Rachel is driving back from showings in Melbourne — and in this video she covers everything a first-time Space Coast relocator needs to know. Four years of living here, 35+ families helped through the move. If you're thinking about it, start here.

What Is the Space Coast?

Brevard County, Florida — home to NASA, SpaceX, Blue Origin, and dozens of aerospace contractors. Atlantic coast, ~45 minutes to Orlando airport, ~1 hour to downtown Orlando. 76 miles of coastline. Rural acreage to master-planned communities to beachside towns — something for everyone.

The Scouting Trip Process

Rachel runs scouting trips almost weekly. You come down, meet her for coffee, get a personalized neighborhood itinerary, drive around, explore new construction communities. Some clients go under contract on their scouting trip. Others come back 2 years later. Both are fine. If you have a hard job offer deadline, she coordinates both home sales to line up as smoothly as possible. Short-term pet-friendly rentals are widely available as a bridge.

No Basements — Adjust Your Expectations

Florida has no basements. Everything goes in garages — which makes 3-car garages a hot commodity. Most buyers end up with one car and a golf cart in a 2-car. Downsizing belongings before the move is wise.

What Rachel Checks on Every Listing

  • Cast iron vs PVC piping: Pre-1977 homes may have cast iron under the slab — it's failing now and expensive to replace. She flags this upfront.
  • Concrete block vs wood frame: Concrete block preferred for insurance and storm resilience.
  • Flood zones: If financing, flood insurance is mandatory in flood zones. Most inland properties avoid this. Smart area selection usually keeps you out.

Insurance: Real Numbers

  • New construction: $1,200–$2,000/year (Miami-Dade hurricane standards, fully rated)
  • Good resale condition: $2,000–$3,000/year typically
  • Homes missing window protection: $5,000/year until you add impact windows or shutters, then get reinspected

95% of homes in Brevard are insurable at reasonable rates. Rachel identifies problem homes before you fall in love with them.

New Construction vs. Resale

New construction across Brevard: Viera (75% of Rachel's clients), Merritt Island (space center corridor), Titusville, Palm Bay. Build time 9–13 months from dirt; some inventory homes close faster. Builder agent representation costs you nothing — builder pays through marketing. Rachel closes ~20 new constructions per year. Resale offers solid newer-built options without the wait.

The Current Market (Mid-2025)

Mostly neutral. Palm Bay and Titusville lean buyer's market. Well-priced turnkey homes still go fast. Overpriced homes sit months. Recent examples: $80K off an overpriced fixer; full-price same-day offer on a perfect-location turnkey. Every home is different — Rachel advises case by case.

Remote Buying: It Works

Rachel has closed clients who never met her in person. Video walkthroughs, virtual showings, honest notes on smells and conditions, she does the final walkthrough before your remote closing with a mobile notary. It's a well-established process that many Space Coast relocators use.

Ready to Start Your Space Coast Relocation?

Related reading

We're Rachel Langley and Nichole Barna, Florida REALTORS® based in Brevard County. Book a 30-minute call to get your personalized relocation roadmap.

We're available days, nights, and weekends — because a move this big doesn't wait for business hours.

Rachel Langley and Nichole Barna, REALTORS at Blue Marlin Real Estate

Moving to the Space Coast?

Reading about Brevard is a good start. Talking to people who live and work here is better.

We are Rachel and Nichole, Brevard County REALTORS at Blue Marlin Real Estate. Rachel relocated to the Space Coast in 2022. Nichole is a Brevard County native. We work with relocation buyers every week and we know the towns, the budgets, the timelines, and what nobody tells you until after you have signed.

Space Coast Relocation Checklist

A printable buyer briefing on Brevard County, including insurance, flood zones, school options, hurricane prep, and the line items relocation buyers consistently forget to budget.

Send Me the Checklist

Talk to Us About Your Move

A thirty minute call with Rachel and Nichole. No script, no pressure. Tell us your timeline, your budget, and what you actually want. We will tell you what we would do.

Book a Call With Us
Beware

Call us BEFORE you walk into a model home or open house.

The sales rep works for the builder, not for you. Builders let you have your own agent, but you HAVE to name us on your first visit. Walk in without us and you can lose the right to bring us in on that purchase.

Text us at 321-212-7676 first. We meet you there. You still get the new construction. You also get two REALTORS who negotiate pricing, contract terms, inspections, and repairs every week.

Read this next: State Income Tax Compared: California, New Jersey, and Florida for Space Coast Movers