http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-Melbourne_FL-139999/The latest answers submitted by Sandy Shores Melbourne FL Realtor to questions asked on Trulia Voicesen-ushttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Property_QandA/Does_a_golf_membership_come_with_the_property_If-85653Answer by Sandy Shores Melbourne FL Realtor: Kim, No, a golf membership does not come with the property on 2024 SE Windbrook in Palm Bay. A single membership at Majors Golf Course is $1969 a year. For doubles it's $2980 for the year. They are running a 2 year special right now...first year is $132 a month, and $155 a month for the second year. For doubles it's $160 a month, and $189 a month for the second year. Cart fees are separate at $17 for 18 holes and $9 for 9 holes. There are currently other homes also available in Summerfield at Bayside Lakes. Starting at $265,900... Hope this helps. Have a great day. Sandy Shores, Palm Bay Florida RealtorTue, 3 Feb 2009 12:23:58 PSThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Schools/How_are_the_schools_in_Palm_Bay_Is_it_a_place_to_-81914Answer by Sandy Shores Melbourne FL Realtor: Hi Sabrina, Palm Bay is a great place to live. Unfortunately, as Realtors we cannot comment on the quality of the schools here. However, Brevard County Schools rank quite highly in the state. I have provided a link for you to the Brevard County School System Website. It is full of comprehensive info for parents. I am attaching a link that provides various search pages available for Brevard County School info. http://www.sandyshoresmelbourne.com/index.cfm/Schools_. I am also attaching a link to a community profiles page that will allow you acess to comprehensive info on Brevard County cities, including Palm Bay Florida.http://www.sandyshoresmelbourne.com/index.cfm/Community_Profiles I hope you find this info helpful. Regards, Sandy ShoresWed, 21 Jan 2009 05:49:06 PSThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Property_QandA/What_would_be_the_ballpark_cost_of_insurance_and_t-64275Answer by Sandy Shores Melbourne FL Realtor: Hi Maria, According to the Brevard County Property Appraisers website the 2008 proposed taxes on this home are approximately $2700.00 a year. However, tax bills will be going out shortly so, we are not positive what taxes will be billed on the property. It is indicating that there is currently homestead exemption on in, but it looks as if the property has recently changed hands in August 2008, so we don't know if an owner or investor took possession of it, so homestead may drop off in 2009. Unfortunately, on homeowners insurance there are so many different factors to take into consideration to determine the amount of the insurance...age of roof, proximity to water, age of upgrades...plumbing, electrical system, A/C. I would be more than happy to put you in touch with a local insurance company that could give you a quote on an insurance policy. And it will depend on whether you will be living in the property or using it as as investment property. Don't hesitate to let me know if you have any additional questions.Fri, 24 Oct 2008 15:36:35 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/How_To_/Change_lease_terms_on_a_lease_renewal_-61061Answer by Sandy Shores Melbourne FL Realtor: You indicated that you have been renting the same apartment for 4 years. From your comment it sounds as if you are dealing with an individual owner. Are the restrictions that have been included in your updated lease those that you are able to comply with? Or do they cause you concern? Have you built a relationship in which you can sit down and discuss any concerns with your landlord? A good landlord/tenant relationship is a give/take relationship. I am happy to have my current tenants, and in most cases I look forward to keeping them. So, I am happy to work through any bumps in the road that we may have (as long as they are in harmony with the local or community guidelines in the area in which they are living). Talk to your landlord about your concerns. In our area of Florida vacancy rates are up by 12% over last year! We currently have many empty properties.Tue, 7 Oct 2008 12:07:08 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Selling/How_can_I_tell_a_friend_who_is_a_realtor_I_m_not_-59766Answer by Sandy Shores Melbourne FL Realtor: Hi Teresa, Good question. I have heard others in your same situation express the same views. I think often times friends would prefer to keep business and personal relationships separate. I have often seen personal friendships ruined as soon as money became a factor. You know best how to handle your friend. I would remain honest in your explanation as to why you would prefer to keep your real estate dealings separate from your valuable friendship. Best of everything to you.Tue, 30 Sep 2008 12:30:10 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Buying/Palm_Bay_west_of_southern_most_section_near_S-56525Answer by Sandy Shores Melbourne FL Realtor: It must be frustrating to not be able to get an answer to your very good question. You are correct in that there are many very affordable homes available for sale in Palm Bay. Today many homes there are very competitively priced. There are currently many short sales (owners trying to avoid foreclosure) and many foreclosures available. Last week I helped a buyer close on a 2100 square foot home in SW Palm Bay, 3/2/2, built in 2006, never lived in, for only $135,000! I am currently working with a buyer that is negotiating on a home in SW Palm Bay, a 3/2/2 with a pool at 1290 square feet, priced