Florida's existing home and condo sales up in October 2009

ORLANDO, Fla. - Nov. 23, 2009 - Florida's existing home sales rose in October, marking 14 months that sales activity has increased in the year-to-year comparison, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors®. October's statewide sales also increased over sales activity in September in both the existing home and existing condominium markets.

Existing home sales rose 45 percent last month with a total of 15,160 homes sold statewide compared to 10,444 homes sold in October 2008, according to Florida Realtors. Statewide existing home sales last month increased 5.1 percent over statewide sales activity in September.

Florida Realtors also reported an 82 percent increase in statewide sales of existing condos in October compared to the previous year's sales figure; statewide existing condo sales last month rose 6.1 percent over the total units sold in September.

All of Florida's metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) reported increased existing home sales and higher condo sales in October. A majority of the state's MSAs have reported increased sales for 16 consecutive months.

Florida's median sales price for existing homes last month was $140,300; a year ago, it was $169,700 for a 17 percent decrease. Housing industry analysts with the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) note that sales of foreclosures and other distressed properties continue to downwardly distort the median price because they generally sell at a discount relative to traditional homes. The median is the midpoint; half the homes sold for more, half for less.

The national median sales price for existing single-family homes in September 2009 was $174,900, down 8.1 percent from a year earlier, according to NAR. In California, the statewide median resales price was $296,090 in September; in Massachusetts, it was $290,000; in Maryland, it was $261,718; and in New York, it was $213,900.

According to NAR's latest industry outlook, the housing market is continuing its positive momentum. "We're getting early indications of price stabilization, but we need a steady supply of qualified buyers to meaningfully bring inventories down and return us to a period of normal, steady price growth," said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. "That, in turn, would help fully remove consumer fears, which would then revive the broader economy."

In Florida's year-to-year comparison for condos, 5,398 units sold statewide last month compared to 2,958 units in October 2008 for an 82 percent increase. The statewide existing condo median sales price last month was $105,200; in October 2008 it was $147,900 for a 29 percent decrease. The national median existing condo price was $175,100 in September 2009, according to NAR.

Interest rates for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 4.95 percent last month, a significant drop from the average rate of 6.20 percent in October 2008, according to Freddie Mac. Florida Realtors' sales figures reflect closings, which typically occur 30 to 90 days after sales contracts are written.

Among the state's smaller markets, the Gainesville MSA reported a total of 172 homes sold in October compared to 130 homes a year earlier for a 32 percent increase. The market's existing home median sales price last month was $156,700; a year ago it was $173,300 for a 10 percent decrease. A total of 22 condos sold in the MSA in October, up 22 percent over the 18 units sold in October 2008. The existing condo median price last month was $116,700; a year earlier, it was $133,300 for a 12 percent decrease.

© 2009 Florida Realtors

Happy Halloween from Cocoa Beach Florida REMAX Realtors

RE/MAX Elite's McCoy-Freeman Group wishes everyone a fun and safe Halloween! Watch our spooky video below.

Posted - 2 minutes ago

Titusville Florida Home For Sale

PICTURE PERFECT and as good as new! The beautiful 4 Bedroom Titusville Florida home is situated on a corner lot with lush Tropical Landscaping extending throughout the Luxurious Pool Area. This home is the Pride of Ownership inside and out! Inside you will find 12mm Laminate flooring with Tile, Exotic Quartzite Counter Tops like you have never seen before! Put this one on your list to see, you will not be disappointed! Very close to Kennedy Space Center (NASA)

Watch our video below and tour this fine Florida Home!



Posted - 1 day ago

Is White House considering space funding boost?

FLORIDA TODAY 10/ 12/ 2009

There are some hints out there that President Obama and his science advisers are leaning toward boosting funding for NASA and its human space-flight efforts.

The chorus of voices in support of a funding boost is growing louder.

Local elected leaders are pressing for it, and they're pushing a letter-writing campaign to get people to let the White House know how important space is to the country.

Influential members of Congress from space states like Texas and Florida last week called for the president to redirect several billion dollars in stimulus money to NASA.

A panel of space veterans studying NASA's future has determined that without another $3 billion a year, the space agency really can't afford a viable long-term human space exploration program.

Certainly, the top leadership of NASA -- past and present -- have been speaking up for more than a year now saying that the NASA budget does not provide enough funding to do its assigned jobs.

Now, the president himself and some of the people likely to have his ear when decision-time comes later this year are beginning to talk more and more about a need to boost the nation's "investment" in science research and technological development.

