Cocoa has secured a $1,494,500 grant from the Florida Inland Navigation District to move forward with Phase II of the waterfront dock and breakwater project at Lee Wenner Park in Cocoa Village.

The funding will replace slips damaged by Hurricane Nicole in 2022, restoring vital docking options for local boaters.

Planned improvements include a riprap revetment along the bulkhead to combat erosion and a new rock barrier to shield the slips from future storms.

These upgrades reinforce Cocoa’s waterfront, reducing vulnerability to storm damage while promoting environmental care and long-term resilience.

Meanwhile, a separate yearlong project starting September 9, 2024, will add nearly 75 parking spaces to the park, funded by the Cocoa Community Redevelopment Agency.

Local businesses expect these changes to boost accessibility and benefit the entire community.

It's All About Perspective...Good Read...

“Roasted After You Click — Never Before”

In what year did the famous Cocoa Beach, Florida officially become a city?

Space Coast Weekend Events • Oct 17–19, 2025

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts." - Winston S. Churchill

Space Coast Launches • Oct 16–31, 2025

My wife, Karen and I just ate at Cozy Corner Cafe and had a wonderful experience!  Great breakfast and super friendly service.

Cozy Corner Cafe is a restaurant that has been serving home cooked comfort food for over 23 years.

The friendly staff and welcoming atmosphere make it a popular spot for those looking to satisfy their appetite.

The restaurant has a communal feel, attracting those with shared interests and a love for good food.

In addition to the cozy interior, Cozy Corner Cafe also offers a pet friendly patio for those who want to dine with their furry friends.

The hard work and dedication of the employees are credited for the success of the restaurant.

Each member of the team plays a vital role in creating a positive experience for customers.

Overall, Cozy Corner Cafe is a beloved establishment known for its delicious food, inviting atmosphere, and dedicated staff.

At the southern tip of Merritt Island, where the Indian and Banana rivers meet, a beloved dragon statue named Annie once watched over the water.

Created in 1971 by artist Lewis VanDercar and property owner Aynn Christal, Annie grew to include a tail, long neck, and four playful hatchlings: Joy, Sunshine, Charity, and Freedom.

A devastating storm in 2002 caused Annie’s collapse, and by 2014 any remaining pieces were quietly removed.

In 2015, developer Don Facciobene acquired the site, unveiling plans for a new dragon, “Rojak,” but the vision remains unfulfilled as of October 2025.

Although Annie is gone, her whimsical presence still lingers in the memories of Brevard County locals, inspiring lore, literature, and a shared hope that Dragon Point’s magic will someday return.

Click "Read More" to see the link to the documentary at the end of this article.

This article discusses how the recent government shutdown could impact the Florida housing market by 2025.

Due to delays in tax refunds, federal loan approvals, and unemployment benefits, potential home buyers may face challenges when trying to purchase a home.

The shutdown may also affect rental property owners and landlords who rely on government assistance programs.

Overall, the housing market in Florida may experience a slowdown in growth and transactions as a result of the government shutdown.

Veterans, Win $100,000 Toward Your New Home!

Veterans United Home Loans and realtor.com® are teaming up to extend a special thank you. Veterans United is giving one U.S. Veteran or service member $100,000 towards the purchase of a new home.

Brevard County Housing Market Update (REPEAT-NOTHING CHANGED)  See Article Above...nobody working!

Based on information from Realtor.com, 1462 of  the 5341 single family residential properties on the market for sale have reduced the price of their property. That calculates to over 27% of the homes listed for sale in Brevard County reduced their list price to get their home sold.

Here's the current state of Brevard County's housing market and interest rates as of October 2025:

Housing Market:
- The median home price in Brevard County is $354,000, showing a 3.9% decrease from last year
- Average days on market is 77 days, up from 71 days last year
- Active inventory has increased significantly to 5,180 properties, up 30% from last year
- Sales volume is at 742 monthly closings, representing a slight decline

Market Conditions:
- It's shifting toward a more balanced market with buyers gaining more negotiating power
- About 33.9% of listings are experiencing price reductions
- Properties are selling for approximately 96.6% of list price
- Only 8.3% of homes are selling above list price, down from last year

Interest Rates:
- Mortgage rates are expected to see a gradual decrease throughout 2025
- The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) and other major institutions are forecasting slightly lower rates
- This potential rate decrease could help improve affordability for buyers

Market Trends:
- Inventory levels are at their highest since February 2011
- The market is showing signs of stabilization after previous years' rapid growth
- Buyers have more choices and less pressure to make quick decisions
- Sellers are needing to be more competitive with pricing and negotiations

This data suggests Brevard County is experiencing a market correction with increasing inventory and moderating prices, giving buyers more options while requiring sellers to be more strategic in their pricing.

Current Interest Rates Update:

You may have heard the government shut down. Short term, this can actually give mortgage rates a small boost lower, but the bigger concern is possible delays in loan processes or data releases. Let’s talk about how to stay on track if you’re buying.

