Buy, Sell or Hold - Viera and Rockledge Florida Real Estate

I was speaking with a former client yesterday regarding a golf course town house they own. We had previously attempted to sell but then chose to lease the property. The tenant is moving out and the owners are facing a decision to sell or lease it once again.

I did a quick comparative property analysis (CMA). I also checked the rental market to see what was happening. Being a full time real estate agent serving the Viera, Suntree and Rockledge areas of Brevard County Florida, I already had an opinion.

However, it is always preferable to have the data to support that answer. And, you know what they say about opinions!

My CMA showed no surprises. There are lots of properties for sale in Viera and Rockledge. Some priced at very attractive prices! Sure the rental market has plenty of choices but in this situation we decided (actually the owner decides, I recommend) to rent it out again.

If you are an owner and you do not have to sell, why not hold the property for a little while? Although the rental income may not cover all the expenses, it does cushion the hit. The market will turn around. It always does! [I make my living selling real estate but if your home will be lingering on the market for sometime, I do not want to put it on the market.]

If you are considering selling and do not need to, take a hard look at the market. Your best option at this time may be to lease the property until the inventory drops. There are over 6800 single family houses for sale in Brevard County as of today.

If you do need to sell and your home is in Viera, Suntree or Rockledge, please give me a call. I would welcome a chance to assist you in the process. If you are in a position to buy a home, give me a call. I work with buyers and sellers in the Viera, Suntree and Rockledge areas, including Melbourne Florida (Baytree, Heritage Isle, Lake Washington, and other central Brevard communities).

Gary Waters, Florida licensed real estate agent, Century 21 Baytree Realty. Email me at agent@moving2brevard.com or call me directly at 321-693-3850.

Minimal work required? Huh?

I saw a sign on the side of the street in Cocoa, Florida yesterday. It was obviously an investor or FSBO attempt at marketing a house.

The sign said "2 bedrooms and 1 bath, minimal work required." I don't believe that is an effective way to be selling any house in this market!

The Viera, Suntree, Rockledge and Cocoa areas of Brevard County Florida is like all other markets in the state at this time. Buyers do not want to "perform minimal work," regardless of the extent. Besides, the terminolgy is a little ambiguous - minimal to me means one thing, to you, something possibly different!

And to sell a home you have to have it ready to sell. You have to make it move in ready and not just put a sign next to the street!

As real estate agents we are always advising sellers on methods of preparing to sell their home. One of the most important keys is to make it standout form the competition by pricing it right and making it look better than the rest!

My advise to you is to accomplish the work prior to putting that sign up! If you are considering selling a property in Brevard County Florida, please feel free to give me a call. I would welcome a chance to discuss how I can market your home.

Gary Waters, Century 21 Baytree Realty, Melbourne Florida. I can be reached by phone at 321-693-3850 or by email to agent@moving2brevard.com.

Bayhill Subdivision Viera - June 2008 Market Report

Bayhill development is located in the planned unit development of Viera in central Brevard County, Florida. Located near excellent schools, shopping, restaurants, easy access to Orlando and more, homes in Bayhill were primarily built in 2001 and 2002 and very attractively priced.

As of today there are seven homes currently for sale in Bayhill. The property at the right is my key listing in the neighborhood. It is a 4 bedroom 2 bath home with over 1900 square feet under air! The back porch (under trussed roof) overlooks the solar heated inground pool. What a deal at $231,900!

The six other properties in the development are priced from $154,000 to about $221,000. There are a couple of short sales on the market as well if you are considering a Viera short sale.

Homes are selling in Bayhill as there are three properties currently under contract! The prices are attractive and buyers are taking advantage of the opportunity!

If you are interested in any Bayhill home, please contact me. My office (Century 21 Baytree Realty) has 3 of the homes listed for sale so we know the area very well!

Gary Waters, Realtor, 321-693-3850, email agent@moving2brevard.com.

If you are not one of the top three, you are just a comp!

This is not intended as a lecture to sellers on pricing your home. When you decide to list your house for sale pricing is critical.

