The 2009 R.A.W. United Southern States Push Pull Powerlifting meet was held at The Gym this past weekend here in Melbourne FLorida. There were about 20 lifters competing.

Sam Shores had a 97 bench press

Sam Shores had a 195 deadlift.

There will be a R.A.W. United meet coming up on December 5 and 6 that will be held at West Shore Junior Senior High School. It is estimated that there will be about 75-85 lifters competing in this meet.

We received our property tax bills in the mail this week.  And, already some disgruntled owners are heading to the tax assessors office to file an appeal, as they feel their taxes are unjust and too high.  Owners are frustrated as their taxes on their homesteaded properties are rising in a real estate market that has experienced a downturn. 

In September 1995 the Governor approved a rule #12-8.0062 to allow the property appraisers office to increase the assessed value of a homesteaded property even if the market value of the property decreases.  The amount of this increase can only be 3% per year or the percentage change of the CPI, whichever is less.  This can be done as long the assessed value of the property remains less than the market value of the property. So, in a declining market, a homesteaded property may receive an increased tax bill.  Many owners are unhappy with this.

We are hearing that fees for applying for an appeal on your tax bill could be tripling in some counties in Florida.

Property taxes on non owner occupied, investment properties or second homes have a cap of 10% on the assessed value of a property.  The tax assessors office implemented this change this year.  However, the owner of the property must be the same person since January 1, 2008.

Sandy Shores REALTOR®,  Melbourne/Palm Bay FL Real Estate

Brevard County Real Estate & Investing

I also buy, sell, rent, own and manage Investment Property.

This picture was taken in Melbourne Beach Florida.

All rights reserved and may not be reproduced or reprinted without express written permission of Sandy Shores, REALTOR.  Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. 

Sandy Shores REALTOR®,  Melbourne/Palm Bay FL Real Estate

Brevard County Real Estate & Investing

I also buy, sell, rent, own and manage Investment Property.

This morning my husband and daughter, Sam came back from their workout at the gym.  They go 3 mornings a week and are usually home by at 6:45AM.  They both love it.  The gym is located in a large warehouse, a strip of storage units. 

Sam told me that as they were turning the corner, pulling up to the gym, the headlights in the dark caught the shadow of a person.  As they got closer, they could see a middle aged woman in only her bra and her underwear. She had soap in one hand and a garden house in the other.  She was taking a shower in the parking lot of the storage facility. They quickly turned away, to allow her some privacy.

As they entered the gym they couldn’t stop thinking about the scraggly woman washing in the dark, cold garden hose.  Sam mentioned it to someone working out with her.  One of the members indicated that the woman lives in one of the units.  She washes in the hose a couple of days a week and stays there full time.

As they left, Sam turned to look. The woman’s unit door was half open.  She had a bed, a chair and some miscellaneous items neatly placed inside of the tiny shed, not much bigger than the size of a bathroom. There is no air conditioning and no windows.

Sam came home in disbelief. “Mom, it’s so sad to see someone like that.”  She was really upset.

I think that often in our lives, we don’t stop to realize how truly blessed that we are. So today, when you have a moment, stop and notice the beauty of a flower. And, be thankful for the wonderful life that you have.

Sandy Shores REALTOR®, Melbourne/Palm Bay FL Real Estate

Brevard County Real Estate & Investing

I also buy, sell, rent, own and manage Investment Property.

Yesterday, a boisterous, opinionated seller drove my buyers and I out of his house.

This isn’t the first time that I have experienced this type of situation.

Should listing agents ask their sellers to leave when buyers come to look at their home?

A buyer must feel ‘comfortable’ when they walk into a home.

They must be able to look at the amenities of the home at their leisure.

They must be able to envision themselves living in the home. They must have time to get a ‘feel’ for the home.

Often times listing agents have sellers remove excessive family photos, so that a buyer can ’see’ themselves living in a home.

Upon walking through the front door of a home yesterday, the seller gave us a speech and proceeded on with a story of a previous occupant who had lived in the home.  As this story became long and more drawn out and not relevant to the property, we starting inching our way to the back door. Finally, we graciously interrupted him, excused ourselves and made a beeline for the backyard, without looking at the house first. 

The seller followed us into the yard.

“What is up with this guy?” the buyer whispered.  Upon returning inside, the seller followed us from room to room, smoking a cigarette. The home reeked of cigarette and sickeningly sweet cigar smoke. It was a bit nauseating.

The seller did not stop talking. He was loud, boisterous and a bit rude. It was an uncomfortable situation for the buyers. 

After seeing only a portion of the home the buyers indicated that they were finished.

“Thank you,” I said.

‘You’re not finished, you didn’t see the whole house.’

“We’re finished, ” I responded. 

He took one look at the buyers face, ‘Well, I can see that she’s more than ready to get out of here!’

My buyers ruled out this house because they really felt uncomfortable with this controlling seller, therefore they did not have an opportunity to see the entire property. (Not to mention the wife is allergic to cigarettes.) 

