July 17, 2018
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Garrett_Bell

3 Real Estate Scams You Need to Avoid

By | Blog


There are three common real estate scams that you need to be aware of so you know how to avoid them.

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Here are three common real estate scams that you need to make sure you do not fall prey to:

1. Wire fraud. This scam is the most common and the most serious. It has come up over the past few years and has caused title companies to change their policies to the point where they will no longer send wiring instructions via email.

It works like this: Scammers hack into the email accounts of real estate agents and title companies, then send fraudulent emails to homebuyers with instructions to wire their money to the wrong account. After the money gets transferred, it is almost impossible to retrieve it. If you are about to purchase a home, call the title company before you transfer any money and make sure you have the correct wiring instructions.

“It is important that you work with an experienced agent who can help you know the difference between a legitimate part of a real estate transaction and a scam.”

2. Fake rentals (or posting homes for rent that are not actually available). You often see this type of scam on Zillow or Craigslist, and it usually happens to desperate renters who need to move in quickly. Scammers will find vacant homes and list them as available for rent. As soon as a renter contacts them about it, they will ask for a deposit sight unseen. Again, never send money to anyone until you can verify that they represent a legitimate company.

3. Marketing schemes. This scam happens to homebuyers after they have purchased their home and they go to get their recorded deed. Scammers will send you a document that looks official and charge you a fee (usually around $85) to get that recorded deed. Getting your recorded deed is not something you have to pay for. You get it for free, and it is a publicly recorded document, so you can call your title company at any time if you want it.

No matter what, it is important that you work with an experienced agent who can help you know the difference between a legitimate part of a real estate transaction and a scam.

If you have any more questions about these scams or how to avoid them or you have any other real estate needs, please feel free to reach out to me. I would love to help you.

July 16, 2018
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Happy students working on machinery in laboratory while using computer.

Why it’s great to live in Melbourne, FL

By | Blog
Happy students working on machinery in laboratory while using computer.

Look forward to a lucrative career in the fields of science, tech, engineering, and math

Melbourne, FL has a little bit of everything – and something for everyone. It’s one of the most promising real estate markets in the state, as it offers plenty of opportunities for work and play. If you’re looking to purchase property in Florida, here’s why Melbourne should be on top of your list:

  1. Ideal location

    As Melbourne, FL lies along the Indian River Lagoon, it is paradise for boaters and anglers alike. There are also many beach parks in the barrier island not far from the city center. As for accessibility, the city has an international airport right next to major interstates.

  2. Tech jobs abound

    Cape Canaveral, John F. Kennedy Space Center, and General Electric all call Melbourne, FL home, so there are plenty of job opportunities for people in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math. And with STEM jobs fetching an average wage of $87,000 per year, you can look forward to a fulfilling and lucrative career here.

  3. Lower cost of living

    First off, there is no state income and sales tax in Florida, giving you more bang for your hard-earned buck. Housing prices are also lower at $163,000 versus the national average of $222,000. Likewise, the cost of living is about 11.7% lower than the US average.

  4. Year-round sunshine

    Melbourne, FL gets about 234 days of sunshine each year and zero inches of snow. In short, you can spend two-thirds of the year chilling on the beach, exploring the great outdoors, and tending to your garden. In fact, Melbourne, FL scored an impressive 81/100 on Sperling’s comfort index.

  5. Live close to nature

    Need to get away from the bustle of modern living? Head over to Sebastian Inlet State Park to reconnect with nature. Here you can go scuba diving, kayak through mangroves, go saltwater fishing, and hike or bike through scenic trails, among other outdoor activities.

  6. Great schools

    When you live in Melbourne, FL you can be sure your kids are getting the best education possible. GreatSchools.org gave a glowing 10/10 rating to four of the city’s elementary schools: Longleaf, Quest, Suntree, and Sherwood. The area is also home to respected higher education institutions like Florida Institute of Technology, Everest University, and Brevard Community College.

  7. Thriving culture scene

    While the city’s claim to fame is its booming tech industry, the Eau Gallie Arts District on Main Street proves the city has an eye for fine arts, too. As the area’s culture hub, the district is home to several historic structures as well as museums like Foosaner Art Museum and Rossetter House Museum and Gardens.