Who sets the price? Certainly you have interviewed real estate agents. They have all come in all dressed up and ready to impress. How does an agent impress you, Mr. and Mrs. Potential Client?

Hopefully not by inflating their comps and recommending a price higher than it should be just to get another listing. In the real estate vernacular this is referred to as "buying a listing!" If you have interviewed several agents the comparable properties and the recommendation should be reasonably close to each other.

So, who sets the price? You do! Certainly you take the recommendation into consideration, but in the end you set the price!

Now, here is where my post title comes in. You have placed your home in the MLS, the sign is out front and, hopefully, potential buyers are looking. Now, the problem.

If your price is higher than it should be you will not be a consideration for the potential buyers. Most buyers end up choosing a couple, maybe three, listings that are in the "running."

If you are not in those top three then you are probably just another comparable listing that makes the others look better! If the price is not consistent with the market, it is a strike. If the price is not consistent with the condition, strike two. If the price is not consistent with the location, it is a strike. That is three strikes and you are out - out of the running!

Selling a home is not baseball. It is tougher. [Don't say that to a pro baseball player though!]

Considering selling your Suntree, Viera or Rockledge home, please give me a call. I want to be your Realtor of Choice.

Gary Waters, Florida licensed real estate agent, Century 21 Baytree Realty, Melbourne, Florida. I can be reached at 321-255-2600 or by email agent@moving2brevard.com.

Smile....Say Cheese!

I spent the day showing properties to potential buyers. These buyers have been researching listings on the Internet for sometime. A remark my clients made today was on the importance on photos on the MLS.

It can not be overstated. Humans are visual. The MLS system, at least here in Brevard County, only offers so much space for narrative comments. Great pictures can say a lot more than the MLS space for comments. Photos give the seller the chance to give buyers a glimpse into their home. It is an opportunity that should be used!

Virtual tours are a little more difficult to produce but worth the effort. Taking pictures is not complicated. Duhh! Taking pictures is a necessity in this market!

Our MLS system allows up to 12 photos. The Century21.com web site allows, no requires, at least six photos. Craigslist.com allows four photos. Other web sites provide opportunities as well. Use these opportunities - please!

If you are selling your home in Viera, Suntree (including Baytree Golf Course), and Rockledge, insist that your agent place photos. If potential buyers are going to look at your listing why not entice them with photos?

Thinking of selling your Viera, Suntree or Rockledge home? Please give me a chance to be your Realtor of Choice!

Gary Waters, Realtor (member of National Association of Realtors, Florida Association of Realtors, Melbourne Area Association of Realtors, Florida licensed real estate agent, Century 21 Baytree Realty, Melbourne, Florida.

I can be reached by phone at 321-255-2600 or by email to agent@moving2brevard.com .

Now, Tell me again...why is your child so special?

Those of use who are blessed enough to be parents take every opportunity to spread the word about our children's achievements. We are so darned proud! And rightfully so, after all, a child is certainly a blessing and a responsibility.

When I go to a listing appointment one of the points I query the seller abou is their house's characteristics. I say in a round about way "Now tell me, why is your house so special?" It may not be direct but through my interview I seek out this answer.

As a seller, no one knows your home like you. You know what is so special about it. It could be your neighborhood. It could be the layout. It could be the wonderful views. It could be...well, it could be anything!

Why is this important to me? It will help me to market your home. Your favorite characteristic about your home may not be the potential buyer's favorite but it just might be.

We certainly would never try to market a property by promoting the negative aspects of the home. As a seller and Realtor we certainly need to disclose any issues known to us. This is an ethical and potential legal issue. But, we need to sing the praises of the home!

When you discuss listing your home for sale, remember to make sure your chosen agent is aware of why your home is special. If the agent doesn't ask, tell them!

If you are considering selling your Rockledge, Viera, Suntree or Baytree home, 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. I can be reached by phone at 321-255-2600 or by email to agent@moving2brevard.com .

It WILL be revealed!

