Sometimes one size does not fit all….

The media has a way of presenting a one size fits all view when sometimes generalizations are not appropriate.

This morning I read an article by one of my favorite real estate bloggers, Debe Maxwell of Charlotte, North Carolina, that encouraged real estate consumers to "act on fact, not fear or false/misleading information."

Consulting a local real estate agent who knows the market where you are interested in buying a home is important. When you are ready to sell, consult a local real estate agent who knows your neighborhood.

By choosing the right real estate agent you increase your chances of getting the best deal for the current local market regardless if you are a seller or a buyer.

In the Viera, Suntree and Rockledge areas of central Brevard County, Florida, call me, Gary Waters, Century 21 Baytree Realty at 321-693-3850 or email agent@moving2brevard.com.

The source of most valuable information is best found by talking to a "local"....such as best places to eat, best places to get your car worked on, best places to surf in Brevard County, best 55+ communities in Viera...you get the idea, right?

"Sidewalk Closed" and other obvious trivialities of life...

Driving into the office yesterday morning (Century 21 Baytree Realty) I noticed some City of Rockledge Public Works folks industriously laboring along Fiske Blvd.

As I approached I realized they had a huge backhoe digging away next to the roadway.

Inside this yellow roped off area a 20 foot section of the sidewalk had been removed. And just outside the yellow tape was a big sign that read "Sidewalk Closed."

I wondered if that was really necessary. I decided that it was necessary because it had probably been an issue previously.

There are some things that should be obvious but apparently are not always so.

For instance, when you place your home on the market. Having your house clean, staged, uncluttered and ready for prospective buyers the minute that real estate sign goes up out front.

You get only one chance to make a good first impression - use it wisely!

If you are considering selling your Brevard County, Florida home, please give me a call. I would welcome a chance to discuss how I can assist you in the effort.

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

Waterfront, Water View: What is this thing you people in Florida call water?

In Florida we have water. In Brevard County, Florida we have lots of water.

We have the Atlantic Ocean as seen from Cocoa Beach, Florida – home of Ron Jon’s Surf Shop.

We have the Banana River that runs between Merritt Island and Cocoa Beach.

We have the Indian River which runs from Daytona southward to well past Sebastian, Florida.

We have a few lakes and the St. Johns River –which like the Nile in Egypt runs south to north – and then we have “ponds!”

I know some of these are really man made ponds…reclamation ponds…drainage ponds. Some are large, some are tiny. But they all legitimatize the advertisement “waterfront!”

I hear buyers touting the necessity of having water front property. (Sellers always tout the value when selling!)

When looking for a home in Florida it is especially important to know the type of water frontage you are looking for and the type will dictate your price.

I did a search of water front properties for sale in Brevard County – 1,943 in all. Of these 962 are single family, another 888 are condos and townhouses. The lowest price is $49,000 - not a vacation home. The highest price is $4.6 million for an 8 bedroom 6 bath place!

So, when you say you want waterfront in Brevard County, Florida the choices are wide ranging. Be prepared to narrow the search a bit and again, remember,

the type of water and the price do have a direct correlation!

For Florida waterfront property, call me Gary Waters, Florida licensed real estate agent, Century 21 Baytree, Rockledge, Florida.

After all, watersfront is in my name...had to say that!

Call Gary Waters directly at 321-693-3850 or email agent@moving2brevard.com.

Chelsea Park Rockledge Florida Homes for Sale

Rockledge's Chelsea Park subdivision provides an excellent location near top quality schools, shopping, several excellent golf courses, restaurants and much more!

With its proximity to US Highway 1 and Interstate 95 this neighborhood is well suited for those who commute to Patrick Air Force Base, Cape Canaveral or many other major employers (Harris Corp, Health First, Rockwell Collins) in Melbourne, Florida.

Additionally, Chelsea Park's proximity to Orlando (40 minutes), the Rockledge and Viera areas make it an excellent choice for "long distance" commuters as well!

Over the past couple of months there have been no sales in Chelsea Park. There are four properties under contract but three of these are short sales which can take months to get a sale approved by the lender!

At this time there are 9 homes for sale in Chelsea Park. All were built between 2000 and 2005 and are for the most part good sized homes with square footage between 2,000 and 3,400 square feet.

The price range for these active listings range from a short sale at $177,500 to a high of $279,900.

For information on homes for sale in Rockledge's Chelsea Park subdivision, call me at 321-693-3850 or email agent@moving2brevard.com.

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!

From the “little house” to the "outhouse" via the "big house"

The big house is not incarceration in the literal sense. But rather it is the bigger house some folks purchased several years ago when they tried to beat the big run up in home prices here in Brevard County, Florida.

Amazingly many people sold the old homestead to buy bigger.

This is not an attempt to affix blame on anyone.

The prices were escalating at such a rapid pace. The feeling was you had to jump in while you could still afford that “big house.” Thus, many cashed out for a nice profit.

Then they invested that nice profit.

And now, after the past few years, the mortgage is equal to what they owe.

At least they are not upside down.

But the lost real money (not paper equity), has vanished....like toilet paper in the outhouse!

Buying a house is a big decision. If you are a first time home buyer there are opportunities in this market. But have a plan before proceeding.

If you are a first time buyer in Brevard County Florida and have questions, I am available to answer your questions.

Gary Waters, Florida licensed real estate agent, Century 21 Baytree Realty, Rockledge, Florida, 321-693-3850 or email agent@moving2brevard.com.

Distressed Properties…Deflated Dreams!

I had another one of “them” calls this afternoon. Someone from “up north” who buys distressed properties "up north" who wants to pick up a distressed property in Viera, Florida for a dollar and a handshake!

Years ago around 1848 there was a gold rush out to California when word got out there was “gold in them thar hills.”

Thousands headed out west in search of dreams.

Some got rich, others had dreams deflated.

Such is the case today. I “stuck a pin” in a dream today. But I must be honest.

Single family homes in Viera – even short sales and bank owned/REO properties are priced at about $125,000 and upward - not $50,000!

There are indeed some very nice values in Viera and Suntree (north Melbourne), Florida. But they are not so good that you can walk in for the price of a Cadillac CTS!

Call me if I can provide any information on homes for sale in the Brevard County, Florida market. Gary Waters, Century 21 Baytree Realty, Rockledge, Florida, 321-693-3850 or email agent@moving2brevard.com.

Read my blog Observations of a Viera Florida Realtor and visit my web site Florida Homes for Sale.

Selling your home requires exposure...

Selling your home in Viera, Rockledge or Suntree Florida (or any place else) requires exposure. Exposure in this day means more than the sign out front! You need someone who can be found on the Internet where buyers look!

I have worked hard for several years to bring myself to page one on many search engines.

You found me here...think about it!

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!