Relocating to the space coast (Orlando, Melbourne: mortgage, oceanfront, real estate)

[marciejoy23]

Hi,

I'm a single 27 year old who's looking to relocate to the Space Coast in March. I'll be working in Melbourne, but want to live directly on the beach. Are there any particular areas that you recommend? I've vacationed in Satellite Beach in April and enjoyed it. Obviously in Florida I expect an older population, but I'm hoping to find a community that has some people in my age group. Any suggestions you have would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for your help

[Tinman313]

If you live on the beach it's expensive!! Look at Satellite Beach up too Cocoa Beach. Cocoa Beach too Melbourne a good 45 min drive depending where your heading. The closer too Cocoa beach the more expensive it will be. Ron Jon has it's annual "Surf Feast" first week of April about 100,000 + show up at the Pier in Cocoa Beach. If you live on the beach you will have too wash off your car at least every other day do too Salt Spray from the Ocean.If not your car will rot out from under you.... I lived on the beach for all most 10 years. Between the Salt Spray and those Hurricanes makes life interesting.....A good wave is 3-5 foot and glassey....

[EasyCheeze]

Originally Posted by Tinman313

If you live on the beach it's expensive!! Look at Satellite Beach up too Cocoa Beach. Cocoa Beach too Melbourne a good 45 min drive depending where your heading. The closer too Cocoa beach the more expensive it will be.

Actually the further south to Seb. Inlet, the more expensive it will be beachside in Brevard. At least from Satellite Beach through South Mel. Beach.

[kwick release]

Originally Posted by EasyCheeze

Actually the further south to Seb. Inlet, the more expensive it will be beachside in Brevard. At least from Satellite Beach through South Mel. Beach.

Very true. The closer you get to North Vero the more expensive.

The Sat Beach area has many good rental deals right now. Also if you don't mind missing the bottom by a year or 2 you can look into buying a beachside condo. They are nearly 50% off their highs now.

[98stage2]

Just curious...what would be the going rate for a beach side condo these days?

[kwick release]

Originally Posted by 98stage2

Just curious...what would be the going rate for a beach side condo these days?

Just check out brevardmls.com for the county mls listings. Prices are coming down but you need to do your research.






Prodromos Borboroglu

[98stage2]

Looked it up and it quickly hits a million+.... *take my cookies and heads back to the couch*, Lol, looks like I'm out of this convo. 27 and can afford that?! Great job in life marciejoy!

[FertilityDoc]

The spacecoast is a great area. My wife and I just purchased an oceanfront condo in South Cocoa Beach as a vacation property. The proximity to Orlando (a large growing metropolitan center), ability to view rocket launches from our balcony and the lower waterfront prices relative to the rest of Florida were the reasons we chose the spacecoast. The real estate market is a challenging one for sellers right now. If you are buying, there are some great deals to be found. The best ones in my experience do not show up on the MLS. We worked with a local realtor who I cannot recommend highly enough. He was patient, found us a great deal and held the negotiating line. The prices can be as much as 50% off the highs of the market mania.

Housing markets are like the stock markets. Many are predicting lower prices in a year. I don't believe anyone can time the market perfectly. I would recommned you talk to a realtor and start looking at properties. We looked at this as a once in a lifetime opportunity to buy into a down market. The only other downside to this market right now is that the shuttle program is winding down. This could have an adverse effect on the employment market and further depress the space coast real estate market over the short run. I'd be glad to share our experience with real estate market in the area. Remember that you need to plan to live in a place for at least 5 years or I would not even consider buying. You've picked a great area. If you can get on the beach it will be a wonderful lifestyle choice for you.

Kevin

[marciejoy23]

Thanks Kevin. If you wouldn't mind I would love to have the name of your realtor. Did you have a particular site where you found "for sale by owner" condos? I'm just starting my search now and am planning a trip in mid-January to look at housing. It's difficult at this point because I'm currently living in IL and only have the MLS to look at thus far. Do you also have a bank that you recommend for the mortgage?

I appreciate all of your help

[marciejoy23]

Does anyone have an estimate on the cost of hurricane insurance, condo association fees, etc?