Anyone in Palm Bay/Melbourne, FL (central Florida or brevard county)?

[Rodney Robinson]

Hello. I am looking to get connected with investors in the Palm Bay/ Melbourne area of Florida. To be more general, this includes the central Florida or brevard county. My future investment strategies involve buy and hold and building a portfolio of rental properties in the area. I have been studying for the last few months and am looking to build relationships with more experienced investors who do buy and hold in the area. I also appreciate any insight, input, or contacts for great handymen, attorneys, and accountants.

Thanks,

Rodney

[Kerry Baird]

Prices are up on my housing.  And a quick search of the local new produces positive news on the local and State economy:

Engineers are coming in.  Space-x, Port Canaveral, Northrop, Lockheed are sending thousands of engineers and scientists here.  Northrup continues with its "Center of Excellence" in the area.  Both the labor force and the number of people working increased by about 11000. Unemployment is reducing from 5.3 a yr ago to 5% 

The sun shines and the tourists flow steadily.  There are a record number of tourists to the area.  Gov Rick Scott says, "Over the past six years, we have been relentless in our efforts to make Florida the most business-friendly state in the nation because a job is the most important thing to a family," Scott said in a statement, according to Florida Today dot com.

My husband and I went to several local chambers of commerce when we first arrived here, two years ago.  The housing bust hit Palm Bay particularly hard.  Members of the chamber were insistent that diversification of industry was the solution, so they catered to a variety of revenue sources. Additionally, while there are 10,000 or more engineers coming with Northrop alone, we've observed new commercial building for various aspects of the medical field.

https://www.bls.gov/eag/eag.fl.htm  An "Economy at a Glance" link is available at this location for various MSAs. 

http://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/2017/04/21/brevard-economy-grows-rosier-jobs-and-housing/100738754/

From a video at that link: 3000 jobs gained last month, 300 jobs in new call center, housing jumped 11% yoy in March, foreclosed sales fell 52% in same period.  Good economic news.