Palm Bay, FL

These graphs show the ratios of regular properties to short sales and bank owned properties in Palm Bay.

The first graph indicates the properties that are currently available for sale.

The second reflects the October 2011 sales in Palm Bay. I find it very interesting that although the majority of the properties for sale are not short sales or bank owned properties, the combined majority of properties that have sold are those. Currently there are more investors getting into our real estate market. Many are buying as long term investments. Rents are on the rise, and more people are shifting from being owner occupants to being renters. And some investors are trying their hand at flipping properties.

While we are still seeing a large number of second home/vacation home buyers coming from other parts of the country.

Our market, in the lower price ranges has been brisk.

Sandy Shores, Melbourne FL REALTOR®

Specializing in Residential, Investment and Relocation Real Estate

We have a team of professionals to facilitate your Short Sale.

Melbourne Real Estate / Palm Bay Real Estate

321-253-4545

SandyShoresMelbourne@hotmail.com

____________________________________________

Serving Brevard County Florida for 15 Years

Brevard County Resident for 36 Years

Melbourne, Palm Bay, Suntree, Viera, Rockledge,

Cocoa, Canaveral Groves, Titusville, Mims, Melbourne Beach,

Indialantic, Indian Harbour Beach, Satellite Beach,

Cocoa Beach, Cape Canaveral

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I buy, sell, rent, own and manage Investment Property.

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I got a call last week from buyers that had looked at a house over a month before and decided they were now ready to buy it. They asked me to draw up an offer. I told them that since it had been awhile since we had seen it, we should head back out to check the condition of this vacant property. I recommended we walk the perimeter and double check the inside before they proceeded ahead.

I contacted the listing agent, asked several questions and made my appointment.

When we pulled up to the property we were a bit taken aback at what we saw. The grass was several feet tall. This was definitely a city code violation, but the vacant house sitting next door, also for sale, had grass and weeds equally as high. It was dusk and the front culvert was filled with water. The mosquitoes were terrible.

We barely got up to the front door. This was a day I wished I had worn closed toed shoes. I usually dress for the occasion when I'm showing properties to investors, as I never know what to expect. But, this was no investor.

We couldn't see most of the lower half of the house and we couldn't get around to the back of the property.

When we walked inside things were different than the previous time we had looked at the house. It was evident that someone had been there. The ceiling fans and light fixtures were now missing, with bare wiring exposed. The mirror, sink and vanity had been taken out of one of the bathrooms. A couple of screens were missing or ripped and there was a window with several BB holes in it. The house had mold growing on the outside walls. The outside A/C unit was missing from the side of the house.

This was an FHA buyer. So, it took less than 5 minutes to determine that this was a house was no longer an option for them to buy, nor did they still want it.

It was surprising the difference in this property since we had seen it before.

This house had been on the market for sometime now. And, my guess is that it would be on the market for another year.

Funny, because I thought about how frustrated the neighbors probably were with looking at this place and the house next door.

It pays to ALWAYS go and look at a property again, BEFORE writing an offer to purchase!

Sandy Shores, Melbourne FL REALTOR®

Specializing in Residential, Investment and Relocation Real Estate

We have a team to facilitate your Short Sale.

Melbourne Real Estate / Palm Bay Real Estate

321-253-4545

SandyShoresMelbourne@hotmail.com

____________________________________________

Serving Brevard County Florida for 15 Years

Brevard County Resident for 36 Years

Melbourne, Palm Bay, Suntree, Viera, Rockledge,

Cocoa, Canaveral Groves, Titusville, Mims, Melbourne Beach,

Indialantic, Indian Harbour Beach, Satellite Beach,

Cocoa Beach, Cape Canaveral

______________________________________________

I buy, sell, rent, own and manage Investment Property.

This chart shows the percentage of Palm Bay FL properties for sale, broken down into regular/traditional sales, short sales and bank owned properties.

These are residential single family, condos and townhouses in Palm Bay.

Melbourne FL Real Estate for Sale Ratios

Viera FL Real Estate for Sale Ratios

Palm Bay FL Real Estate for Sale Ratios

Sandy Shores, Melbourne FL REALTOR®

Specializing in Residential, Investment and Relocation Real Estate

We have a team to facilitate your Short Sale.

