What You Need to Know About Owning Waterfront Homes 

The idea of owning waterfront property is alluring. You get the beauty of being close to a scenic, peaceful view. Waterfront properties often come with certain rights. You may legally get to enjoy swimming or boating in the water right outside your home, but you may not own it. There are important points to consider before committing to purchase a waterfront property.

When you buy a waterfront home, your mortgage lender is likely to require that you purchase additional insurance. This means that extra insurance premium payments need to be calculated into the cost of the mortgage and real estate tax payments you pay each month. The concern for carrying extra insurance comes from the risks that come with waterfront living.

Flooding is a big concern, and so is damage that accompanies storms or hurricanes near the water. Water is capable of eroding the soil on which your home is built, causing structural problems. For these reasons, a waterfront home costs more in insurance than other homes.

Before you commit to buying a waterfront home, find out just how much of the waterfront property belongs to you. A portion of the water and access to it could belong to the public. If you are not comfortable with beachgoers walking in front of your sandy yard to get to the water, reconsider the purchase.

Another concern when buying a home close to the water is energy consumption. Life by the water is pleasant, but it is also warmer during the day due to light refracting from the sun. It is also cooler at night due to breezes coming off shore. Prepare yourself for higher air conditioning or heating costs. For more information about Brevard County Property Management and Waterfront Homes for sale as well as Insurance costs plus more see our website at http://bestbrevardrentals.com

Depending upon where you purchase the home, you may need to make adjustments to the heating and cooling system prior to moving in so that you have an updated, cost-effective system. A fireplace sets a mood and provides some warmth, but you might need to upgrade to a more modern heating system so that you can truly enjoy waterfront living.

Kayaking in Florida; A Different Approach to "Fun in the Sun" Florida is often a popular destination for tourists and not just in the summer, but all year long. Florida offers miles of sandy beaches, annual warm weather, great shopping adventures and wonderful dining. Most people head straight for the beach when visiting Florida, taking in the sun at places like Daytona Beach, Boynton Beach, and private beaches along Clearwater and Orlando. While these are great relaxation spots, sometimes they can get overcrowded and it's hard to appreciate the natural beauty of Florida. That's why Florida is also home to several kayaking adventures, where you can experience a unique aspect to fun in the sun. In central Florida, check out A Day Away Outfitters and Kayak Tours. Centered on Merritt Island, A Day Away offers tours aimed specifically at viewing dolphins, manatee, and alligator. You'll also have a chance to catch a glimpse of wild turkeys and pigs lurking in the woods surrounding the islands. Each tour is guided by a professional kayaking instructor and is available seven days a week. If you're visiting or live around south Florida, Atlantic Coast Kayak Company provides informative kayaking classes and guided tours. Take a tour around the infamous Florida Keys, where you'll be able to take a pit stop and swim with the dolphins if conditions are favorable. For a truly unique kayaking experience, consider taking a tour to Whiskey Creek. Located between the beach and the waterway within John Lloyd State Park, Whiskey Creek is popular for spotting beautiful aquatic birds, a variety of saltwater fish, and even stingrays! Not only will you catch views of wildlife only seen on the discovery channel, but you'll also have the chance to see the large and historic ships of Port Everglades. If you reside in Florida or plan to visit several times a year, consider becoming a member of the Florida Sea Kayaking Association (FSKA). You can receive significantly discounted kayaking trips all around Florida, and privileges to some of Florida's most serene and prestigious kayaking locations. Joining this or a similar kayaking association could save you lots of money if kayaking is one of your frequent hobbies. Finally, if you plan to be in the Orlando area and have some time for a longer aquatic outdoor excursion, then sign up with Florida Sun Safari National Park Adventure. This eight day journey will lead you through many destinations beginning in Orlando. You'll enjoy a hike through the Everglades National Park, where you'll have the opportunity to view unique aquatic birds and some of Florida's most hidden wildlife. In Key West, you'll be given the opportunity to not only kayak through some of the tranquil waters, but also scuba dive! Experience a picnic lunch and a chance to touch manatees at Canaveral National Seashore on the final day. This unforgettable opportunity costs around $825 per person and covers food and transportation. Next time you're in Florida, you'll find so many great opportunities for kayaking and other outdoor adventures. Laying out on the beach may soon become your old pastime!

