BAP site syndication http://www.bwhiterealty.com Mon, 06 Feb 2012 02:34:03 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://www.bwhiterealty.com/images/M_images/ http://www.bwhiterealty.com BAP site syndication http://www.bwhiterealty.com/general-content/sebastian-florida.html Sebastian is a city in Indian River County, Florida, United States. The population was 16,181 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 18,671 [4]. Sebastian is a principal city of the Sebastian–Vero Beach Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Indian River County. Contents[hide] 1 History 2 Geography 2.1 Pelican Island 3 Culture 4 Industry 4.1 Tourism 4.2 Health 5 Demographics 6 Government 7 Education 8 Notable residents 9 See also 10 References 11 External links History About ten thousand years ago, the Indian River Lagoon formed along the east central coast of Florida. The Native Ais Indians occupied the area that is now the Pelican Island Wildlife refuge, for thousands of years. In 1715, a Spanish Treasure ship crashed off the shores of the entire Treasure Coast.[3] It is estimated that only a portion of all the treasure has been found. From all the wrecks, the value placed on the entire 1715 fleet has been over $500 million USD. The town of Sebastian was a fishing village in the 1870s and officially founded in 1882[3] and originally named St. Sebastian, which was also the name of a river that flowed nearby. Later “St.” was removed from the name of the river, as well as from the city's name. Sebastian was incorporated in 1924. Pelican Island was declared the country’s first National Wildlife refuge in 1903. GeographySebastian is located in northeastern Indian River County, Florida at 27°46′58″N 80°28′56″W / 27.782751°N 80.482352°W / 27.782751; -80.482352.[4] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 35.1 km² (13.6 mi²). 32.7 km² (12.6 mi²) of it is land and 2.4 km² (0.9 mi²) of it (6.86%) is water. Pelican Island Paul Kroegel, a German immigrant, arrived in Sebastian, Florida in 1881, and homesteaded with his father on an ancient shell midden on the west bank of the Indian River Lagoon. Kroegel observed nearby Pelican Island, a 5 acres (2.0 ha) mangrove island where thousands of brown pelicans and other water birds roosted and nested. Without state or federal laws to protect the birds, Kroegel would sail out to Pelican Island with his gun and stand guard. Kroegel was visited by many influential naturalists who stayed at the nearby Oak Lodge from the 1880s to the early 1900s. One of those naturalists was a well-known ornithologist, Frank Chapman, curator at the American Museum of Natural History in New York and a member of the American Ornithologist’s Union. Chapman discovered that Pelican Island was the last rookery from brown pelicans on the East Coast of Florida, and pledged his support to protect the birds. In 1901, the American Ornithologist’s Union and the Florida Audubon Society led a successful campaign to pass legislation in Florida calling for the protection of non-game birds. Kroegel was one of four wardens hired by the Florida Audubon Society to protect water birds from market hunters. Chapman and his fellow bird protection advocate, William Dutcher, knew that protecting the birds of Pelican Island required additional protection. Chapman and Dutcher were acquainted with President Theodore Roosevelt, who had assumed the Presidency in 1901. They visited Roosevelt at his home in Sagamore Hill, New York, and appealed to his strong conservation ethic.[5] On March 14, 1903, Roosevelt signed an executive order establishing Pelican Island as the first federal bird reservation, the forerunner to the national wildlife refuge system. Pelican Island was the first time that the federal government set aside land for the sake of wildlife.[6] Culture There is a small library. Industry Sebastian residents include retirees and families. The largest private employers in Sebastian are Publix supermarket and Sebastian River Medical Center, followed closely by city and county government.[citation needed] Airplane manufacturer Velocity Aircraft>ref>[5]</ref> is located at Sebastian Municipal Airport as is Skydive Sebastian.[7] The majority of Sebastian-area residents work in either Vero Beach, Brevard County, or St. Lucie County.[citation needed] Tourism Mel Fisher's Treasure Museum is located there. Health The Sebastian area has one acute care hospital, Sebastian River Medical Center Demographics Sebastian Historical Marker As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 16,181 people, 6,844 households, and 5,044 families residing in the city. The population density was 495.0/km² (1,282.2/mi²). As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 18,671.[8] There were 7,287 housing units at an average density of 222.9/km² (577.