Contrails: What They Are — and What Florida’s New Law Actually Bans

“Roasted After You Click — Never Before”

Space Coast Weekend Events • Oct 30–Nov 02, 2025

 "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift, that is why they call it the present" -- Attributed to Bil Keane, the creator of the comic strip "The Family Circus".

Space Coast Launches • Oct 30 – Nov 7, 2025

Brevard County is buzzing with exciting new dining and entertainment destinations, redefining the local scene as October wraps up.

Destination Downtown Food Hall in Cocoa Beach unites creative vendors like Vampire Penguin and Fowl Mouth, plus a mimosa bar and beach shop, attracting food lovers of all kinds.

Historic Cocoa Village welcomes Keep It Local Café, offering fresh lemonades, British teas, baked goods, pet-friendly patio seating, and easy parking—perfect for a daytime treat in the heart of town.

Fatburger brings its famous West Coast burgers and variety-packed menu to Viera this year, while the upcoming Cocoa Beach Mercado promises 12 restaurants, a brewery, courtyard, and rooftop bar—ideal for unforgettable gatherings.

Anticipation builds for Dave & Buster’s and the regional favorite The Grilled Cheese and Crab Cake Co., plus Merritt Island’s soon-to-open Champ’s Steakhouse, combining sports bar spirit with steakhouse fare.

New flavors and venues are turning Brevard into a must-visit culinary destination.

Demolition of the former Orlando Health Rockledge Hospital is set to begin on October 30, 2025, launching a major redevelopment project in Rockledge, Florida.

The first phase will last about eight weeks, and local property owners have already received initial notifications.

City leaders emphasized that the demolition will follow all regulations for work hours, with no expected road closures, keeping neighborhood disruptions minimal.

The hospital closed permanently on April 22, 2025, after serving the community for over 80 years.

Officials cited severe structural damage and health hazards, including black mold and corroded sewer lines, as reasons for its closure.

Healthcare providers like MedFast Urgent Care Centers are expanding services to ensure Rockledge residents continue to receive urgent medical care, helping bridge the gap left by the hospital's closure.

City leaders plan future medical uses for the site, preserving access to healthcare as redevelopment plans take shape.

Mystery lovers and thrill-seekers can find plenty of intrigue in the current real estate market, where historic mansions and striking abodes claim spine-tingling stories and eerie atmospheres.

Like... Rhode Island’s iconic Conjuring House—with a $1.5 million tag and legendary hauntings—to New York’s Amityville Horror House and the infamous Lizzie Borden home in Massachusetts, each property draws fans of the macabre.

For those daring enough, these "spooky" listings deliver both history and a hauntingly unique place to call home.

The article discusses how the Federal Reserve potential interest rate cut may impact the housing market and jobs across the country, particularly in relation to Amazon's recent layoffs.

The rate cut could lead to lower mortgage rates, making it more affordable for buyers to purchase homes.

However, the job cuts at Amazon and other companies could potentially impact the housing market, as employees may be less likely to buy homes if they are uncertain about their job security.

Overall, the combined effects of the rate cut and job losses could have both positive and negative impacts on the housing market in the coming months.

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.

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!🔎