at $74900! With the right amount of looking, there are nice properties available for sale. I just finished writing a blog article that Palm Bay Florida is the 25th fastest growing city in the nation, with a current population of over 100,000. To get back to your original question, about what areas of Palm Bay are safe and clean...there are many nice areas of Palm Bay. There are also areas that aren't so great, as with any city. As REALTORS, unfortunately we are not allowed to comment on whether an area is safe or not, or whether or not it has thugs in it or not. There are statistical websites that provide that type of information (I know that isn't always a great help either.) I see that you are not currently local. I don't know whether your parents are or not, but my recommendation to buyers is always to get out and investigate an area. You must see and "feel" the area with your own eyes and ears. Check out all the areas they may be considering. Have you tried Google Maps, Street Views?....that is one of my very favorite REALTOR tools for buyers. It will allow you to stand in the street in front of a given home and actually "drive" down the street, to see what surrounds the property. I wish I could provide you with a more definitive answer in your search for a home for your parents. I am attaching a link to my website, that will provide you with some additional information. Best wishes to all of you!Mon, 8 Sep 2008 13:34:11 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Selling/How_do_I_get_a_copy_of_the_survey_of_my_residentia-46126Answer by Sandy Shores Melbourne FL Realtor: Hi Beth, You should be able to go back to the title company or the closing attorney or closing agent that handled your closing transaction and see if you can get a copy of the survey from them. If not, ask them who the survey company was, and contact the survey company directly. If you have a new home built on the lot, you may be able to contact the builder and they may be able to provide you with a survey.Sat, 12 Jul 2008 08:53:14 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Buying/a_cash_deal_offer_less_how_much_-45965Answer by Sandy Shores Melbourne FL Realtor: Hi John, Often times a cash transaction with a quick close may appear more attractive to a motivated seller. Cash means that there is no mortgage for a buyer to qualify for, no appraisal that is required on the home and sometimes a cleaner, smoother transaction, with no strings attached.. Sometimes, depending on the particular property, a cash buyer is willing to take the property in "as is" condition, without asking for any repairs, if the seller is willing to take their sometimes lower offer. A home inspection is still recommended to be sure there are no serious concerns with the property. A quick cash closing may mean less in mortgage, tax, insurance and utility payments to a seller, if they are in a position to get out in 2 weeks. If they can't move that fast, then a quick closing would not be a motivating factor to them at all. Today, cash may appear more attractive, in this day of stricter qualifying and lending limits. Many buyers and investors have been pushed out of the market because of these new regulations. However, I've seen cash buyers think they should automatically get tens of thousands of dollars off the price of a home. And, I've seen sellers completely disinterested in whether the buyer was paying cash or getting financed. So, it can go both ways. The amount of your offer depends on several different factors. What have similar homes in the area sold for? What is the motivation of the seller? Are they behind on the payments? Are they going into foreclosure? Is it a bank owned property? How much do they owe on the mortgage? The seller's situation may determine what they can and can't accept as a sales price on the property. Do your homework upfront. Find out more about the seller's situation. The best real estate transactions are when the buyers and sellers are able to reach amicable terms that suit each party. Every real estate transaction is different, and buyer and seller motivations vary depending on those individual situations. Best wishes to you!Fri, 11 Jul 2008 10:49:25 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Insurance/what_is_the_minimum_requirements_for_home_insuranc-44805Answer by Sandy Shores Melbourne FL Realtor: Jim, Your minimum requirements for home insurance may depend on several different things. It may depend on the location of the property, whether or not it is in a flood zone, the age of the home, the age of the roof, electric, central heat and air. It could vary depending on whether there is a mortgage on the property or not. The mortgage company will require you to carry enough insurance to protect their "interests' in the property. They often also determine what deductibles are allowed on the policy. Check with your mortgage company on their requirements and then your best bet may be to check with local insurance companies in your area and ask what their recommendations are. Check with different companies, as sometimes premiums vary. Be sure you also find out what rating the insurance company carries. This determines the strength of the company. Best wishes!Sat, 5 Jul 2008 10:42:42 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/General_Area/can_i_rent_an_apartment_after_filing_bankruptcy_-40664Answer by Sandy Shores Melbourne FL Realtor: As the real estate market is cyclical, our market is ever changing. Today, more than ever there are many potential tenants with credit issues, looking at renting properties