  8. Plenty of community parks

    The city may not be particularly big, but it certainly doesn’t scrimp on public green spaces. Melbourne, FL boasts nine public parks where you and the family can play sports, go on a picnic, walk the dogs, and take in the beauty of nature.

Fun, affordable, high-tech, and close to nature — what more can you ask for in a city? The good news is that there are still Melbourne homes for sale that fit your needs. Browse the website for more information, or get in touch with local expert Garrett Bell at 321.537.6697 or [mail_to email=”[email protected]”][email protected][/mail_to].

July 6, 2018
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Top view of a raw sea bream fish at the center of an horizontal frame with cooking and seasoning ingredients like olive oil, salt and pepper, rosemary, lemon, thyme, chili pepper, tomatoes, parsley, garlic, chive, are all around the fish. DSRL studio photo taken with Canon EOS 5D Mk II and Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

Guide to the best seafood restaurants in Satellite Beach, FL

By | Blog

Top view of a raw sea bream fish at the center of an horizontal frame with cooking and seasoning ingredients like olive oil, salt and pepper, rosemary, lemon, thyme, chili pepper, tomatoes, parsley, garlic, chive, are all around the fish. DSRL studio photo taken with Canon EOS 5D Mk II and Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

When you live in Satellite Beach, Florida, you don’t just get to enjoy the surf and the sea – you also get your pick of the best seafood restaurants. Whether you’re looking for tiki-inspired fare or down-home comfort food, these popular places have it:

  • Goombay’s Island Grill

    This barnhouse-inspired restaurant sits across the expanse of the Atlantic – an indication of how fresh its seafood is. Must-try menu items include conch fritters, seared tuna blossom, and shrimp skewers, to name a few. Wash down your meal with wine or beer. There’s also live music on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

    Goombay’s Island Grill is located along 306 Florida A1A, Satellite Beach, FL. Open 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. from Sunday to Thursday. Closes at 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

  • Q’s Seafood Onestop

    Q’s Seafood Stop has one simple promise: to provide excellent food every single time. Among its specialties are shrimp and snow crab platters, lobster tail mac & cheese, and seafood boil. The restaurant does catering during holidays and special events. For your convenience, there’s an online ordering system that gives you real time updates on your order.

    Q’s Seafood Onestop is located along 228 Florida A1A, Satellite Beach, FL. Open from 12 noon – 7 p.m. from Sunday to Thursday. Closes at 9:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

  • North By South Bistro

    There’s something for everyone at this unassuming restaurant, from New England-inspired seafood dishes to Southern comfort food. All items are prepared from scratch daily, including the spices. Be sure to try their clam chowder, lobster bisque, shrimp po’ boy, and mahi tacos.

    North By South Bistro is located along 228 S, Florida A1A, Satellite Beach, FL. Open from 11 a.m .- 9 p.m. from Sunday to Thursday. Closes at 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

  • Bunky’s Raw Bar & Seafood Grille

    Nothing beats the taste of fresh oysters, and there’s no better place to sample them than Bucky’s. Aside from its raw bar, the restaurant also serves excellent seafood fare such as seafood gumbo, tuna steak, alligator tail, and snow crab. With several high-definition TVs, Bunky’s is also an ideal place to watch sports matches.

    Bunky’s Raw Bar & Seafood Grille is located along 2372 N Hwy A1A, Indialantic, FL. Open from 11 a.m.- 10 p.m. from Sunday to Thursday. Closes at 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

  • Hula Moon Tiki Grill

    With Hula Moon, you don’t need to travel to Hawaii to sample authentic Polynesian cuisine. A modern take on the popular tiki bars of the 1950s, it serves finely crafted cocktails, beers, and wine. Its popular seafood dishes include coconut shrimp, seafood-stuffed flounder, and tempura tuna, just to name a few.

