Viera, Florida Real Estate Market

Many factors have affected recent trends in the real estate market in Viera, Florida over the last decade.  While the national economy has impacted the entire U.S. housing market, other local phenomenon have direct effects on the real estate market in Viera, and throughout the region.  An example is the unique climate in the state of Florida, and the severe damage as a result of hurricanes can influence the market.  For instance, various homeowners insurance companies pulled out of Florida after suffering too much in hurricane losses.  The result was a decrease in housing statewide as many homeowners panicked when obtaining property insurance became a major concern.

Over the years, the median sale price for housing, whether single-family or condo, has had many ups and downs.  In 2000, the median sale price of homes in the Viera area was $100,000.  Almost a decade later, median homes in 2009 were selling for $89,400.  This variance has much to do with the nationwide collapse in the housing bubble.

However, breaking down number of sales of existing versus new homes in Viera is a different matter.  In November 2010, the number of sales and prices of existing homes rose from the same month in 2009.  This was the first rise in 4 1/2 years.  In February 2011, the average price for an existing home was $87,700.

The high point in the Viera residential real estate market came in August 2005, when prices reached almost $250,000.  Still, permits for the construction of new homes fell in 2007 marking, the lowest for these permits since 1982.  The drop median home prices for existing construction was 50% from 2005 to 2008, from $248,700 to $125,200.  Another development that impacted the Viera housing market came in 2008, when a number of mortgage insurers refused to do business in Brevard County, which includes Viera.  These companies also made the same rejections in doing business in many parts of the U.S. This was intended to discourage an unstable market situation, which is triggered by potential buyers who wish to pay less than the customary 20% down on a home.

Climate and Storm History of Viera, Florida

The climate in Viera, Florida is classified as subtropical, which are those geographic zones immediately north and south of the tropical zones of the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.  Winters are relatively warm and mild, and the summer season is quite hot and humid.  Viera rarely experiences frost or snow.  Average temperatures in March are 77 degrees on the high end, with 55 degrees being the low.  During the month of June, the high averages 89 degrees, and the low is 71 degrees.  September brings highs of 88 degrees and lows of 72 degrees, while December averages highs of 73 degrees and lows of 53 degrees.

Although Viera may refer historically to “hurricanes,” they are actually not very common, as by the time they strike, most have weakened into tropical storms or depressions.  Storm surge can be a threat, however, with the beach community on Viera often required to evacuated well in advance of an oncoming storm.  The effect of storm surge is significantly diminished when the storm approaches from the west across the state instead of from the Atlantic.  Tornados spinning off from small storms can result in severe damage in some areas, however.

Five hurricanes have directly affected the Viera area and Brevard County since 1950: David (1979), Erin (1995), Charley (2004), Frances (2004), and Jeanne (2004).  The latter two storms caused widespread damage in Viera.

Top Viera, Florida Restaurants

Viera, Florida is home to a plentiful array of quaint shops and fabulous restaurants, from those retailers and restaurants that are nationally known to more local shops and dining spots that are family-owned.  For fans of Asian cuisine, the restaurant Asian Too is well known in the region.  It is located at 2221 Town Center Blvd., Suite 115, Viera, FL 32940.  Asian Too brings together a comfortable, casual and contemporary atmosphere with the stunning excitement of food cooked in an open kitchen.  The  staff is friendly and provides excellent service to its clientele.  Obviously, the dishes are Asian influenced, and are prepared using the finest, fresh ingredients.  The menu features a fantastic range of classic appetizers and new ideas in Asian fusion cuisine.  Also, Asian Too prepares delicious salads, freshly prepared Sushi and several unique signature dishes that are wok-prepared.

If you’re looking for more traditional American fare and a great steakhouse, try the Outback Steakhouse at 6450 N. Wickam Road, Viera, FL 32940.  Drawing its inspiration from the adventurous spirit of the inhabitants of the Land Down Under, Outback has been an leader among the nationwide steakhouse chains of restaurants.  The menu offers all courses for lunch and dinner, with dishes that boast daring flavor combinations and utilize only the freshest and highest quality ingredients.  Whether you’re looking for something new and unique or a classic favorite, Outback has something for all tastes and appetites.  Obviously, the restaurant is known throughout the world for its sizeable steaks, but it also delivers mouthwatering chicken, pasta, salads, soups and other dishes.  The appetizer menu is especially well known for its variety and for itssignature appetizer, the Bloomin’ Onion.