People have foreclosures, bankruptcies and the like on their credit reports. Every owner and apartment complex is a bit different on their policy on what they are looking for in an ideal tenant. However, in some areas of the country there are a surplus of properties and apartments available for rent. So, many are offering free rent for a month, low or no security deposits and similar enticements. And, some have eased up considerably on their credit scoring criteria. Each tenant should be considered on an individual basis. You may want to check with the apartment complexes you have an interest in, tell them your situation and have them let you know if they can work with you. Best of luck to you!Wed, 11 Jun 2008 09:29:17 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Selling/What_to_do_about_a_really_really_bad_front_lawn_-40051Answer by Sandy Shores Melbourne FL Realtor: It's important that the outside curb appeal of the home help attract buyers through your front door. Otherwise, some potential buyers may never see your completely updated interior. Do the other homes in your area have the same type of problem? Are all the lawns suffering or does yours really stand out? Have you considered hiring a lawn company to assess your lawn's condition and see what can be done? They can provide you with the proper products to use in your area, for your type of lawn, at this time of year. If your lawn is a concern to you as a seller, then it will most likely be a concern to potential homebuyers, also. Best wishes and good luck to you in the sale of your property.Sat, 7 Jun 2008 20:54:12 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Selling/Selling_my_home_and_found_a_way_to_increase_buyers-39249Answer by Sandy Shores Melbourne FL Realtor: Joe, I cannot comment on this company's program. So, this is just general information. Typically, companies or individuals that purchase private mortgage notes, purchase them at deep discounts. Therefore, a mortgage holder could be asked to sell their $100,000 mortgage note for anywhere from 10% to 25% or more below the mortgage balance. They base their offering price on the creditworthiness of the borrower, the terms of the note and the interest rate, in addition to how many investors they have at a given time that are in the market to buy notes.. The lower the interest rate and sometimes the worst the credit score of the borrower, the less they may be willing to pay for a note. They want security in knowing they will receive their monthly principal and interest payments for the life of the buyer's ownership of the home. What if you and any company that wants to purchase your mortgage note cannot come to terms on an agreeable dollar figure? Will you be prepared to hold the note with the buyer with poor credit? Again, as I previously mentioned, I am not saying they every person with bad credit has difficulty in paying their mortgage. Some got caught in the sub prime mortgage mess, and their rate, taxes and insurance adjusted up. Today, as in years past, there are no tricks or gimmicks to selling real estate. When interest rates were quite high many years ago, favorable seller financing often times was a great tool in helping a property move off of the market more quickly, as sellers could offer rates a bit lower than the banks, without the buyer paying excessive closing costs. We will see seller financing come back in the future. The risk of a holding a note is always higher with a risky borrower. Today, buyers look at location, condition and most importantly price. If you are in a good location, your price is comparably priced to similar homes in your area and the house is in "show" condition, you should not have a problem selling it.. In whatever you choose to do, be very cautious, and be sure to read the fine print! Best wishes!Tue, 3 Jun 2008 19:03:53 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Selling/Selling_my_home_and_found_a_way_to_increase_buyers-39249Answer by Sandy Shores Melbourne FL Realtor: Joe, Typically, in selling your home with owner financing, you must own the home free and clear of a mortgage. Or the new buyer must come in with enough money to satisfy your existing mortgage payoff amount. Then, you can hold a mortgage for the remaining balance of the purchase price. Typically, the new buyer will make a down payment to you at closing and then they pay you their mortgage payment each month for the life of the loan. So, you are acting as the mortgage company in holding the note for the new buyer. It is similar to receiving rent on a monthly basis, however, the house belongs to the new owner, and they are responsible for everything -maintenance, mortgage, taxes and insurance. In some instances, a seller can do a wrap mortgage, wrapping around the first mortgage, however this can become sticky and many banks don't allow it because of a due on sale clause, which means that when you sell the property, your mortgage balance must be paid off. Do you want to completely wash your hands of this property, and walk away from it at closing? With owner financing you won't. Be aware, as the mortgage holder, not only do you need to be sure that you are getting your monthly mortgage payment, but you must be sure that the new owner is paying the yearly tax bills. And you must be sure that they are carrying adequate insurance coverage on the property to cover a rebuild, should they suffer a total loss. If they do not pay their mortgage or tax bills, then it may be grounds for foreclosure on your part, at your expense. Then, you may wind up with the property back