market they will have an answer to that query.

Now the most important query..."If I hire you. what is your plan to reach that demographic?"

I have my answers to those questions. Want to know them? Please give me a call if you are considering selling your Viera, Suntree, Rockledge and central Brevard County Florida home.

Gary Waters, Florida licensed real estate agent, Century 21 Baytree Realty, Rockledge, Florida. Call me at 321-693-3850 or email me at agent@moving2brevard.com.

Please read my other blogs at http://www.moving2brevard.blogspot.com/ and www.activerain.com/blogs/gwatersc21. Visit my web site at http://www.moving2brevard.com/.