Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / July 27, 2023 51 Style stylist in question is a red-carpet and catwalk specialist who is expanding into childrenswear as an extension of the service they offer their VIP client. But when the children are destined to one day become high-spending, highprofile adults, is the role becoming a valid and common position in the average celebrity entourage? “In addition to new parents, we typically see high-spending-time-poor customers who request this service,” Cox adds. “We find it’s these instances where we can add the most value. The customer relations team knows our website and product selection well so, after a brief consultation on the parents and child’s requests (event theme, style preferences, things to avoid), the customers can relax and leave it with us. We can provide an edit of outfit options to the customer via email within a matter of hours.” Personal shoppers are one strand of the service, but some baby stylists will also assist with “wardrobe management”, sorting through the turnover of clothing as children grow for clients. The Miniature Stylist, run by London-based fashion and events consultant Tryce Vane Percy, provides a “bespoke baby and children’s concierge service,” with packages including “seasonal wardrobe planning,” and “safe storage and preservation” for the things they have grown out of. “We will go through your child’s current wardrobe and build you a style bible of what you have and how you can style it on your child, producing an easy visual guide and group outfits accordingly,” Vane Percy’s website outlines. “Personal shopping services for children have gained significant popularity in recent years, catering to the needs of busy parents and offering a convenient and personalized shopping experience,” Vane Percy tells the Telegraph. “The typical clients are discerning parents who value quality and convenience. The services are designed to take the hassle out of shopping for their children, allowing them to save time and ensure their little ones are stylishly dressed. Our clients come from a range of backgrounds – busy business women, women seeking guidance and those who simply don’t enjoy shopping.” Luxury services will cost (a typical personal shopping package with Vane Percy is $500 and up) or commission may be charged based on purchases made. For those who are interested in discovering new labels to dress their children in without such commitment, The Little Stylist does a regular trawl of the stores to present the best of what’s on offer for kids. Founder Charlotte Kewley, says that her edits appeal to “modern parents who are short of time but still want stylish clothes for their kids.” “It brings together a curated edit of the best baby and childrenswear from designers and independent brands,” she says. “Many parents use the site to shop for specific things – like new Wellington boots or winter coats. Others use it for inspiration or to keep up with new brands.” Kewley’s summer picks span the “dreamy edit” (pretty frilled outfits and accessories for girls), as well as covering off practical, specific categories from shorts to swimwear. Off on an exotic trip this summer? An amped up shopping trip for the children might just leave you with your most stylish holiday snaps ever.
52 Vero Beach 32963 / July 27, 2023 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero & Casual Dining Fine Dining, Elevated Exciting Innovative Cuisine Award Winning Wine List Unparalleled Service Expanded outdoor dining in The Café. Proud recipient of Trip Advisor’s Traveler’s Choice Award placing us in “The Top 10% of restaurants worldwide”. Catering Now Available (772) 234-3966 • tidesofvero.com Open 7 Days a Week Starting at 5 PM 3103 Cardinal Drive, Vero Beach, FL Reservations Highly Recommended • Proper Attire Appreciated Wine Spectator Award 2002 – 2021
Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / July 27, 2023 53 Vero & Casual Dining Serving Dinner Tues - Sat from 5pm (772) 226-7870 Downwn Vero Bea 2023 14th Avenue www.VeroPrime.com Prime Steaks, Seafood & Italian Specialties Happy Hour featuring Premium Spirits Nightly 5 - 6:30pm (Bar Only) Early Dining Menu Nightly 5 - 5:30pm WWW.COSTADESTE.COM YOUR BEACHSIDE OASIS IS CALLING... Enjoy Breakfast from the Comfort of your Oceanview Room Enjoy Fresh, Local Seafood & Cuban Specialties! Live Entertainment Fri -Sun WEEKLY SPECIALS Tuesday PRIME RIB NIGHT Wednesday PAELLA NIGHT Daily Happy Hour | 4 - 6 PM Sunday Brunch 11 AM - 3 PM 772-562-9919 1/2 OFF SELECT SHARABLES $5 DRAFT BEER $6 HOUSE WINE $7 WELL LIQUOR
54 Vero Beach 32963 / July 27, 2023 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero & Casual Dining
Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / July 27, 2023 55 Vero & Casual Dining DINING ROOM OPEN 56 Royal Palm Pointe 772-567-4160 Follow us on Facebook & Instagram OPEN FOR DINNER WEDNESDAY-SUNDAY BEGINNING AT 4 PM. CLOSED MONDAY & TUESDAY. THE ENTIRE MENU IS AVAILABLE FOR TAKEOUT ONLINE ORDERING WITH TOASTTAKEOUT.COM CLOSED FOR VACATION 7/28 - 8/15 SALADS, PASTA, VEAL, CHICKEN , SUBS AND DESSERTS 1931 Old Dixie • 772.770.0977 fishackverobeach.com • Like us on Facebook! Gift Certificates, Private Parties & Patio Dining Available TUESDAY NIGHT l ALL YOU CAN EAT FISH FRY HAPPY HOUR 4-6 PM l TUES.- SAT. WE CAN ACCOMMODATE LARGE PARTIES TUES OPEN FOR DINNER AT 4 WED-SAT OPEN FOR LUNCH & DINNER CLOSED SUNDAYS & MONDAYS OFFERING Local Fish Northern Fish Patio Dining Happy Hour Best Margaritas Full Liquor Bar Large Parties Daily Specials CLOSED FOR VACATION JULY 27, 2023 - AUG. 14, 2023 772.234.4181 • 1409 S. A1A, Vero Beach • www.johnnydsvero.com Hours Innovati Innovative M ve Mededititeerranean C rranean Cuis uisine & Go ine & Gouurmet rmet MMararket ket Take Out & Delivery Deli & Prepared Foods Available Take & Bake Pizza • Beer & Wine Featuring Gluten-Free Pizza, Pasta and Entrees Excellence AwardWinner Excellence AwardWinner Market Hours: Mon-Sat 10am - close New Prix Fixe Menu Pre-Fixe Menu Available All Evening, $20 Includes Salad, Bread, Entree & A Scoop of Chocolat or Vanilla Gelato $7 Select Glass of Wine Closing for vacation July 17th-24th
PETS 56 Vero Beach 32963 / July 27, 2023 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Riley an Ruger Dillon live in this amazin’ place, with a house anna barn anna pond anna huge big field where they can run an run, an trees an chiggens an ducks, an its way, way far out onna long sandy road … Oops. I got a liddle carried away. I guess I should start at the buh-ginning. My assistant pushed a coupla buttons an the gate opened and we drove down a liddle road to a pretty house. A lady, two poocheroos an several Very Important Looking Chiggens came out to meet us. The lady puh-litely told my assistant to Not Reach Down to the liddle pooch cuz it’d make him Ner-vuss. Of course, my assistant Took Heed. Both pooches were Very Tidy an had short gold/brown hair. The larger of the two approached for the usual Wag-AnSniff first and made the introductions. “I’m Riley Dillon,” she said in a soft, pleasant voice. “I’m 9, an this is my liddle brother Ruger, he’s just 5. We’re rescues. THIS is our Mommy, Georgia. Our Daddy, Rob, is elsewhere. We are very pleased to meet you. Come on in, we’ll talk inside where it’s cooler.” “I’m so happy to meet you all,” I replied, following them all (except the chiggens) inside. We got settled an I opened my notebook. “I’ll be spokespooch,” Riley said. “But I’ll add stuff time-to-time, too,” said Ruger. “I ’speshully wish to state, up front, that I’m NOT a Bad Dog. I just have ISH-yous.” “Ackshully,” innerjected Riley, “why don’t you tell Mr. Bonzo your story now, Ruger.” “I’m ready when you are,” I said, pencil poised. Rugar began. “I was only about 1 year in human when me an a buncha other pooches got rescued when the puhLEECE raided a dog fighting ring in Orlando an arrested a buncha horrible, awful humans. Us pooches got taken to a shell-ter. Some of us didn’t make it. I almost didn’t. I am part pit bull and part chihuahua, which, I have come to learn, is a pretty challenging mixture under any circumstances. I was aggressive, but liddle an scrawny, so I had been used for BAIT, which I still can’t even THINK about, even though it’s been years since. All I knew about humans was that they were HORRIBLE. “If my human sister hadn’t got me for Mommy cuz she knew Mommy was the only human who would take care of me, I’da been what’s called Put Down. Mommy an Daddy took the time to understand me an have always given me my space an respect, an lotsa love -- from AFAR often. I am SO LUCKY. But my MEM-rees make me most of the time not wanna be snuggly or get pats an stuff like normal poocheroos, ’cept from Mommy an Daddy, then only on occasion. “I help out by shooing the chiggens off the porch. An I NEVER, EVER eat the chiggens. OR the ducks. I pride myself on that. That would be RUDE. They’re famly, after all. The ducks are Duck-Duck, Lucky Duck (because he was the only survivor of a bobcat raid several years back), Athos, Porthos and D’Artagnan; and the Chiggens are Chiggen 1, Chiggen 2, Chiggen 3, Chiggen 4 an, oh, poo, I can never remember the last one. “Also, unlike Riley, I can SING. Me an Mom sing together.” They proceeded to demonstrate and I was very impressed. They both had Very Big Voices. “Plus,” Ruger added with justified pride, “when I ree-lize I’m bein’ a JERK, I put myself to bed.” He showed me his and Riley’s beds: They were beaudiful, custom-built-by-theirDaddy wood cubbies one on each side of their Mommy an Daddy’s bed, fitted with comfy, fluffy pillows an blankets. Seriously Cool Kibbles! “Woof, Ruger! Talk about self-awareness!” I exclaimed, impressed. “Thank you for sharin’ your story. You’ve been through so much! I’m glad you have such a wonderful, understandin’ Furever Family!” “Now me,” said Miss Riley. “I am a Black Mouth Cur who my human sisters Gabrielle an Carmela found at the Vero Beach Humane Society cuz they thought Mommy needed another dog when her former pooch, Sage, a Catahoula Bluetick, went to Dog Heaven. “Ackshully, Mommy wasn’t thrilled. At All. Speshully when she found out I don’t bark. I had been abused an became so scared I just stopped barkin’. Period. Forever. Meanwhile, Mommy wanted a dog for security, an barkin’ is pretty much a requirement for that