Florida Homes and Condos for Sale

I am not referring to loss on the sale price of your home but rather, I am talking about minimizing the chance someone may get injured while viewing your home for sale in Brevard County, Florida (or any other place!).

Before you list your home for sale take a good look around your house from a child's perspective. 

Even if you have no children think about potential buyers who do have children accompanying them as they view homes.  And, although I am no lawyer, you do not want to have something happen to anyone on your property - selling or not!

Do not leave toxic within reach of small hands.  I know you are thinking that the children should be under control at all times but I have witnessed it – they aren’t always!


If you have firearms, secure them with some sort of locking device or better yet, remove them.  I can recall the times I have shown homes and seen rifles propped against the wall in a closet or under the bed.  I don’t know if they were loaded but still, why have them there?

And think about your furniture layout and lighting.  Maybe you should leave more lights on? 

And think about the calm dog of yours who is friendly and only barks!

And do not forget about the exterior...any holes or low areas in the lawn?  What about the garden hose on the ground?

Risk reduction and management is a key component of any business.  Selling your home is a business transaction you are part of.

I have heard many times "It is not if you will get sued but when!"

Protect yourself by managing risk exposure.  Sure, they may sue your real estate agent but they may sue you as well... besides no one needs to get injured when it is preventable!

I just read an article written by a local Melbourne, Florida Realtor® Sandy Shores (I'm looking for a Steal, I want to Buy for Pennies on the Dollar) about some of the types of calls we sometimes receive in Brevard County, Florida from interested out of town buyers.

The post made me think about our sometimes flawed thinking when it comes to the depressed real estate market.

In real estate (as well as pretty much anything else) we should understand that not all good (or even great!) deals will be steals.

Attractive prices sometimes have a way of making home buyers much more optimistic and a whole lot less realistic. 

In a buyer's market there are fewer buyers with much more choice (a very competitive seller market including distressed properties).

And although I am certainly aware buying a house is not quite the same as buying a hamburger the correlation is there...

Because there is a Burger King around the corner and a Wendy's down the street, will McDonald's sell me a burger for a substantially discounted price because the competition is keen. [Is there ever a buyer's market in fast food?]

Sometimes the home seller will offer incentives.  Sometimes the seller is motivated and the property is already priced well below the competition.

A good local real estate agent can help you recognize the good deal when it is offered... even when it is not a “pennies on the dollar steal”!

It is 2:00 p.m. and your deadline is 3:00 p.m.  You need a real estate agent who knows and works in Viera, Florida which is home to several 55+ communities including Heritage Isle and Grand Isle.

So what can you do?   Google search 55+ communities in Viera

I received a call from someone wanting to sell me a print ad in a publication I had never heard of that was sent to residents within the 55+ communities in Viera.

And for only $600 I get a choice location next to the crossword puzzle.

Of course I did what most real estate agents would do... I declined.

I do very little print advertising these days as most buyers and sellers find their real estate agent or home they purchase on the Internet....

Selling Your Brevard County Florida Home in a buyers market so fewer showings should be of little concern to me, right?

While it is true the real estate market in Brevard County, Florida is a buyer’s market, sellers (nor their real estate agent) should not rationalize the lack of showings is not a problem. 

The truth is your house will sell in a buyer's market. 

As of August 23, 2011 there have been 298 single family homes sold during August 2011 in Brevard County, Florida.

Of these 298 homes sold in August 2011 almost 30% (that is 87 homes) have been on the market less than 85 days. 

In Brevard County, Florida, sellers who expect to sell will take a legitimate real estate selling strategy and not just "hope and pray."   By the way I do not see anything wrong with some prayer as well!

When you are ready to sell your Brevard County, Florida home, please contact me to discuss how I can help you sell your home.

Some of us are much more competitive than others.  Some of us play to win while others play to participate or get the exercise.  What is this I speak of?  It could be golf, tennis or even track.

It could also be selling your home.

Real estate is a competition.

Successfully selling your home is work on the part of the seller and their Realtor®.

Recognizing this at the outset will put things in perspective and will help keep you focused.

No one puts their home on the market to just participate.  Or do they?

What is wrong with a very attractive list price? 

• It is not bait and switch.
• It is not being deceptive.
• It can't be too low.

It is the only way to sell your house or condo in any housing market.

The key to real estate pricing is pricing to get the offer. No one must sell at the list price but your price must be attractive enough to get the prospective buyer in the door.

Offers greater than list price are acceptable as are multiple offers.  Buyers must remember all sincere offers must contain a bit of reality.  I tell buyers to make an offer that is realistic, one that sets the "let's talk mood!"

Besides, regardless of list price or offer price, unless it is a cash deal….the appraisal rules the transaction unlike the times of yesteryear when an appraisal was like spandex pants...usually a fit regardless! 

Sometimes you forget something and it costs…

Buying and selling real estate involves lots of details.   If you are not a detail oriented person, hopefully your real estate agent is one!

I am not going to list all the processes involved in a real estate transaction but suffice it to say there are many!

What brings this to mind this morning?

There is this house in my neighborhood.  I don’t know the owner as he just recently purchased this house.  He had mentioned he was going to get the landscaping in shape for the summer.  Sure there are some weeds but there is a good base of St. Augustine grass.

Then I see where he brings in a huge tiller (big tractor!) to rip up most of the grass.  I see sprinkler heads and PVC piping in the yard as well.  I wonder if this is one of those details he forgot?  Not sure but he did have an irrigation company over the next day!

Details...it is all about the details!

When you are ready to buy or sell in Viera, Florida, call me.  Let's talk about the details!

How many times does it need to be said?  Price sells... Here Paula puts it very succinctly!

I like to describe a new listing as having a "golden period."

To me the golden period occurs in the first several weeks when the new listing creates excitement and curiosity - buyer prospects!

An overpriced listing will get dismissed by the good real estate agents or will be used to highlight the better priced, more attractive listings.  Sellers do not want to be "the other listing!"

When selling your house or condo your most anticipated feedback is an offer.  When prospective buyers view your property they usually make their initial decision whether is is "in the game" within the first few minutes (some say within seconds).

Having worked with many buyers I can tell you that some play "hard to get."  They do not want a seller to have a clue they like the property at all!  They will not give the seller (or the seller's agent) a clue whatsoever with feedback.

Until.... the call comes.  They want to schedule a second showing.

What does that mean for the seller?

It could mean several things, such as:

1. An offer is in the works, 
2. You are in the running with several properties, 
3. Your house is being used to justify an offer on another house or condo.

Of these possibilities the first two are positive. Number three is a bad signal.  If number three happens a couple of times, consider your marketing plan (price, staging).

Remember, second showings are usually a good sign.  If you are getting some showings, no offer, and no positive feedback, consider your marketing plan (price, staging, curb appeal).