Brevard County Florida Weather

You can lay in the sun on 33 miles of beaches at least 300 days a year.
True, it rains at least a little 115 days of the year, but most of the county's average annual rainfall of 50.2 inches falls on sultry, mostly sunny summer afternoons--just in time to cool the air and freshen the spirits. A balmy 73 degrees Fahrenheit is the average year-round temperature. In January, the temperature averages 62 degrees, in August 81.5 degrees.

For more specific information regarding weather, wind, rain as it applies to each month go to the following site.
http://www.city-data.com/city/Melbourne-Florida.html

Another nice thing about the climate here is that it does cool off at night as compared to the more Southern parts of Florida. In Melbourne for example, we see a 20 degree drop day to night whereas in the Keys it averages 10 degrees.
All in all the weather here is great.

To see average January temperatures across the United States go tohttp://www.mapsofworld.com/usa/thematic-maps/usa-temprature-january.html

Compare these to Melbourne.
Remember we spend the majority of our life indoors…sleeping and working. So when we are off, wouldn’t it be nice to be able to spend it outside in nice weather!

More about Hurricanes:

Lots of people have moved here from other parts of Florida in part because there aren’t many weather dangers here. True, we DID have a couple of hurricanes in 2004, but it had been decades before that.
Moreover, if you lived inland just a few miles that summer of 2004, because of the buffer of the long barrier island and the wide ICW/Indian River Lagoon, the net effects of the hurricanes were pretty mild.

In any case, the likelihood per the historical record of that happening again remains very low. The reality is that the weather on both Florida’s east and west coast is great, and you really don’t have to worry yourself through hurricane season, like folks perhaps do in some other parts of Florida (the Keys, the north coast of the Gulf of Mexico).
Bottom line? I would be remiss if I did not tell you that hurricanes are a potential fact of life. But what I’ve outlined above underscores the reality that the very occasional occurrence is the exception, absolutely not the summertime rule.

More Info and observations:

Despite four devastating hurricanes in 2004, the number of Florida visitors rose 7% to an all-time high of 79.8 million last year and is on target to hit 80 million this year. Florida tourism generates about $57 billion annually and employs 912,700.
If you live on the coast you stand the greatest chance of having one affect you. Some areas of Florida have gone fifty years plus without one but you never know.
As a resident having lived in the Keys and now in central Florida I’ve been through them.
In my opinion, the best thing you can do is buy a home that was built after Andrew-August 92 that was built to stricter building codes. Have window protection and a backup generator and make sure your insurance is up to date. If they ask you to leave, do it!
Realize-If you live in an older home that was not built up to the stricter building codes (After Hurricane Andrew-August 1992) or you live in a mobile home you stand the best chance of having major structural damage.
Living on the beach in a mobile home is asking for it. Although, you may never have a problem, you’re still definitely taking your chances. Barrier islands and open-water beaches are the most prone to damage.
Opposed to California, I prefer the threat of a hurricane however as opposed to an earthquake. At least you have a warning.
For current information about hurricanes go to http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
For 2005 climate info by areas go tohttp://www.coaps.fsu.edu/climate_center/LCD/2005LCD.html
For current weather forecasts by cities go to http://iwin.nws.noaa.gov/iwin/fl/fl.html
*Living in a waterfront home typically means that you will pay a higher Insurance premium. The insurance is higher due to flood and wind concerns.
Part of this is also because the pricing on these homes is higher so there is more value to insure against.
Having said all this, I can’t imagine living elsewhere. It is really great to wake up and it’s sunny out.

