Florida Homes and Condos for Sale

I never had to choose a subject - my subject rather chose me.  Ernest Hemingway

The range of topics presented on Activerain run the entire spectrum from “How to” to “Yesterday’s experience” to “Wordless and Speechless” photo endeavors.  Many times the article is simply information directed to home buyers and sellers in a specific area (this is our purpose, right?).

What do I write about today?

Could it be the Activerain member relocating to Florida who called me yesterday for assistance? [That is quite an honor and a real endorsement!]

I could write about my back ache this morning. Maybe I slept wrong or something.  I could call Richard Weisser and find out how he slept last night.

Maybe I could write about my weekend in Daytona Beach and how great it was…except for that less than great experience at Inlet Harbor Restaurant in Ponce Inlet, Florida on Saturday night!

Actually the experience reminded me of some neighborhoods I have lived in over the years…looks inviting but the experience is not actually what you thought it would be!

I guess I will use the Hemingway method of choosing a subject.  It works for most on Activerain!

Now, if that subject would only come to me…

How do I know if a neighborhood is right for me?  The truth is not all neighborhoods are nice ... nor are all neighbors nice.

When shopping for a house or condo, your real estate agent can not mislead or steer you to or away from any specific neighborhood.  As a seller your real estate agent will almost always say the obligatory “nice neighborhood” or even “established neighborhood” someplace within the narrative.  As an added bonus many times the agent will even throw in “excellent schools nearby” as well!

The truth is not all neighborhoods are nice.

Some are old and run down. Some are crime-ridden (or, in a more PC manner "have a greater propensity to be the site of criminal activity!").   Some are on a property value downward spiral.  And, lets aface it, not all schools are excellent.

As a buyer you must take some initiative and do some research on your own.  Call local law enforcement to check the statistics for the area.  Consult the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Sexual Offender web site. Visit the schools personally before deciding on a house (verify school assignment as changes happen).   Consult the Brevard County Public School website or a site like schoolmatters.com.

Here are a few more tips to consider when selecting a neighborhood in which to live:

• Drive around the neighborhood after school (or during the weekend) to see what its like when folks are home.
• Get out and talk to neighbors.
• How many folks are walking their dogs, riding bikes, out with their children?
• What is the traffic like?
• How are the nearby houses maintained?
• How many houses are for sale or being foreclosed?
• What is the percentage of owner-occupied homes?
• If there is a homeowner or condo association ask around about issues, effectiveness and organization.

This is not a comprehensive list, just some suggestions for consideration as you begin your home search.

Heritage Isle in Viera Florida - Affordable condos in premier 55+ gated Florida community

Heritage Isle located in Viera (between Melbourne and Rockledge) Florida offers those seeking a gated 55+ community several choices.  For some who are downsizing the patio style homes may be what they seek.  While others, although they are retiring to a 55+ community, still want that 3,000 square foot house.  And then some choose the condo lifestyle.

In Viera's Heritage Isle, regardless of structure, they all enjoy the same facilities in a perfect location!

As of today there are nine active condo units for sale within Heritage Isle, Viera's premier 55+ community.  All of the units within the complex (there are 4 buildings) are two bedroom, two bath units although the square footage varies from 1154 to slightly over 1400 sq ft.

Prices for these active units are $125,000 to $160,000.

Two units went under contract in June 2010 and another sale was closed - $145,000 for a 1,408 sq ft unit.  This is good news as only two units closed during the previous five months.

For information on 55+ communities in Brevard County Florida including Indian River Colony Club, Grand Isle, or Heritage Isle, call me directly at 321-693-3850.

Ocassionally I see recipes - great sounding recipes on Activerain.  They sound so good that my comment to Gary's post should be a new Activerain guideline...

"You really should mail a batch of these to all who comment on your post. That is should the rule for recipe posts!"

I am not a “luddite” but sometimes I hate computers! Strange coming from someone who has several blogs, a Facebook, Twitter and Linked-in accounts and more.

But sometimes “they” are in charge and we mere mortals can do nothing.

Take, for instance, the online system at the local unnamed power company.   My wife attempted to make her usual online bill payment earlier this week.  We had changed checking accounts recently and she updated the system.    She entered the payment amount, click and…it went to the old closed account.