job. But Gabrielle an Carmela persuaded her to come an just take a look. “Well, Mr. Bonzo, it was love at first sight: Turns out we needed each other. We were a perfect match. I am a Total Mommy’s Grrrl. I love to run. She loves to run. We hang out together. I’m cool with the fam. Even the 5 or 6 cats she had back then. My best human buddy is liddle Everleigh. We’re BFFs. WE snuggle a lot. “With Mommy, I am the Fetch Queen. I could play Fetch the Ball for, like, EVER!” “OOOH, I like Fetch, TOO!” Ruger chimed in. “Weeelll,” Riley laughed, “what YOU like is to Fetch the Ball outta MY mouth.” “Yes! I wanna be the one to bring it back to Mommy!” said Ruger. “Any pooch besties? Fave foodstuffs?” I queried. “We love lamm an rice,” they agreed. “An we always have a ball hangin’ out with Daddy’s granddog, Blue, he’s a Huskey. He has these Crispy Biscuits blue eyes,” said Riley. “So beaudiful!” Headin’ home, I was thinkin’ about how lucky Riley an Ruger are to have found a Furever Mom an Dad who love ’em in spite of their backgrounds an challenges. There are so many poocheroos who are in Dire Straits that aren’t their faults an who can be saved with that kinda of love an understanding. It made me wanna give my Gramma an Grampa extra snuggles when I got home, an special thank you’s for my evening dish of yummy yoghurt. Till next time, Hi Dog Buddies! Resilient Riley and Ruger give rescues a great name The Bonz Don’t Be Shy We are always looking for pets with interesting stories. To set up an interview, email [email protected]. Riley & Ruger. PHOTO: JOSHUA KODIS
58 Vero Beach 32963 / July 27, 2023 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ James Bortree “Jim” Balsiger of Fort Pierce, FL, passed away recently at his residence at the age of 88. He was born in Emporium, PA, on June 19, 1935, to James Wendell Balsiger and Esther Marie Bortree Balsiger, who preceded him in death. He is survived by his sister, Mrs. Ann Hackett, his daughters, Wendy Rhodes, Amy Milchin, Carolanne Balsiger, and Jamie Ward, and grandchildren Garrett, Colby, and Hutton Milchin; Eliza, Mathias, and Celine Ward; Zaire Parker; and soon-tobe baby girl Ward. Mr. Balsiger served four years in the U.S. Navy. He attended Mercer University, where he graduated with his law degree. He served as a chief prosecutor in Broward County for four years before he was appointed chief judge for Fort Lauderdale’s municipal court in 1968. A few years later, he led the statewide committee that rewrote the code to decriminalize traffic violations, which became the statewide model. In 1980, he moved his family to Vero Beach, where he took a job as an assistant state attorney. He was elected as county judge in Indian River County in 1985, and was later given circuit court jurisdiction by the state Supreme Court. He retired and did not seek re-election in 1997, though he maintained his law license and Bar membership for more than 50 years. Arrangements are made with the Neptune Society. There will be no services. James Bortree “Jim” Balsiger CALENDAR ONGOING Vero Beach Theatre Guild: “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat,” through Aug. 6. VeroBeachTheatreGuild.com or 772- 562-8300 Vero Beach Museum of Art: Treasure Coast Creates: A Tribute to Local Artists; and Jack Tworkov: Drawings, both through Sept. 3. VBMuseum.org or 772-231-0707 Riverside Theatre: Friday and Saturday Comedy Zone 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. in Waxlax Theatre, and free Live in the Loop outdoor concerts, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. 772-231-6990 or RiversideTheatre.com First Friday Gallery Strolls, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Downtown Vero Beach Arts District. JULY 27 Fashion Show Luncheon to benefit the Environmental Learning Center, 11:30 a.m. at the Restaurants at Maison Martinique, with fashions from the Beach Shop and the Petite Shop. $125. DiscoverELC.org or 772- 589-5050 29 Back to School Bash, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Indian River Mall, with vendors, free VNA school physicals and raffles. 30 Tour de Turtles Loggerhead Turtle release, 8:30 a.m. at Archie Carr NWR Barrier Island Center hosted by Sea Turtle Conservancy. TourDeTurtles.org AUGUST 2 Birthday Par-Tee, 5:30 p.m. at Big Shots Golf to benefit Mental Health Association of IRC, with two hours of golf, appetizers, soft drinks, cash bar and birthday cake. $60 pp; $350 private tee-box for 6; $35 party without golf. 772-569-9788 x 122 or mhairc.org 3-5 49th annual Aerial Antics Youth Circus, 7 p.m. at St. Edward’s School, featuring children and teens performing acrobatics, gymnastics and dance routines. $8 adults; $7 seniors and children. Under 5 free. 773-567-2144 4|5 Riverside Dance Festival and Ballet Vero Beach present the Terminus Modern Ballet Theatre, 7:30 p.m. Fri. and Sat. and the Dance Festival’s Student Showcase, 2 p.m. Sat., all on the Stark Main Stage at Riverside Theatre. 772-231-6990 or RiversideTheatre.com 6 Space Coast Symphony Orchestra presents the Wild West, epic film music concert, 3 p.m. at AMC Indian River 24. SpaceCoastSymphony.org 7 Brunch to honor Purple Heart Recipients, 11 a.m. at Vero Beach Veterans Club. Free for recipients; $15 guests. 