Why a Real Estate Blog for Viera, Suntree and Rockledge Florida?

If you have seen or read some of my previous 250 posts you know there are a variety of topics covered. What purpose does my real estate blog serve?

[Am I a writer who sells real estate or a real estate agent who writes? Don't ask any of my former English teachers! The answer: A Realtor who SELLS!]

First, I am hopeful that I can give some information on the areas of Brevard County that offer a great lifestyle. Brevard County is located along the central Florida coast and runs about 75 miles north to south...plenty of coastline, for sure!

Home to the Kennedy Space Center and other "high tech" employers, Brevard County has great schools, great shopping, lots of great recreation venues...and more.

Secondly, I seek clients! After all, this is my livelihood. The use of the Internet has come to the forefront of real estate marketing. If you want to look at listings, where do you go? The Internet. If you are seeking a real estate agent, where do you go? The Internet! If you are going to sell your home, it needs to be on the Internet!

I will admit that Internet marketing is only one tool, albeit a major marketing tool. But, today's consumer wants expects a real estate professional who knows how to use the tools available to them!

If you are considering buying or selling in the Suntree, Viera or Rockledge areas of Brevard County, please give me a call. I would welcome a chance to be your Realtor of Choice!

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

Behind the Blog - A little about me!

I was reading a post on the Internet site http://www.activerain.com/. The post talked about the "who" behind the real estate blogs. It was thought provoking, for sure.

The author's premise was that if a person wants to look for listings, they search the Internet (for Brevard County Florida, http://www.brevardmls.com/). If all they want to look for are listings, then there are MLS entries galore! She was correct. Her premise was that if you want to find a real estate agent to work for you, the blog should tell you a little about the "person."

So, here is a little bit about me, Gary Waters, Florida licensed real estate agent, Century 21 Baytree Realty, Melbourne, Florida. I must admit that I do hope some of my character traits shows through the postings I place here as well as on my "other blog," www.activerain.com/blogs/gwatersc21 .

I am a full time real estate agent serving primarily the areas of Suntree (including Baytree), Viera, and Rockledge Florida. A small disclaimer - I work all over the County however my "Home" area is the are in which I have the greatest familiarity.

I am a retired U.S. Navy Medical Service Corps officer (health care administration). I have an undergraduate degree from The George Washington University and a Masters degree in Public Administration from Troy State University (now Troy University).

I retired from the Navy in 1995 and moved to Rockledge, Florida in 1996. I was previously the practice manager at Pediatrics of Brevard and served in a management position with Health First Health Plans.

I have been a real estate agent (full time) since 2003. As a Rockledge resident I am proud to serve and promote the great Central Brevard County areas of Viera, Suntree and Rockledge! By the way...my favorite movie - Toy Story...not sure what that says about me! And my son's dog....my friend "Diesel Dog!"

My approach to real estate is simple. If you are a buyer, I will show you the properties that meet your needs. I don't sell you a house...the house will sell you. Only you will know when the right house appears!

If you are a seller I will give you my honest opinion of its market price and how I will work for you. Then, if you decide to "hire" me, I work with you - always keeping your interests above all else!

Open House Viera Saturday March 29, 2008

If you are in the market for a Viera Florida home, please stop by this Open House on Saturday March 29th from noon until 4:00 pm . Located at 2397 Deercroft Drive in the Bayhill subdivision (off Murrel Rd in Viera), this 4 bedroom 2 bath, 2 car garage pool home is well worth a look.

Very attractively priced at $238,900, this home was built in 2001 and has over 1900 square feet of living area. Relax on the covered back porch while you sit by your solar heated inground pool.

Close to I-95, Avenues Mall, restaurants, excellent schools including new Viera High, Space Coast Stadium. Exceptional Value!

For more information please contact Gary Waters, Realtor, Century 21 Baytree Realty, Melbourne, Florida at 321-693-3850 or by email agent@moving2brevard.com .

Short Sales: Creating new wealth

Turbulence in the housing market...leveraged buyouts.....financial markets struggling ......housing starts down......mortgage rates.....yadda yadda yadda...blah....blah...blah.... You have to love those talking heads telling us the way it is every day!

I had to go to the the medical lab today to donate some blood for an upcoming doctor's appointment. Wearing my Century 21 Baytree Realty name tag as I always do, the lab tech asked me the same question everyone else does - "how's the market?" My response, still slow with some attractive prices. Like any good salesman I inquired if she was in the market for a house. Her response was one that I hear frequently....

