10/14/2013

Carolyn Smith, Realtor & Bridget Sentz, Realtor ~ Coastal Estate Team – Melbourne, FL Real Estate: Just Sold in Heritage Isle, 55+ Community in Melbourne, FL Just Sold! Heritage Isle Townhome in Melbourne! The Coastal Estate Team just sold this lovely townhome in Heritage Isle, an upscale 55+ community in Melbourne, FL. With an open floor plan boasting over 1,500 square feet, plus a screened lanai and a one car garage, this impeccably maintained townhome offers 2 bedrooms and 2 baths, plus a versatile flex room. This home features vaulted ceilings, extended tile areas, walk-in closets, wood cabinets, corian countertops, accordion hurricane shutters and much more!  The new owner of this home will be overjoyed with the location, right next to Heritage Isle’s 20,000 square foot clubhouse w... 10/14/2013

I am often asked this question when I go on a listing appointment. The prospective sellers may be looking at multiple agents...and they are trying to determine which way they should go. Here is my two cents (and why I choose to work with Coldwell Banker): First let me start by saying the most important part of your choice should be the specific agent. If you choose a large firm, small firm, boutique firm...or a single agent shop...if the agent is bad...you will get poor representation. The advantage of being with a large firm in this particular situation is you can call the broker (the agents boss) and in many cases get some assistance in rectifying the situation. I must also add a caveat...do not just choose your agent by the website they have. I know an agent who spent thousands of do... 10/11/2013

I wanted to congratulate Carla on her new home purchase in West Melbourne, FL. It is an absolutely beautiful 3 bedroom 2 bath home...plus a french door study! It was one of those homes...that when you walked in you just knew the seller was crazy about the home. Everything was unbelievably clean and organized! Carla is going to put in some beautiful wide plank wood floors in the living areas...otherwise it is in perfect move-in condition. The granite counters and stainless appliances were in perfect shape...and the home is only 1 year old! This is such a great home for her and her family! 10/08/2013

I am so excited about the Keller Williams mobile App. This is a useful App for both SELLERS & BUYERS. DOWNLOAD MY FREE MOBILE APP and SEARCH HOMES ON THE GO Download the app from iTunes Store (iphone, ipad, ipod) or Google Play (Android users) Search for "Keller Williams Realty". enter code KW273POJ4 when you install the KW app. That's it ...you are done.      http://app.kw.com/KW273POJ4 Enter my agent code KW273POJ4 at the startup of the app or via the "My Agent" button on the main menu. Once you've entered my code, you can contact me directly with questions or requests regarding any property in Brevard County including Melbourne, West Melbourne, Viera, Rockledge, Palm Bay, Cocoa, Cape Canaveral, Cocoa Beach, Satellite Beach, Indian Harbour Beach, Indialantic, Melbourne Beach.   Now a... 10/03/2013

      Is your home located in a flood zone?  Do you know? How do you find out if it is? Usually at the time you purchase your home, you are notified whether your house is located in a flood zone.  If it is, your lender will require you to purchase a separate flood insurance policy to cover the property in case of rising ground water. However, if it is determined that your house is not located in a flood zone, did you know that you can still purchase flood insurance?  The premium amount varies depending on your home and its location. According to The National Flood Insurance Program, some questions that you should be sure to ask your insurance company are... Can you confirm what flood zone I am in? Does my community participate in the National Flood Insurance Program Community Rating Sy... 10/03/2013

It never ceases to amaze me how quickly time passes. My girls, Sam and Stephanie and I visited with my dear friend of 24 years, Jennifer and her family. Jennifer was there the day Stephanie was born almost 21 years ago.  She has watched my girls grow up.  And now it's time for us to watch her little boy, Luke Henry, who is filled with energy, excitement, joy and giggles, grow up.  Jen and Chad you are amazing parents. And, you are all so truly blessed to have each other.   10/02/2013

