It's been awhile, but man have we been busy!

I know it has been a truly busy crazy 6 months for me too! First of all the Brevard market prices as predicted have started to fall. I have started performing Broker Price Opinions for Old Republic Default management services. These are ranging from short sale valuation to pre foreclosure valuations. Prices are falling about 4% per month. OK henny penny the sky is not falling...but the deals are starting to take place over here that have been going on in Orlando for the last 18 month. Value areas right now are north EauGallie homes and duplexes and Suntree Townhomes. If you are not happy with that stock portfolio a couple of rentals in these areas will be giving an easy 10-12% ROI. In case everyone did not know already yes my divorce was final March 8. Enough said. I would love to thank all of my friends and family that have supported me and helped me through this difficult time.

Went to watch the Pineapple Man triathlon this morning in Melbourne Beach and enjoyed it almost as much as partcipating. Kurt Spengler was 7th in his age group, Mitch Varnes was 20th , darn respectable in a very competitive race! I have become a member of the Cozy Cougars triathlon relay team doing the swim. I look to do my first individual sprint tri-athlon in Key West this December. I have not seriously started cycling but I am swimming and running 3-5 times per week as my schedule permits. My two fablulous team mates Kathryn Van Arsdall Varnes and Tammy Holmes Estrada are the strong partners that make us fly! Kathryn's husband Mitch is the brains behind the Surfcost Trifecta series (Next race the Dad's day Tri sponsored by Longdoggers!) and the Melbourne Beaches and Music marathon, now considered a world class racing event. He is helped every year by the Brevard Symphony Orchestra (part of the music:), and Thanks Mary Willis Daugherty for all of your help in making this happen. a special thanks to Mary for selling me her Explorer when my van was totalled earlier this year, she really is a lifesaver. Last but not least her salsa , Marys Downtown Salsa, once again was the fan favorite at Fiesta Brevard and is available for sale at Doubles( another favorite place of mine). I was at Doubles last night for a Scorp get together and ran into Gary Como and his wife. Their annual Golf tournament for Charity is the Saturday before Father's day. Lots of old friends coming in for that.

Currently I have recruited two new agents that are studying for their exams, in hopes that when business here takes off I will have the staff to accomodate it. If you have ever thought about selling real estate or have your license please talk to me. We have a branch office in Satellite Beach and our Home office in Davenport south of Celebration. I am currently studying to take the Broker's exam in the midst of all of this too. I have a new partner helping me with my technology so we look to be adding podcasts and or video in addition to getting the website up and running. anyone with any real estate questions that still does it all the old fashioned way is still welcome to call me at 321-216-6390. Special thanks to Alan at Truly Nolen, Kris Militano at Inspect and Save Home inspections and Pat Neve at the Sign Man for helping me out through these times with expertise and or service. I highly recommend them all.

As most of you have seen on my personal facebook page I have been on my soapbox about drilling for oil in the Gulf and or Atlantic off the coast of Florida. I have tried to make sure people understand that I am protecting my PRODUCT I sell FLORIDA...Beaches(clean ones), sunshine and low stress! Drilling is an oxymoron to all three of these. I do not want my views marred by rigs, I do not want people to ever think of tar on our beaches and most of all I moved back to the beach to relax and eventually retire. On that note I will end this blog with the Florida Association of Realtors page of information on Oil spill resouces and links. Florida resources for Gulf oil spill:


TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – June 4, 2010 – Preparation is key now for home, business and environment. The following Florida resources offer guidance or direct help.
Landfall predictions
Projections from NOAA indicate weathered oil from the leading edge of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill could impact the Florida Panhandle as early as this week due to a shift in winds and currents.Any impact to Florida's shoreline will likely be highly weathered – tar balls, oil sheen, tar mats or mousse, a pudding-like oil/water mixture that could be brown, rust or orange in color.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is tracking the oil spill's movement. For an update, visit the NOAA website at: http://www.noaa.gov
If you spot oil on Florida's coastline report it to the State Warning Point at 1 (877) 2- SAVE-FL (1-877-272-8335) or dial #DEP from most cell phones.
Onsite actions
A single website was created to coordinate federal efforts as well as BP initiatives: http://www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com
State and federal actions
The State Emergency Operations Center remains activated at a Level 2 or partial activation.
Governor Charlie Crist has issued three Executive Orders since April 30, 2010, declaring a state of emergency in 26 coastal counties that may see impacts. To read the Executive Orders, visit: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/deepwaterhorizon/default.htm#auth
BP has opened claims offices in Florida. Visit the BP Claims Page toget addresses, phone numbers and to learn more: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/deepwaterhorizon/claims.htm
On May 18, 2010, the Small Business Administration (SBA) opened eight offices in the Panhandle. To date, these offices have issued a total of 150 loan applications. Find an office (PDF format) at: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/deepwaterhorizon/files/small_business_admin.pdf
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducted water and sediment sampling to use as a baseline for monitoring air quality data should it be affected by the oil spill. Read the reports and get updates as released at: http://www.epa.gov/bpspill
Health effects
There are no indications of any health risks due to the Deepwater Horizon incident so far. The Department of Health and DEP are monitoring health and environmental impacts to Florida's beaches and will notice an advisory if conditions become unsafe. To read more about the possible health effects from oil, go to (PDF): http://www.dep.state.fl.us/deepwaterhorizon/files/faq_doh_051010.pdf
Fishing and seafood
NOAA extended the boundaries of the closed fishing area in the Gulf of Mexico to the state water line in Alabama and the western tip of Florida's Panhandle. The federal closure does not currently apply to any of Florida's waters, and it's called a precautionary measure. For the latest update, check the Deepwater Horizon website at: http://www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com. Scroll to "Current Ops" at the top and click on "Fish and Wildlife Report."
Fishermen who wish to contact BP about a claim should call (800) 440-0858.
Report oiled wildlife to the Wildlife Distress Hotline at (866) 557-1401. For the safety of the public as well as the safety of animals, trained responders should conduct rescues.
Tourism
Florida's tourism website, www.VISITFLORIDA.com, posts up-to-the-minute information on the status of any city or region in Florida. Vacationers may also view live Twitter feeds of any changes. Learn more at: http://www.visitflorida.com/florida_travel_advisory/.
The Florida State Parks have not felt any effect, but updates on closings, if any, will be posted on their website: http://www.floridastateparks.org. Visitors can also get updates by calling 1 (850) 245-2157.
Tips for homeowners
Coastal homeowners have inundated the state with calls about what they can do to protect their property. The state has offered suggestions on what is allowed and what to avoid in a single (PDF) file: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/deepwaterhorizon/files/protect_shoreline_tips.pdf
Tips for businesses and consumers
The Attorney General's fraud hotline is open to receive reports of fraud or price gouging by individuals or companies trying to take advantage of the Gulf oil crisis. Call the hotline at: 1 (866) 966-7226.
The Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner gas price-gouging hotline is also operational. The toll-free hotline number is: 1 (800) HELP-FLA (1-800- 435-7352).
Coastal businesses should keep good records and make loss of earnings claims for damages incurred as a result of the oil spill. Businesses should file a claim with BP by calling 1 (800) 440- 0858. Learn more at http://www.myfloridacfo.com/oilspill/default.htm or by calling 1 (850) 413-3089 or toll-free at 1 (877) MY-FL-CFO (1-877-693-5236).
Volunteer opportunities
The Governor's Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service is encouraging Floridians and visitors to become a Coast Watch volunteer. To help or to get more information about scheduled beach cleanups and other volunteer opportunities at: www.volunteerfloridadisaster.org.
BP established a volunteer program and set up a toll-free number for those interested in volunteering. Learn more by calling BP's community information line at 1 (866) 448-5816.
Learn more about Florida's response
DEP launched a Twitter account, www.Twitter.com/FLDEPalert, dedicated to providing updates on Florida's response to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill.
For a list of Unified Command, BP and Florida phone numbers, visit http://www.dep.state.fl.us/deepwaterhorizon/default.htm#numbers
The Oil Spill Information Line is available at 1 (888) 337-3569 from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. seven days a week. Additional phone numbers have also been established for persons with disabilities: (800) 955-8771 (TDD) or (800) 955-8770 (voice). © 2010 Florida Realtors®



Lets hope my next blog is next month, now that I have a little help it should be back to our regularly scheuled blog.

Sincerely,
Cynthia