Case in point: Check out what the president said just a few days ago, when a bunch of space and science bigwigs assembled for a medal ceremony at the White House.

It was followed by a stargazing event on the White House lawn during which the president peered through telescopes along with a small army of school kids.

"At such a difficult moment, there are those who say we can't afford to invest in science, that it's a luxury at a moment defined by necessities. I could not disagree more," the president said.

He went on to say that the nation would be boosting its investment in science, research and development in the coming years and went out of his way to praise the nation's goals in space exploration.

Earlier in the week, his top science aide, John Holdren, was lobbying hard with members of Congress to restore smaller amounts of funding cut from NASA's budget.

It's impossible to know whether the talk could lead to NASA getting enough money to help bridge the gap in human space flight or speed development of a replacement for the space shuttles.

Certainly, there's been more talk in Washington of significantly hiking space spending in the past week or so than there has been in a very long time.

posted by John Kelly at 6:52 AM

EVERYONE IS USING THE "F" WORD!

Everyday now more and more people our using the "F" word thinking it is the only way to get a real property deal. I'm talking about "Foreclosures".

Many buyers contact us and only want a current list of all foreclosed properties here in Brevard County Florida. I usually then ask why only foreclosed properties?

They reply that is the only way of getting a great deal in today's real estate market. Their mentality is if it says "Foreclosure" it is a good deal. Yes, there are great deals out there but there are also deals just as good from original owners.

The bank has lost a lot of time and money having to go through the foreclosure process. There a many fees such as court costs and attorney fees, not to mention the money and time the lender has lost with the owner not making payments.

So once the bank becomes the new owner the property is then listed on MLS. Most banks do price their properties under market value in hopes of a quick sale. Sometimes there is even a bidding war between buyers. There are some bank properties that are sitting because they are asking too much.

On the flip side a knowledgeable buyer's agent can locate great property deals that are not foreclosures. Here's a look at recent one:

921 Spanish Cay in Merritt Island. This house was listed for $319,900 and sold for $337,000. Property had 8 offers, 3 of them being my buyers.

So as you can see there have been many great property deals out there and there are more to be had. It is very important to have an experienced team on your side such as RE/MAX Elite's McCoy-Freeman Group. Just let us know your property criteria and let us show you how to accomplish you real estate goals.

Contact us

Cocoa Beach Florida Air Show

Thousands of spectators line the sandy beaches of Cocoa Beach and Cape Canaveral to watch the inaugural Cocoa Beach Air Show. Military performers include the U.S. Air Force F-16 Viper Demo Team, U.S. Navy F-18 Hornet Demo Team, U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team and the U.S. Air Force Reserve 920th Rescue Wing.

Organizers of the Cocoa Beach Air Show promise and delivered an impressive lineup of military and civilian performers over the weekend. Thousands viewed the show form the beach, hundreds viewed for boats anchored just offshore new the world famous Cocoa Beach Pier and many had birds-eye views from ocean front condos such as Micheliana and the luxurious Meridian Condo. The show centered at Shepard Park at the end of S.R. 520 near Ron Jon Surf Shop. The Air Show weekend was much more than just flying with hospitality events each night to entertain guests.

Watch our video to see the excitement the Cocoa Beach Air Show brought to the Florida's Space Coast.

Florida Housing Market Indicators

Florida existing home sales: (month-to-previous-year comparison) 28% Florida existing condo sales: (month-to-previous-year comparison) 45% Florida existing home median price: $147,400 Florida existing condo median price: $107,500 Florida consumer confidence: 74 National existing home sales: (month-to-previous-month comparison; all housing types) -2.7% National existing home median price $177,700 National (Freddie Mac) mortgage rate (all housing types) 4.94%

Grills Seafood Cape Canaveral Florida Regis and Kelly Show

Grills Seafood on Regis & Kelly Show today. Learn about Joe's awesome mahi mahi sandwich! Then visit Grills Seafood in Cape Canaveral and enjoy some great food. We go there all the time!

Cocoa Beach Florida direct river home for sale

DIRECT BANANA RIVER VIEWS FROM EVERY ROOM, RARE! Best Views in Cocoa Beach, Nothing Like It! Over 3100 sq. ft. & COMPLETELY REMODELED, there is nothing left to do. Granite Counter tops, New Appliances, Custom Cabinetry, Lots of Tile, Sky Lights, Wood Burning Fireplace, New Roof and more. Location, Location - Minutes to Canaveral Locks directly to the ocean and just step across to the street to the beach. It doesn't get any better than this! Room for a pool. Schedule your private showing today... $649,900

Mystic Vistas Cape Canaveral Condo Deal!