The system has an edit button but it would not do anything. (I guess it was there just for show – much like a politician!)

So the next morning I called the local number and was told to call my bank.   The clerk failed to understand it was a closed account  (another post on listening in the works!).

Her supervisor advised me that the computer was in charge.  In about five days they will get a response from the bank that the account is closed.   Further, I could not make a payment from my real account because “the system” does not allow me to pay in advance!

Sometimes it is best to just mail a check I guess…. Could it be the the post office is sometimes more efficient than a computer?  Nahhh...

Viera, located in north Melbourne Florida, has about 19,000 residents and about 8,100 homes. The planned community will eventually cover about 22,000 acres and will provide residents with golf courses, conservation areas, lakes, parks, shopping, schools, a new hospital and more.

Many of these amenities are already operational including The Avenues at Viera Mall, Health First Viera Hospital (opens in 2011), Duran Golf Club, Space Coast Stadium (minor league baseball, Washington Nationals spring training facility), Viera High School, Manatee and Quest Elementary Schools and more!

Regardless of price range, Viera has a place for you to call home.  For the sake of space I am providing just a comment on the neighborhoods. 

• Wyndham at Duran - Million dollar golf course homes, 4,000+ sq ft and more! 
• Charolais Estates - Gated community, $500,000+,  executive homes. 
• Colfax Landing- Gated community, executive style homes, $400,000+ prices. 
• Chelford- New construction $300,000- $400,000s, large homes, nice! 
• Cortona - Gated community, $700,000 range. 
• Daintree - Affordable homes in $200,000 range. 
• Eason Landing- Great custom built homes by Viera Builders, in $300-400,000s. 
• Fairway Lakes at Viera- Gated golf course community, $300,000 to $700,000s, nice! 
• Gatwick Manor - Semi custom homes around $300,000. 
• Heritage Isle- Exclusive 55+ community offering condos and single family unit. 
• Levanto - Custom built homes in $400,000s.  
• Ravencliffe- Gated community, mostly in the $400-$500,000 range. 
• Stoneridge - New townhouse community offering units under $200,000.  
• Summer Lakes - Large, exclusive exclusive homes in premier gated community, $800K to $2 million! 
• Sunstone - Large Lennar built homes mid-$200,000 to mid-$400,000. 
• Terramore - Priced in the $300-$600,000s, semi custom homes.
  

There are new construction, re-sales (even some short sales) available in most of the above developments.

For information on any houses or condos for sale in Viera, just ask!

For the golfing enthusiast this two-story rental townhouse is located at 1244 Admiralty Blvd on the 18th fairway of the Turtle Creek Golf Course in Rockledge, Florida, only a short walk from the club house, practice range, putting green and first tee!

Last weekend I was in Palatka, Florida - a sleepy little north Florida town where I grew up years ago. While walking downtown enjoying the annual Bluecrab Festival I saw this mural on a side street. The thing that caught my eye was people coming in and out through the door on lower left...Initially I thought it just part of the picture.

There can be usually is a major difference between a short sale property and a foreclosure property.  Many buyers – with possibly the exception of experienced investors – do not understand the differences.

In many short sales the home owner is still living in the property.  They are attempting to sell for less than they owe (thus the term “short sale”) and want as much as they can get for the property.  It is not in their best interest to “give it away!” They may be held liable for the difference between selling price and monies owed. 

A foreclosure (also known as bank-owned or REO) has been through the foreclosure process.  Most often the owner did not have the financial means to handle maintenance and upkeep or chose to not make repairs.  In some cases the property has been stripped of appliances, AC units, garage door openers, even the cabinets in some cases! [Some short sales have been similarly defaced.]

Some foreclosures are what is now being termed as a strategic default where the owner has decided to walk away rather than be upside down in a mortgage.  It is these strategic default properties (some short sales, some foreclosures) that are, in my opinion,  likely in the best condition.

But finding a foreclosure in perfect condition is a myth – much as Sasquatch or the Loch Ness Monster.

Looking for a short sale in Viera, Suntree, Melbourne or Rockledge, Florida?  Call me at 321-693-3850 or email me.