I just read an article on the Foxnews web site. It was about a 17 year old girl in California who gave birth to her child in the shower and walked four blocks to the hospital. Fortunately, the story has a happy ending for mom and baby. She was afraid to disclose her pregnancy.

Just as the girl did not want to disclose the pending bundle of joy, some sellers seem to forget to disclose past or current issues with their home. As a seller in Florida you have a responsibility to disclose known defects. As a Realtor in Florida, I have a duty to disclose known defects (defects known to me).

[Disclaimer: I am not an attorney but I would guess that if a defect was really serious there may be some legal implications for failing to disclose material defects.]

Eventually if your home is priced right, you will have a buyer. The buyer will have an inspection. The inspection will probably reveal that non-disclosed issue. Your buyer may walk away. Your buyer may ask for a price reduction or credit.

The best course of action - disclose, reveal, disclose. After all, just as the girls pregnancy was eventually disclosed, so may your issue. Like your mom said, honesty is the best policy! The forms we use as real estate agents require the seller to answer questions. There is even a miscellaneous question at the end of the form... If something is not asked about but you think it is important, mention it.

Selling a Viera, Suntree, Rockledge or Baytree area home, please give me a call. I would love a chance to discuss how I can assist you. Gary Waters, Florida licensed real estate agent, Century 21 Baytree Realty, Melbourne, Florida.

Taking the Stress out of real estate!

Dealing with stress is something many of us face each day. I read an article just the other day in a magazine about exercise and how it reduces stress. Many folks reduce stress these days with the pill bottle...some with the beer bottle. Life is stressful at times. Reducing stress is important!

In the real estate business being a seller can be stressful. Who are these people coming inside your private domain? Who are these people who leave and talk about "your home?" When will that offer come? Keeping the house "show ready" at a moments notice can be stressful! Getting to the closing table is stressful....correction, can be stressful. A good real estate agent representing you can help reduce the stress, if not remove it!

Being a buyer is stressful. Deciding where you want to live. Deciding how much you want to spend on a house. Getting that mortgage pre-approval that really means something. Closing the transaction...moving....getting the kids in a new school....starting a new job if its a relocation. All very stressful activities.

The average number of days on the market in the Viera, Suntree, Rockledge areas of Brevard County Florida is about 110 days. That is a a lot of days to sit...and be stressed out if you are the seller. The best way to reduce the stress - price your house correctly initially if you are the seller.

The best way to reduce stress if you are the buyer - get a realistic pre-approval, look at houses within your budget, and offer a respectable price - and use a real estate professional!

Buyers and Sellers are not adversarial (really)... both sides can work together and win! The one thing I have seen that turns the relationship adversarial - GREED! Greed on the part of buyers or sellers. And, I have over the course of the past 5 years worked with both.

The real estate transaction has many components and players. Each has a purpose and a responsibility. Understanding the process, the purpose and who each of the players are is one of the things your real estate agent should explain early. If not, ask them! Knowledge of these issues will reduce the stress somewhat!

Looking to sell your Viera, Rockledge, Baytree or Suntree home? Looking to purchase a Suntree, Baytree, Viera or Rockledge home, give me a call (321-255-2600) or drop me an email to agent@moving2brevard.com .

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

How about a check-up for the old house?

I did it today. I went to the doctor for a physical exam. Actually I had it scheduled previously but found a way to have a conflict so it had to be re-scheduled. I guess once I passed the 50 mark I stayed away from check ups and the like. Not sure why as that seems to be when you need to be more diligent...

This got me to thinking about houses. Actually, being a full-time real estate agent I often think of houses...buying and selling them in Brevard County Florida especially the Suntree, Baytree, Viera and Rockledge areas.

As a home owner you should take care of maintenance issues as they occur. But many of us defer that maintenance just as I deferred that exam! You should have that air conditioning/heating system checked once a year. It saves money in the long run when the major appliances are running efficiently!

Some of the other potential issues can be looked at by the average homeowner. Check that safety reverse on the garage door opener. Check for leaks in the gaskets around doors and windows. If a faucet leaks, fix it or call a plumber. You will save on your water bill. Most of these issues are environmentally friendly as well as cost effective.