    Hula Moon Tiki Grill is located along 1900 Florida A1A, Indian Harbour Beach, FL. Open from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. from Sunday to Thursday. Closes at 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

If you find the idea of living near the ocean alluring, browse the website for information on Satellite Beach homes for sale. For inquiries, get in touch with local expert Garrett Bell. Call 321.537.6697 or email [mail_to email=”[email protected]”][email protected][/mail_to].

July 2, 2018
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Garrett_Bell

Save Money on Your Tax Bill With the Homestead Exemption

By | Blog




For those who own their primary residence in Florida, applying for the homestead exemption is a great idea. Here’s how it works.

Buying a home? Click here to search all homes for sale.
Selling your home? Click here to learn more about our home selling system.

I often receive questions from both buyers and sellers about homestead exemptions and how they work, so today I want to discuss the basics with you.

In the state of Florida, your homestead exemption goes up to $50,000 based on your home’s assessed value. Your assessed value can be found on the property appraiser’s website—but do not confuse that figure with the appraisal value when you go to purchase a home.

To qualify, your home must be a primary residence; if you own a home out of state that you claim to be your primary residence, you cannot file for a homestead exemption in the state of Florida as well.

The exemption does not auto-transfer, either. If you purchase a new home, you will have to apply for the exemption again.

Here’s an example of how it might work:

Suppose your assessed value is $300,000. Your exemption will amount to $50,000, so your property will be taxed based on a $250,000 value instead of the full $300,000.

To be eligible for the homestead exemption, you have to own your house by January 1, but you don’t have to officially apply until March 1. If you’re in the process of buying a home at the end of the year, try to have it under contract by January in order to qualify for that year.

In order to apply for the homestead exemption, you’ll need:

– A driver’s license

– Your social security card

– Your vehicle registration

– The deed to your home

“If you own your primary residence in Florida, there’s no reason not to claim your homestead exemption, since it will save you money on your tax bill every year.”

The deed will take about six weeks to get recorded, so as soon as you receive that document, head down to the property appraiser’s office and put in your application.

There are five local offices in Brevard County at which you can submit your application:

– There are two in Melbourne

– Palm Bay

– Merritt Island

– Titusville

The application process doesn’t take too long; you should be in and out within 20 minutes. Just be sure to bring all your documents with you.

The bottom line is if you own your primary residence in Florida, there’s no reason not to claim your homestead exemption, since it will save you money on your tax bill.

If you have any questions about the homestead exemption or how it works, feel free to reach out to me. I’d be happy to help you.

June 6, 2018
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Buyers and Sellers: Don’t Miss This Brevard County Market Update

By | Uncategorized

What’s going on in our Brevard County real estate market? Let’s take a look at the latest statistics.

Buying a home? Click here to search all homes for sale.
Selling your home? Click here to learn more about our home selling system.

What’s going on in our local real estate market? It’s time for the latest update.

As we progress into the summer, things are beginning to heat up. For one thing, median sales price is up to $228,000. This constitutes a 12% increase year over year.

And, as a reminder, the reason we look at the median sales price instead of the average sales price is that this figure is less likely to be skewed by outlying high-price sales.

Moving on, there have been about 3,100 sales to date in terms of single-family homes. With this amounting to a 5% increase in sales from this time last year, it’s clear that we’re seeing a lot of movement in our market.

Cash sales, on the other hand, are down by 12% this year. This downward trend in terms of cash sales is something we’ve observed over the past few years, as fewer investors are making purchases these days compared to the number of owner-occupant buyers using financing.

“It’s a great time to make your move whether you’re a buyer or a seller.”

These trends aside, there are two questions I’m often asked by buyers and sellers in our market. First: What is the average time listings spend on the market? And second, What’s the average list-to-sales ratio?

To address the first question, our average time on market in Brevard County is currently sitting at about 32 days. This is approximately the same as what we saw last year.

We’re also seeing a list-to-sales ratio that is very similar to what we observed in 2017. The current ratio is about 96.5%.

But what do all these figures and trends mean?

It’s actually a great time to be a seller, for one thing. And buyers should also consider making their move sooner rather than later. The market isn’t set to slow down anytime soon, so now is a great time to make your next home purchase.

If you have any other questions, would like more information, or are curious about how statistics vary for your specific area, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.