My Buyer can't see your Viera Florida house and it is your fault!

I was trying to schedule showings for a local Viera neighborhood yesterday. I ran across one listing that said in the agent remarks “24 hours noticed required for showings.”

So I thought…

if my clients want to buy a house today they can not do it but they can do it tomorrow if I call you and tell you that we want to do it tomorrow … but since we are on a tight schedule I can not do it so I can reassure you we will not see your house tomorrow because we are buying a house today.

Did your listing agent tell you that this was not the flexibility required to sell your Viera home in this buyer's market? As long as you know and are OK with it.....

If you are seriously trying to sell your house then it requires some flexibility for showings. I can see a two hour notice even possibly three hours. Interested in buying or selling a home in Viera or Suntree, Florida, call me at 321-693-3850 or email me at agent@moving2brevard.com.

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

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

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.

It is all about lifestyle

When choosing a new community the most important consideration is your lifestyle. That is, your desired lifestyle.

I was reading a short article USA Weekend magazine this weekend. It quoted Barbara Corcoran, a real estate expert on NBC and CNBC, in a short review of her book, Nextville. In her words, "look for a place that wraps you well." Very insightful!

If it is a 55+ community, what are the things that you are looking for? Is it activities such as social gatherings? Is it a golfing community? Is it the security offered by a gated community? Is easy access to travel opportunities? It is your lifestyle that impacts the community you select.

If you have a family with school age children, is it the quality of schools? This is a given. I have never met a buyer with children who did not have quality schools as a requisite quality in the new community!

Are you a commuter? Some folks don't mind driving longer distances for access to work, shopping and recreational activities. At almost $4 a gallon for gas, long commutes are not high on very many buyer's "want list."

Are you a "night owl?" Do you seek easy access to clubs, restaurants, social events? If you want to be near people then a rural setting may not promote your lifestyle!

Are you a student and desire to attend colleges or continuing education classes? Perhaps access to public transportation is important....

The bottom line - your lifestyle plays the greatest impact on selection of your new area.

Here in Brevard County Florida there is an area that meets most any lifestyle. That is the Viera area. The area offers

• 55+ communities,
• Excellent schools,
• Easy access to recreational activities (water sports, beaches, golfing and more),
• Easy access for travel (Orlando International Airport is about 40 miles away),
• Easy commutes on major routes (I-95, US 1),
• Gated communities (single family residences,golfing communities, 55+ communities, condo communities)

Whatever you are looking for in a new community, Viera has a development that offers what you desire! If you are interested in receiving information on the "Viera Lifestyle," please feel free to contact me.

Gary Waters, Florida licensed real estate agent, Century 21 Baytree Realty, Melbourne, Florida (located in Viera next door to the Denny's off Interstate 95).

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

Just Listed! Gated Golf Course Home, Melbourne Florida

Only $459,900! Absolutely wonderful home located on the 10th fairway of the gated Baytree National Golf Links in Melbourne, Florida. Custom built in 2000 by Joyal Builders, this home features almost 2,200 square feet of living area under air conditioning, three bedrooms (plus an office), two baths and a two car garage.

Hurricane ready with electric shutters, even the screened porch has electric shutters, this home is move in ready! You will be impressed from the moment you pull into the circular driveway all the way to you step out on the spacious screened porch.

Located only a few houses down the street from the community pool, playground, tennis courts and club house, this home offers the Florida golf course lifestyle you seek!

With a wooded area view across the street and the 10th fairway out back, you will enjoy your privacy on this .31 acre homesite. Inside you will find a split bedroom plan that has it all!

With three sets of glass doors leading to the porch (from master bedroom, second bedroom and living room), the views are tremendous. Enjoy the view from the solid glass three-sided windows in the breakfast nook over looking the golf course!

The kitchen features white 42 inch cabinets with ornate molding, chair rails adorn the great room and dining room. The master suite features dual walk-in closets, a master bath with handicap accessible shower, dual vanities and more.

Built so that you can access the laundry room from the master suite, this home promotes carefree living! This home has it all...all appliances stay, washer and dryer stay, sprinkler system, gated community, golf course living at its best! To view the MLS entry, click here.

For more information on this property or any other Baytree Golf Course home, please contact me at agent@moving2brevard.com or by phone at 321-255-2600. Offered by Gary Waters, Florida licensed real estate agent, Century 21 Baytree Realty, Melbourne, Florida.

Equity - Real or Imagined?

I was reading an article this morning on a buyer who saw the "value" of homes in a particular neighborhood on a web site that assigns values. He then noticed the prices were less than the web sites assigned "value." He was considering here because of the perceived instant equity.

Folks, those days are gone! At least, for now. That sounds a little direct but it is the truth! Look at some of the folks who purchased within the past few years with sub-prime mortgages. Some of these buyers intended to re-sell before the loans adjusted. Now they are paying the price.

It has been said that the current real estate market is the result of too much speculation. That is probably pretty accurate.

When purchasing a property examine your motivation. Over the long haul real estate has been said to appreciate. My point, don't look for instant equity because a property is only worth what a willing buyer is willing to pay on a given day, in a given market!

Sellers...Selling a lifestyle or a home? Or, both?

Are you selling your house or your lifestyle?

Ever go into a house and see football memorabilia everywhere? The greatest sports fan ever lives here! The kitchen with appliances and gadgets everywhere? Obviously the home of a gourmet cook. The garage full of "equipment?" Oh yes, the super handyman lives here! If you have been in the market searching for a new home, you know what I mean here....

There is a fine line between these two things. Sellers, remember you are really selling your house not your lifestyle. OK, I will admit that there are times when you are throwing in a lifestyle with the house. That is just an additional marketing point!

Selling in a 55+ community in Viera Florida? Then you should be promoting the lifestyle as well as the house. Selling your golf course community home such as Baytree in Suntree area of Melbourne Florida? Then, you are throwing in your lifestyle.

But your lifestyle is not the same as your house!

The location, amenities and area all support the marketing of your house. But, don't forget, there are other houses in the same neighborhood with the same location, amenities, and the like. Buyers can get your lifestyle when they purchase a nearby home.

Bottom line....prepare and sell your house first!

Interested in selling your Viera or Suntree home? Let me use your lifestyle as a marketing tool and sell your house! Gary Waters, Florida licensed real estate agent, Century 21 Baytree Realty, Melbourne, Florida. Email me at agent@moving2brevard.com .

Please read my other blog at www.moving2brevard.blogspot.com .