in worse condition than you started. Fix up bills will be yours and you must begin the sales process all over again. Also be aware, that based on your question, you may be holding the mortgage for a buyer with problem credit. What is the reason for their problem credit? I have purchased properties with owner financing for myself and I have sold my own properties that I am holding mortgages today for people with problem credit, that pay me every month. But, it's not for everyone. If they don't pay their payments or their taxes, are you willing to foreclose on the home, pay the expenses, handle necessary repairs and put the house on the market all over again? So, just know, that to increase buyers over 500%, there comes risk with that.Tue, 3 Jun 2008 07:28:08 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Buying/Should_we_buy_a_house_right_across_the_street_from-39187Answer by Sandy Shores Melbourne FL Realtor: Not being from your area, I don't know when school gets out for the summer. If school is still in session or summer school is starting soon, I would recommend that you go to the school while students are arriving for the day and leaving for the day. Park near the home you are considering. Stay there until the morning bell rings and then go back and stay in the afternoon until all of the students are gone for the day. How close is the football stadium to the home? If it were football season, I would recommend you do the same thing. How loud are the games, the people, the band and the loudspeakers? How distracting are the lights? If you have to ask the question...you already know the answer to the question. Never, ever purchase a home, without the thought of resale in your mind. If you have these questions, today, then the next potential buyers will have the same questions, too.Mon, 2 Jun 2008 17:35:05 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Schools/Is_there_anywhere_I_can_search_an_address_and_find-39176Answer by Sandy Shores Melbourne FL Realtor: You may want to start your search on School Digger. I have attached a link below. Go to search near an address, and type in the address of the home you are interested in. This is a national website and it may not have all the specifics on school districts. I would recommend that once you begin looking at homes, be sure to go to the county school board website or call the school board to be absolutely certain of which school district a home you are interested in is in. A local REALTOR may be able to guide you in this situation. I know that in our area of Florida, our population has expanded so quickly, that sometimes districts change every couple of years.Mon, 2 Jun 2008 17:17:57 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Buying/Builder_has_special_financing_for_their_project_-39206Answer by Sandy Shores Melbourne FL Realtor: Although I don't live in your area, and I don't know which builder you are using, we have found that often builders have mortgage companies that help them offer special financing packages to their buyers. Often times, if you use their lender they will offer special incentives, or the builder may agree to pay some of your closing costs. Each builder is different. Ask them what the advantages are of using their lender. Then, contact an outside lender and compare good faith estimates of closing costs. Be sure to contact your local Builders and Contractors Association (if your area has one) and contact the Better Business Bureau prior to your purchase. See if there are any complaints filed against the builder. Ask the builder for a list of homes that they have sold in prior years, and take a drive by them to see how they look today. It is advantageous to get a buyers agent that is able to assist you in your purchase. If you choose not to hire a buyer's agent, then you may want to have an attorney review the builders contract, terms and financing options before you sign anything. Best wishes!Mon, 2 Jun 2008 16:57:55 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Schools/What_are_the_best_school_districts_in_Florida_-38412Answer by Sandy Shores Melbourne FL Realtor: There are many great websites that provide school ranking information. You may want to try this one http://www.greatschools.net/modperl/go/FL.. Be sure to also check the Florida Department of Education Website. I have provided the link below. It will provide accountability reports on Florida schools.Thu, 29 May 2008 06:51:55 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Financing/What_are_the_st_time_homebuyers_options_now_-38362Answer by Sandy Shores Melbourne FL Realtor: Jon, You may want to check on the FHA website. I have attached a link that lists the types of first time home buyer programs currently available. Also, check on the Department of Housing and Urban Development website to see what programs they have. Often times local cities and counties provide some excellent first time home buyer programs. Be sure to contact your local county courthouse or city to determine if there is anything available that may suit your needs. Best wishes.Wed, 28 May 2008 15:28:14 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Buying/can_anyone_help_me_get_my_deposit_back_-38360Answer by Sandy Shores Melbourne FL Realtor: Javier, Probably need more info on your situation. Did you sign a contract with the builder? How long ago did you sign it? What is the reason you want to cancel the contract? Have you spoken with the builder about it? What does the contract specify regarding deposits? Did you have a REALTOR represent you in the transaction? If you did