Fun Activities and Historic Landmarks of Viera, Florida

Exciting activities and relaxing endeavors about in the Viera, Florida area.  For sports enthusiasts, there are two 18-hole golf courses, and a 125-acre regional park that features five lit baseball fields, two lit softball fields, eight soccer fields, an 18,000 square feet community center/gymnasium, two lit outdoor basketball courts, three playgrounds, and four lit tennis courts.

Baseball fans can catch a game at Viera’s Space Coast Stadium, home to the Brevard County Manatees, the Single A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers.  It is also the spring training site of Major League Baseball’s Washington Nationals.

Cultural and educational opportunities are offered throughout the year round in all places around Viera, as well as in surrounding communities.  The Avenue Viera has a seasonal outdoor concert series, along with art classes and shows at the neighboring Art Gallery of Viera.  Music is a staple in the Viera scene, with concerts from The Brevard Symphony, The Brevard Symphony Youth Orchestra, and Melbourne Municipal Band.  The Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing Arts is home to many Broadway touring shows, ballet and contemporary dance, classical artists, opera, country music artists, comedy events and children’s shows.

The Brevard Art Museum in Viera’s Eau Gallie Arts District exhibits artist works in various different mediums, including permanent collections as well as traveling displays from other institutions and museums.  The Brevard Museum of History and Natural Science provides hands-on learning classrooms for children and adults, as well as many historical pieces from the local area, Circle of Science program and 22 acres of nature trails to explore and learn.

City of Viera, Florida: General Information

Situated on the site of a former ranch owned by the Duda Company and the family that owned it, Viera, Florida is a master planned community located in Brevard County.  It is actually an unincorporated part of the Melbourne area, which includes the Palm Bay - Melbourne - Titusville Metropolitan Statistical Area for purposes of census figures.  Viera is home to many of the Brevard County government buildings.  The population of Viera (as of 2000) was approximately 19,083, though the city does not obtain census figures as a separate municipality due to its unincorporated status.

The figures of Palm Bay - Melbourne - Titusville Metropolitan Statistical Area indicate that the regions near Viera grew by 14% between 2000 and 2010.  However, the same figures show that the population in unincorporated Suntree/Viera increase by a staggering 81% to approximately 35,000 people.  The Palm Bay - Melbourne - Titusville Metropolitan Statistical Area showed a population density of 468 per square mile, though the figures for Viera are significantly lower due to its spread out neighborhoods and community developments.

History of the City of Viera, Florida

The city of Viera, Florida is a relatively new master planned community, which is located in Brevard County.  It was originally part of a ranch owned by the Duda Company, which encompassed over 38,000 acres near Cocoa, the town directly to the north.  Development on the community began in 1989. The name Viera means “Faith,” in the native Slovak language of the Duda family.  The city of Viera now comprises over 9,000 acres with many several thousand additional acres awaiting approval by various governmental agencies and private organizations.

Development started in earnest about 1993. Until then, the area was mostly open land or farmland with road access via a single lane highway.  The Viera community has literally been built from the ground up, and careful attention to detail has been dedication to its magnificent landscaping and the structural layout of every one of its internal communities.  There are numerous neighborhoods in Viera, Sonoma, Gatwick Manor, Daintree, Sunstone Estates, Terramore, Eason Landing, Cortona, Levanto, Charolais Estates, Chelford, Colfax Landing, Ravencliffe, Indigo Crossing, Heritage Isle, Stone Ridge, and Fairway Lakes at Viera just to name a few.  Most of the neighborhoods were part of the Viera West Expansion in the Villages of North Solerno and The Villages Of South Solerno during 2010.

Also developed as part of the 2010 expansion is Summer Lakes, and the Wyndham At Duran, an affiliate of the hotel by the same name.  The older part of Viera includes Wickham Lakes, Viera East Golf Club, Crane Creek, Grand Isle Retirement Community, Herons’ Landing, the Indian River Colony Club, Six Mile Creek, Hammock Trace, Osprey Ridge, Osprey Landing and The Villages of Viera East.  Hammock Lakes was the first neighborhood, having been completed in 1994.