Buying a home is one of the most significant investments that you will ever make. Like most good things, finding the perfect home comes with a lot of work. From your initial search online to your home tour and finally closing, there are many difficult decisions to make along the way. The bottom line is that the entire home buying process can be very stressful, especially when it comes to finding the right mortgage broker and loan for your new home. Since market conditions and mortgage programs change frequently, you have a lot riding on your broker's ability to provide quick and accurate financial advice. Whether you're a first-time homebuyer or own several residential properties, you need a mortgage broker in Cocoa Beach, FL, who can educate you on mortgage rates and provide trustworthy guidance to help you make an informed decision.
My name is Dan Crance - Cocoa Beach's most trusted mortgage loan officer with more than 30 years in the mortgage industry. I bring unparalleled insight and decades of experience into your home loan process. If you're looking for a new home loan, are interested in refinancing your current mortgage, or need information regarding FHA, VA, or other types of loans, Dan Crance is Your Mortgage Man.
Unlike some mortgage loan officers in Cocoa Beach, my primary goal is to help you make the right mortgage choice for you and your family. Mortgage lenders have a horrible reputation for turning over clients quickly to expedite cash flow and make the most money possible. While some mortgage brokers come off as pushy and impatient, I encourage my clients to take as much time as they need to ask questions and review their mortgage agreements. I'm here to help answer those questions and provide you with easy-to-understand advice so that you can rest easy knowing you made the right choice. I could say that I strive to provide service that exceeds your expectations, but I'd rather show you. In the end, I want you to leave feeling confident in the loan you've selected, as well as in your choice of broker.
Clients choose my mortgage company because I truly care about helping them navigate the often-confusing landscape of the mortgage process. I am fiercely dedicated to my clients and make every effort to provide them with trustworthy advice and an open line of communication.
In my business, I work for two different customers. On one hand, I have the buyer: the person entrusting me with the responsibility of guiding them through one of the most important decisions ever. Serving homebuyers is not a task that I take lightly. I work with them daily to help them through the process and provide timely updates and news on their mortgage status. On the other hand, I have the realtor: the person who works with my client to find their dream home. Since their commission is in my hands, working with realtors is also a very important task. I update these agents on the status of their customers weekly. Only when I take care of both parties can I say my job as a mortgage loan officer is complete.
As a mortgage broker with more than 30 years of experience, I pledge to give you the highest level of customer service while providing you with the most competitive loan products available. That way, you can buy the home of your dreams without second-guessing your decision.
Ask Dan Anything843-478-5612At Classic Home Mortgage, our team works diligently to close on time without stress or hassle. Whether you're a seasoned homeowner or are buying your new home in Cocoa Beach, we understand how much stress is involved. Our goal is to help take that stress off of your plate by walking you through every step of the home loan process. Because every one of our clients is different, we examine each loan with fresh eyes and a personalized approach, to find you the options and programs you need.
With over 30 years as a mortgage professional in Cocoa Beach, Dan Crance will help you choose the home loan, interest rate, term options, and payment plans that fit your unique situation.
30-Year Loan - This loan is often considered the most secure option to choose. With a 30-year loan, you can lock in a low payment amount and rest easy knowing your rate won't change.
FHA Loan - If you're not able to make a large down payment, an FHA loan could be the right choice for you. With an FHA loan, many of our clients have successfully purchased a home with less than 4% down.
VA Loan - This loan is reserved for military veterans and active-duty men and women. Those who qualify may be able to purchase a home with no down payment and no Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI).
Choosing a home loan is an important step in the home buying process. At Classic Home Mortgage, we are here to make choosing a loan as easy as possible, so you can focus on the joys of being a homeowner. Contact our team of experts today and ask how you can get pre-qualified for your home loan in Cocoa Beach, FL.
Because home mortgage rates in the U.S. have been so low over the last year, many current homeowners are opting to refinance their home loans. Simply put, refinancing is replacing your existing mortgage with a different mortgage under new terms. Homeowners who refinance their homes enjoy lower interest rates, lower monthly payments, and even turn their home's equity into cash. If you're interested in refinancing your home, it all begins with a call to your mortgage broker in Cocoa Beach, FL - Dan Crance.
