Broker Note from Barbara

Whats Happening NOW in the Brevard County Real Estate Market?

Welcome to a BUYER'S MARKET in many areas of the Space Coast. Why? Higher Interest Rates, Higher Insurance Premiums, More Active Listing Inventory, & Longer Days on Market. With less purchasing power for many Buyers, they are taking their time & being much choosier. 

WHAT SELLERS NEED TO KNOW:

• Pricing is Critical: That “Zestimate” from 2022 or that last sale in your complex? This isn't the same market and that last sale might not be relevant. Get ahead of the curve at the start by pricing aggressively or doing one or more significant price reductions to get in front of your competition.
• Staging Matters Again: Yes, buyers expect you to hide the laundry and paint the yellowed walls.
• Concessions Are Back: Buyers are asking for closing costs, inspections, repairs, and possibly even Seller Financing. If you're in a position to offer a 1-2 year balloon payment with Seller Financing, you will make your property available to a larger pool of Buyers who need to sell their existing property.
• WHAT BUYERS NEED TO KNOW:
  You Have Leverage: Negotiate. Ask for repairs. Make offers. But remember many Sellers are still sitting on a lot of equity and most are not despearate.
• Be Financially Ready: Even with more homes and negotiating power, higher mortgage rates mean you still need to know your budget inside-out.
• Act Decisively: It’s not a fire sale—but it’s not a frenzy either. If you find a good home, move with purpose, not panic.

Cocoa Beach Expands Vacation Rental Rules to Condos and Multifamily Homes

The Cocoa Beach City Commission unanimously approved expanded regulations on short-term vacation rentals on April 17, now including condos and multifamily properties in addition to single-family homes. The city restructured its fee system, shifting from a flat rate to a per-guest annual fee—$219.45 for single-family homes and $146.30 for multifamily units. These fees will fund enforcement efforts. Non-compliance penalties include escalating daily fines. The city aims to balance regulation with fairness to compliant property owners, though some landlords argue the new costs could be financially burdensome and possibly unsupportable. Mayor Keith Capizzi emphasized the changes mainly target problematic operators, not those following the rules.

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2025 Luxury Homes Redefine Elegance with Smart Tech and Timeless Design

Luxury custom homes in 2025 are embracing a new era of design, blending cutting-edge technology with timeless elegance to elevate everyday living.

Key innovations include:

1. Revolutionary virtual linear fireplaces

2. Architectural water features

3. Hurricane-rated pocket doors

4. Statement skylights

5. Gilded perfection: Gold and brass accents

 As top architects and designers push boundaries, these design elements are setting a new standard in luxury living—where beauty meets performance in every detail.

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Trump’s 2026 Budget Slashes NASA Moon Missions, Shifts Focus to Mars

President Trump’s proposed 2026 budget would reduce NASA’s funding by 24%, eliminating $6 billion from the space agency’s budget and canceling several cornerstone programs of the Artemis lunar mission. The cuts would phase out the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion crew capsule after their third mission, ending key partnerships with contractors like Boeing, Northrop Grumman, and Lockheed Martin. The budget would also terminate the Gateway lunar station, a collaborative effort with international partners such as Japan, Canada, and the European Space Agency. There are critics on both sides. Some argue this represents a historic setback for U.S. leadership in space exploration, particularly for international cooperation and science-focused missions'. Others argue that NASA has run too far over budget, for way too long. Although the outcome of this congressional vote is not yet known, these budgetary cuts are planned for post Artemis III, slated for launch mid 2027. How this decision and the trickle-down will affect our local housing market is yet unknown and as of now, there are no contract implications.

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