There are a few good deals left at Mystic Vistas in Cape Canaveral, Florida. I have a Short Sale listed for $239,900 and I'm sure it won't last long on the market. There are also a few foreclosures available. Mystic Vistas is a gated community located near Port Canaveral, Cruise Ships, Restaurants, Entertainment, Shopping and is just minutes to Cocoa Beach, 45 minutes to Orlando International Airport and area attractions such as Walt Disney World, Sea World, Universal Studios and much more! Contact RE/MAX Elite's McCoy-Freeman Group at 321-693-1694 or visit www.BrevardRealtyConnection.com

Best Realtors in Florida

Looking for the best Realtors in Florida? Contact RE/MAX Elite's McCoy-Freeman Group serving Florida's Space Coast. Call us today and we will help you achieve your real estate goals in Cocoa Beach, Cape Canaveral, Merritt Island, Viera, Suntree, Satellite Beach, Indialantic, Melbourne Beach, Rockledge, Titusville and more.

Canadian Buyer Gets Great Cocoa Beach Real Estate Deal

Check out this great deal our buyer from Canada got at the Emerald Seas Condo in beautiful Cocoa Beach, Florida. Emerald Seas is an extremely well-maintained complex features heated pool, spa, sauna, tennis, exercise & recreation rooms attractive, secured lobby, private access to ocean, garage parking & more. Conveniently located close to shopping, restaurants, NASA rocket launches, cruise ships, fishing and Port Canaveral fun.

Cape Canaveral Condo Deal!

$50,000 Below Current Market Value
This is not a Short Sale, just a motivated Seller!

RESORT STYLE LIVING AT IT'S BEST
Solana Lake in Cape Canaveral Florida is like no other with Private Beach Access, Lake & Pool views, Clubhouse with Kitchen, Dining & Meeting Rooms, Gym, Sauna, Tennis Courts & more. Just minutes to Beachline to Orlando Airport & Attractions, Kennedy Space Center, Port Canaveral where you will find Cruise Ships & Fishing Charter Boats, Restaurants, shopping and more. 3rd floor 2/2 w/DEN 1828 sq. ft under air. Only one owner!
Furniture Negotiable.

$215,000.00





Brokered by RE/MAX ELITE's McCoy-Freeman Group

Florida Vacant land For Sale at the Beach

Beautiful preserved land with oaks & tall palms in Cape Canaveral Florida. Great Location! Just 1/2 mile to Port Canaveral fun, cruise ships and restaurants. One mile to the Beachline and a straight shot to Orlando Airport and attractions. Downtown Cocoa Beach is just a couple miles south.

Currently zoned commercial but the city has twice granted Special Exceptions to build residential up to 15 units per acre (R-2). Each lot has 94 or 80 feet of frontage. Each lot is wide enough to build 3 units w/Special Exception. Call 321-693-1694 or 321-720-6654 for more info.

Cape Canaveral Florida Town Home For Sale

Beach Side Retreat Fully Furnished 2br 2 1/2ba Villages of Seaport Townhouse in Cape Canaveral Florida. Just steps to the beach from your own private beach access. Amenities to include 3 Lap Pools, Tennis, Racquetball, Clubhouse with gym. Location-Location, near Port Canaveral, Cruise ships, Gambling and Fishing. Great Cape Canaveral location! Easy access to Orlando Airport and area attractions.

Cocoa Beach Fireworks From the Meridian Luxury Ocean Front Condo

Watch a spectacular view of the Cocoa Beach 4th of July fireworks 2009 from the top floor of the luxurious Meridian Direct Ocean Condo located just north of the World Famous Cocoa Beach Pier. www.OnlyInCocoaBeach.com

Mercedes is faulted for cracks in homes

Suit: Wall repairs will cost $120 Million

BY JEFF SCHWEERS • FLORIDA TODAY • July 3, 2009

Several Brevard County homeowners have asked a federal bankruptcy judge for permission to file a class-action lawsuit against Mercedes Homes, claiming that poor construction caused rainwater to leak through their homes' exterior walls, damaging baseboards, drywall, kitchen cabinets and carpeting.

The five homeowners, identifying themselves as representatives of the group, claim it will cost a minimum of $120 million to repair the cracks responsible for the leaks in 8,000 homes built by the financially troubled construction company.

"Even though they're in bankruptcy, we believe we've found insurance coverage," said lawyer Joseph Colombo of the Melbourne firm Mommers and Colombo, which is representing the homeowners. "It's kind of go time now. We'll see what evolves."

