Maintain Your House as You Maintain Your Health

The subject of this post is really common sense but it is not so common!

Delayed issues with a house, just like health, have the potential to become serious problems.  Sometimes the issues as owners live the aches and pains of a dripping faucet or running toilet.

Sometimes the issues are worse and impact major systems like the roof or air conditioning.

And then the day comes when the property is placed on the market.   This day does come eventually for all properties!

While a seller can ignore an issue buyers will not be as forgiving.

Remember the old axiom about real estate (actually its not that old I just made it up!)...sellers look for reasons for a buyer to pay them more while buyers look for reasons to pay less!

So when you are ready to sell your Florida home to let these two rules influence your current behavior.

1. People will judge a book by its cover. Your home may have all that prospective buyers seek but if they have already crossed it off the list because of its poor presentation, no offer will come.  Or, if an offer comes it will likely be lower than otherwise.
2. First impressions are difficult to change.  

Sometimes the question from sellers will be about giving a credit for repairs or repairing a problem.    There is no one right answer. 

It really all comes down to the seller's motivation.  The return on some repairs is well worth the expense or effort (some jobs are just do it yourself things like painting a red bathroom!). 

If its a negative and easily addressed - fix it!  Besides the cost to replace or repair something is almost always over estimated by buyers when they start negotiating getting a credit or justifying a low ball offer.

I suggest sellers think of their likely buyer. What will they expect to find in a home like yours, priced like yours, in your location?

Know this one thing..... buyers can tell

• if a seller has pride in their home.  
• if a seller is motivated.  
• if they want to live in your home.

As a seller make sure you convey the right message as you only have one chance to impress.

When you are ready to sell your Viera, Florida home, give me a call at 321-693-3850 for your no obligation market analysis.


 
 

Home For Sale - Gated 55+ Community - Melbourne, Florida $209,000

Located at 3613 Osceola Drive in the gated 55+ community of Pine Creek in Melbourne, Florida this two bedroom two bath two car garage home is offered for $209,000.  (View community map at bottom of post).

The highly desirable Pine Creek community is just off Eber Road and only a short drive from major shopping ares as well as easy access to I-95 and US1. 

This is the only home for sale in Pine Creek at this time!

 
Within the community this home is close to the club house and community pool (across street about 200 ft away!)  See on map at bottom of this post.  

With association fees at $500 a quarter the lawn maintenance and exterior maintenance is included [REVIEW HOA DOCUMENTS TO VERIFY WHAT IS COVERED BY DUES]. Some of the features offered included:

• Concrete block stucco construction 
• Open Floor plan with cathedral/high ceilings
• 1,335 sq.ft. under air
• Hurricane shutters all around (back porch and garage electric, others accordion type) 
• All electric
• Brick Paver drive way, walks and screened back porch 
• Well with sprinkler system 
• Fresh paint
• Electric screen doors in garage to take advantage of fall weather!
• Large walk in closet in master bedroom

Call or text me at 321-693-3850  for information.

Home For Sale - Port St John, Florida - 3 BR 2 Bath 2 Car Garage Pool $149,000

This new listing in Port Saint John, Florida will not last long.  There are multiple showings happening today as investors seek to find opportunity in Florida.

Located between Titusville and Cocoa in central Florida's Brevard County. Conveniently located about 10 miles from Kennedy Space Center, Port St John offers easy commuting routes including short drives to Orlando International Airport (36 miles) and Melbourne (36 miles).

Offered at $149,000 and located at 4349 Camberly Street, this three bedroom two bath two car garage screen enclosed pool home was built in 1983.

With 1,505 square feet under air, this frame stucco home is located  about a half mile from Atlantis Elementary School and about 4.5 miles from the Space Coast Junior Senior High School.

This property is being sold "as is where is."  While this home is in reasonable condition it is primarily an investor or owner occupant home with funds to do some renovation (an FHA 203K loan may be an option).

The major known issue is the need for a new septic system including drain field.  A repair estimate has been provided the sellers with replacement costs just under 8,000.  This property does have a city water supply.

According to sellers roof was replaced in 2004 as was the air conditioner.  There are some stucco and siding repairs required.  Additional photos will be provided soon.

View the MLS entry here.

For more information on this home for sale in Port St John as well as any other homes for sale in Brevard County call or text me at 321-693-3850.

Rental Market Pressures and Millennials... Is It Time to Buy a House?

The decision to purchase a home is not a simple yes or no.  The factors influencing the decision are not the same for each person. 

Of course the primary decision is one of commitment.   This particular factor takes many forms.  Probably most importantly having a house with a mortgage (most buyers) requires a long term financial obligation. 

The financial obligation extends beyond the simple mortgage.  It encompasses paying taxes, association fees, insurance, upkeep and maintenance and more!

Also a critical consideration is stability.  Stability in this context means staying in the area of your home, putting down "roots."  The acquisition costs, as well as the disposition costs, mean keeping a house for at least five to seven years is a necessity.

Stability includes other factors such as education and career progression.  If one is an entry level position and upward mobility requires relocation  then the time period needs to be a consideration.

There are other considerations which may limited by buying a house at this point in life.  A couple of key considerations are things like current budget/income and family make up.  Depending on area budget constraints may require the purchase of a smaller than desired house or an older property or one is a less desirable area.   And while no area is "bad," the realty of value, price and selling a house has one major impacting factor - location.  Is it worth the investment now in a smaller, less desirable property.  Over time houses do increase in market value.

Here is a trend line for Brevard County, Florida house values that shows long term growth of 4% compared to median sales prices for the past seventeen years (note the market bubble).

The market/sales price and values are uncertain as there are tremendous influences on values such as schools, employment factors, interest rates, environmental considerations (roads, traffic), opinions, crime rate and much more.  No one has a crystal ball!

Finally the decision to buy a house now is a personal decision.  The attitude toward home ownership may be influenced by watching the struggles of parents losing a home which was common place during the recent bubble and crash!  can be a greater influence than anything produced by some marketer.

Disposable income is offered so many options.  It could be the amenities offered in a rental community provide more benefit now than a house or neighborhood for the same money.

For some it could be the freedom to travel and create life experiences are a more desirable option  than the experience of mowing the lawn on a Saturday morning!

If you are ready to buy a home in Viera, Florida, call or text me at 321-693-3850.

If you are ready to sell your Rockledge home and become one of the mobile RV crowd (or downsize) I can help as well!