Like many others in the Brevard County market, she is trying to sell her home as a "short sale." Without going into details she basically found herself in a situation where the monthly payment went from $800 to $1,600 a month. Quite a steep increase for anyone!

Short sales are plentiful in the area. Newer homes, some never lived in, great locations, at excellent prices. And, I do believe the banks want them sold and will negotiate some good prices. This is where my post title comes into play.

I believe that down the road, at some point, folks who had the means and foresight to purchase some of these short sale properties may become wealthy. They may not become instantly rich but over the long term real estate does increase in value.

I would never say the real estate market is the place to sink your life savings into right now. Nor would I ever encourage anyone to mortgage their family's future on speculative real estate investments. Some tried this over the past few years and are now paying the price!

But, if you are in the market for a real estate investment or a new home in the Brevard County Florida areas of Viera, Suntree, north Melbourne and Rockledge, please feel free to contact me at 1-321-255-2600 or by email at agent@moving2brevard.com .

Think Relationship When Selling Investor Owned Rental Properties

I was reviewing Brevard County MLS listings this morning as I do every day. I saw a very interesting listing which looks like what my clients are looking for in a house. But, then I saw those dreaded words - Tenant Occupied, 24 hours notice required!

I understand that as an investor-owner it is in your best financial interest to have a tenant in place. However, I have issues with such listings for a couple of reasons.

First (this issue is not as important as the next), most buyers are on a fairly rigid schedule especially if they are in from out of town. This is a buyer's market right now. Buyers have lots of choices so unless a house is an unbelievable bargain, they just are not going to be inconvenienced to see such a listing.

My greatest concern about such an arrangement is ......the relationship between the owner and tenants. Why?

I have shown properties where the tenants did nothing but volunteer negative information about the neighborhood, purported problems, whatever. Were the issues real? Who knows as we never got to that stage because the buyers did not want to did deeper.

Also, many times the tenant does not help the seller put their best foot forward by keeping the property clean and uncluttered. Unless a buyer is an investor, the potential owner wants to see a nice home, staged well, very presentable, clean. In other words, they want to visualize themselves in the house. I have heard it said many times: "if you can smell it, you can't sell it!"

A cooperative tenant makes this so easy!

If you are an investor-seller I encourage you to develop a cooperative relationship with your tenant. Perhaps some incentive to work with you - not against you!

If you are looking to sell your home in Viera, Suntree or Melbourne Florida, please give me a call. Gary Waters, Florida licensed real estate professional with Century 21 Baytree Realty, Melbourne, Florida. I can be reached at 321-693-3850 or by email to agent@moving2brevard.com .

Baytree Homes - Gated, Golf, Prestige

I have been fielding more inquiries recently about homes located within the Baytree National Golf Links golf course communty. This gated community located in Suntree (north Melbourne Florida, near Viera) offers a wonderful Florida lifestyle, privacy, and prestige.

Homes wihin Baytree are located in several different developments. These homes range from the maintenance-free communities such as the Isles of Baytree to the more expensive Balmoral planned development within Baytree.

At this time there are 28 properties listed for sale. Prices for these properties range from about $280,000 (1900 square feet) to a little over a million dollars (4300+ square feet). Some homes have as many as 6 bedrooms, some only 3. Some homes are direct golf course properties and some back to preservation areas. One thing you will notice about the Baytree area is that the homes have yards! An exception to this is in the Isles of Baytree section where the lots are smaller.

Of the 28 properties currently listed within Baytree some have been listed for only a week; some have been listed for 200 plus days. By the way, in this market the average number of days on the market is running around 120 days.

Baytree's location near great schools, great golf, 15 minutes to the beaches, 40 minutes to Orlando, make it a definite place to look if your budget is in the $300,000 to million dollar plus range!

If you are interested in receiving more information about Baytree golf course homes or Viera golf course homes, please let me know. I would be happy to send you listings and otehr area information. You will notice the name of the brokerage I am associated with - Century 21 Baytree Realty. We are Baytree experts!

Gary Waters, Florida licensed real estate agent, century 21 Baytree Realty, Melbourne, Florida. I can be contacted at the office 1-321-255-2600, 1-800-651-6940. Feel free to email me at agent@moving2brevard.com .

Today's Buyer Needs to be Sold!