We spend over half our lives indoors…so when you do go outside, wouldn’t it be nice if it was warm and sunny?

Melbourne Fl Recreation

To say that Florida is about being outdoors is an understatement. Some parts of the SunBelt seem to be mostly about air conditioning and a quick dash outdoors to go to the supermarket. Central Coastal Florida isn’t like that; sure it’s hot in the Summertime, but that doesn’t get in the way of things, like it does in, say, Texas or Arizona or Nevada.
And this greater Melbourne area, in particular, is phenomenal. Consider, for a moment, its sheer number and variety of recreational opportunities:

 200 Parks, 21 Nature Trails
28 Golf Courses, 23 Tennis Courts
37 Boat Ramps
72 miles of beaches
13 Ocean beach parks
3 Full service campgrounds
11 Ocean Surf fishing park areas
To see a complete list fo to the site below
http://www.brevardparks.com/parks/index.htm

If you think about this for a moment, it resolves into a pretty interesting list of things to do outdoors in Melbourne and Brevard County:
Beaching, in all its variety

Fishing-saltwater and freshwater
Boating-Ocean or River Florida Fishing Guides by Lagooner
Diving-Ocean wrecks
Surfing-We have some of the best surfing in the state.
Hiking
Bike riding – most residential areas are enforced 25 mph speed limits
Birding-world class, lots of stops on the migration flyway too
Photography
Windsurfing
Kayaking—there are good rental locations and lots of places to launch.
And besides the Beaches, which I’ve mentioned already, there are myriad and wonderful other places to visit. Among these are:
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
Turkey Creek sanctuary
Another place you'll want to visit is the citizen-built Brevard Zoo. This is a very well run, clean facility with both local and African wildlife.

And for environmentally based outings consider the dolphin-watch cruises on the Indian River Lagoon.

Other outdoor wonderlands--in addition to the miles and miles of beaches (especially the pristine sands owned and monitored by the federal government)--include the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge, the Canaveral National Seashore, Erna Nixon Park, the Turkey Creek Sanctuary, the Ulamay Wildlife Sanctuary, the Enchanted Forest and the Sebastian Inlet State Recreation Area. Coon's Run Wildlife Sanctuary in Rockledge offers rehabilitation for injured and orphaned wildlife at its privately operated, non-profit center.

The area on the barrier island along the Atlantic Ocean from Holland Spessard Park south of Melbourne Beach to Sebastian Inlet, at the county's southern border, is the largest sea turtle nesting area in the United States. Between May and August, Loggerheads, Greens and Leatherbacks come ashore to lay their eggs. You can walk the beach in the morning and see as many as 20 new turtle crawls from the night before, or you can sign up for one of the frequent nighttime turtle conservation tours and watch the egg-laying yourself. Hatchlings that survive--and few do in spite of serious efforts to protect them--struggle back to the sea during September and October.

Good Sports

Surfing is big here. Several tournaments occur annually in Cocoa Beach. Sebastian Inlet's Monster Hole and Spanish House challenge even experienced surfers. One "don't miss" spot on the surf circuit is Ron Jon's Surf Shop, a Cocoa Beach institution. Originally a small surf shop with several boards and a few T-shirts for sale, it's now a 24-hours-a-day merchandising palace complete with amenities like a fountain and a glass-encased elevator in addition to every conceivable retail item that can carry a Ron Jon logo, including thousands and thousands of T-shirts.

Fishing--especially the saltwater variety--is popular with locals and vacationers. Sport fishermen catch mackerel, sailfish, marlin, wahoo and tuna from Brevard County waters. Marinas, boats, airboats, charter fishing boats, commercial fishing boats and pleasure craft--ranging from one-man skulls and canoes to cabin cruisers and yachts--abound. The Cocoa Beach Pier, which stretches out 840 feet above the ocean, is a good place to cast your line if you don't have a boat--or even if you do. And then there’s that 40 mile beach-anybody can be a surfcaster, and it doesn’t require a lot of fancy equipment.

