I Dream of Cocoa Beach

I Dream of Cocoa Beach

I Dream of Cocoa Beach Real Estate

How wouldn’t want to live where I Dream of Jeannie took place? Having waterfront real estate is a dream come true for many well-established families. Discover how to buy a home on the Cocoa Beach barrier island.

I Dream of Jeannie

For many Americans, the I Dream of Jeannie sitcom portrayed the perfect life. The Actress Barbara Eden was beautiful, charismatic and always getting into trouble. She was married to a military man, which dove-tailed nicely with the post-World War II life.

Cocoa Beach, Florida was the ideal setting for this sitcom because the beach barrier island is very close to Cape Canaveral. Therefore, it made sense that a military man was stationed there. Interestingly enough, Cocoa Beach had become a city just a little before the sitcom was shot – on June 29, 1957. It symbolized American superpower status and the space race to the moon.

Cape Canaveral

There are about 10,000 people calling Cocoa Beach in Brevard County, Florida their home. After the Civil War, some freed African-American slaves were some of the first residents. In 1947, the town hired one police officer for $1 per hour.

The largest growth of the town occurred with the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. This was the center point of America’s race to the moon. Eventually, the first U.S. unmanned moon landing was achieved in 1966 after taking off from Cape Canaveral. Therefore, this area is a symbol of American greatness.

Huge Sand Bar

Cocoa Beach is a huge sand bar. It is an exclusive area – there is not much car traffic during the off-season. The town is fairly low-key.

If families are interested in other activities, then the Orlando theme parks are fairly near – about a 1-hour drive. Families can also experience the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge or John F. Kennedy Space Center.

the seasons of Cocoa Beach

Although most of the south encounters two seasons, hot and hotter, Cocoa Beach does get its share of all four seasons. Photo courtesy of Barbara Zorn Realtor

Waterfront Property

For most, Cocoa Beach is enough to keep them entertained for a good long time. Can you imagine being able to swim on a beautiful beach whenever you wanted to? Living in Cocoa Beach is like living at your lake cabin 24/7/365. Cocoa Beach is a family favorite for many.

There are a couple of beachfront hotels on the Atlantic side of the sand bar. Children can spend some quality time in the Lori Wilson Park or Manatee Park. There are also plenty of restaurants near the pier.

People love to rent chairs and umbrellas to sit under the sun during their vacation. They can surf, ski, kayak or paddle board. This world-famous beach is a great way to enjoy life with your family and friends.

Living the Good Life

Modern life can be so hectic, especially when you live in the big city. With Cocoa Beach real estate, you have the perfect relaxing oasis to call home. Some might want to sell a home and find a great beachfront property for retirement purposes.

This is how the successful families live. One might think of the Kennedy compound at Hyannis Port. Those who buy a home in Cocoa Beach, have waterfront property on both sides.

It is easy to have friends and family members over any time. While the northern states are covered in winter snow, Florida weather still remains temperate, pleasant and tremendous. Brevard County, Florida real estate would be a great investment.

This area is sure to remain very popular. The location would also be ideal for business clients. They could have their families enjoy the local beach while you entertain them at your Cocoa Beach home.

The best Cocoa Beach Realtor can find the ideal property for your purposes. Write down the features that you are looking for. Then, share them with a professional Realtor.

Not many people get the chance of waterside living in the town that was the setting for a famous sitcom. This location was chosen because of its natural beauty and historic importance. Enjoy the American Dream and live the good life by finding the ideal home for your family.

 

Fun Things for the Family to Do in Panama City, Florida

Fun Things for the Family to Do in Panama City, Florida

Visit the beaches

This beautiful city has 27 miles of gorgeous beaches. Shell Island in particular is loved by both locals and tourists and is only accessible by boat. You can go there to swim and sunbathe. There is also plenty to see – rolling sand dunes, loggerhead and sea turtles and lots of other nature. If you are looking for undeveloped beachfront you can head to St. Andrews State Park, and Rick Seltzer Beach is also great.

