Today we are hearing that identity theft is on the rise.  Yesterday I read an article in our local paper about a landlord and prior tenant that had a dispute over $200 in back rent. The prior tenant alleges that his previous landlord took his credit and personal information and posted it on a subscriber list of companies that sell all types of electronics. According to the tenant, within months his credit score fell from 700 to down below 500 due to the dozens and dozens of companies checking his credit.   Identity theft is on the rise. I have even read that identities are being stolen from people under 18 years old. To protect yourself from Identity Theft: 1 - Pay only with cash or credit card.  Do not carry more than 1 or 2 credit cards with you at all times. Leave your checkbook at... 12/11/2008

Sandy Shores, Realtor | M & M Real Estate, Inc | 321-253-4545 1919 Radnor Drive, Melbourne, FL Affordable Central Melbourne Florida 2BR/1BA Single Family House offered at $67,998 Year Built 1958 Sq Footage 704 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms 1 full, 0 partial Floors 1 Parking 1 Car garage Lot Size 6,534 sqft HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION 4% commission to buyers agent Cozy home centrally located to mall, beaches, dining, I-95 and so much more. Large fenced yard. Close to New Haven Ave. Owner reserves the right to limit repairs, D&N. Not a short sale or foreclosure. see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES Central A/C Living room Yard ADDITIONAL PHOTOS Seller contact info: Sandy Shores, Realtor M & M Real Estate, Inc 321-253-4545 For sale by agent/broker Equal Opportunity Housing Posted: ... 12/10/2008

  Every year US News and World Reports ranks the top high schools in the country.  This year, West Shore Junior Senior High School here in Melbourne Florida was ranked #58 out of 21,000 high schools in the country. Each year West Shore receives a ranking in the top 200 of the best in the country.  This year the teachers, administration, and students should be commended for West Shores' top ranking.  Very impressive! Those students that are fortunate to be a part of the Wildcat team have certainly been blessed! GO WILDCATS! The top high schools in the US - check the report here 12/08/2008

We see them all the time houses for rent 2, 3, 4 and 5 months and sometimes even longer. Some landlords are holding out for the "big bucks".  I have heard the same thing on many occasions, oh,"I've got to have 'x' amount of money per month to rent this place. I'm looking for the big bucks."  I think that depending on the individual situation, sometimes this thinking can be a little short sighted in the current market we are in. In our area of Brevard County Florida vacancies are up this year by over 12%, to a total of about 15%. There are some competitively priced properties for rent.  Not to mention apartment buildings that are offering low and no security deposits.  And a free month's rent (typically given at the end of the lease term). If a house is listed for rent at $1200 a month a... 12/08/2008

The Wildcat Powerlifting World Championships will be held this weekend, December 6 & 7th .  Lifters from across the country will travel to Melbourne Florida to compete in the competition.  There will be 78 lifters competing in the competition.  Lifters range in age from 12 years old to 75 years old. 8th grade World Record Holder Sam Shores and Senior Jayson Wadzinski are heading the Wildcat team this weekend.      Jayson Wadzinski deadlifted 400 lbs in yesterday's competition.   Sam broke her own World record on this 245 lb. deadlift. At yesterday's competition, 13 year old Sam Shores broke 4 World Records. Sam has broken 15 Worlds Records since August 2007.  Sam Shores currently holds 7 World Records in Powerlifting.   Best of luck to lifters competing today. None of this would be poss... 12/07/2008

I love fruit.  And this is the time of year that I am able to pick the fruit from our trees that lasts us for the winter.  We usually have large juicy navels, grapefruit, tangerines and lemons bigger than softballs.  Navel oranges are my favorite. I can pick them off my backyard tree.  The only problem is, sometimes I eat too many. This year I have been able to go and pick some delicious fruit off the trees at some of our rental houses, after I ask the tenant's first, of course.  They are glad that I take it.  In years gone by, my daughters and I have taken all the fruit off the trees and passed bags and bags and bags of it out at school to teachers and parents and friends. Some years we were blessed with over 50-60 full bags of fruit.  We picked every piece and none went to waste.  We ... 12/06/2008