770-905-9821 11 Grill Out Night, a Backyard BBQthemed Shop Local event presented by Sebastian River Area Chamber of Commerce, 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at businesses along U.S. 1 and surrounding streets. SebastianChamber.com 16 Cultural Council of IRC and Riverside Theatre host a Behind the Scenes tour, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Riverside Theatre, with appetizers and beverages. $20. Cultural-Council. org or 772-770-4857 Sudoku Page 32 Sudoku Page 33 Crossword Page 32 Solutions from Games Pages in July 20, 2023 Edition Crossword Page 33 (Stairway to Knowledge) Advertising Vero Beach Services | If you would like your business to appear in our directory, please call 772-633-0753 VERO BEACH 32963 BUSINESS DIRECTORY 20% DISCOUNT FOR ALL NEW CUSTOMERS Perfection one cut at a time 772-539-3365 State Certified Electrical Contractor TOM G. WALTON Hiring Electricians 772-569-1547 • [email protected] L. Walton Electric, Inc. EC13003596
246 Ocean Way in Seagrove East: 3-bedroom, 3.5-bath, 6,636-square-foot, two-story home offered for $8,500,000 by AMAC Alex MacWilliam broker-associates Charlotte Terry and Maria Caldarone: 772-538-2388 SEAGROVE ESTATE Views galore in Bahamian-inspired home
REAL ESTATE 60 Vero Beach 32963 / July 27, 2023 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ When the owners of 246 Ocean Way moved up from South Florida to Vero Beach, they decided to build in Seagrove, taking their architectural cue from the Bahamas, our island neighbors to the southeast, and citing their 3-bedroom, 3.5-bath, 6,636-squarefoot home on a large lot with 120 feet of pristine ocean frontage so that nearly every room in the house has an ocean view. Noting the Bahamian design, which includes dark wood floors, white walls and an expansive back veranda overlooking the beach, AMAC Alex MacWilliam broker-associates Charlotte Terry and Maria Caldarone say the owners “got it right,” working with architect Peacock & Lewis of North Palm Beach and builder Carroll Bowser. “They brought in fill to raise the home so that all the rooms have views of the ocean. A lot of the houses on the ocean here are built into the dune, so the first floor doesn’t have a view,” adds Terry. Bahamian architecture features wide verandas and porches to keep the sun from heating up the interior of the house; large windows to make the most of the fresh air and breezes coming off the ocean along with the spectacular views; shutters to shade windows; and high ceilings with ceiling fans and spacious interiors to increase airflow and allow for natural lighting. Heading up the coral entry steps, you can only wonder what awaits on the other side of the glorious customdesigned, double, solid-teak entry doors. When the doors open, it’s hard to know where to look. The richness of dark Angélique teak, which can only be found in Suriname, gleams in contrast with the bright white walls and backdrop of cerulean blues provided by the ocean and sky. Caldarone notes that the home was designed so the owners could live on the second level, which the front door opens into. The kitchen, dining room, living room, powder room, den, laundry room and primary suite all are on this floor, taking in the most expansive views of the ocean. The house has been meticulously maintained by the family that built it and has lived there for nearly 30 years. “Even though the home was built in 1987, it is still very au courant,” says Terry, pointing out the open floorplan and quality finishes. Among those finishes is a coralBY STEPHANIE LABAFF Staff Writer Seagrove estate: Views galore in Bahamian-inspired home
REAL ESTATE Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / July 27, 2023 61 rock accent wall in the kitchen and under the island peninsula (corals can no longer be harvested for this use), custom-crafted woodwork featuring mahogany doors and window trim, a floating staircase, and builtins and kitchen cabinetry with boatstyle hardware – a nice touch by the boat builder who custom built the teak kitchen cabinets. Caldarone notes subtle, elegant touches like the wood inlays throughout and black glass on cabinet doors facing the ocean to “capture the ocean’s reflection.” The living room and dining room open onto the 56-foot-long veranda, allowing for spectacular sunrise views and indoor-outdoor entertaining. The deck has an exterior staircase so guests can easily come and go for a stroll on the beach. The chef’s kitchen sits adjacent to the dining room with a granite peninsula creating division and providing casual seating space. Entertaining isn’t an issue with the panel-faced, Sub-Zero, side-byside refrigerator; Scotsman ice maker; Gaggenau cooktop; two Thermador wall ovens; a 46-bottle wine rack and a dumbwaiter. You’ve got the equipment to serve any size crowd. The library, a powder room, a laundry room, and the primary suite, including five closets, complete the southern portion of the upper level. With built-in mahogany shelves, the library is the perfect home office. With 14-foot tray ceilings, you don’t feel closed in, and there’s plenty of room to conduct