I posted an article on www.ezinearticles.com about a year or so ago. It was admittedly written a little tongue in cheek, a little sarcastic. It concerned the For Sale By Owner (FSBO) seller and what was involved in the process. Its premise was simply "Why do some folks choose to sell their home themselves?"

Today's market is a lot different than even a year ago so you see fewer and fewer sellers trying to go it alone. That is understandable. In a sellers market buyers were plentiful. Now, selling a home in a buyer's market takes know-how and getting that know-how from lots of available books and implementing the process successfully is a lot more challenging.

In a sellers market it was relatively easy:

• set your price (people would pay asking price or more)
• advertise in the newspaper,
• place a sign out front,
• show your house to the interested buyer who knocks on the door,
• they pay your price and
• close!

Any Realtor worth their salt will tell you there is much more to marketing a property in today's environment than just doing the above things.

TODAY'S BUYER NEEDS TO BE SOLD!

So if selling on your own is not something you have the inclination to do, call a Realtor! Let a professional real estate agent work with you! (Selling your home is a team effort!)

Gary Waters, Florida Licensed real estate agent with Century 21 Baytree Realty in Melbourne, Florida. In the market for a Viera, Suntree or Rockledge Florida home? I would welcome an opportunity to be your agent!

When selling, remember memories go with you!

I was just watching an episode of Andy Griffith on TV Land network. I grew up watching Andy Griffith and his bumbling, but good-hearted, deputy Barney Fife. This particular episode involved Barney Fife buying a used car from a lady who's husband had supposedly recently died. She appeared to be emotionally attached to her deceased husband's car. Of course, if you have seen this episode you know it was really a scam....selling an unsuspecting buyer a problem-laden car.

This got me to thinking about real estate transactions...Not someone selling a problem-laden property to an unsuspecting buyer but rather an individual's emotional attachment to an object - a house!

Some sellers find themselves with this same emotional attachment to their homes. This can lead to challenges when selling. This is when I remind the sellers that a house is only a physical building. When they move to the new home, they take all the memories with them. Sure they have had some great things happen while in the home, perhaps the birth of children or some other life changing event.

But those memories are transferable....not attached to any house. I remind my sellers to look forward with great anticipation to the new home, new location and new memories that will be made.

A house is only a building; a home is the memories,

the love, the times shared with family and friends.

If you are ready to sell your Viera, Suntree or Rockledge home and make some new memories in another home, give me a call. Gary Waters, Florida licensed real estate agent, Century 21 Baytree Realty, Melbourne, Florida. Telephone me at 1-321-255-2600 or drop me an email to agent@moving2brevard.com .

Reasons to make Brevard County Florida your new home!

Reached that point in your life where you are ready to find a retirement spot? Looking for that second home location? Just want to relocate? How will you decide on the new area?

What are some of the considerations?

Every individual is different so there is no one answer to that question. However, some of the reasons to consider moving to Brevard County may include....

• Climate. Tired of shoveling snow and braving the cold of the winter months? With an average high temperature of 81 degrees and average low of 63, the weather is usually pretty comfortable.
• Proximity to Family. Most of us have a desire to at least be reasonably close to our friends and family or ,at a minimum, easy access for commuting. Brevard County offers easy access to Orlando International Airport and the convenience of major transportation routes (Interstate 95 and US 1).
• Affordable Housing. The Brevard County real estate prices have experienced the same drop as other areas of the United States.
• Access to health care facilities. With 5 hospitals located within Brevard County, Florida, regardless of your location, you are never very far from excellent health care resources.
• No state income tax. If you are going to be working, enjoy the benefits of no state income tax!
• Great Recreation. Boating, fishing, golfing, beaches, and hiking are just a few of the many outdoor activities available in the immediate area. Want to take a cruise, the nearby Port Canaveral offers cruise ship vacations! With about 70 miles o Atlantic coast line, the beaches offer plenty of access. As for golf, with about 30 courses available, you can golf a different course almost daily for a month! Located only 40 minutes from Orlando, a couple of hours to Miami, Brevard County is centrally located along the Florida coast making day trips very easy!
• Educational opportunity. With several college campuses located throughout the County, grabbing that degree or continuing education is convenient. Florida Institute of Technology, University of Central Florida (Brevard campus), Brevard Community College, Keiser College are all close by!
• Military facilities. With the nearby Patrick Air Force Base retirees have easy access to military exchange facilities, Manatee Cove (base golf course) and other support facilities.
• Excellent schools. The Brevard County public school system consistently ranks as one of the top school systems in the state of Florida.
• High Technology and professional jobs. Being home to the Kennedy Space Center, Harris Corporation and other high tech employers offer excellent employment opportunities. Likewise, as several health care systems are major employers in Brevard County the opportunities for nurses and other health care professionals are plentiful.