Other active sports fans enjoy Brevard's facilities, too. Hiking and biking entertain some. Public tennis courses exist in at least 11 parks. The 16 public and seven private golf courses located within county borders keep most golfers content. And, of course, wind surfing, surfing, swimming, diving and boating along the Intracoastal Waterway and Atlantic Ocean beaches keep water-friendly folks in a state of barely controlled bliss.

Baseball is big in the late winter and early spring when Big League ball players train and compete here on the Grapefruit Circuit. The Florida Marlins (from the Miami area) train right here in Brevard County; the Los Angeles Dodgers do their spring stint in Vero Beach (in Indian River County just south of Brevard County). For professional football, residents can travel up the coast to see the Jacksonville Jaguars play; for pro basketball, their best bet is the Orlando Magic, who play less than an hour's drive from home.

Hot Times in the City
You'll be busy for weeks visiting Brevard County's many places of interest. In the Titusville area (north), try Astronaut Hall of Fame, the Valiant Air Command Museum and especially the very reasonable and exciting NASA Kennedy Space Center, where the Astronauts Memorial is also worth a look. Don't neglect downtown Titusville's historic district and the North Brevard Historical Museum.

In the Cocoa Beach (north central) area, check out the pier and Port Canaveral--its commerce, foreign trade zone and Jetty Park. Also mid-county, don't miss Cocoa Village, especially the Village Playhouse and the Porcher House. On A1A in Cocoa Beach, you'll find the famous Ron Jon Surf Shop. On the mainland in Cocoa, visit the Brevard Museum of History and Natural Science and the Astronaut Memorial Hall and Planetarium at the Cocoa campus of Brevard Community College (BCC).

Brevard County Florida Arts & Culture

The Melbourne/Brevard County area is extremely welcoming to actors, artists, musicians, photographers and writers in all genres.
There are first class Art supply stores, photography, book stores and libraries for supplies and research.
The Maxwell King Center brings in national acts, from Rock legends to Tony Bennett.
Another important thing is that its very easy to get involved in the community and the Arts scene. I do wildlife photography and have found incredible promotional support from the Brevard Arts society here. It is very professional and very approachable group. email: at brezinal@artsbrevard.org

Melbourne and its communities are definitely receptive to new ideas and creativity.
Listed below are a few places/organizations in the area.

Brevard Museum of Art & Science
1463 Highland Avenue
P. O. Box 360835
Melbourne, FL 32936-0835
321-242-0737
American Watercolor Society
Hosted by a terrific watercolor Website that is full of info for watercolor artists
Brevard Cultural Alliance
Administers tax dollars for support to art in Brevard County.
Offers Art in Public Places Programs. Maintains a registry of art related events in the county.
Central Brevard Art Association
Located in Cocoa Florida, the organization offers exhibits and classes for Brevard County artists
Florida Watercolor Society
One of the largest state watercolor societies in the country. Annual meeting and exhibit every Fall
The Strawbridge Art League
The Strawbridge Art League Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization devoted to a facility in the Doc Strawbridge building (Eau Gallie) for working artists. The studios open daily for public business.
The Brevard Watercolor Society
Open to all media artists who are full time or winter residents of Brevard County.
MAXWELL C. KING CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS. Brevard Community College, 3865 N. Wickham Road. Melbourne
Titusville Art League, Inc.
1421 Draa Road
(across from Draa Field)
P.O. Box 6133
Titusville, FL 32782-6133
Community Theatre-There are 13 organizations

Bayside Players
1153 Malabar Road, Suite 18. Call (321) 729-8435
Brevard friends of Shakespeare
625 E. New Haven Ave., Melbourne. Call (321) 723-8698.
Brevard Symphony orchestra

Space Coast Writers Guild
SCWG, P.O. Box 262, Melbourne, FL 32902-0262
There’s more-much more. So if you’re a creative type-you really need to consider Melbourne and Brevard County.