business, set up your treadmill or watch the game on a bigscreen TV. The expansive primary suite has a large dressing room, two bath areas, a tile shower, a private balcony and plantation shutters, which slide out of the way to fully take in the magnificent ocean views. The floating, teak staircase near the front entry leads downstairs, where there is a rec room and two ensuite guest bedrooms that open onto the first-floor covered porch. Mexican tile throughout this level ensures that sandy feet aren’t a problem. With access to the two-car garage and a beachside door, it’s easy to get beach toys in and out for fun in the sun. The 1,400-square-foot recreation room opens onto the covered porch and a smaller private porch. This space has a myriad of possible uses, from live-in help to a mother-in-law suite to a fitness room to additional bedrooms. Outside, the expansive lawn meets CONTINUED ON PAGE 63
REAL ESTATE Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / July 27, 2023 63 a field of sea oats, providing privacy from the seldom traveled expanse of pristine beach. Terry notes there’s plenty of room on the 36,000-squarefoot lot to add a winter or summer pool, depending on your personal preference. The house shares a private dune walkover/beach access with the neighbor. Its placement where the property lines meet allows for uninterrupted ocean views, making it convenient without being conspicuous. Seagrove is a guard-gated, oceanto-river community located between Castaway Cove and The Moorings with miles of private deeded beaches. Terry notes that Earl Padgett developed Seagrove East. As the sole developer, he maintained a sense of continuity. Winding lanes weave through streets canopied by live oaks, creating a tropical setting for this familycentric neighborhood, which is just minutes from Saint Edward’s School, beachside shopping and dining along Ocean Drive, Riverside Theatre and the Vero Beach Museum of Art. VITAL STATISTICS Neighborhood: Seagrove East • Year built: 1987 Construction: Concrete block, frame • View: Sweeping ocean vistas Lot size: 120 feet by 300 feet • Home size: 6,636 square feet Bedrooms: 3 • Bathrooms: 3 full baths and 1half-bath Additional features: Guard-gated; coral stone-sided entry steps, accent wall and peninsula; teak entry door; volume tray ceilings; skylight; teak flooring and staircase; Mexican tile flooring; chef’s kitchen with high-end appliances, wine rack and granite countertops; 1,400 square foot recreation room; library; mahogany built-ins and trim; laundry room; plantation shutters; two-car garage; storm shutters; deck; private balcony; covered porch; shared private dune walkover and two community beach access points. Listing agency: AMAC Alex MacWilliam Listing agents: Broker-associates Charlotte Terry, 772-538-2388; and Maria Caldarone, 772-713-7139 Listing price: $8,500,000 246 OCEAN WAY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 61
REAL ESTATE 64 Vero Beach 32963 / July 27, 2023 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ The housing market is looking up for Donnie Evans. The Dallas-area builder can finish houses six weeks faster than he could during the pandemic, thanks to mended supply chains for materials from tiles to garage doors. There’s plenty of buyer demand for his homes, which range in price from about $250,000 to $850,000, even as the 30-year fixed mortgage rate hovers near 7 percent, more than twice what it was just 18 months ago. “We’re not in a recession,” Evans said. “We’re in a slowdown, somewhat. But I don’t think a recession would be the correct word for it at all.” That’s the growing message from homebuilders, real estate agents and economists who say last year’s housing market recession – which many feared would linger as the Federal Reserve fought to raise interest rates and crush inflation – has already turned around. Supply chains are easing up, boosting builder confidence and helping construction crews finish homes more quickly. High mortgage rates are cooling demand but not zapping it altogether. Now that the frenzied bidding wars of the pandemic are over, there are more homes available at any given time, which gives buyers some options. And after dropping in the latter half of 2022, prices are slowly stabilizing, in another shift away from the pandemic’s warped markets. That’s good news for the overall economy, too. The housing sector – from contracting jobs to home purchases to mortgage loans – is a major driver of consumer spending and economic growth. It is also one of the industries most sensitive to interest rates, which the Fed pushed up at a historically fast clip beginning in March 2022. “The housing recession is over, but the question becomes, ‘What will the recovery look like?’” said Lawrence Yun, chief economist at the National Association of Realtors. “The ideal recovery is where we have more inventory, more supply coming onto the market, so that the potential homeTHE HOUSING MARKET RECESSION IS ALREADY ENDING BY RACHEL SIEGEL The Washington Post