Brevard's Best Youth Entertainment kicked off their Christmas Show this week.  They performed their first show of the season at Courtenay Springs Adult Retirement Community on Merritt Island.  They are scheduled to perform their show of singing and dancing 16 more times between December 6 and December 21. The girls range from age 6 and 16 years old.  They each volunteer anywhere from 75 to 150 hours of community service hours to give back to their community.   They travel from nursing homes to Alzheimers centers to libraries to perform. If you would like a schedule of this year's Christmas performances here in Brevard County Florida, please contact me, I will be more than happy to provide you the list of upcoming show dates and times. This article is authored by Sandy Shores, Melbourne ... 12/06/2008

  The US Marine Corps Reserve will be collecting Toys for Tots for their annual Christmas Drive.. Toys that are donated must be new and unwrapped. The Melbourne Association of Realtors will lend a helping hand by leaving a donation box at their Melbourne office at 1450 Sarno Road here in Melbourne Florida. Some of these children do not have any family. Toys must be dropped by December 14, 2008. 12/02/2008

  The Wickham Park LightFest runs from November 25 - December 28, 2008.  It is a one mile tunnel of lights that you drive through in your car. Hundreds of thousands of lights are displayed, even a Santa on a shuttle. Proceeds go to charities such as Habitat for Humanity of Brevard, Eau Gallie High School, Florida Today's Reaching out Holiday Fund, Salvation Army and the Speace Coast Marine Institute. Wickham Park is over 390 acres and is located in Melbourne Florida off of Parkway Drive, between Croton Roads and Lake Washington Road.   Times:  6:00 to   9:00 PM Sunday to Thursday             6:00 to 10:00 PM Friday, Saturday and Holidays Cost:   $10.00 per car load Closed on December 21 for a hayride   This article is authored by Sandy Shores, Melbourne FL REALTOR. South Brevard County... 12/01/2008

If you are considering the purchase of gift cards this holiday, you may want to stop and think twice.  We have seen more and more companies closing their doors and going out of business.  The prognosis is that more retailers and restaurants will be going out of business due to the strain of the economy.  If this happens, then what happens to your unredeemed gift cards? Right now, your gift cards becomes void, when the company goes belly up! There are currently no government regulations on how defunct companies must handle unredeemed gift cards.  So, a gift card to a loved one may be a risky choice. I am attaching a link to consumer advocate, Clark Howard's website. This holiday season be cautious with your hard earned cash! As a footnote, if you do choose gift cards, be careful, some co... 11/29/2008

  We were up at 4:15 AM and out of the house by 5:00 AM. We were standing in line at Staples by 5:30 AM and we were about #50 in line - not too bad!  A handful of people had camped out in front of the store the night before.  They were there to buy an HP Laptop with printer for $399. It was a $300 savings.  My 13 year old daughter reminded my that she could sure "use" one of those laptops.  And, I reminded her that she already had a computer. My sister, Jean. who was visiting from Ft Walton Beach and my 2 daughters and I found some great deals at Staples, That's always my first stop the day after Thanksgiving. We headed from store to store.  When we got to the Melbourne Square Mall it was an absolute madhouse. It was absolutely packed.  JCPenneys looked like Disney World.  And, the lin... 11/28/2008

Homes during the holidays are some of the most beautiful homes I've ever seen.  What a wonderful time of year! Homes for sale are decked to the hilt with festive trees, ornaments and family keepsakes. Expensive gifts are purchased and placed under the tree and often the home is filled with loving family members. So, it's very common for home sellers to ask if they should take their home off the market over the holidays. I have mixed feelings on this.  I think it must be looked at on a case by case basis. And, I believe there are so many factors that must be taken into consideration: How long has the home been on the market?  Is it growing stale? What is the sellers time frame?  What is their target move date? Are they motivated to sell or are they just fishing? Will they be home over t... 11/25/2008

I once read an article that indicated that 50% of buyers call an agent from the for sale sign in the yard. Are those stats still correct today? So, are you using brochure boxes/home information tubes outside of your listings? Some of those calls are going to the clients buyer's agent. Does it depend on the listing? The area? The price range? As a SELLER, would you like to see your agent use them? Over the years I have heard varying views on this question.   I. personally, do not use home information tubes outside of my listings. I do not care for them.   I have found myself at the kitchen table with many sellers on their expired listings. In my listing presentation I have a section which addresses outside flyers.  I don't use home information tubes as I don't want a sheet of paper stand... 11/24/2008