SELECTIVE

I value putting the right deal together vs. simply pursuing a commission or fee.

The Manager, Tenant and Owner have to be willing to enter into forthright and honest business dealings.

There are Property/Owner situations, however rare, that have to be avoided and in the past I have actually returned properties when circumstances dictated.

Brevard County Property Management

Brevard County Property Management plus Sales by
Aamerican Property Management--32+ Years in the area.

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We have been fortunate to have lived right here the past 32 plus years.
We moved the company from a commercial location to our residence in the Fall of ’04.

Brevard County Property Management Services Steve Neville
Experience Based Business Plan

Property Management is a continuing business relationship quite different from a sales encounter. Manager, Tenant and Owner have an ongoing relationship that works best with full disclosures, direct and complete information, and immediate responses to all problems.
The process begins with a clear understanding of the market between Owner and Manager; positioning the property (marketing plan) to best suit the Owners' objectives; and fully exposing that property to potential Tenants.
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MY INVENTORY GROWTH
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Can you imagine how you would feel if a property manager had not exercised due care and you suffered serious consequences?

Unlike sales, not all business is "good business".

I had a very gracious couple balk at signing the Rental Agreement and addendums months after they had signed the Reservation Agreement and provided a deposit. It was a tiny oceanfront townhouse and the gracious couple had withheld their intention to have a family reunion of sorts during a period of their occupancy. Fortunately the "number of occupants" clause and the "Maintenance" addendum caused the couple to recognize potential severe financial repercussions. In this case the owner's property was protected because of the thorough contracts. We manage homes for rent in all areas of Brevard county including Melbourne Florida,Palm Bay, Merritt Island,Coco Beaxh and Titusville.

RECOMMENDATIONS

My style of management is generally approved by condo boards and I have benefited from their direct recommendations.
I receive unobligated referrals from real estate professionals; i.e., "use this person to manage your property" and well as condo owners.

I actually have been asked to and do manage property owned by Real Estate Professionals. For more information about Brevard County Property Management including Melbourne florida homes for rent please contact us.

Following are the "DOMAINS we use for the internet:
www.seasonalrentalsandsales.com
www.palmbayrentalsandsales.com
www.2apm.com
www.bestbrevardrentals.com
www.vacationrentalhomesales.com

We can discuss your goals.
February of 2003, as a result of Owner/Manager participation, 100% occupancy of all inventory including seasonal units.
We have grown steadily and, today, expend more than $20,000.00 per year just on Florida Today Advertising.
Our seasonal properties have ranged from a high of $4375 and low of $1500.

We will manage a deficient unfurnished long-term rentals when projects are approved for upgrades; i.e., wherein I seek tenants willing and able to make improvements. This technique falls into the future value scenario (vs.cash-flow) gradually improving condition, rent return and appreciation.

Is Property Management a Nightmare?

By carefully and explicitly addressing experienced based pitfalls contractually, a sincere effort is made to avoid misunderstandings, allow excessive wiggle room, and/or place the Owner's property in jeopardy.

My Rental Agreements are lengthy, include as many as 15 addendum's, incorporate Inventories and Association Documents, and are thoroughly reviewed with the Tenants and our attorney prior to signing.

Still, a problem could occur and prompt corrective measures need to be taken. I, again, am fortunate to have a system that inherently avoids legal action treating owner and tenant fairly, yet, can escalate to a legal action if need be.

SELECTIVE

I value putting the right deal together vs. simply pursuing a commission or fee.

The Manager, Tenant and Owner have to be willing to enter into forthright and honest business dealings.

There are Property/Owner situations, however rare, that have to be avoided and in the past I have actually returned properties when circumstances dictated.

Brevard Zoo

Brevard Zoo, Melbourne, Florida, USA - Unravel Travel TV
Brevard Zoo, Melbourne, Florida, USA. Brevard Zoo is a small zoo that does big things. Their mission is "Wildlife Conservation through Education and Particip...