Sandy Shores, Broker-Associate Melbourne FL Real Estate M & M Real Estate Inc.

81% of Brevard County third-graders scored a level three or higher on the reading portion of the FCAT test this year, compared to the statewide average of 72%. Last year, 78% of Brevard County third graders scored a level three or higher.

83% of the Brevard's third graders scored a level three or higher on the math portion of the test, this year, compared to 76% at the statewide level.

Brevard County had the highest average math and reading scores in the state, compared to Florida's ten biggest school districts.

The FCAT, the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, is given yearly to third through eleventh graders. It is used to measure the academic level of students. Students are expected to be working at a level three, at grade level, or higher in order to be promoted to the next grade.

A free summer program is available to students that scored below grade level on the FCAT. This will be the last year of this program, due to school budget cuts.

by Sandy Shores Melbourne FL REALTOR

A foreclosure forum was held at the Melbourne Rialto Place Hotel on Tuesday. The event was to help those caught in the market slowdown and provided tips to help homeowners avoid foreclosure. The forum pointed out that banks are not in the business of owning real estate. They want to work with homeowners and help them through their financial problems.

Foreclosure proceedings typically begin when a mortgage holder is three months behind on their mortgage payment. Not every filing leads to an actual foreclosure.

According to HUD, US Department of Housing and Urban Development tips for avoiding foreclosure are as follows:

1. Don't pretend the problem doesn't exist.
The further you get behind, the worse your situation will get.

2. Contact your bank or mortgage company right away.
Today, lenders have programs and options to help you work through your financial troubles.

3. Open all the mail your bank or mortgage company sends.
Failure to read bank correspondence will not excuse you in foreclosure court.

4. Know your rights as a mortgage holder.
Read and be sure you understand all of the loan documents you signed. Often times, this is what got borrowers in trouble in the first place. Contact the Florida Housing Coalition at 850-878-4219 to understand Florida foreclosure laws and your rights.

5. Research your options.
Check on the FHA website for foreclosure prevention options.

6. Contact a HUD approved housing counselor.
Free or low cost housing counseling is available nationwide or call 1-800-569-4287.

7. Prioritize your spending.
Your house should be your first priority, after paying for your health care. Cut spending and see what can be cut out of your budget. Pay your mortgage first.

8. Use your assets.
Can you sell anything to pay your mortgage payment? Can someone in the family get an extra job? Show your lender that you are making the effort to stay abreast of your payments.

9. Avoid foreclosure prevention companies.
Do not pay a company to help get you from going into foreclosure, the money would be better spent paying your mortgage payment.

10. Don't lost your house to a scam.
Do not sign over your home to company claiming to help stop the foreclosure proceedings on the home. Never sign a legal document without first consulting with an attorney, a HUD approved counselor or a trusted Real Estate professional.

Visit my website at www.SandyShoresMelbourne.com

Kingsmill Subdivision

Lake Washington Road

North Melbourne Florida

Kingsmill is a conveniently located subdivision close to city conveniences, but tucked away near a country setting. The 323 homes in Kingsmill are situated on 1/4 acre to 1/2 acre well apppointed lots. The area is well maintained. Kingsmill boasts 2 community parks. Homes are typically from 1500+ square feet to just over 2000 square feet of living, built between 1986-1989. The primary home builder is Maronda Homes, with some custom homes built on 1/2 acre lots by Joyal Construction and Tiffany Construction.

Kingmill is centrally located, just minutes to shopping, dining, schools, Lake Washington, the Maxwell C King Center for Performing Arts, Wickham Road, I-95 and US1. Walk to groceries, shopping and fast food.

Homes for Sale

Homes Under Contract

Homes Recently Sold

Read the most recent Kingsmill Grapevine

Visit my website at www.SandyShoresMelbourne.com

Please note: This information was obtained through the Melbourne Association of REALTORS Multiple Listing Service website. These homes are being offered by sale and have been sold through various real estate companies. These properties have not been sold, nor are for sale through M & M Real Estate.

Well, we feel it when we walk outside...that warm, balmy, soon to be summer weather, creeping upon us. It's time to close the windows and turn the air conditioning on. We are hearing that electricity costs are due to rise over the summer because of the price of natural gas and coal.

Here's a couple of tips to help prepare your home and help keep your electric bill down:

Check out your thermostat. Do you have a programmable one, that can be adjusted to set different temperatures at different times of the day and night? If you don't have one, consider having one installed at a small cost. What is your thermostat set on? Set it for a couple degrees warmer in the house while you are away at work. And then when you're home, have it drop back down. (Don't forget about your pets during the day. Be sure it remains comfortable for them).

Clean or replace your A/C filter every month.

How much insulation do you have in your attic? Take a peek and look. A lot of hot air escapes from the attic. A well insulated attic can help save hundreds on your electric bill.

Check your windows and doors. Are they properly sealed? If not, add weather stripping where necessary and apply silicone or caulk around the windows.

Avoid pre rinsing dishes when putting them in the dishwasher.

Reset the temperature on your hot water heater, now that warm weather is here.

Reset the water level on your washing machine for each new load.

Clean your dryer lint trap before each new load.

Run your pool pump 6 hours a day, at the most, in the summer.

Turn off lights as you leave a room.

Turn off all ceiling fans when you leave the house for the day.

Turn off your computers. A computer that remains on for 24 hours a day can use up to $7 a month in electricity.

Keep your shades drawn on your windows during the day, while you are gone. It keeps the house a bit cooler.

Install the new CFL light bulbs. Each bulb can save as much as $30 to $50 a bulb, over the lifetime of the bulb.

Contact FPL and have them install an On-call box on your home. It can save you up to $100 a year.

Did you know that you can go online to FPL and take an energy survey. It tells you how much energy you are using and where you can reduce costs.

According to the US Census Bureau Florida has four million tourists visit each year from over 100 different countries. It is easily accessible through it's 31 major airports and it's 14 deepwater seaports.

Florida has a diverse culture, with 43 different languages spoken here including Spanish, German, French, Creole, Vietnamese and Portuguese.

The current rate of exchange is quite favorable between the pound and the dollar, thus it makes traveling here quite affordable.