And when you get ready to sell, buyers will appreciate the love you have shown "their new home."

Thinking about selling that older home? Consider having a pre-listing home inspection done. It is not that expensive (a few hundred dollars or so) and it may just uncover some little issues that can be addressed before a potential buyer finds them! [likewise, all buyers should have an inspection done on any home they are considering purchasing!]

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

I am just the navigator - not at the helm!

As a real estate agent who works with sellers I always take the position of being an advisor. After all, I see my role as being paid by the seller for what I know and, in the case of a seller's agent transaction, I do know the direction. I hold the map. I am the seller's GPS device that will lead them to their destination - a successful closing!

When an offer is presented by the buyer's agent it is not my role to dismiss the offer with that agent. It is my job to present EVERY offer to my client, the seller.

I never comment to the other agent in such a way as to offer a response on the offer. I may ask some clarifying questions such as buyer financing arrangements, timelines, who the lender is, etc. I just gather the facts (in writing) and make the presentation.

I make my recommendations but the seller is at the helm, in the driver's seat. I am the navigator! I answer questions the sellers may have concerning the offer. I may need to go back to the buyer's agent for additional information. I provide my clients with my honest opinion keeping my client's interest at the forefront of the transaction.

The trip from listing a property to closing on a sell is a route that can be filled with wrong turns and detours. That is OK because I am the navigator and it is my job to successfully make it the destination!

If you are considering selling your Viera, Suntree, Rockledge or north Melbourne Florida home, please feel free to give me a call. I welcome a chance to discuss how I may assist you and answer your questions.

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

Getting noticed will get you a speeding ticket!

When you stand out from those around you, you will get noticed! This can be good. This can be bad.

So you are running late and need to get to work as soon as possible. Those around you are going 40 miles per hour and you zoom by at only 5 miles faster. Down the street is your local constable....you catch his eye. Before you know it, you are explaining your need for speed. Yep, you got noticed and not for a good reason.

Such is the case when you try to sell your home. How can you get yourself noticed? And, once noticed, is it for a good reason. You want to get yourself noticed? Here are some tips.

• Price it right. Appropriately pricing a property gets noticed by the people who matter...real estate professionals, buyers surfing the Internet, readers of print advertising.


• Make it appealing. Starting with the exterior appearance (landscaping, paint, no bikes in the driveway, etc.), make your home attractive from the curb. Heck, get your neighbors involved by making their homes appealing as well. Buyers want a nice looking neighborhood. Of course this may be asking a lot of your neighbors!


• Get rid of the "stuff." Buyers don't need to see all those pictures on the refrigerator. Sure, you are proud of your family and pets but don't let the buyers get distracted from your home's features.


• Don't let the furnishings overshadow the space. Sometimes you see "big" furniture take up more space than is necessary. Even a large room can look small when too much furniture is crammed into the space.


• Offer the buyer an incentive. There is nothing wrong with offering to assist with closing costs. If you are in an area of new construction you are probably competing with builders who are tossing in a few incentives for potential buyers.


• Smoking. Smoke filled homes do not sell unless your target market is a smoker! I find even smokers do not smoke in their homes, especilaly while it is for sale. Want to get scratched from the list? Smoke in your home - you will be noticed!


• Pets. Most of us love pets. But having your home smell like a pet or even worse, having a pet jumping all over, barking or snapping at a buyer will also get you noticed.... in a bad way!

Marketing your home in this buyer's market can be a challenge but homes are still selling! Doing the right things early on will get the traffic in the front door. And that is what you need. Rarely has a home sold without the buyer ever entering the front door!

Selling your Viera or Suntree home? Let me help you make your home stand out! Gary Waters, Florida licensed real estate agent, Century 21 Baytree Realty, Melbourne, Florida.

Viera Florida to get new hospital - finally!

It seems that the new 100-bed Viera hospital will finally get built! A ruling this week gave Health First the OK to move forward with its planned Viera campus.

