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Viera | Living the Florida Lifestyle Blog

Wednesday, May 11, 2022   /   by Alona Sporcich

The Art of Charcuterie

It has been the year of the Charcuterie board. People like choice and abundance. Place a charcuterie board down in front of people and they get to pick and choose what they like, making flavor combinations that appeal to them. It’s like a food version of choose-your-own adventure. When you're looking to entertain or need ideas for an event, think of Local Chef Tina Jean. She has the art of the board down to a science.  

NASA is what first brought her and her family to the wonderful Space Coast community in 2019. She is a ten year Air Force Veteran, stay-at-home mom and now your local personal chef! After proudly serving her country in the USAF, she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Culinary Science and Management and became an Instructor Chef at a well-known cooking school in Utah. 

In addition to teaching classes, she also ran her personal chef business, The Custom Chef, LLC. In this business, she combines her love of teaching and passion for coo ...

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Thursday, September 10, 2020   /   by Michele Barwick

Being Prepared for a Hurricane

Hurricane season officially kicked off on June 1st and goes through November 30th. Hurricanes can seem scary but being prepared will help keep your family and property safe. When a storm is approaching and becomes a potential threat to your area, the National Weather Service will issue watches and warnings to keep you up to date on how to prepare. 

A "hurricane watch" indicates the possibility that you could experience hurricane conditions within 36 hours. This watch should trigger your family's disaster plan and protective measures should be taken, especially those actions that require extra time such as securing a boat, leaving a barrier island, etc. Many of us live on a barrier island which means we need to start preparing now, if not sooner.

A "hurricane warning" indicates that sustained winds of at least 74 mph are expected within 24 hours. Once this warning has been issued, your family should be in the process of completing protective actions and deciding the safest lo ...

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Tuesday, August 25, 2020   /   by Kelly Bruno

Types of Financing to Consider When Buying a Condo

Typical ways to purchase real estate include Conventional loans, FHA loans, VA loans and cash. But not all condos are created equal; some of these are not an option with the exception of cash. 

Some condos can only be bought with cash. This can happen for a number of reasons: 

The condo does not carry the right insurance that a lender requires
The ratio of renters to onsite owners is too high 
The condo is involved in a litigation of some sort, among other things 

The majority of condos are purchased with a conventional loan. The required amount of a down payment can range from 10% up to 25% (there are even a few lenders that will accept 5% down). This amount will depend on the lender and how the Buyer intends to use the property. In addition, you must factor in  whether or not the association is “warrantable”, meaning a complex must be in good shape – both physically and fiscally. 

FHA loans offer low down payments and more ...

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Monday, August 17, 2020   /   by Karen Grey Seeley

Why You Need a Buyer’s Agent

Are you ready to house hunt? It's a jungle out there: Prepare for a flurry of paperwork, stampedes of buyers competing for the same digs, and other challenges, before you get to the closing table.
We won't lie: The process can be complex and stressful. Having a Real Estate Professional by your side can make all the difference. True to their name, a buyer's agent helps consumers, like yourself, navigate the real estate market; they can also save you tons of time and money on the road to your new home.
A buyer’s agent will guide you through the home-buying process and be at your disposal for any questions or concerns. Here are some of the things a buyer's agent can do:
-Find the right property
-Negotiate the offer
-Walk you through countless steps prior to the closing; eg., financing, title companies, insurance, inspections and appraisals
-Recommend other professionals (movers, contractors, painters, landscapers, etc.)
-Help overcome setbacks
A buyer's agent is legally boun ...

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Monday, August 3, 2020   /   by Kelly Bruno

Living Riverside vs. Oceanside

Living on or near the water is appealing to many people, especially those living in landlocked areas of our country. In fact, the majority of Buyers I've helped in Brevard County are searching for a waterfront property.  So if you're reading this and are looking for that as well, you are in luck! On the Space Coast, there are 72 beautiful miles of Atlantic Ocean beaches and four major rivers to enjoy. In some spots, where the geography becomes narrow on the barrier islands, the river is just a few blocks away from the ocean. It's the best of both worlds!
For some people, there is no preference as to which body of water the property is located. For others, it's one or the other with no exceptions. 
I have mixed feelings on this one. I LOVE the ocean, I always have. I am a morning person and typically get up before the sun rises. There is nothing better than taking my Pomeranian Bidzy out in the morning while the sun is just starting to rise; it's a magnificent sight and make ...

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