Mercedes Homes -- the 27th largest homebuilder in the nation with operations in Florida, Texas, North Carolina and South Carolina -- is going through Chapter 11 reorganization and continues to do business. It filed for bankruptcy protection in January, leaving many local subcontractors unpaid for work done.

An attempt to contact the company's corporate office was unsuccessful.

In bankruptcy filings, the company estimated that it has between 1,000 and 5,000 creditors. The homeowners group is the largest creditor, Colombo said.

The next biggest creditor is Fifth Third Bank in St. Petersburg, which is listed with a claim of $7.1 million. Sanford-based 84 Lumber is next with a claim of nearly $615,000.

The homeowners allege that Mercedes, through its subsidiary Solid Wall Systems, built shoddy exterior walls. They were touted as "formed" walls that would outperform standard exterior ones. But the control joints that unite those walls leak, they said.

Mercedes built 8,000 homes in Florida between 2004 and 2008 with these poured concrete walls, the suit says.

The homeowners claim that every one of those homes is structurally unsound and that it would cost at least $15,000 to fix each house to bring it to state building standards. The repairs would cost more if water got into the cracks, as Merritt Island Realtor Bobby Freeman discovered during August's Tropical Storm Fay.

"Downstairs, it was leaking through every window," Freeman said.

He said the company knows there's a wall breach in the seam that is supposed to seal the concrete slabs.

And it isn't just one or two seams, he said. The cracks appear in even intervals at each place where the slabs are joined. He received an estimate of $37,000 to fix only the cracks. That doesn't include damage to the baseboards, the drywall and the carpets.

"Obviously, water's coming through," Freeman said.

Cape Canaveral Florida Beach Side Lots For Sale

4 Beach Side Cape Canaveral Lots for under $220k!
Call me for details 321-693-1694

Beautiful preserved land with oaks & tall palms. Great Location! Just 1/2 mile to Port Canaveral fun, cruise ships and restaurants. One mile to the Beachline and a straight shot to Orlando Airport and attractions.

Currently zoned commercial but the city has twice granted Special Exceptions to build residential up to 15 units per acre (R-2). Each lot has 94 or 80 feet of frontage. Each lot is wide enough to build 3 units w/Special Exception.

Brevard County Florida Real Estate is a Hot Market Today

Looking for the next hot real estate market? Watch WKMG Local 6 News. Then contact RE/MAX Elite's McCoy-Freeman Group at www.BrevardRealtyConnection.com for a free list of any property in Brevard County Florida.

Brevard County and Cocoa Beach Florida Property Deals on Twitter

Image via CrunchBase

Follow us on Twitter for current posts on real estate deals on Florida's Space Coast. I will post new listings that are foreclosures, short sales and basically, great deals.

Then contact us for additional information and/or showings.

www.twitter.com/cocoabeachdeals

Boeing Delta IV from Meridian Condo in Cocoa Beach Florida

Another powerful Delta IV rocked launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station yesterday. Above is s photo taken from the top floor of the Meridian Condo in Cocoa Beach.

Nikki and Jennifer have a bit of a sweet spot in their heart for this launch. They both worked for Boeing in their past life....

We still have many friends that play an important role in the success of this wonderful program. Go Delta IV!

Congrats to all you hard workers!!!!

Florida Home Sales Increase, Again

Florida's existing home sales rose 24 percent in January, making it the fifth month in a row that sales activity increased year-to-year, according to the latest housing data from the Florida Association of Realtors (FAR). Florida Realtors also reported a 13 percent gain in statewide sales of existing condos last month.

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported that nationwide sales of existing homes - all housing types - fell 5.3 percent last month; at the same time, inventories fell to a two-year low.

RE/MAX Sells

RE/MAX Agents Can Help

Stuck and can't get away from your current home? Contact RE/MAX Elite's #1 Sales Team, the McCoy-Freeman Group. Whether your selling or buying, we can help guide you through the entire buying and/or selling process with professional service.

Jennifer McCoy (321) 720-6654
Bobby Freeman (321) 693-1694

www.BrevardRealtyConnection.com
info@BrevardRealtyConnection.com

Enjoy the video below!

HOUSING MARKET

According to NAR President Charles McMillan's testimony yesterday before the U.S. House Financial Services Committee, Congress and the next administration must place significant emphasis on restoring confidence in the housing market.

Read the full story

Happy Holidays

The McCoy-Freeman Group would like to wish all of our friends, customers and colleagues a wonderful holiday season.