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.66% White, 3.18% African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.74% Asian, 0.95% from other races, and 1.23% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.86% of the population. There were 6,844 households out of which 24.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.5% were married couples living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, with the remaining 26.3% non-traditional families or unrelated individuals. 21.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.72. In the city the population was distributed among a variety of age ranges, with 20.2% under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 22.4% from 25 to 44, 24.7% from 45 to 64, and 27.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females there were 92.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.8 males. The median income for a Sebastian household was $39,327, and the median income for a family was $43,044. As of a 2007[9][10] estimate, the median income was $45,723, and the median income for a family was $52,141. Males had a median income of $30,787 versus $23,936 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,111. About 4.8% of families and 6.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.6% of those under age 18 and 5.0% of those age 65 or over. Government The City Council includes Mayor Jim Hill, Vice-Mayor Don Wright, Richard H. Gillmor, Andrea B. Coy, and Eugene Wolff.[11] Education There are three elementary schools (Sebastian Elementary, Pelican Island Elementary, and Treasure Coast Elementary, one middle school (Sebastian River Middle School) and one high school, Sebastian River High School, in the city. The unincorporated township of Roseland is often included into the city of Sebastian, but is outside city limits. Roseland was actually founded earlier than the city of Sebastian. The Sebastian Highlands neighborhood has new construction projects, parks, and sports facilities. Notable residents Notable current and former residents of Sebastian include: Jim Gary (1939–2006), sculptor, was born in Sebastian. He constructed dinosaurs made from discarded automobile parts that traveled as an exhibition, Jim Gary's Twentieth Century Dinosaurs, for display at museums and other venues.[12] Arlo Guthrie, the folk singer of Alice's Restaurant, owns a home in Roseland, Florida which is adjacent to Sebastian, along the Indian River.[6] After the hurricanes, Frances and Jeanne in 2004, the house was damaged. Guthrie has been a a battle with the city over repair work done to the home.---Guthrie does not live within the Sebastian City Limits. He lives in Roseland, Florida, which borders Sebastian to the north. From Wikipedia Main Content - General Content Sat, 26 Feb 2011 07:55:51 +0100 http://www.bwhiterealty.com/general-content/sebastian-florida.html http://www.bwhiterealty.com/investor-info/to-avoid-disappointment-when-finding-a-great-deal-on-profile.market3-investment-properties-be-sure-you-have-your-financing-in-place.html The better your credit score is, the less obstacles you'll have to cross. When the mortgage companies in Vero Beach Florida are looking at your credit they are generally referring to your FICO score. This is a compilation of the three major credit bureaus and is the standard for determining credit worthiness in the industry.You will have access to the best loans and more negotiating room with a FICO score above 710, when looking at your combined credit score.There are now many different loan solutions available to the investor in Vero Beach Florida. There are even some loans that will cover the total purchase price however, with the current credit situation they are far and few between.There are still options available, if your credit is not excellent. You may be able to negotiate the seller carrying a second mortgage on the property in Vero Beach Florida.In one scenario, both you and the seller are both happy with the price negotiated. You agree to get a loan for 80% of the purchase price and the seller agrees to take payments for the remaining 20%.You will find that the process of getting a loan is less complicated for eighty percent of the purchase price. This is especially true if you have negotiated a price below market value. Consider that you agreed on a selling price of $100,000 While the real market value is determined to be 123,000.With this example the lender that supplies the loan only has $80,000 at risk on a $120,000 property. The risk is a lot less. We invite you to visit our Indian River Home Sales (http://www,indianriverhomesales.com)website to see many of the properties that are currently listed in Vero Beach, Sebastain and other location in Indian