Health First, which already runs three hospitals in Brevard County, has been engaged in legal battles for several years from local rival, Wuesthoff Hospital. Wuesthoff owns two hospitals - one in nearby Rockledge and the new facility in Melbourne.

With all the tremendous growth in Viera (as well as Suntree and Rockledge) it is hoped the new facility will be completed sometime in 2010. Health First has plans for physician offices and other facilities as well. Its huge fitness center appears to be nearing completion now.

With Viera offering great shopping, restaurants, lots of new housing choices, sports facilities, parks, wonderful golf courses (Duran, Baytree, Viera East), easy access to I-95....well, actually Viera offers a lifestyle - a Florida lifestyle, it is nice to see the hospital construction getting the OK.

Interested in Viera real estate? Please give me a call or drop me an email. My office is located in Viera so I know the area! Gary Waters, Florida licensed real estate agent, Century 21 Baytree Realty.

Have the "Grocery Store" Mentality when Selling Your Home

I prepared a *Broker's Price Opinion (BPO) this afternoon. I had to peruse the Melbourne Association of Realtor's web site for comparable properties. The homes were in the Cocoa, Florida area. Cocoa Florida has some very nice areas but, like most areas, there are some which are probably less desirable.

I was actually appalled, although not surprised, by some of the exterior photos on the Internet. These homes may have been very nice on the inside. But, how would a buyer ever know?

I thought of the products we see on the aisles of the supermarket. There is a lot that goes into product marketing including shelf placement (height and space) and product packaging. When you look at that cereal, there are a lot of choices. Does your decision rest, at least partially, on the packaging and product appearance? For most of us, I would guess yes.

Why do you choose a particular product? I am sure packaging and pricing play an important part! When selling your home, you need to have that same "grocery store" mentality. Your buyers will certainly have it!

What is that "grocery store" mentality? Easy, pricing and packaging.

Packaging starts outside your home and continues throughout. Think......your lawn, landscaping and paint. If the outside package does not look attractive, how many people will never see the gorgeous inside?

Some of the things that can spruce up the outside are inexpensive. Perhaps you just need a little fertilizer. some lawn watering, some new plants. Maybe the driveway needs a little pressure washing. Is that paint around the front door and shutters peeling? Break out the paintbrush. None of these are very expensive but they can make a big difference!

Secondly, you need to make sure the price is appropriate for the package! The package may look enticing but if the price is inconsistent with the product, then you have lost the battle. Work with your real estate agent to establish a competitive and realistic price.

Price it right and package it nicely and you will definitely find the buyers knocking on your door!

Selling your Viera, Rockledge, Melbourne or Suntree home? Call me, Gary Waters, Florida licensed real estate agent, Century 21 Baytree Realty for a free price analysis. Call me at 1-255-2600 or email me at agent@moving2brevard.com . Please read my blog at www.activerain.com/blogs/gwatersc21 .

*Broker's Price Opinion is an opinion of value usually prepared for a lender or other interested party.

HUD'sGood Neighbor Next Door Program offers buyer assistance

The United States Department of Housing and Urban Affairs has special programs that assist some first time home buyers. One of these programs is the Good Neighbor Next Door Sales Program.

This program offers a special incentive by way of a discount of 50% from the list price of the home. OK, there is a slight catch - you must live in that property for 36 months!

This program has an intended eligible target area of law enforcement officers, pre-kindergarten through 12th grade teachers, firefighters and paramedics.

Eligible homes are located in designated revitalization areas. There are some of these properties located in Brevard County Florida although the number is limited. If you would like information on these properties, feel free to contact me. If you are buying or selling in Viera, Suntree, or Rockledge, Florida, please give me a call. I would welcome a chance to assist you in any way possible.

Gary Waters, Florida licensed real estate agent, Century 21 Baytree Realty, Melbourne, Florida. Email me at agent@moving2brevard.com or call 321-255-2600.

Free Money....Get Your Free Money.....Free Money...Get Your Free Money!

Free money..... I read on a real estate blog today an article that asked "what are you were going to do with that "free money?"

