Top view of a raw sea bream fish at the center of an horizontal frame with cooking and seasoning ingredients like olive oil, salt and pepper, rosemary, lemon, thyme, chili pepper, tomatoes, parsley, garlic, chive, are all around the fish. DSRL studio photo taken with Canon EOS 5D Mk II and Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

Guide to the best seafood restaurants in Satellite Beach, FL

By | Blog

Top view of a raw sea bream fish at the center of an horizontal frame with cooking and seasoning ingredients like olive oil, salt and pepper, rosemary, lemon, thyme, chili pepper, tomatoes, parsley, garlic, chive, are all around the fish. DSRL studio photo taken with Canon EOS 5D Mk II and Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

When you live in Satellite Beach, Florida, you don’t just get to enjoy the surf and the sea – you also get your pick of the best seafood restaurants. Whether you’re looking for tiki-inspired fare or down-home comfort food, these popular places have it:

  • Goombay’s Island Grill

    This barnhouse-inspired restaurant sits across the expanse of the Atlantic – an indication of how fresh its seafood is. Must-try menu items include conch fritters, seared tuna blossom, and shrimp skewers, to name a few. Wash down your meal with wine or beer. There’s also live music on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

    Goombay’s Island Grill is located along 306 Florida A1A, Satellite Beach, FL. Open 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. from Sunday to Thursday. Closes at 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

  • Q’s Seafood Onestop

    Q’s Seafood Stop has one simple promise: to provide excellent food every single time. Among its specialties are shrimp and snow crab platters, lobster tail mac & cheese, and seafood boil. The restaurant does catering during holidays and special events. For your convenience, there’s an online ordering system that gives you real time updates on your order.

    Q’s Seafood Onestop is located along 228 Florida A1A, Satellite Beach, FL. Open from 12 noon – 7 p.m. from Sunday to Thursday. Closes at 9:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

  • North By South Bistro

    There’s something for everyone at this unassuming restaurant, from New England-inspired seafood dishes to Southern comfort food. All items are prepared from scratch daily, including the spices. Be sure to try their clam chowder, lobster bisque, shrimp po’ boy, and mahi tacos.

    North By South Bistro is located along 228 S, Florida A1A, Satellite Beach, FL. Open from 11 a.m .- 9 p.m. from Sunday to Thursday. Closes at 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

  • Bunky’s Raw Bar & Seafood Grille

    Nothing beats the taste of fresh oysters, and there’s no better place to sample them than Bucky’s. Aside from its raw bar, the restaurant also serves excellent seafood fare such as seafood gumbo, tuna steak, alligator tail, and snow crab. With several high-definition TVs, Bunky’s is also an ideal place to watch sports matches.

    Bunky’s Raw Bar & Seafood Grille is located along 2372 N Hwy A1A, Indialantic, FL. Open from 11 a.m.- 10 p.m. from Sunday to Thursday. Closes at 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

  • Hula Moon Tiki Grill

    With Hula Moon, you don’t need to travel to Hawaii to sample authentic Polynesian cuisine. A modern take on the popular tiki bars of the 1950s, it serves finely crafted cocktails, beers, and wine. Its popular seafood dishes include coconut shrimp, seafood-stuffed flounder, and tempura tuna, just to name a few.

    Hula Moon Tiki Grill is located along 1900 Florida A1A, Indian Harbour Beach, FL. Open from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. from Sunday to Thursday. Closes at 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

If you find the idea of living near the ocean alluring, browse the website for information on Satellite Beach homes for sale. For inquiries, get in touch with local expert Garrett Bell. Call 321.537.6697 or email [mail_to email=”[email protected]”][email protected][/mail_to].

Garrett_Bell

Save Money on Your Tax Bill With the Homestead Exemption

By | Blog




For those who own their primary residence in Florida, applying for the homestead exemption is a great idea. Here’s how it works.

Buying a home? Click here to search all homes for sale.
Selling your home? Click here to learn more about our home selling system.

I often receive questions from both buyers and sellers about homestead exemptions and how they work, so today I want to discuss the basics with you.

In the state of Florida, your homestead exemption goes up to $50,000 based on your home’s assessed value. Your assessed value can be found on the property appraiser’s website—but do not confuse that figure with the appraisal value when you go to purchase a home.

To qualify, your home must be a primary residence; if you own a home out of state that you claim to be your primary residence, you cannot file for a homestead exemption in the state of Florida as well.

The exemption does not auto-transfer, either. If you purchase a new home, you will have to apply for the exemption again.