For many, this year has been challenging and stressful. Let's all look forward to a prosperous 2009. We believe the secret to success starts with being thankful for the things we have and maintaining a positive attitude!

Sincerely,

McCoy-Freeman Group
RE/MAX Elite
Jennifer McCoy
Nikki McCoy-Freeman
Bobby Freeman

Mystic Vistas Oceanfront Condo in Cape Canaveral Florida

There are some great deals left at Mystic Vistas in Cape Canaveral. This gated oceanfront community has 4 pools, tennis, workout room with ocean views and lots more! The units available from the bank and investors are 50%-65% off the original price! Visit my website for more info at www.OnlyInCocoaBeach.com

SpaceX sees 1,000 jobs in Brevard

In a concept, a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft delivers cargo to the space station. Dragon is set to reach the space station in 2010.

In NASA contract, 12 cargo flights start as shuttle ends

BY PATRICK PETERSON • FLORIDA TODAY • December 24, 2008

SpaceX and a Virginia company were awarded multibillion-dollar NASA cargo contracts Tuesday to resupply the International Space Station and possibly bring about 1,000 new jobs to the Space Coast.

Under terms of the deal, Hawthorne, Calif.-based SpaceX -- founded by Internet entrepreneur and PayPal creator Elon Musk -- would provide NASA with 12 flights from Cape Canaveral valued at about $1.6 billion starting in 2010. By 2011, the company said the contract could result in the creation of about 1,000 local jobs in launch operations and rocket assembly.

"This is a tremendous responsibility, given the swiftly approaching retirement of the space shuttle and the significant future needs of the space station," Musk said in a statement.

Orbital Sciences Corp. of Dulles, Va., will carry out eight flights valued at about $1.9 billion.

SpaceX would launch from Launch Complex 40 at the cape. Orbital would launch from Wallops Island, Va.

At the cape now, SpaceX is assembling the nine-engine Falcon rocket that might carry the loads if it first flies successfully this spring.

The contract, part of NASA's Commercial Resupply Services program, calls for cargo flights to begin just as the shuttle stops flying. Cargo spacecraft under development by the Japanese and the Europeans could not keep the space station fully supplied. And the U.S. is reluctant to rely on the Russian Progress cargo carriers.

"We have a real need for this cargo capability," NASA Associate Administrator for Space Operations Bill Gerstenmaier said.

Gerstenmaier said the station could not function effectively without critical cargo planned in these shipments.

"We would end up cutting back on our research and maybe the crew," he said.

If one of the companies fails, NASA could shift cargo flights to the successful company or solicit other companies to bid for cargo delivery.

NASA on Tuesday rejected a bid from PlanetSpace Inc., a joint effort of ATK and Lockheed Martin.

The contracts run from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2016, and call for the delivery of at least 20 metric tons of cargo to the space station. The companies will receive payments as they meet development milestones. The maximum potential value of each contract is about $3.1 billion.

Neither company has a track record of lifting heavy cargo to low orbit, and neither company has performed delicate rendezvous operations at 17,000 mph, the speed of an orbiting spacecraft. Orbital builds and launches medium-size satellites, and SpaceX successfully put into orbit its fourth Falcon 1 rocket in September -- after three launch failures.

"We needed to take companies we thought had a good chance of making it," Gerstenmaier said. "There's really not a backup plan for these vehicles."

In 2006, SpaceX was awarded up to $278 million under NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services competition. Next year, SpaceX will conduct the first COTS flight of its Falcon 9 launch vehicle and Dragon spacecraft. On a final COTS flight in 2010, SpaceX will berth Dragon with the station.

Also a COTS recipient, Orbital will use its new Cygnus maneuvering space vehicle and the new Taurus 2 medium-lift launch vehicle, now under development. Cygnus is a service module, containing the vehicle's propulsion, power systems and avionics and one of three cargo modules.

"The program will serve as a showcase for the types of commercial services U.S. space companies can offer NASA, allowing the space agency to devote a greater proportion of its resources for the challenges of human spaceflight, deep space exploration and scientific investigations of our planet and the universe in which we live," Orbital Chairman David W. Thompson said in a statement.

INTEREST RATES

The Federal Reserve yesterday cut its key federal funds rate to between zero and 0.25 percent, down from 1 percent, a level that was already the lowest target rate in a half century. The central bank also vowed to use "all available tools" to fight the current downturn.

Read the full story

Oceanfront Condo Investment

Come enjoy the Florida lifestyle on the Space Coast. Sand Pebbles in Cape Canaveral. Watch our video below.