The new law has been rolled out here in Florida putting a ban on texting while driving.  Drivers cannot use a cell phone or a tablet while their vehicle is in motion.  It could be a $30 fine for the first offense. A second violation in five years will cost $60 and add 3 points to your drivers license. The law includes reading or sending a text, email or instant message on a smartphone while driving. This means police have to stop drivers for another offense in order to write a ticket for the texting. The law allows texting at a red light or in a traffic jam. Florida is the 41st state to put this law into effect. How is this going to affect your drivers?   10/02/2013

There is just something about the charm of an old railroad trestle... in Downtown, Melbourne.  When I was growing up we lived about 2 blocks from the railroad tracks.  You could hear the train from our house. But, in time we became used to it.  When we headed outside to play, the park and the basketball courts where we used to meet our friends was right next to the tracks.  Invariably, it seemed that somehow the boys in the neighborhood would always end up over by the tracks. I remember they used to head down to the old trestle and walk across it. I still remember that I was always apprehensive that a train would come while we were on it.  It's funny the things we still remember, so vividly. 09/26/2013

  The Great Tastes At Suntree       The great tastes at Suntree begins October 12, 2013 at 5:30 p.m. at the Suntree Country Club.  The event is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Suntree for the benefit of the Children's Hunger Project.  The tickets are $30, and you can get more information by calling (321) 890-4301.  That's the basic information, but there's so much more to say about this extravaganza that you won't want to miss.       What's in it for you?  Just the chance to experience a smorgasbord of culinary delights from the area's most sought-after restaurants.  Places that you've heard of and wanted to experience, come together to meet you!  Delicacies, specialties, one-of-a-kind items, and food challenges await those who like to experience new things, good food, and a great night... 09/25/2013

I love anyplace that serves good food and cold beer but this little place in Downtown Melbourne, FL is one of my favorite places. For starters it has a great outdoor patio, lots of food and drink special and a large indoor bar with enough televisions sets to almost qualify as a sports bar. Here are some of the highlights of this cool little place: Happy hour from 2-7pm Every Day! You get 2 for 1 Bud Light, Dos XX or Yuengling! $2.00 Tuesday: this is a $2 taco night (beef pork or chicken...higher for mahi or shrimp) and $2 Longneck Tecate. The tacos are really good. My favorite is the shrimp. Wine Down Wednesday: 1/2 price bottles of wine (you read that right) as well as 50 cent wings and Kids Eat Free! I have never found a place with 1/2 price wine before...great special. They also hav... 09/25/2013

Some of you may remember my recent blog concerning Cantina Dos Amigos in Indialantic.  One of my big complaints on the Space Coast has been the lack of GOOD Mexican food here.  Well, at long last, Chipotle Mexican Grill has arrived! Chipotle is/was the brainchild of a University of Colorado student named Steve Ells.  Ells founded Chipotle in 1993, 3 years after graduating from CU.  Ells had a vision of serving only naturally raised meat and to promote the use of sustainable agriculture.   The first Chipotle Mexican Grill was opened in 1993 in a former Dolly Madison store, in Denver, on the southwest corner of East Evans Ave and Gilpin Street, near the University of Denver.  Chipotle Mexican Grill is not your typical fast food restaurant.  Specializing in burritos and tacos, the Chipotl... 09/25/2013

The Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing Arts is located in Melbourne, right here in our own backyard. It is on the campus of Brevard Community College.  It has 126000 square feet, with 2000 seats, and a 200 seat black box theatre. The Brevard County theatre features various types of shows including Broadway shows, ballets, musicals, dance, opera, singers, musicians, family shows and children's programs. The theatre has brought some incredible talent, here to Brevard County Florida. People travel from across the state to see some of the incredible shows at the King Center.  I'm spoiled because my family and I live 5 minutes from the theatre.  Some of the shows that are coming up at the King Center are the Brevard Symphony Orchestra Cirque De la Symphonie, So You Think you Can Dance... 09/24/2013

It was a gorgeous weekend in Mt. Dora, Florida.  It is such a sleepy little town, situated on the lake, with such charm and character.  What a wonderful place to get away to. We went to Renningers Antique Fair. Mt. Dora is located just North of Orlando, about an hour and a half from Melbourne. 09/23/2013