I got a call the other day from a man that indicated he was "good friends" with my seller over on 12345 Main St. here in Melbourne Florida. He indicated that he had looked at my seller, 'Bob's' house for the second time in a week and he wanted to buy it. I smelled skunk. RED FLAG #1 - I have known my seller for years. And he's very conscientious. Why was this 'buyer'  calling me and Bob hadn't called to tell me this ahead of time? Not like Bob, at all! AND, I know I had not made any appointments this past week for showings on this particular property. He told me that after speaking to Bob, inside of his house for 45 minutes today, he and 'Bob' had come to terms on a sales price. I smelled skunk! RED FLAG #2!  Again, not like Bob! "Are you working with a REALTOR?, " I asked.  figuring I... 11/23/2008

According to the Melbourne Association of REALTORS here in Brevard County Florida Statistics for October 2008:   For single family residential units: There were 561 new listings. This is a decrease of 27.61% from October 2007 of 775 new listings. Year to date there were 7516 new listings.   There were 226 sold listings. This is a 1.80% increase from October 2007 of 222 sold listings. Year to date there are 2672 listings sold.   The average sale price was $192,766. This is a 9.17 decrease from October 2007 of $212,226.   Average days on the market were 138. This is a 12.20% increase from October 2007 of 123 days.   For all properties, including single family residential, condo and townhouse: There were 910 new listings. There were 280 sold listings. Average sales price was $175,198. Aver... 11/21/2008

The Ascension Fall Festival is being held here in Melbourne Florida this weekend. There is food, fun, games, live entertainment, dancing and singing. The City of Melbourne Dancers performed their tap, ballet and hip hop routines. This is one of my favorite events to attend because my girls, Sam and Stef have been dancing at the festival for many years. Tonight, they performed their new hip hop dance and a sit down tap routine (you think tap dancing is hard standing up, try it while sitting down!) We had a great time playing games, seeing and spending time with friends, and eating good food.           11/15/2008

Investors always ask what kind of property they should buy. Many start the business thinking that a multi unit building is their best bet.  My recommendation to them is to start with a single family house. I do not invest in small multi family complexes.  I prefer single family houses for rental units.  I have had many investors that have experienced the best and worst of both types of properties.   I find that single family properties are easier to buy, sell, rent, own and manage than multi family units. Single family units typically: (the following comparison is single family vs. small 4-10 unit multi family complexes)  >are easier and cheaper to buy  >are easier to get financed. Often times owner financing or creative financing is required.  >require less money down, because they are... 11/14/2008

Kennedy Space Center has begun the countdown clock to the shuttle Endeavour liftoff on November 14, 2008 at 7:55 PM. This is one a just a few manned, night launches. There will be 7 astronauts on board. It will be a 15 day mission to the International Space Station. If the mission is a success, if will double the number of astronauts the station will ba able to hold in the future. If you have never had the opportunity to see one of these it is well worth it.  It is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Living here in Melbourne Florida, I am able to stand in my driveway and see the breathtaking views of the liftoffs. NASA is carefully watching the weather report as they are indicating that a front is in the forecast that could bring in inclement weather.  This mission has previously been scr... 11/13/2008

There are currently over 300 empty homes here in Melbourne Florida, due to foreclosure. Some of these are causing real headaches for Code Enforcement officials. Overgrown yards, unsecure muck filled pools, and rodents are becoming a real issue on some. The number of complaints on these homes has quadrupled in the past couple of years.   Officials are trying to track down the banks/owners of these properties to try to rectify the situations. Some lawns are becoming so overgrown that the city is posting a warning and is then is mowing the grass and charging the owners. The city is trying to determine if they should implement additional laws to try to alleviate some of these problems. 11/11/2008

Well, as many of you know, I have had my eye on gas prices for quite some time now (as so many others have too).  I love to see that they have still been going down and I hope that they continue on the decline.  Here's what I have found in Melbourne Florida over only a three week period of time! I took this picture today at 3:00 PM at my favorite station, close to my home.  Today is November 10, 2008>   At 4:00 today I drove back by and the price had gone down.  What's interesting about this is that I have been out with customers most of the day.  I have been all over town and the average price for gas around here now is $2.25 to $2.29.  Today, in my travels I did not see any stations that were even close to this low price... But, I also noticed this, which was the case the last time I ... 11/10/2008