The 70s...the time forgotten by good taste

I had some buyers the other day who acted shocked that there were still homes with shag carpeting. Yes, it is out there and when I do see it I am reminded of the 70s…my youth (The 1970s not the 1870s!).

I remember reading an article that made the bold statements "The 1970's are the golden age of bad fashion: The time forgotten by good taste."

Not only does shag carpet still exist but there are still homes with Harvest Gold appliances and even avocado green!

It is interesting that many agents go to great length to state in the narrative “updated” but no one ever bothers to say “original!” To be fair there are new appliances that can be purchased in some of these classic color schemes!

Sellers, unless your target buyer is a 1970s aficionado go ahead and update the kitchen appliances...and the carpet!

Gary L. Waters, Florida licensed real estate agent, Century 21 Baytree Realty, Rockledge, Florida serving Florida's Space Coast including the cities and communities of Melbourne, Viera, Rockledge, Suntree, Merritt Island, Cocoa Beach and the surrounding region. Whether your interest lies in a 55+ community, a golf course community or water front, give me a call!

Are you the “real deal?”

Pardon me for asking, but I must. Are you for real? The real estate market has been going through a period of, as the experts say, correction.

Sellers have finally realized the critical nature of pricing to sell. They know there is more to marketing than sticking a sign out front. The sheer volume of short sales and bank owned properties have applied the pressure. Thus, prices are pretty attractive.

Some buyers have taken the down market to mean that every sale is a short sale. Not every sale is a short sale. Not every sale is a foreclosure sale.

So now we find ourselves with lots of buyer interest. If you are the real deal (a serious buyer), you will have done your home work prior to going out looking.

What is the home work? Get started by discussing mortgage qualification with a reputable lender (a local bank is a good start). Are you qualified to take advantage of the first time buyer tax credit of up to $8,000?

Research the area to narrow your preferred location. Separate your needs and wants and reconcile them with your budget. Find a good agent who will work with you and…

find the deal since you are the real deal!

Gary Waters, Florida licensed real estate, Century 21 Baytree Realty, Rockledge Florida. Read my blog, Florida Homes for Sale and Brevard County Homes for Sale.

Market Activity Ashwood Lakes and Ventana Subdivisions Rockledge Florida

Spring is here and the market activity seems to be picking up in Brevard County, Florida.

The homes for sale on the Ashwood Lakes and Ventana developments in Rockledge, Florida has subsided a bit from the recent past. The prices were very attractive and folks were snapping up the deals.

As of today there are only two properties for sale in Ashwood Lakes and none in the neighboring Ventana development. I mention these together as the developments share the community pool and other facilities.

The two properties active are listed at $159,900 and $164,700 - attractive prices for 2002 built 1800-200 square foot homes!

There are four properties under contract as well. Three of these are short sales so you never know when, or if, they will close soon.

For information on homes for sale in Rockledge, Florida, please give me a call or drop me and email. Gary Waters, Century 21 Baytree Realty, Rockledge, Florida, telephone 321-693-3850 direct, and email to agent@moving2brevard.com.

Visit my other blogs at http://www.moving2brevard.blogspot.com/ and http://www.brevard-homes-for-sale.com/.

A Real Estate Seller’s Prayer…

Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray these short sales be ….gone!

I was reviewing the listings in a subdivision down the street from my office in Rockledge, Florida. The subdivision is called Phillips Landing and it is primarily homes built after 2004.

In fact, there is new construction continuing and lots of wide open water front lots remaining.

I remember a few years ago when many of the homes were selling in the $300,000s. The times have changed!

As of today there are 11 active listings with 8 of these short sales! The short sale prices range from $137,900 to $239,900.

And the three active listings…all new construction by the developer.

But things are moving along as 3 of the 4 homes under contract this month are short sales!

If you would like information on Phillips Landing in Rockledge, Florida, please let me know. Gary Waters, Florida licensed real estate agent, Century 21 Baytree Realty, Rockledge, Florida.

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.

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.

If you always do what you always done....

I read or heard something years ago. At my age I sometimes forget the source. Grammatically it is not correct, I am sure. It goes something like....

If you always do what you always done, you will always get what you always got!

There is a lot f truth in that as it applies to life and all that life entails. I was thinking this morning that it applies to my Brevard County Florida real estate business. I say "my business" because although I am a Century 21 Baytree Realty real estate agent, I work for myself as an independent contractor. My job is to find the buyers and sellers looking to find a Viera, Suntree or Rockledge, Florida home. How do I do that?

The method of choice for me right now is the Internet! I advertise listings on seemingly tons (an exaggeration) of sites. I post small articles about what our area offers on several blogs. I like to write about what I know!

And, you know what? It brings me buyers and sellers! So, when it comes to "my" business I will continue to do what I always done! See you on the "net."

Looking to sell your Viera, Rockledge, Suntree or Baytree home, please give me a try. Looking to buy in the Viera, Rockledge or Suntree area, give me a try.

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