REAL ESTATE Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / July 27, 2023 65 buyers have access to buying a home without seeing a price increase.” There is still a massive housing shortage nationwide, with economists estimating that the country needs anywhere from 1.5 million to 5 million homes to fill the gap. Compounding the problem is that current homeowners with low mortgage rates – say 3 percent or 4 percent – aren’t selling their houses, even if they would like to buy a bigger or better home, clogging up supply in a phenomenon economists dub “hating your house, but loving your mortgage.” But there are signs that a recovery is underway. Sales of newly built single-family homes jumped in May to the highest level since February 2022, according to the most recent data from the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Census Bureau. That marked a 12.2 percent increase compared with the previous month. New homes also made up 31 percent of the total inventory in May, compared with a more typical, pre-
REAL ESTATE 66 Vero Beach 32963 / July 27, 2023 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ pandemic 15 percent, according to the National Association of Home Builders. Prices are improving, too. Home prices peaked in June 2022, then dipped through the rest of the year as the housing recession took hold. But they’ve been recovering steadily. After seasonal adjustment, the closely watched S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Index showed that prices rose 0.5 percent in April compared with March, the third straight month of modest increases. Nationwide, prices are still 1.8 percent below the June peak but is some locations, including Vero Beach, prices are still up year-over-year and gaining monthly. Location matters. Seasonally adjusted data showed that of the 20 largest metro areas tracked by the index, only one saw price drops between March and April. Prices in Boston rose 1.5 percent over the month. In Charlotte, 0.7 percent. Five years ago, Jay Thompson bought his house in Matlacha, Fla., for $375,000. Back then, he didn’t think he’d be there for the long haul; he likes to fish, and his wife wanted to be closer to the beach. So as they looked to relocate to South Venice, they put their house on the market last summer for $850,000, “just as the market was about to come down from those lofty highs,” he said. The house didn’t sell, and then Thompson had to spend the next few months repairing hurricane damage. In May, he re-listed the home for $750,000, and it sold later that month for $725,000 – nearly twice what he’d paid for it just five years earlier. Still, Thompson wonders if sellers in the area will keep chasing last year’s peak sale prices even as the market recalibrates. “In that particular area, it’s a tough sell, because people aren’t willing to come down in price yet,” Thompson said. “They’re still remembering how lucrative it was in 2022 and aren’t willing – especially if they just recently bought – to bring their prices down to reflect the current market.” In Boise, Idaho, real estate agent Debbi Myers saw the local market explode as West Coast transplants and others swarmed in and scooped up available homes. Then, as the Fed hoisted rates last year, Myers said, there was a bit of buyer pullback as some people waited to see what might happen with mortgage costs and the broader economy. But now things are getting closer to normal. Homes are staying on the market between 60 and 90 days, rather than the pandemic-crazed “60 or 90 minutes,” Myers joked. In Ada County, Idaho, the number of singlefamily homes on the market grew for the fourth straight month in June, according to Boise Regional Realtors. That month, the median sales price was $545,000 – 8 percent less than in June 2022, but the third consecutive month of gains and far above the prepandemic median. “Our prices were over, and then under, and now they’re kind of settling where they ought to be,” Myers said. The Boise example, and that of Evans in north Texas, square with the Fed’s view of the housing sector. Minutes from the central bank’s June meeting showed that some officials believed the effect of steep rates on the market “appeared to be bottoming out, with home sales, builder sentiment, and new construction all having improved a little since the start of the year.” The Fed’s “beige book,” which compiles economic anecdotes and survey data from across the country, offered a few more examples. The Dallas Fed reported that construction cycle times have improved and that housing starts are expected to increase in the second half of the year. The Philadelphia Fed said sales of existing homes were inching up but were still below prior years, especially in the normally busy spring. What happens next may depend on how much harder the Fed pushes to slow the economy. Inflation has eased significantly, but it’s still not as low as officials would like. So after 15 months and 10 consecutive rate hikes, the Fed left rates unchanged in June but signaled that two more hikes were coming by the end of the year. One of those, likely a quarter of a percentage point, is expected later this month. As markets priced in the next hike, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage ticked up slightly last week to 6.96 percent, according to Freddie Mac.