Here’s an example of how it might work:

Suppose your assessed value is $300,000. Your exemption will amount to $50,000, so your property will be taxed based on a $250,000 value instead of the full $300,000.

To be eligible for the homestead exemption, you have to own your house by January 1, but you don’t have to officially apply until March 1. If you’re in the process of buying a home at the end of the year, try to have it under contract by January in order to qualify for that year.

In order to apply for the homestead exemption, you’ll need:

– A driver’s license

– Your social security card

– Your vehicle registration

– The deed to your home

“If you own your primary residence in Florida, there’s no reason not to claim your homestead exemption, since it will save you money on your tax bill every year.”

The deed will take about six weeks to get recorded, so as soon as you receive that document, head down to the property appraiser’s office and put in your application.

There are five local offices in Brevard County at which you can submit your application:

– There are two in Melbourne

– Palm Bay

– Merritt Island

– Titusville

The application process doesn’t take too long; you should be in and out within 20 minutes. Just be sure to bring all your documents with you.

The bottom line is if you own your primary residence in Florida, there’s no reason not to claim your homestead exemption, since it will save you money on your tax bill.

If you have any questions about the homestead exemption or how it works, feel free to reach out to me. I’d be happy to help you.

Virtual screen

Amenities to look for when buying a luxury home

By | Blog

virtual screen

A luxury home isn’t just judged by its size. On the contrary, it’s judged by the kind of lifestyle it fosters.

Amenities play a huge role in this regard. From the luxurious to the lavish to the technologically cutting edge – there’s a breathtaking away of luxury features out there to make homeowners feel like they’re living their best life.

But what are the top amenities one should look for in a luxury home? Here are some of them.

  • Advanced security systems

    This may not always be first on people’s lists, but it should be. While your luxury home might cost a pretty penny, there’s nothing more valuable than peace of mind. And when you consider that your home shelters loved ones and prized belongings, a high-tech system becomes less of an amenity and more of a necessity.

  • Resort-like pools

    Is there anything more relaxing than diving into a pool after a long day of meetings? However, not all pools are built equally. For your luxury home, go for resort-inspired swimming pools that have deluxe features like heating and natural stone material. Particularly popular are infinity pools, whose edges seem to bleed into the horizon.

  • Home automation

    The internet has made the big leap from smartphone to the smart home. Indeed, home automation has been embraced by homeowners for the convenience it offers. You can control the temperature of rooms remotely, for example, or monitor your security systems on your phone.

  • Home theater system

    A luxury home isn’t complete without recreating the movie house experience in a home theater system. With cushy seats and equipped with state-of the-art audio and video, a home theater is a cool way to bond with friends and family over tubs of popcorn. Huddle to watch the latest sports matches or that new series on Netflix.

  • Gyms and sports courts

    Exercise matters to you, but finding time to hit the gym can be challenging. A home gym solves that problem, making it one of the top amenities luxury buyers look for. In fact, a full sports court is even better, allowing the homeowner the option to switch up their exercise routine.

  • Gourmet kitchen

    As they say, the kitchen is the heart of the home. It’s not surprising, then, that most luxury homebuyers want kitchens worthy of a chef. Aside from high-end materials and finishing, buyers also look for modern, energy-efficient, and smart appliances.

  • Guest houses

    If your family loves likes having guests for the weekend, consider looking at properties that have detached guest houses. This amenity allows you to take in visitors while ensuring a higher level of privacy for you and your guests. A guest house can also be used as a crafting or hobby space.

At the end of the day, the amenities you look for should match the lifestyle you want. Browse the website to check out the finest in luxury homes for sale in Florida. For inquiries, call Garrett Bell at 321.537.6697 or email [mail_to email=”[email protected]”][email protected][/mail_to] today.

Homeowners receiving their new house keys

Buying your first home? Hire a Realtor

By | Blog

Homeowners receiving their new house keys

Yes, you could buy a home without a real estate agent – but why subject yourself to the stress of handling everything yourself?

Especially if you’re a first-time homebuyer, there are many advantages to having a Realtor at your side:

Access to more properties

Your future dream home may not necessarily be listed, especially if it is being sold by the owners themselves. A good real estate agent will have access to both listed and unlisted properties, giving you a broader selection to choose from. Indeed, this level of access is one of the big perks of working with an agent.

Get expert guidance

Just how much should you pay for a house? Are there liens or injunctions against the property? Which neighborhoods have good market valuation? There are just some of the questions that real estate agents will research on behalf of their client. They possess invaluable local real estate knowledge, which can help you find the perfect house sooner—and at the right price.

