The Reality - Home Ownership Is Not For Everyone!

I am a real estate agent in Brevard County, Florida.  My livelihood is based on people buying and selling homes. 

I absolutely love it when people buy a new house in Viera's Heritage Isle, Eason Landing or Suntree's Baytree golf course community! 

But, the reality is not everyone will be a home owner.  The "American Dream" is not everyone's dream!

The reasons some will never buy a house or condo vary...

• Some will never qualify for a mortgage.
• Some present home owners will sell and decide they want to live the RV lifestyle. 
• Some will decide after years of homeownership they are ready to downsize and rent!
• Some will decide they do not want be tied into a long term commitment. (Home ownership is a long term obligation!) 
• Plus a multitude of additional reasons...

Please read my blogs for more ideas on selling or buying a real estate:

Florida Homes for Sale
Observations from a Viera Florida Real Estate Agent
Brevard County Florida Real Estate Information
Moving to Brevard County Florida
Moving to Brevard

Contact me if I can help you marketing your house or condo or searching for the next one!  Gary Waters, Florida licensed real estate agent, Century 21 Baytree Realty, Rockledge Florida,  Email me or call me directly at 321-693-3850 if I can assist you in any way!

Biggest Not Necessarily Best Choice When Buying A house!

I just finished performing a broker price opinion (opinion of value for a lender) on a house in Viera Florida.  The subject house is obviously very nice and well maintained, recently constructed (2006), and  large (almost 4,000 sq ft).  This is a nice house in a gated community.

The problem is this is one of the largest properties in the neighborhood.  If this home was located in one of the other gated communities in Viera it would probably be worth a lot more.

When buying a home, consider one of the smallest, or at most, mid-sized properties in the neighborhood. 

Paying more for the biggest does not allow for appreciation as your home’s value will be pulled down by the smaller properties.

If you are considering buying a home in Viera or Rockledge, Florida, call me at 321-693-3850 or email me.

Gary Waters, Florida licensed real estate agent, Century 21 Baytree Realty, serving buyers and sellers in Viera, Rockledge, Suntree and all of central Brevard County, Florida.

Read my blog Florida Homes and Condos For Sale and Florida Homes for Sale.

Its Only a Phone Clip But Its Still More…

It was only a phone clip that attaches my Blackberry Curve to my belt but as a real estate agent in Brevard County, Florida, I need my phone nearby at all times.

There is this little kiosk in the Melbourne Mall that sells all sorts of accessories for cell phones.  I stopped by there about a year ago to pickup a protective cover for my Blackberry. 

When the clip broke last week I figured I would have to buy another cover so my wife stopped by.  The guy there gave her a new clip…free.

Sure it was only a plastic clip but the gesture was important.  I will be back...to get their names so I can insert it here...

Whether in business or life, it is the small things that people remember!

That is exactly the way I practice my real estate profession...knowing it is the small services I provide that you will remember.

Call me at 321-693-3850 (or email) if you are considering selling your Viera, Suntree, Baytree or Rockledge, Florida home.  Gary Waters, Florida licensed real estate agent, Century 21 Baytree Realty, Rockledge, Florida.

The House is Nice But the View is Better...Pricing the View?

I did a Broker Price Opinion (an opinion of value for a lender) on a house in a local gated community recently.  Since it is not my listing I can not "advertise" it on here but I am a real estate agent so I can show you similar houses in the same Viera development!

This house was located in a gated community in one of the areas most popular communities - Viera.  This house was located on one of the best lots in the neighborhood, on very nice lake overlooking a beautiful golf course!  The house was like many others - nice. 

But still it was the view that made the house so attractive.

It got me to thinking about how often the buyers I work with in Baytree, Suntree and Viera want to compare the houses they see without giving a great deal of consideration to the location. 

Comparing apples to apples it is acceptable but then the location must be considered.  Look beyond the structure and see where it is sitting when you consider making the purchase! 

And sellers, remember your location can make a difference - either good or bad!  The same house backing to the Interstate 95 corridor which splits Viera is not the same as the exact house a short walk from Manatee Elementary!

Considering buying or selling a house or condo in Viera, Suntree or Rockledge, Florida? Give me a chance to be your Realtor of Choice in Brevard County, Florida.  Call me at 321-693-3850 or email me.

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

Real Estate Information Brevard County Florida

Real Estate Information for Brevard County, Florida
 
Florida Homes for Sale
Observations from a Viera Florida Real Estate Agent
Brevard County Florida Real Estate Information
Moving to Brevard County Florida
Brevard County Multiple Listings
Moving to Brevard

Let me assist you with all your residential real estate needs in Melbourne Florida and all of Brevard County!   