REAL ESTATE Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / July 27, 2023 67 Q: I entered into a contract with my brother to renovate a house. The agreement was that we would be reimbursed for what we paid to renovate the home and then split the profit equally. The house was a disaster. I put in all the money and hired and paid for all the contractors. My brother did nothing. The house will be worth so much more now due to my investment in time, labor and money. Is he still entitled to that 50 percent of the profits? To me, it feels like he didn’t enter into this agreement in good faith and is not entitled to half the profits. I don’t know what to do or if there is anything I can do. A: The operative words in your question are that you entered into a contract with your brother. We’re hoping the contract is in writing and spells out what each person’s obligations were in renovating the house. It may be hard to prove whether your brother signed the contract in good faith. But the contract terms could help determine whether you can break the contract or change the arrangement. Did you have an attorney draft the contract for you? Or did you and your brother get together and draft it yourselves? If you had an attorney draft it, the document should spell out what each of you needed to do and what would happen if one or the other failed to perform under the contract. But let’s back up: You seem surprised by the way your brother has behaved. Presumably, you’ve known your brother your whole life. You must know how he behaves and could have guessed how he would handle this type of situation. Still, you decided to move forward with him. So, is his behavior out of character? Did something happen in his life to cause that? Can you forgive him for screwing up? Mixing family and money can be challenging. If you focus only on the money, you risk losing your family – quite a high price to pay. So, the first thing you should do is sit down with your brother and express your frustration with how he managed his part of the arrangement. Try to clear the air. Listen to his explanation of why he didn’t get more actively involved in the renovation. Maybe you’ll feel better, and the two of you will smooth the path going forward. If he agrees that he didn’t put in an equal share of time or money, ask him how he thinks that should affect the division of the profits. Perhaps you’ll both agree that he should be entitled to less. Or not. Perhaps you’ll hear that he tried to get involved, but you took the reins, were controlling and made it difficult for him to join you in making decisions. This could be an emotional conversation, and once everyone gets riled up, it may be difficult to come to a happy resolution. If you don’t get anywhere with a heart-to-heart conversation, then you should talk to the attorney that drafted the contract. The attorney can help you determine what your remedies are for your brother’s failure to do anything. That attorney may refer you to a different attorney, particularly if the attorney represented both of you in drafting the agreement. Your original attorney would have a conflict in Despite pact, brother stiffed sibling on home renovation project BY ILYCE GLINK AND SAMUEL J. TAMKIN Tribune CONTINUED ON PAGE 70
REAL ESTATE 68 Vero Beach 32963 / July 27, 2023 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCES AND LOTS SUBDIVISION ADDRESS LISTED ORIGINAL MOST RECENT SOLD SELLING ASKING PRICE ASKING PRICE PRICE RIOMAR 825 PAINTED BUNTING LN 12/28/2022 $4,800,000 $4,800,000 7/19/2023 $4,250,000 MOORINGS 1910 CUTLASS COVE DR 3/16/2023 $3,645,000 $3,645,000 7/14/2023 $3,350,000 PEBBLE BAY ESTATES 4735 PEBBLE BAY CIR 6/6/2023 $2,650,000 $2,650,000 7/19/2023 $2,575,000 BETHEL BY THE SEA 535 HOLLY RD 3/24/2023 $2,895,000 $2,450,000 7/14/2023 $2,300,000 THE STRAND AT INDIAN RIVER SHORES 80 STRAND DR 8/19/2021 $1,350,000 $1,350,000 7/17/2023 $1,353,000 MARBRISA 120 S MONTEREY DR 5/22/2023 $950,000 $950,000 7/19/2023 $875,000 SUMMERPLACE 1990 W PEBBLE PATH 6/9/2023 $729,000 $729,000 7/17/2023 $715,000 SOMERSET BAY 9031 SOMERSET BAY LN, #202 5/23/2023 $1,495,000 $1,495,000 7/17/2023 $1,395,000 SABLE OAKS CONDO 200 SABLE OAK LN, #201 5/15/2023 $825,000 $825,000 7/20/2023 $825,000 VISTA DEL MAR 5400 HIGHWAY A1A, #G17 6/10/2023 $395,000 $395,000 7/17/2023 $400,000 TOWNHOMES, VILLAS, CONDOS, MULTIFAMILY AND INVESTMENT Real Estate Sales on the Barrier Island: July 14 to July 20 The barrier island real estate market had a good mid-summer week with 12 real estate transactions recorded, half of the sales for more than $1 million. The top sale of the week was of a home in Riomar. The property at 825 Painted Bunting Lane was placed on the market Dec. 28 for $4.8 million. The sale closed on July 19 for $4.25 million. The seller in the transaction was represented by Matilde Sorensen of Dale Sorensen Real Estate. The purchaser was represented by Kristin Dobson of ONE Sotheby’s International Realty.