If you would like more information on the real estate market in Brevard County, Florida, please let me know. I can be reached by email at agent@moving2brevard.com. Gary Waters, Florida licensed real estate agent, Century 21 Baytree Realty, Melbourne, Florida, 1-800-651-6940.

Suntree Florida home for Rent $1500 monthly

Home for rent the Summit gated community within the Suntree area of Brevard County, Florida. Three bedroom two bath two car garage home for only $1500 per month. Home features many upgrades, including tray ceilings, triple sliding glass doors leading to the porch, stainless appliances, solid surface counters, 42" maple cabinets, custom tile throughout except bedrooms, and much more!

Association provides the lawn maintenance/landscaping and nearby community pool/club house facilities.

If you enjoy golf then this is the location for you! Located near the Suntree Golf and Country Club, you are also minutes away from Duran Golf Club, Baytree National Golf Course and the Viera East Golf Course. This really is an ideal location for the golfer! Love the beach? With beaches only 10 minutes away you are never too far from the sun and the fun! Military retired or still on active duty? Just 10 minutes to the facilities at Patrick Air Force Base. Need quick access to Orlando Florida and Orlando International Airport? It is only a 40 minute drive!

Regardless of your needs, this location will certainly meet those needs if you are looking in the Central Brevard County area for a home. With excellent nearby schools, shopping and health-care facilities, the Suntree and Viera areas will certainly fit your lifestyle!

If you are looking to purchase or lease a home in Suntree or Viera, give me a call. I would welcome a chance to assist you in your search. Have a question about the area in general, just drop me an email to agent@moving2brevard.com . Gary Waters, Florida licensed real estate agent with Century 21 Baytree Realty, Melbourne, Florida.

Bargains in Viera, Suntree and Rockledge Florida

Buyers looking for bargains in the Rockledge, Viera and Suntree areas of Brevard County Florida have lots to choose from! Just the other day my business associate was showing homes in a gated community, golf course and all, in the Suntree area. Home was in the right price range, located on the golf course directly, had the three car garage, was really nice with lots of upgrades and more. The home was not acceptable though. Why? It was too much house!

When looking for a home with inventory so high the opportunities are plentiful. A quick search for pool homes in the Viera, Suntree and Rockledge areas reveals 165 properties for sale that were built in 2000 or newer; 78 were built from 2005 and later. There are even 16 properties in gated communities that were built in or after 2007! Now that is a lot of choice for the most demanding of buyers!

If you are looking for a recently constructed pool home in Viera, Suntree and Rockledge, give me a call. Oh yeah, the prices...well they run the entire range from the mid-$200s to the $1,7 million plus price tag.

Looking for something a little older with a pool? The prices are starting in the lower $200,000 range so you have a lot to choose from! This is the time to buy that home in Brevard County, Florida!

Gary Waters is a Florida licensed real estate agent with Century 21 Baytree Realty in Melbourne Florida. He can be reached at 321-255-2600 or by email to agent@moving2brevard.com.

Today is My Wife's Birthday - lest I forget!

My wife, Debby, occasionally reads my posts. She probably will not see this one but I still will write this one. This post is not directly related to real estate but all I have done and will do in real estate is because of her support.

I met my wife about 30 years ago. Actually, it was the only blind date I ever went on! My older brother set this one up. I was in the Navy and home. It was quite memorable from the flat tire to the awful movie (something called Bobby Deerfield) we went to see that evening. Yes, I really did have car trouble!

We have now been married 28 years and I must confess there have been challenges along the way. The past couple of years in real estate have been some of the most difficult. She has always worked hard to support me during my 20 year Navy career and since my retirement 12 years ago!

It is amazing what she has gone through with me. She worked so hard to raise our son, often times while I was gone on long deployments. The sacrifices have been many! And along the way I missed a few of her birthdays!

As I sit here today I can honestly say she is a very special lady! Happy birthday, Debby. I am so thankful for you and your support through the years.

God bless you on this your 29th birthday! You did not think I was going to put anything else there except 29, did you?

Happy Birthday!