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

Those With the Capital, Vision and Guts Can Make Money!

This post was originally posted on this site in March 2010.  It has been revised as of today.

Those with the capital, vision and guts can make money in this real estate market.  Unfortunately many have two of the three components!  In my case, it is the capital.

Today's real estate market in Brevard County, Florida offers excellent opportunities in the re-sale, foreclosure and short sale markets for single family homes and condominiums.  Not all opportunities are in the form of distressed properties (REO and short sale).

Certainly the prices are lower than they have been in years and banks are selling distressed properties at a discount but where will the profit come from?

I am not a fortune teller but I do know real estate is cyclical. It will go back up. And when it does it will be those who had the capital, vision and guts who will likely reap the rewards.

If you are interested in short sales, foreclosures, and other good deals on real estate in Brevard County, Florida, let me know.

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

Read my blog Florida Homes for Sale for more tips on buying and selling real estate in Florida.

Negotiation 101 - How to Sell Your House

When you receive an offer for your Viera Florida house you look at the "offer price" first.  Then you have a gut response - usually "What????" But stop...do not respond yet.

There may be seller contributions to closing costs, a request for furniture to be "thrown in," repair requests,  and other "oddball" requests, within the offer as well.  Still, remain calm.

Remember, an offer to purchase is just an offer. 

Consider the offer in whole - not just the offer price.  And then go back with a counter offer you can live with.

The key to a successful negotiation is the respectful exchange of proposals without the interference caused by emotions! I know this is really easier said than done when it concerns selling your Brevard County Florida house or condo.  When emotion enters the negotiation process the ability to look for alternatives is diminished.   

Remaining calm is the key to negotiating the sale of your house. 

Good luck...and rely on the counsel of your real estate agent.

If you are considering selling your Brevard County, Florida house or condo, please contact me to discuss how I (and Century 21 Baytree Realty) can assist in the effort.

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

Real Estate Market Activity in Viera, Suntree and Rockledge Florida During March 2010

This summary covers only the real estate activity in Viera, Suntree and Rockledge Florida during the March 2010 period.

First, there were 153 new single family house listings during March 2010. At the same time there were 74 single family houses that sold during March with an average of 114 days on the market.  The average sales price in March 2010 was $189,569. 

Note this average selling price is higher than the average for the Brevard County area as a whole ($141,000) for the same period.  The average sales price is down from the March 2009 price of $222,191 for the same areas.

As for condos  there were 35 new listings in March while only 10 sold. The average condo sales price s was $73,520 which was down from last year's $94,310.  Many condos on the market in Viera were/are short sales.  The average days on the market was 143 days (62 last year).

For information on homes for sale in Viera, Suntree and Rockledge Florida please give me a call at 321-693-3850 or email me.

Visit my blog Observations of a Viera Florida Real Estate Agent and Florida Homes for Sale.

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

Brevard County Florida Home Values - Rockledge, Cocoa, Port St John and Titusville

Zillow Home Value Index

More Brevard Home Values

Home values in Brevard County have fallen a bit overthe past five years.  This chart shows that the declines have been consistent within these communities. As you move from central Brevard County from Rockledge toward the north county through  Port St John and then Titusville, you see the values drop. 

The Rockledge area is home to newer construction and parts of the planned unit development Viera are located within Rockledge's 32955 zip code.

For information on Brevard County, Florida real estate, please contact me. 

Gary Waters, Florida licensed real estate agent, Century 21 Baytree Realty, Rockledge.  Please read my blog Florida Homes for Sale.

Florida Offers So Many Lifestyle Choices….

Over the weekend I spent a couple of days in my home town of Palatka Florida.  Located in north Florida along the St John’s River, Palatka is relatively small, rural, 25 miles from St. Augustine and 50 miles south of Jacksonville.

Palatka is country living.  We spent time on the lake, canoeing, grilled out, and even had a bonfire. It was very peaceful, quiet and slow paced! Very nice for a brief respite!

I returned home last night to Brevard County Florida.  Much more populated, located long the Atlantic Ocean. 

Brevard County offers retirement living, golf course living, beach side condo living, residential communities…even some rural living in the north County areas near Titusville.

And this morning I was awakened by the sound of the space shuttle blasting off at 6:21. 

Florida offers it all, regardless of the type of lifestyle you desire.  For information on Brevard County Florida properties, drop me an email or give me a call at 321-693-3850.

Visit my my web site Florida Homes for Sale and read my blog for more information on Florida living.

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