REAL ESTATE Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / July 27, 2023 69 If you can picture it, we can build it. Interior & Exterior Painting Flooring Sales and Installation Kitchen & Bathroom Remodeling Countertops Custom Woodworking Built Ins, Entertainment Centers & Closets And Much More! Call Today for a Free Estimate! Showroom: 953 Old Dixie Hwy, Ste. 4 & 5 Vero Beach, FL 32960 Workshop: 6745 N. Old Dixie Hwy, Unit 4, Fort Pierce, FL 34946 Hours: Mon-Fri • 8AM to 5PM (772) 321-7390 Check out our Easy-To-Navigate Website with Colors, Styles and Photos of our work treasurecoasthomeimprovement.com Treasure Coast Cabinetry and More and JSPA & Associates Renovation Group, LLC. License # CRC1331739 Here are some of the top recent barrier island sales. Listing Date: Original Price: Recent Price: Sold: Selling Price: Listing Agent: Selling Agent: Listing Date: Original Price: Recent Price: Sold: Selling Price: Listing Agent: Selling Agent: Listing Date: Original Price: Recent Price: Sold: Selling Price: Listing Agent: Selling Agent: Listing Date: Original Price: Recent Price: Sold: Selling Price: Listing Agent: Selling Agent: 5/23/2023 $1,495,000 $1,495,000 7/17/2023 $1,395,000 Talle Genoni ONE Sotheby’s Int’l Realty Andrew Westover Dale Sorensen Real Estate Inc. Subdivision: Somerset Bay, Address: 9031 Somerset Bay Ln, #202 3/24/2023 $2,895,000 $2,450,000 7/14/2023 $2,300,000 Joseph Schlitt & Joseph O’Neill Douglas Elliman Florida LLC Kristin Dobson & Cindy O’Dare ONE Sotheby’s Int’l Realty Subdivision: Bethel By the Sea, Address: 535 Holly Rd 5/22/2023 $950,000 $950,000 7/19/2023 $875,000 Sally Daley Douglas Elliman Florida LLC Sally Daley Douglas Elliman Florida LLC Subdivision: Marbrisa, Address: 120 S Monterey Dr 6/6/2023 $2,650,000 $2,650,000 7/19/2023 $2,575,000 Lucy Hendricks & Jane Schwiering Premier Estate Properties Melissa Talley & Kay Brown Premier Estate Properties Subdivision: Pebble Bay Estates, Address: 4735 Pebble Bay Cir
REAL ESTATE 70 Vero Beach 32963 / July 27, 2023 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ giving you any advice that would go against your brother’s best interests. If you drafted the contract yourselves, then you’ll need to find an attorney with experience in partnership issues. If your brother is open to it, you might be able to work with a mediator, probably a less expensive and better experience than suing your brother in court. Still, if you go to court or work with a mediator, you might not win a larger share of the profits even if you did all of the work. It depends on what your contract says. And, regardless of the final decision, you’ll spend money and time getting there. What you should get, however, is full reimbursement of all the money you spent doing the work. You would subtract those costs, and any costs of sale, from the final sales price. Then, the profit would be divided. So, at least you won’t be out extra cash. Good luck with this. And please remember, you can always earn more money, but it’s tougher to replace a brother. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 67
The Vero Beach Barrier Island Newspaper www.vb32963online.com July 27, 2023 Volume 16, Issue 30 Newsstand Price $1.00