sign a contract and did not have a REALTOR that you can consult with, and the builder is not receptive to returning your deposit, depending on what the specifics of your contract are, you may need to consult with an attorney.Wed, 28 May 2008 15:17:14 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Quality_of_Life/I_am_not_in_foreclosure_as_we_speak_My_husband_l-37628Answer by Sandy Shores Melbourne FL Realtor: You may find the following website beneficial. It describes tips for avoiding foreclosure. At this point it is important that you get in touch with your lender and let them know your situation. Lenders are not in the business of owning real estate, so they may be able to help you work through your situation. Best wishes.Sat, 24 May 2008 06:56:07 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Selling/What_are_buyers_looking_for_We_want_to_upgrade_o-37553Answer by Sandy Shores Melbourne FL Realtor: Amber, It may be useful to consult with a local Realtor in your area before you make any upgrades or updates to your home. Today, buyers expect a home to be in move in condition. If you feel that you may not be able to get out of it what you paid for it two years ago, adding additional money in terms of upgrades or improvements to the property may not be a wise choice. However, a local Realtor can assist in letting you know what must be done in terms of cosmetics, prior to putting the house on the market. Condition and location are essential assets in selling a home in today's market, however the #1 factor in many parts of the country is proper pricing. Best wishes.Fri, 23 May 2008 14:14:44 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Tech_Tips/Who_do_we_contact_regarding_getting_homeowner_s_in-36481Answer by Sandy Shores Melbourne FL Realtor: Also, check this website that can provide insurance contact info and average approved rates. As mentioned, check with Citizens Florida. Often times if other companies can't or aren't writing in a specified area, they typically can.Sat, 17 May 2008 10:46:51 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Buying/Is_it_easier_to_rent_out_a_condo_or_a_single_famil-36437Answer by Sandy Shores Melbourne FL Realtor: In considering a condo - There is an association fee that must be paid each month or quarter. How much is it? What does it include? And much can it go up each year? Remember, as a landlord, that's one more hand in your pocket eating at your cash flow. -What special assessments are coming up that owners will be responsible in helping pay? -What are the association restrictions for the community? Are there age restrictions and pet restrictions? -Does the condo association have to approve prospective tenants? And what is the criteria for a tenant? -Per the association docs, what is the percentage of rentals to owner occupied units? As mentioned, real estate markets are local in nature. Contact a knowledgeable agent in your area that owns investment property of their own and have them go over the pros and cons of owning single family vs. condo in your area. Best wishes.Fri, 16 May 2008 18:28:40 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Foreclosure/The_landlord_of_my_home_has_not_been_paying_the_mo-36289Answer by Sandy Shores Melbourne FL Realtor: Sarah, I am attaching an article written by a Florida attorney, Cathy Lucrezi, regarding foreclosure and disclosure that you may find interesting. If the page does not open directly to the article, just scroll down to the fourth article. As mentioned, you may want to consult with an attorney for legal advice.Fri, 16 May 2008 09:07:06 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Using_Trulia/I_need_to_know_how_many_hits_to_my_listing_have_oc-36351Answer by Sandy Shores Melbourne FL Realtor: Hi Michael, All you have to do is go to the top of the page here on Trulia.com and choose My Trulia, and on the drop down menu choose My Listings. It will show you hits for the week and then total hits that your listing has had since it's been on Trulia.Fri, 16 May 2008 08:27:40 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/General_Area/Relocating_and_I_d_like_to_know_more_about_bugs_an-35376Answer by Sandy Shores Melbourne FL Realtor: Florida is a great place to live! I have been here for 40 years and don't really notice bugs very much. It depends on where you'll be moving as to what types of bugs you may encounter. For instance, when my family and i lived down in Southern Florida where there were coconut trees we noticed that cockroaches were more prevalent there then they are here in the Melbourne area. We hardly see one here at all. But, in talking to others, you may find their experiences different. We do have mosquitoes in the warm moist weather, usually in the summer time. Ponds, lakes and standing water attract them. I am attaching a link for Florida Insect web links. http://www.flaentsoc.org/fespestweblinks2.html If considering a real estate purchase here in Florida be sure you are aware of termites. They are wood eaters and they love the soil here. Every year they do millions of dollars in damage to houses. So, be sure that you have a termite inspection completed prior to a home purchase by a certified termite company. A good real estate professional will be sure that you have one done. I have attached a link below to City Town Info for Florida demographics and statistics. You may find that in order to find additional information you'll need to include a specific area in your search. This may head you in the right direction. Best wishes on your move to Florida.Sat, 10 May 2008 15:07:24 PDT