Free money..... when is money ever "free?"

The original post was speaking of President Bush and the recently passed Congressional Economic Stimulus Package. Free money to stimulate spending. This sort of reminds me of when I was a kid. My grandfather owned a store. He would give me money at times as long as I spent it in his store. I guess this was his own economic stimulus package!

How does this "free" money relate to real estate? Surely you can not buy a house for $600 or even $1200 dollars. In the end, this money is not really "free" as someone will pay it back!

When you purchase a home and request the seller pay closing costs, is this also "free" money? It may seem like it is free but it really isn't. Had the seller not paid closing costs would they have negotiated the purchase price even lower? With a lower purchase price then perhaps the mortgage payment would have been less and your costs decreased over the long term. My advice....if you don't need the closing cost assistance, negotiate the price down!

However, if your circumstances require down payment assistance, go for it. Ask for the seller assistance and at some point your income may increase and your circumstances improve. Until then, use the seller assistance knowing it is not free but rather a cost you are willing to accept.

News flash......money is not "free" if it comes from the seller, the government, or a relative!

Buying or selling a home in the Melbourne areas of Suntree or Viera? What about Rockledge, Florida? Give me a call, please. Gary Waters, Florida licensed real estate agent with Century 21 Baytree Realty, Melbourne, Florida. Email me at agent@moving2brevard.com . Please read my other blog here.

Sometimes, selling your home is plain luck!

If you are considering selling your Rockledge, Florida home at this time, you need to take a hard look at the current market. Homes in Rockledge seem to be spending about 120 days on the market before closing. Considering it usually takes about 30 days from contract to closing, this means you will probably go about 90 days before agreeing on a contract with a prospective buyer.

This is a relatively long time for an actual closing so your time line needs to take this into consideration. If you are planning to move, give yourself 3 to 4 months for the sale to take place. Some homes do sell much more quickly but each circumstance is different. How long will it really take your home to sell? That depends. Sort of a wishy-washy answer I know but it really does depend on several factors.

What are these factors?

Location. Are you located in some of the more popular subdivisions and locations? In Rockledge that may be the Phillips Landing development or, perhaps, Ventana or Plantation Point. If you are selling an investor oriented property the time may be longer as the number of potential investor properties remains pretty high at this time. If you are selling a condo or townhouse, the competition is pretty keen.

Ease of Showing. Buyers have many properties to choose from in this market. Being able to accommodate potential buyers at their convenience is key. If a real estate agent has 10 potential properties for a client to look at today but you need them to come either "tomorrow or whenever", this just may not work. To sell, you need to capture the potential buyer when they are available.

Curb Appeal. You have probably heard or read this before but it still needs repeating - if you can't get them in the front door, you can't sell them! The lawn and landscaping needs to look appealing. I read that a buyer decides within the first 10 minutes of seeing a property if they are interested. You have to entice them with the outside and dazzle them with the inside.
Staging. To dazzle them once inside, you got to put your best foot forward! Remove clutter. Furniture that is too big for the space makes the space appear smaller. Get rid of the wild colors....remember, neutral! A professional stager may definitely be worth the investment!
Clean. It has been written and said so many times - "If you can smell it, you can't sell it!" Your home may not be a palace but it can, and must, be clean. Buyers understand that folks may be living in a property and they will overlook some things. But, they will not overlook filth! Clean....sells!

Pricing. I did not put price at the top of this list although most agents believe price is the major consideration in selling a home. Certainly the price must be reasonable for the market and reasonable for your needs. Many agents, including myself, will not take a listing if the price desired is too high for the market. Remember, the market sets the price - not the seller or the real estate agent!

Negotiate. Expect to negotiate. Homes in the Rockledge market appear to be selling for about 93-95% of asking price on average. So, buyers expect to wheel and deal. This should be expected and considered in the pricing strategy.

Strategy. Marketing in this environment does require a strategy. Exposure to the right pool of potential buyers is key. Most buyers search on the Internet so that is a key component of any strategy. Marketing strategies involve multiple approaches. Discuss these with your real estate agent.