Museum Man of the Sea

This one was founded in 1976 and is run by former Navy Seals and marine scientists. Here you will learn all about the history of man and undersea through interactive exhibits and displays. You get to climb through a submarine, try on a brass diving helmet and learn about different techniques of diving and staying underwater. If you can make the time there is a film that teaches you all about diving.

Man in the Sea Museum

Science and Discovery Center of Northwest Florida

This is a child’s museum that is aimed and introducing children to history, science and technology. They learn in an interactive and fun way, after which they can enjoy an outdoors nature trail through the woods and over a marsh to a pioneers’ village where there is a toddler’s play ground and a nice picnic area. There is an airline cockpit which the children can climb and explore.

Shipwreck Island Water Park, Panama City Beach, Florida

This is an aquatics park with activities that the whole family can enjoy. There is a 5,000 gallon wave pool, a Tree Top Drop, a free fall slide, a Pirate’s Plunge racing slide, 17th century sailing ship Raging Rapids River. For younger children there is a family activity pool with miniature slide. There are kiosks with food and drink and all the staff are professionally trained.

Shipwreck Island Waterpark

Paradise Adventures Catamaran

These are tours on a 52 foot safety approved catamarans. The cruises depart from Pirate’s Cove Marina and each boat can take up to 49 people, so feel free to ask extended family to come along. You can choose a morning or afternoon tour and each tour lasts 3 hours. Evening cruises last for 2 hours and are the perfect way to end a day of exploring in Panama City Florida.

Hombre Golf Club

This is a 27 hole PGA course set between wetlands, marshlands and lakes. It is dotted with palm trees and is home to the Panama City Beach Classic. Some of the world’s best golfers have played here. Do not worry if you are not a professional – there are trainers available for beginners.

Sea Dragon Pirates Cruise

This is an 85 ft ship where kids get to pretend to be pirates. There is face painting, temporary tattoos and lots and lots for kids to do – sword fights, swab the deck, treasure hunts, fire pretend cannon, water gun fights and more. Parents get to relax and enjoy cocktails as their children play. The ship goes all the way to Shell Island and you will see dolphins along the way.

Sea Dragon Pirate Cruise

How To Buy Your Oceanfront Home

How To Buy Your Oceanfront Home

How to Buy Oceanfront Homes

In many parts of the country, buying any home at all can be a complicated process. Throw oceanfront properties into the mix and you have successfully doubled the problem (at least). Still, owning an oceanfront home is the dream of many families and you can hardly blame them. The close association with nature and all the beauties that come with it is too tempting to not dream about. Numerous challenges come with this promise of pleasure. Therefore, you should weigh both sides carefully before making a final decision. Here are some tips on buying a home on the ocean.

Decide what you want to use the home for:

Some buy ocean view homes in order to have a place on the beach where vacations could be spent free of charge. Some others buy it as an investment, renting the homes out to families that have come to spend their vacations.  Many of the condo complexes in Florida have tenants in them most of the year.

A few others want the home to serve both purposes. It should be made clear that marrying the two aims is likely to prove difficult in the long run. The house has the highest chances of securing an occupant in the period of tourism boom (e.g., the snowbird season in Florida), so, your family can only visit in the boring periods in the year. It is better to decide what purpose you want the house for and stick to that purpose.

beachfront condos

Know that beach houses are expensive:

Whatever purpose you decide to use the house for, one fact will always stand. Buying a home on the ocean is quite expensive. Many of the most expensive real estate markets in the country focus on waterfront property. An oceanfront home or any house that is a stone throw from the beach could cost up to four times the price of its inland replica.

Mortgage associated with beach houses also attract higher interest rates. Factor in the equally higher taxes, insurance (more on this later), and maintenance costs and you could be having a whole lot on your plate. Except you have a whole lot of spare cash, owning an oceanfront home isn’t a decision you want to make in a hurry.