 

Current Mortgage Rate Ranges:

• Conventional: 5.875% to 6.875%

• Jumbo: 6.125% to 6.75%

• FHA: 5.5% to 6.625%

• VA: 5.5% to 6.625%

• Down Payment Assistance: 6.125% to 7.99%

Bottom Line:
While the shutdown may provide short-term rate relief, the real challenge lies in potential processing delays. Being proactive now ensures your buyers can stay on track, no matter how long the shutdown lasts.

This information above was provided by Jennifer Kline with The Mortgage Firm.  You can contact Jennifer at: (321) 754-1212, ​(321) 684-1975, jennifer.kline@tmf.mortgage

New Construction Deal of The Week!

New Construction Homes in Brevard County, FL — Market Trends & Buyer Incentives (STILL THE BEST DEALS)

Brevard County, along Florida’s Space Coast, remains a sought-after area for new housing. With its proximity to the Atlantic, beaches, NASA/space industries, growing job sectors, and appealing quality of life, demand stays strong. But the market is shifting — especially in new construction. Builders are adjusting their strategies to adapt to higher costs and cooling buyer sentiment. That means opportunities for buyers.

Glossary: What Buyers See Changing

• Price Adjustments / Reductions: Builders are lowering list prices or offering “price cuts” on certain inventory or spec homes.

• Interest Rate Incentives (Rate Buy-Downs, Locked Rates, etc.): To offset rising mortgage rates, some builders (or their lenders) are offering promotional financing, rate buy-downs or locking in lower rates for a period.

• Other Incentives / Perks: These include closing cost assistance, upgrades (appliances, floors, patios, etc.), lot premium waivers, flex cash, or builder credits.

What the Data Shows in Brevard

Here are some concrete numbers and examples from Brevard County:

• Median and Starting Prices
  New homes listed in Brevard have a median listing price around $330,000. (Realtor)
  Homes in certain new-construction developments start much lower — in the low $200,000’s. 

• Price Reductions in Listings
  On Zillow, many new construction homes in Brevard are marked with price cuts. Examples:
  • A 4 bed 3 bath in Palm Bay was reduced by around $6,000. (Zillow)
  • Another home in Palm Bay dropped by ~$24,900. (Zillow)

• Incentives & Interest-Rate Relief
  • Some listings offer a “locked in reduced rate” or seller-paid rate relief mechanisms. For instance: “$15,000 buyer’s incentive OR this house comes with a locked in reduced rate as low as 4.99% APR.” 

• Affordable New Homes Are Still Present
  There are numerous new homes in Brevard under $400,000. (Jome) Some starting points are as low as ~$233,780 and rising depending on size, location, and upgrades. (New Home Source)

• Purchase Assistance Programs
  For eligible buyers, local government runs programs:
  • Brevard County’s Purchase Assistance Program helps very low, low & median-income families, and it can be applied toward new homes among other units. (Learn More)
  • There are income limits, good‐faith contribution minimums, and requirements such as being first time homebuyers. (Learn More)

Why Builders Are Offering More Incentives Now

Some of the forces behind what we’re seeing:

1. Mortgage Rates & Affordability Pressure
   As interest rates have gone up, monthly payments increase. To make homes move, builders are more likely to offer rate buydowns or locked incentives to reduce the financial burden for buyers.

2. Inventory / Competition Among Builders
   With many new communities in development, builders compete not just against each other, but also with resale homes. To stand out, they sweeten the deal.

3. Cost Pressures & Buyer Hesitancy
   Construction costs, materials, labor, permitting etc. continue rising. But buyer demand is a bit more cautious than earlier in the pandemic/boom period. That tension is pushing builders to both manage their margins and appeal more aggressively to buyers.

4. Regulatory / Local Policy Support
   Programs like the county purchase assistance help enable buyers to participate. These partnerships can help builders sell more quickly.

What Buyers Should Watch Out For

If you are considering buying a new construction home in Brevard:

• Read the fine print on incentives
  Some rate-buydowns are temporary, or only for a short period. “Locked in rate” sometimes means for an initial period and then adjusts. Confirm duration and conditions.

• Check which homes are inventory vs pre-construction
  Move-in ready homes sometimes receive price cuts; pre-construction deals may promise incentives, but delivery might be many months away. Things can change.

• Look at total cost, not just price tag
  Consider lot premiums, homeowners association (HOA) fees, insurance (especially for coastal areas or flood zones), property taxes, maintenance costs.

• Use local purchase assistance when eligible
  The Brevard County program can help with down payments/second mortgages (zero interest sometimes) if you qualify. (Default)

• Compare financing options
  Even with builder‐offered locked or reduced rates, it’s wise to get quotes from independent lenders to see what’s better over the long run.

Bottom Line

New construction homes in Brevard County are still very much available, with a good range from lower cost spec homes (low $200,000’s) to higher-end luxury new builds. Because of interest-rate pressures and increased competition, many builders are offering more incentives than in recent years. For buyers who are ready, informed, and who qualify for programs, now can be a favorable time to negotiate or find value.

If you’d like, I can pull listings from specific areas like Palm Bay, Titusville, or Cocoa, showing which homes have the best incentives right now. Do you want me to put that together for you?

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💯For a Free List of all new construction homes in Brevard, many with incentives,  visit https://NewHomesBrevard.com.

🔍Click Here To Find your Next Home!🔎