River County and along the Treasure Coast of Florida Blog - Investor Info Thu, 17 Dec 2009 15:39:30 +0100 http://www.bwhiterealty.com/investor-info/to-avoid-disappointment-when-finding-a-great-deal-on-profile.market3-investment-properties-be-sure-you-have-your-financing-in-place.html http://www.bwhiterealty.com/seller-info/auctions-gaining-acceptance-in-profile.market2-as-good-way-to-sell-real-estate.html Real estate auctions were once considered to be the last resort to unload unwanted junk properties onto an unsuspecting public. With the addition of broader portfolios and better marketing, however, the use of auctions is now gathering momentum in Sebastian, Vero Beach and other locations in Sebastian Florida as an effective sales tool in the real estate community.One recent Sunday afternoon in Santa Clara, Calif., Maria Hagan of Dividend Development Corp. sold $8.2 million worth of real estate in less than two hours. But there were no real estate brokers, for sale signs or multiple listings--and the only fast talking was done by an auctioneer.The Santa Clara-based development firm put 50 townhouses of the 103-unit San Tomas Court project on the block. Homes in the development had been selling for $169,500 to $215,000 through conventional real estate brokers for the last year. There was no minimum bid for the auction, which attracted 1,000 people, including 450 registered bidders.Real estate auctions in Vero Beach, Sebastian and other locations in Sebastian Florida are becoming an increasingly popular way to sell real estate. One reason is that foreclosure rates—the traditional reason for real estate auctions--are on the rise. But there also is a new breed of auction--offering new, often high-priced properties--that is gaining favor among developers and consumers alike. The new breed of auction begins with weeks of advertisement on television and radio and in newspapers. Glossy brochures and fliers are part of the sell, and the day itself has a party atmosphere, replete with catered buffets and live music.Though real estate auctions are more common in the Midwest, the new style of auctions is a Sebastian, Vero Beach and Sebastian Florida phenomenon. The public really likes buying at auctions. There's a certain equity that comes from selling in an open forum--you feel good about what you just bought because you know there's someone else out there who was ready to buy it for just $1,000 less than you.Although buyers do have a chance to purchase property for far below asking price, experts say that, on average, the price paid for real estate at an auction is usually market value.The reason is that auctions bring together everyone who's interested in a property. The effect of potential buyer bidding against potential buyer ultimately sets a fair-market price.In the Midwest, it's common to auction individual houses. But in Vero Beach, Sebastian, and other locations in Sebastian Florida it is rarely done--except for homes in the million-dollar estate category.Developers are attracted to auctions because they represent a quick way to liquidate remaining units in a large project after the initial sales momentum has worn off.During real estate auctions, bidders are usually pre-qualified: They tour models, inspect partially completed dwellings and assess how much they are qualified to borrow.While banks and other institutions with foreclosed property on their hands and developers looking for a quick turnover are the usual source for auction property, individual home sellers can put their homes up for bidding. This can be done by contracting an auctioneer to sell the house as part of a larger auction, or by auctioning the house by itself.There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in Sebastian, Vero Beach or other locations in Sebastian Florida. For complete information about the Sebastian Florida real estate market including current property values for homes in Sebastian and Vero Beach; and more please visit our Indian River Home Sales (http://www.IndianRiverHomeSales.com)website, the most complete website online dedicated to everything in the Sebastian Florida real estate. So please feel free to contact me with any of your real estate questions and I will be more than glad to answer your queries. Call me on my cell at 772-766-2521 or email me at Brad@IndianRiverHomeSales.com (mailto:Brad@IndianRiverHomeSales.com). There may not be a better time to buy real estate in Florida, with low interest rates, tax rebates, and great prices on a large inventory of homes. Check out our Indian River Home Sales (http://www.IndianRiverHomeSales.com)website, we look forward to working with you! Blog - Seller Info Sun, 29 Nov 2009 18:42:08 +0100 http://www.bwhiterealty.com/seller-info/auctions-gaining-acceptance-in-profile.market2-as-good-way-to-sell-real-estate.html