So, sellers, please leave your home during showings. Or, if you are unable or uncomfortable in doing so, then step out into the backyard to allow the buyer some room to breathe and to get a true “feel” for the property. Otherwise, they will not be able to see the home in it’s best light.

Often times sellers that stay and hover are not doing the home justice.

Sandy Shores REALTOR®,  Melbourne/Palm Bay FL Real Estate

Brevard County Real Estate & Investing

I also buy, sell, rent, own and manage Investment Property.

Hurricane season is upon us. And some homeowners haven’t spoken to their insurance agent in years, nor have they updated their coverage!

Do you have enough coverage on your home?

This is an important question at this time of year for the southeastern part of the country.  Hurricane season began June 1 and ends November 30.

The tropics have been busy this past week with 3 named storms.

The cost to rebuild has increased over the years and the insurance company typcially determines how much coverage you should need based on this figure.  But what if you haven’t spoken to your insurance agent in years?

Does your policy cover flooding? Or do you have a separate flood policy?

Does your policy cover mold and mildew?

Does your current insurance policy adequately cover the belongings in your home?

All of these questions are so important at this time of year. 

If there is a named storm within specific demographic boundaries your insurance company cannot issue a policy nor can they make any changes to an existing policy.  Here in Brevard County Florida the box is at 70 degrees longitude and 33 degrees latitude. In Florida this includes any storm in the Gulf of Mexico. This can include a named tropical storm or a named hurricane, either one.  This precaution is in place so people cannot call their insurance companies when a hurricane is upon them.

Yesterday, there were about 3 hours that the insurance companies could not bind or change insurance coverage for their customers because of hurricane Claudette in the Gulf.

Most companies will allow you to make a coverage change midterm in your policy. But, typically they will not allow you to make another change again until your policy anniversary date.

And remember, it takes 30 days for a flood insurance policy to go into effect. And changes to a flood policy take 30 days.

Don’t wait, call your insurance agent today to be sure your property is adequately covered this hurricane season. Some people found they didn’t have the coverage they needed in years past.

NOTE: These pictures were taken this morning of Hurricane Bill. Bill’s projected path currently pulls it off to the North and well away from land.

This article is authored by

Sandy Shores REALTOR®, Melbourne/Palm Bay FL Real Estate

Brevard County Real Estate & Investing

I also buy, sell, rent, own and manage Investment Property.

We we absolutely mezmerized at what we saw.

In the 35 years I have lived in Brevard County I have never seen anything like this before.

All of these pictures were taken in the backyard of my client’s new riverfront condo here in Brevard County Florida.

These guys were drinking fresh water from a hose. They couldn’t get enough of it.

They were circling and snorting and doing somersaults right in front of us. 

They were so close we could reach out and touch them.

They just loved laying on their backs and taking in the fresh water.

My friend, Tony, indicated that the manatees are very active early in the morning.  They love playing and and having fun in the water. Later in the day they usually are resting.

He has indicated that he can stand on his balcony and watch the porpoises jump, also.

Now this is what I call heaven. 

Such an incredible sight to see. 

My teenage daughters absolutely loved watching these playful, fun loving creatures.

My client, who has become a great friend of mine, has told us that anytime we want to visit, we are more than welcome to come to watch the manatees.

He absolutely loves his new home, as he says that everyday he feels like he’s on vacation.

This article is authored by

Sandy Shores REALTOR®, Melbourne/Palm Bay FL Real Estate

Brevard County Real Estate & Investing

I also buy, sell, rent, own and manage Investment Property.

Identity Theft is on the Rise

With identity theft on the rise, it’s important to protect yourself.

The FTC had over 9 million reports of identity theft last year.  This can take the form of someone else using your personal information, such as your name, address, credit cards, checks, or social security number to commit fraud.

Here are some pointers on helping to prevent identity theft:

             1) Your personal checks should have limited info on them.

Don’t put your full first name on your checks, use your first and middle initials and last name on them. Use a different address than your home address.  Do not include social security or drivers license number.  When paying bills only write the last digits of the account you are paying.

       2) On you credit cards sign the back of them. Also, write the words, SEE ID. So, the clerk must ask for ID to accept the card.

       3) Go through your wallet and see exactly what you are carrying.

Leave all but two of your cards at home. Take copies of the front and back of everything in your wallet and keep it in a file, in case your wallet is stolen.  Then, you can call the police immediately if you are robbed. Be sure to contact all 3 of the main credit reporting agencies immediately, so they can place a fraud alert on your name.

     4) Pull a copy of your free annual credit report every year at

http://AnnualCreditReport.com/ to be sure there is not erroneous information on your Experian, Equifax and Transunion reports.

     5) Shred everything with your name on it that you would normally throw in the trash.  

This article is authored by 

Sandy Shores REALTOR®, Melbourne/Palm Bay FL Real Estate

Brevard County Real Estate & Investing

I also buy, sell, rent, own and manage Investment Property.