It seems like just yesterday that I wrote about the first half of 2010 being behind us…  it took July almost 4 seconds to disappear out from under us!  We enjoyed celebrating the 4th of July with family and friends.  Now we’re enjoying 100 degrees and begging for rain.

We’re have plenty of Real Estate activity thanks to superb interest rates.  If buyers can just endure the new loan approval process we’ll all survive.  The sins of the lenders’ past are not going to be resolved by regulatory overkill today.  However this is reality and it will be this way for some time to come.  Buyers just need to prepare every detail of paperwork and documentation required and not be frustrated.  Sellers need to realize the difficulties buyers face in the new loan process.   This is a good time to think about what the other side is going through and have patience.   Take a deep breath and happy buying and selling!

The sun is setting on the first half of 2010!   What a busy spring - tons of homes shown and sold.   Lots of contracts currently in the pipeline with buyers hoping that congress will extend the tax credit for these pending sales.

Chances are good that our pipeline buyers will see a happy ending to this situation.    Fingers crossed for a positive outcome.   Everyone benefits as the real estate market improves…  buyers, sellers,  and the overall economy.   Three cheers for continued sales and closings!

Everyone thought that after April 30th market activity would take a nose dive.  In spite of the expiration of the tax credit buyers are still storming through Melbourne, FL listings.  Looks like we’re really heating up on the Space Coast!  The combination of low interest rates, tremendous inventory and low prices is just too good to be true.  Do not sit this out waiting for “the bottom”.   When planning for your home it’s not just about the numbers.   Recognize the signals out the and take advantage of these great opportunities.  Get cookin’ and get yourself a great deal this summer!!

Melbourne, Florida is happening right now!  Buyers are raining on the available inventory like a big spring shower.   Beware: these buyers are armed with sharp pencils instead of umbrellas!  Everybody is looking for the best deal - heck, aren’t we all?    The April 30th tax credit deadline is two weeks away and it’s just too good to pass up.  Sellers:  make sure your home is show-ready!!!

Lots of excitement and anticipation out there for both buyers and sellers.   Play nice and keep a cool head.  An overly aggressive style usually bombs out during negotiations.  This is a good rule for both sides to remember.

Get out there and get a spring deal while they’re blooming!

Not to be disrespectful to our northern and midwest relatives and friends,  but we’ve really suffered a cold and difficult winter here in Melbourne, Florida!  I realize that having to wear long-sleeved T-shirts for 5 months is no comparison to the folks who have suffered through blizzards and freezes.  Just the same, there’s a reason why we live here and this winter was a real bummer.

However…..   it looks like our suffering has come to an end.  We’ve spent the past several days trimming bushes, planting tomatoes, and installing new flower beds.  Feels great to have dirt in our hands.  No more freezer burn on out palm trees - lots of new growth jumping out on the trees.

On the real estate front the buyers are swarming high and low.  Our sellers are experiencing lots of showings; plenty of activity.   Looks like buyers are making every effort to contract on a home before the end of April so they’ll be entitled to the tax credit.      Investors are crawling out from their hiding places and making offers.  It appears we are turning the corner in Brevard County, Florida.

We still have a long way to go - plenty of inventory to sell before our market levels out.  But the signs are here of improvement - and we welcome the activity.  Brevard will be among the first to come out of the slump.  We have beautiful beaches, the wide Indian River lagoon, a friendly small-town atmosphere, and high-tech employment.  All within an hour of Orlando’s attractions - what more could a person ask!

I’m keeping an eye on the market and ready to report on market changes.  Come on down, Spring has sprung in Melbourne, FL and life is good!

We’re seeing home buying and selling activity increase in Melbourne, Florida.     There are more than our normal Spring time buyers out there looking at homes.  These shoppers are on the hunt to secure their home choice and take advantage of the government incentive.  If they contract by April 30th, qualified buyers will be eligible to receive the $8,000 tax credit.

The hot deals are the well-priced homes that are fresh, clean and sparkling.  For the right house, people are standing in line.  What’s not hot?  Overpriced homes that are not “show-room ready”.

Inventory is plentiful, prices are very attractive, interest rates are great.   The moon, stars, and the sun are aligned to make it happen.  Buyers still need to remember the basics…  location, location, location!

A few more rules for buyers:  1) be prepared to compromise; no house is perfect   2) remember that this will be your home; don’t focus so much on the “deal” that you lose sight of the real goal here.

Let’s not forget rules for sellers:  1) spiff up your place - get rid of the cobwebs and dust; make it shine   2) be prepared to compromise… (sound familiar?)

Opportunity is out there  - just don’t let the good ones get away!

Why is a fresh start so exhilarating?   What is  it about the New Year that brings us all hope and excitement?   I guess the answers don’t really matter as long as the attitude is  there.    This is the time to make promises for a great year.

Therefore I promise to:

- shake off any “hangover” from difficult or tough business during 2009
- reach out to all of my current customers with enthusiasm and gratefulness for their business
- foster an atmosphere of cooperation with my fellow agents - try to make their jobs easier
- keep my desk organized 
- improve on my efficiency and my technical skills  (yikes - that’s a biggy)
- plan to do something good for somebody else

Well - that’s a good start for me.  How about the rest of you?

Best wishes to all for a healthy and prosperous 2010!

Teri

‘Tis the week before Christmas on Florida’s coast       
Where Teri at RE/MAX is making the most
of mild winter days and cool breezy nights
she’s looking for houses with all of her might

The buyers are shopping with diligent care
in hopes that the perfect home soon will be there
they search high, search low, scan all around
in time the best property will be found

The sellers are wondering if it all will be fine
Teri assures them, “just give it time”
Looking perfect forever can really get old
but as long as it does, this home will be sold

‘Tis the week before Christmas and even the mouse
knows Teri is out there, selling a house
The market is busy, we know that is true
Happy buying and selling to all of you!

This is the third time in the past 6 months that WJS Land Surveying has saved a transaction for my clients.  We don’t often take time to share the positives in this business - so here’s my referral for a terrific land surveyor.

1)  he solved a shared well issue and proved there was room to dig a new well on a very difficult sized lot  (all the parties loved him)
2)  he met with two home owners and very peacefully and courteously helped to resolve a very long-fought boundary issue  (they loved him too)
3)  he discovered a tricky error and corrected it on a waterfront piece assuring clear title for the new buyer and proper documentation for future sale of the property
4)  too many more examples from previous years to name here….

Bill Suiter surveys large tracts and developer/builder parcels as well as individual properties for residential closings.  Over the years he has fixed glitches more times than I can count.  That’s probably because he actually physically surveys the property.  (fyi many do not)   He is very detail-oriented and has over 20 years of experience.  He does it right - the first time.   If you’re looking for a quality surveyor in Florida who knows his business please contact:

Bill Suiter,  WJS Land Surveying  321 728-0553 or wsuiter@att.net

Cheers to a Happy Home experience!  

Summer time in Florida -

We love the beaches, the river and all the outdoor activities - but have to admit it gets a little warm in July and August!

Good news is that the Real Estate market is heating up also and we’re enjoying that increase in temperature!    Our inventory in south Brevard county has dropped from  over 7,000 single family homes listed to just around 4,500 homes for sale.  That’s still a lot…  but in time we’ll level out and get back to a more balanced buyer and seller market.

In the meantime -  “If you’re lucky enough…..”

Cheers!