http://www.bwhiterealty.com/investor-info/the-top-5-aesthetic-mistakes-sellers-in-profile.market2-make-when-selling-their-home-by-profile.full-name-expert-real-estate-agent.html The Top 5 Aesthetic Mistakes Sellers in Sebastian, Vero Beach of other locations in Sebastian Florida Make when Selling Their Home, by Brad White, part of the Oquist White Team at Coldwell Banker Ed Schlitt.Aesthetics play a huge part in a successful sale. A large part of a buyer's decision to buy a house is based on emotions. Aesthetics have a powerful ability to affect emotions. In this article, we'll go over some of the top aesthetic mistakes sellers in the Sebastian Florida area make, so you can avoid these mistakes and fetch a higher price for your house.Mistake #1 - Poor LightingLighting is crucial when showing your house to a buyer. A brightly lit house with natural light seems bright and inviting. A dark house seems dark and gloomy.Open all the windows and pull back all the curtains. If the house is naturally poorly lit, get some extra lights in the house to help with the lighting.Mistake #2 - Lack of Attention to ScentThe subtle taste of how your house smells has a big impact on the buyer. While it's nice to have a faint, clean scent to the house, what should absolutely be avoided are any noticeable strange smells or odors.The last thing a buyer wants is to inherit the seller's odors. It could go a long way to use some soft air fresheners before showing the house.Mistake #3 - Poor Exterior First ImpressionThe inside of your house is not the only place you should pay attention to. The exterior, including the paint and the front yard, both play an important factor in the buyer's decision making process.Remember, the exterior gives the buyer a first impression of the house.Mistake #4 - Strange ColorsPerhaps you have a teenager who's painted his walls orange. Perhaps pink appeals to you or matches with your paintings. However, for the buyer the colors may or may not suit them.Why take the risk? Before showing your house, make sure all the walls are painted a neutral color.Mistake #5 - Not Making Obvious RepairsSpray WD-40 on any squeaking hinges. If any major utilities equipment isn't working, have it fixed beforehand. If any of the kitchen cabinets or counter tops are chipped or look old, they should probably be replaced.Tiles must be scraped of all grime. Often times it could even pay to replace old windows. If you are thinking about selling your home in Sebastian, Vero Beach, Fellsmere or any other location in Indian River County, you deserve tp hsve the best real estate team working for you. Check out our Indian River Home Sales (http://www.IndianRiverHomeSales.com) web site to see how we effectively market homes for the quickest possible sale at the highest possible price. On the other hand, if you are thinking about buying in Indian River County, you owe it to yourself to check out our Home Finders (http://www.IndianRiverHomeSales.com)search engine. We look forward to working with you before the next snow storm There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in Sebastian, Vero Beach or other locations in the Sebastian Florida real estate. Please feel free to contact me with any of your real estate or mortgage related questions and I will be more than glad to answer your questions. Call me on my cell at 772-766-2521 or email me at Brad@IndianRiverHomeSales.com (mailto:Brad@IndianRiverHomeSales.com). Blog - Investor Info Sat, 28 Nov 2009 01:20:11 +0100 http://www.bwhiterealty.com/investor-info/the-top-5-aesthetic-mistakes-sellers-in-profile.market2-make-when-selling-their-home-by-profile.full-name-expert-real-estate-agent.html http://www.bwhiterealty.com/sebastian-florida-real-estate-as-seen-from-the-air.html Does this look like fun or what? Sebastian is a favorite location for sky diving, Every day we see people hanging on to their chutes as they enjoy the view from on high in Sebastian Florida. Sky diving may not be your thing, but I wanted you to see the lay of the land from on high. Did you see any sky scrapers? Did you see any major apartment or condo complexes? Did you you see lots of open spaces? Did you see lots of water? Did you see miles and miles of open beaches? Did you see where you want to be? The Oquist White team can help you with that! Check out our Sebastian Florida Real Estate (http://www.IndianRiverHomeSales.com)web site. Now is the time to buy, lots of homes are available, prices are low, interest rates are near historic lows, and the baby boomers are dreaming of moving to Sebastian Florida. Blog - Local Market Info Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:40:13 +0100 http://www.bwhiterealty.com/sebastian-florida-real-estate-as-seen-from-the-air.html