Manage the paperwork

The sheer volume of paperwork involved when buying a house can be quite daunting for first-time buyers. A single mistake can set back the purchasing process for weeks. If you have an agent, however, they will help you manage the required paperwork and explain them to you – reducing the risk of mistakes and fast-tracking your home purchase.

Get an ace negotiator

If negotiation is not your strongest point, the mere idea of haggling down the price of a home worth hundreds of thousands of dollars can be nerve-wracking. Luckily you won’t have to if you have a real estate agent. With years of experience under their belt, they know exactly how to negotiate the best deal possible for clients.

They’re bound by a code of ethics

Real estate agents adhere to a stringent code of conduct. This is especially true of Realtors, who are members of the National Association of Realtors, the largest organization of its kind. As such, they are bound to put their clients’ best interest before theirs, lest they face penalties or expulsion.

They know people

You’d be surprised at the number of people involved in buying a home. A real estate agent worth their salt will have nurtured connections that will be useful to their clients. These include home inspectors, decorators, and the like. Agents remain an invaluable source for related real estate concerns, even those that fall outside their scope of work.

They stay in touch

A great real estate agent doesn’t disappear on their clients once the home is officially sold. On the contrary, the best of them can still be relied on to answer questions you might have after the deal is closed. If you’re shopping for real estate agents, check out their credentials and the testimonials of past clients. Find out the level of after-sales service the agent has satisfactorily dealt with.

Given the service real estate agents offer, they’re well worth the commission you’ll pay them. If you’re looking for luxury homes for sale in Florida, browse the website. For inquiries, get in touch with one of the top Brevard County Realtors today – call Garrett Bell at 321.537.6697 or send him an email at [mail_to email=”[email protected]”][email protected][/mail_to].

Woman in a beach

Why people are moving to Brevard County

By | Blog

Woman in a beach

There are many ways to describe Brevard County, FL – beautiful, relaxing, cutting-edge, and affordable. No matter how you see Brevard, one thing’s for sure—the area has become one of the hottest real estate markets in Florida.

Why are people flocking to live here? We list a few reasons below:

  1. 1. Gorgeous, sunny weather

    Florida isn’t called The Sunshine State for nothing. And in Brevard County, you can look forward to many sunny days. About 300 to be exact. The average annual temperature sits at about 72° F, the perfect weather for outdoor activities. Is it any wonder why so many people purchase summer homes in the area?

  2. 2. Beach weather deserves miles of beaches

    What goes with Brevard County’s perennially sunny weather? Miles of pristine sandy beaches – 72 to be exact. It’s yours, if you live here – any time you want to catch a few rays on the shoreline, surf the waves, swim, and go sailing. It’s beach living all day, every day.

  3. 3. Recreational options abound

    Beaches are certainly not the be-all of recreation here. You can also explore the nearby rivers to spot wildlife like alligators. Check out the Brevard Zoo’s turtle rehabilitation hospital and interactive exhibits. There are even recreational options for your pooch, thanks to Brevard’s five dog parks.

  4. 4. It’s close to Orlando

    One of the best things about Brevard County is that it’s only 45 minutes away from Orlando, Florida. That means you’re only about an hour away from famed attractions like Disney World and Universal Studios Theme Park. At the same time, the area has managed to hold onto its relaxed, beachside vibe.

  5. 5. There are employment opportunities in science and technology

    Science and technology are two of the leading industries in Brevard County, which is home to the Kennedy Space Center, SpaceX, Lockheed Martin, and Boeing. These institutions employ thousands of residents, making Brevard an ideal locale for those who dream of working among leaders in the field of aerospace.

  6. 6. There’s a place for those with a heart for culture

    Of course, Brevard has an artistic side, too. The Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing Arts mounts musical, theater, and dance performances throughout the year. For those with a taste for fine art, a visit to the Foosaner Art Museum and the Ruth Frank Center for Textile Arts is a must. The county also has its own symphony orchestra which holds regular performances.

  7. 7. Excellent homes at excellent prices

    A great home is hard to find. A great home with a great price tag? Even harder. Luckily, there are many wonderful homes in Brevard County that are reasonably priced. Depending on the community, you could get a 3-bedroom, 1,500-square-foot home in the low six digits. That’s a very good deal, considering that most communities are just a short drive to the beach.

Are you ready to check out Brevard County, Florida real estate? Get in touch with local expert Garrett Bell. Call 321.537.6697 or e-mail [mail_to email=”[email protected]”][email protected][/mail_to] today.