When all is said and done, it is sometimes just plain luck that a buyer finds your property before another one captures their eye. It has been said that luck is when opportunity meets preparation or something like that. If all the things above are considered and acted upon, you will find that buyer...probably sooner than the average days on the market!

If you are considering selling your Rockledge or Viera home, give me a call or drop me an email. I can be reached at 321-255-2600 or at agent@moving2brevard.com . Gary Waters, Florida licensed real estate agent, Century 21 Baytree Realty, Melbourne Florida (Viera, next door to Denny's Restaurant).

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.

Its Sunday. I am in the office and working away!

I am sitting in the office this morning "doing floor time." This is not something I usually do as I prefer conducting open houses or showing property on my Sundays. But, there was an issue with the assigned agent so I jumped in to help out.

What does an agent do while "doing floor time?" Many times I take the opportunity to prepare mailings, post information about listings on various web sites. I prefer http://www.moving2brevard.com/ , http://www.localism.com/ , http://www.zillow.com/ , http://www.activerain.com/ , http://www.livedeal.com/ , http://www.craigslist.com/ , http://www.brevardmls.com/ (our local MLS system), http://www.trulia.com/ and a few other sites.

Why so much effort posting to the Internet? This is 2008 and home purchasers are using the Internet as a resource now more than ever! When they go looking for a mortgage, where do they turn? The Internet. When searching for a home, where do they turn? According to various research the number of buyers who start their search or find their home on the Internet is somewhere around 80%.

Likewise, when clients are searching for their real estate agent they look on the Internet. Having an Internet presence is a necessary ingredient to any successful marketing plan. Sure, the print media is still being used but the Internet is the major tool used in this day.

Back to my original question....what does an agent do on the floor? If you stop by, I am here to assist you. Need information or directions, I am here. Need to search for that new home, I am here. On the floor means being available. But, while I am still available I will be doing things to market my current client's property as well!

If you are searching for that Viera, Suntree or Rockledge home, give me a call. If you are considering selling that Viera, Suntree or Rockledge home, give me a call. If I can provide any information whatsoever that will assist you, it will be my pleasure. Send me an email as well to agent@moving2brevard.com .

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

Overpriced Properties contribute to real estate market woes!

The rapid proliferation of overpriced homes for sale is part of our real estate market's problems.

• Sure, you hear about the mortgage fiasco with sub-prime mortgages.


• Sure, you hear about the number of financial institutions facing tremendous pressures from non-performing loans.


• Sure, you hear about the builder's holding high inventory volumes and exerting pressures on the market.


• You hear about all of these things.....

but I believe the number of properties listed for sale at excessive prices are likewise a contributor to the real estate problem. Stagnant listings just give the media something to write about (high inventory)!

Why would someone place a house on the market for much more than the market value? These people, I believe, subscribe to the "bigger sucker" theory. There must be someone who has lots of cash out there who is willing to pay too much for a property. Not!

Anyone who has accumulated the cash necessary to pay for a property has probably got enough smarts to understand value. Further, they are probably savvy enough to be working with a savvy real estate agent. By the way, an overpriced listing may just do one thing - make the other properties look like good deals!

So, why the overpriced listings? Sometimes we, as real estate agents, are our worst enemy. We are not doing ourselves any good by taking listings for the sake of adding another listing to our "active" portfolio. We need to be open enough with potential clients to tell them the real market value or at least a realistic market range.

As a real estate professional I don't have as many listings as I once did. That is partly by choice and partly because of the market. I choose to list only properties that will sell in a reasonable time frame at a reasonable price. As a real estate agent I SELL HOUSES, not just list houses.

Even though the solution to the real estate market's woes is much bigger than a single agent or listing, we need to consider which listings we take on. Marketing a property, even priced appropriately, is still hard work! After all, who benefits if a listing just sits there?

If you are considering selling your Viera, Suntree or Rockledge home, please give me a call at 321-255-2600. Feel more comfortable with an email, send it to agent@moving2brevard.com .


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