Melbourne Real Estate / Palm Bay Real Estate

321-253-4545

SandyShoresMelbourne@hotmail.com

____________________________________________

Serving Brevard County Florida for 15 Years

Brevard County Resident for 36 Years

Melbourne, Palm Bay, Suntree, Viera, Rockledge,

Cocoa, Canaveral Groves, Titusville, Mims, Melbourne Beach,

Indialantic, Indian Harbour Beach, Satellite Beach,

Cocoa Beach, Cape Canaveral

______________________________________________

I buy, sell, rent, own and manage Investment Property.

Lockmar Homeowners......First Impressions......The Exterior of Your House.....Get it right the 1st time

Did you know that a first impression can actually make or break the sale? Its important to make sure that the first impression is a good one. Choose some of these helpful pointers and it will give the exterior of your property "curb appeal".

• Make sure that the sidewalk and front walkway is swept and free of weeds. Repair any broken or cracked areas of the walkway. Remove any debris and make sure that there are no obstacles to your house.
• Cut the grass and trim the shrubs and keep it cut weekly. Flowers can really make your home look cheery or place a few potted flowers out front. In the fall, rake the yard free of leaves. Hoses should be coiled up and out of the way.
• A freshly painted white fence can really freshen the entire landscape. Don't forget to check the gate. It should easily open and close, and hang properly on its hinges.
• Make sure that your mailbox is in good repair. A quick painting can really improve the look. Street numbers should be added to make your house easy to locate.
• A fresh paint job on the house is ideal, but if you don't want to spend the extra money make sure that the exterior is clean and free of dirt. You might consider a fresh coat of paint on the trim and shutters.
• If you have a porch, make sure the corners are swept free of cobwebs. Sweep the flooring and clean out any light fixtures.
• Clean the windows to make them shine on the inside and out. Check your screens and make sure that they are clean and in good repair.
• The doorway should be freshly painted or at least cleaned. Make sure that the doorbell works. Clean out the light fixtures and replace any bulbs that may be out.
• Check your gutters and downspouts. You might consider replacing any that are in disrepair, especially those in the front of the house or other highly visible areas.
• The roof can be one of the most important aspects of the exterior. Replace any broken or missing shingles. Remove leaves and branches from top and paint the trim. If the roof is old and needs to be replaced, consider having the work done before showing the property.
• Don't forget about the driveway and garage. Both should be well swept and free of clutter. Hang any items that you can on the wall. Other items should be on shelves. You might want to have a garage sale to clear out excess items. Make sure you donate leftover items.
• Selling your home is like having company everyday of the week! Prepare daily for your buyer

Lockmar Estates is home to over 900 Homeowners

Cynthia White is a Seasoned Full-Time Realtor Serving Brevard County, Florida with EXIT Island & Beach Realty. She finds busy buyers, sellers and renters the homes and properties of their choice. She can be reached at 321.652.1974 Direct, or via email at cwhitesellhouse@yahoo.com

Sign up on my website for free: http://cwhite.islandandbeachteam.com

Do you have family or friends that are buying or selling? I welcome all referral.

Yesterday, I went out with out of town buyers, to take a second look, at the houses they saw the day before. These were their favorites. The buyers were trying to make a decision on which house they wanted to buy; the house that suited their wants and their needs.

It's good for a buyer to look at houses a second time, on a different day, at a different time of day (if possible, in our market of multiple offers).

Houses can look different the second time around. The buyer has seen numerous properties, by this time, and their perception has changed. The way they look at houses has changed, as they get a better idea of what's on the market, what they want and what their money can buy.

Lighting, shadows, temperatures and neighborhood activity changes at different times of day.

Often, buyers don't remember certain aspects of a particular property. Or, at first, they didn't think to look for certain things in a property.

Buyers can see things in a house differently, the second time around, than they did their first time looking at it.

So, if possible, it's a good idea to take a second look.

Let me that for you

Sandy Shores, Melbourne FL REALTOR

Specializing in Residential, Investment and Relocation Real Estate

Melbourne Real Estate / Palm Bay Real Estate

____________________________________________

Serving Brevard County Florida for 15 Years

Melbourne, Palm Bay, Suntree, Viera, Rockledge, Titusville, Mims,

Indialantic, Indian Harbour Beach, Satellite Beach, Cocoa Beach, Cape Canaveral

______________________________________________

I buy, sell, rent, own and manage Investment Property.