Make your research about the weather:

Climate change means sea level is on the rise and ocean view homes are at greater risk now more than ever. Spend time to make your research about past and future trends in your location of choice. It’s always good to check up with the state’s geological survey to ensure your oceanfront home is not located in an area that has an increased risk of flooding.

Get a real estate agent that specializes in oceanfront homes:

Ocean view homes have become a niche in the wider real estate business and getting an agent that specializes in the niche is your best bet towards getting the best possible deals. Furthermore, the agent is able to intimate you with the challenges you may face as an ocean view homeowner and how to overcome them. Although such agents may be pricey, believe me, it’ll be a wise investment in the long run.

Ensure you fall in love with the property, and not just the structure:

Remember you’ll be spending a fortune on the home, so anything less than complete satisfaction is inadequate. This means you must fall in love with everything about the property and neighborhood at large. Ensure the view is good enough for you, the swimming is not mucky, enough privacy is assured and the distance to the beach is just adequate. You could talk up with your prospective neighbors to know how much they love the neighborhood. The bottom line is that you should cover all bases to ensure you have no regrets.

Know your insurance costs and get a property manager if necessary:

Because oceanfront homes are more at the mercy of the elements, insurance plans are understandably costlier and more complicated. You will need to get a flood policy, general hazard policy and wind policy if you are to ensure full coverage. You should also think about getting a property manager particularly if you intend to rent out the place.

There you have it! I hope you find these tips a useful guide when buying your dream ocean front home.

 

The Benefits of Waterside Living

The Benefits of Waterside Living

Why Waterfront Living?

It’s no secret that a majority of people prefer to live near or on the water. But did you know there are actual health benefits to living near the water…for example, the Mississippi River? Believe it! Not only can you partake in physical activity on the water, but simply being near it can influence your mind and body for the better. Numerous studies have encountered the benefits to waterfront living as well as the benefits that exposure to green space has on humans. Here are a few that we found to be the most universal…

  • Studies show it was proven that while undergoing a stressful procedure such a dental surgery, scenes with images of calm water, including aquatic images, were much more restorative than those without. In the same study, scientists noticed that images with greenspace reacted as favorably as the images with aquatic images.
  • “Blue Mind“, is a term coined by J. Nichols, it’s named for the mildly meditative state our mind enters when we are near water. Using brain imaging, scientists have found that the proximity to water floods the brain with feel good hormones such as dopamine, serotonin and oxytosin. Levels of cortisol, drop with the close proximity to water.
  • Piggy backing off of #3, our mind and body being primarily made up of water and taking into consideration our brain’s reaction when we are near it, many forms of therapy have been created in association with the water. For example, there’re organizations helping veteran’s suffering from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) by means of water sports. Operation Surf, takes veteran’s out in the ocean to surf, where as Heroes on the Water brings them out fishing and kayaking. Each offer a peaceful activity as a stress outlet.
  • Scientists have found that when people step outside the office into nature, even just for a lunch break they experience increased immune function. Subjects who spent this time outside had a lowered concentration of cortisol, a lowered pulse level and lowered blood pressure, thus an overall feeling of stress relief.

Waterfront Housing

waterfront lifestyle

waterfront lifestyle

Some of the most prestigious and most expensive homes in the country are beachfront properties.  With almost 80% of the US population living within 10 miles of a coastline – the demand for waterfront homes is off the chart.  Some of the areas, such as Destin, FL, offer a tranquil alternative to the hustle and bustle of the big city.

In summation, it’s clear that simply being by the water and in greenspace it positively influences human well-being. Being that most vacations are centered around a trip to the lake, a river, or the beach, as a means to escape and retreat from everyday life, this is nothing we didn’t already realize. However, understanding the science behind the feelings we have when around water or nature further implies the credibility of them.

Now, imagine living, working or relaxing in a beautiful relaxing hidden gem equipped with 360 degree views of a beautiful river, lake, or beach…that is what The Waterfront is all about!!  Ready to buy an oceanfront home?  Read our article on How to Buy You Oceanfront Home