Tips And Tricks For Navigating iOS7 On Your Apple Device.     Did you update your iphone, ipad, ipod to apple’s newest mobile operating system, iOS7?   I think iOS7 is amazing.   Control Center: Just swipe up from any screen and now you can quickly do all of the following.   On the top: Turn on or off Airplane mode, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Do Not Disturb. Lock your screen’s orientation by simply touching your preffered icon. In the middle:  Here you can adjust the screens brightness. Quickly play, pause, or skip a song. You can also connect to AirPlay-enabled devices. At the bottom: Quickly access your flashlight, timer, calculator, and camera. So you see one SWIPE UP gives you so much control!   Notification Center: Just swipe down from any screen and it will help you get   up to speed. ... 09/21/2013

Being a landlord, I am always careful to explain to tenants moving into a property that a landlord's rental dwelling insurance policy does not cover the contents of the property, or a renters belongings.   So, if there is a fire, flood, hurricane, tornado, etc. that does damage or destroys the home, the tenant's personal belongings are not covered. "I don't have enough sfuff to worry about it if something happens."  This response makes me cringe. Because you don't know what you've got till it's gone. Unfortunately, if something happens, you'll find out how much you had.  We've seen it on TV... homes destroyed. Insurance will rebuild the landlord's property. But, the tenant is left with nothing... when he has no insurance.  It's sad.   Over 60% of tenants have no insurance on their belon... 09/20/2013

It's time to head out to that listing appointment to talk with a seller about current market conditions and let him know today's market value of his house.  The seller describes the beautiful upgrades to his house.  There is no denying it... the home is beautiful.  And those extra, added features will help the home move off the market more quickly than another house in that area... provided.... the home is priced competitively for today's market. A home is only worth what a buyer is willing to pay for it in today's market, and no more! Sellers are not always happy with the current market value of their home. Comments range from... 'Well, how can that be?  Mine is the nicest home around.  Check again!'  But remember,  a buyer's sentiment may not always match the sellers enthusiasm. And,... 09/19/2013

I remember when my girls were little, it never ceased to amaze me the small things that caught their attention and captivated them for hours.  Every new discovery was like opening a treasure chest that fulfilled their every wish.   Now, today I watch my nephew's little girls, April and Miah. They are full of joy and mesmerized by the little things. It seems that the fast pace of this crazy world grabs hold of us.  Our day to day  responsibilities so often take our attention away from the special people and simple pleasures that are so important. Funny, I used to take my camera everywhere I went. I would pull over to grab a great shot of the river, or of a beautiful bird or a tiny butterfly. I would make time to drive out to capture an incredible sunset.  And, I would do it often.  But t... 09/17/2013

As we get older, we ponder thoughts of getting our debts paid down or off, so that we can live comfortably in our retirement years. Today, some analysts are advising established homeowners, in their later years, not to pay off their mortgages early, especially if the interest rate is 5% or less.  This advice contradicts the old school of thought of getting the mortgage paid down as quickly as possible (perhaps because interest rates were so much higher back then). With the mortgage paid off, if the real estate market were to decline, as in years passed, then owners would not have to worry about their equity position in their home.  They wouldn't be upside down, with a mortgage balance higher than the market value of their home. What do you think? Should you pay your mortgage off early o... 09/16/2013

Termites cause billions of dollars worth of damage each year. The soil here in Florida is conducive to termites.  We often say that, "In Florida, it's not if you have termites, it's when you get termites." Some facts about termites: Termites don’t sleep.  They eat 24 hours a day.   A home can have as many as 3 to 4 termite colonies around it with 1 million termites in each colony. One colony of termites can eat 1000 lbs of cellulose ( found in high moisture wood) a year.   The worker and soldier termites are usually blind because they live in the dark.   The king and queen termite can live 20 to 30 years, while the workers only live for about 2.   Termite damage can go unseen for years.   Termites can be found in every state in the nation, except Alaska. It's important to stay aware of ... 09/12/2013