Refinancing from a 30-year to a 15-year mortgage might seem counterproductive on the surface because your monthly payment usually goes up. However, interest rates on 15-year mortgages are lower. And when you shave off years of your previous mortgage, you will pay less interest over time. These savings can be very beneficial if you are not taking the mortgage interest deduction on your tax returns.
FHA loans are notorious for paying premiums for the life of the loan. Mortgage insurance premiums for FHA loans can cost borrowers as much as $1,050 a year for every $100k borrowed. The only way to get rid of mortgage insurance premiums is to refinance to a new loan that the Federal Housing Authority does not back.
Sometimes, borrowers with adjustable-rate mortgages refinance so they can switch to a fixed rate, which lets them lock in an interest rate. Doing so is beneficial for some homeowners who like to know exactly how much their monthly payment is each month. Conversely, some homeowners with fixed rates prefer to refinance to an adjustable-rate mortgage. Homeowners often go this route if they plan on selling in a few years and don't mind risking a higher rate if their plans fall through.
Finding the right loan can be a difficult proposition, even if you have been through the process before. This is especially true since mortgage rates and market conditions change frequently. If you're like most of my clients, you probably have questions about interest rates, refinancing options, and a litany of other topics. To help alleviate some of your stress, here are just a few common questions with answers so that you can better educate yourself as we work our way to securing your loan.
Whether you're selling, buying, refinancing, or building the home of your dreams, you have a lot riding on your home loan specialist. When you need a mortgage broker who works tirelessly for you, answers your questions, provides guidance, and does so with a genuine smile, Dan Crance is your mortgage man. Contact Dan today at 843-478-5612 to get pre-approved and discover why Cocoa Beach loves Classic Home Mortgage.
After hours by appointment only. CONTACT DANWestin expected to open in 2027COCOA BEACH, Fla. – Brevard County commissioners Tuesday decided to withdraw consideration of a plan to give a new 4-star hotel exclusive use of a public beach park in Cocoa Beach.The Westin will be Brevard County’s only 4-star hotel when it opens in 2027, and it’s already on the largest hotel property in Cocoa Beach (the old International Palms site).Commissioners decided the proposal needed some work before consideration.The plan would have give...
COCOA BEACH, Fla. – Brevard County commissioners Tuesday decided to withdraw consideration of a plan to give a new 4-star hotel exclusive use of a public beach park in Cocoa Beach.
The Westin will be Brevard County’s only 4-star hotel when it opens in 2027, and it’s already on the largest hotel property in Cocoa Beach (the old International Palms site).
Commissioners decided the proposal needed some work before consideration.
The plan would have given the hotel exclusive access to the south half of Lori Wilson Park for up to 100 days a year, including renting all of the park for up to 12 days a year for Westin events.
It would include closing the park’s dog park on the south side by the construction site, so long as Westin builds a new dog park on the north side of Lori Wilson.
Dozens spoke during the public hearing for the proposal, with many in opposition to the plan.
Dog park regular Sandra Dzurek is worried about parking.
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”They want the park for 100 days between November and April. This park is so busy during (that) season,” she said. “And if we’re forced to go to the north park, there’s going to be no parking. So many of the people come here, drive here for the dog park.”
At a county commission meeting two years ago, Commissioner John Tobia was the only county commissioner who did not wish to give Westin $1 million a year, every year for 30 years from tourism-generated money.
On Monday, Tobia said he’s in favor of the proposal, though.
“There’s more in it for the taxpayers, as well as the visitors of Brevard County,” he said.
Tobia said those benefits would include the potential dog park, which he called an upgrade to what the park has now.
“It will be new and will have a whole bunch of amenities that it currently does not have,” he said.
After Tuesday’s commission meeting, the hotel’s developer, Driftwood Capital, also told News 6 reporter James Sparvero that a new dog park would benefit the community.
Project engineer Hector Arechiga blamed the public’s negative reaction to the plan on miscommunication.
”People were thinking that we were gonna take over the parking, which we’re not,” he said. “People were thinking that we were gonna own the park, which we’re not.”
Arechiga said the hotel will now meet with county commissioner Tom Goodson, who represents Cocoa Beach, and get started on a new plan.
“So I think there is an exercise where we all really communicate what we need and what we need to meet with the community,” he said.
Other concerns for building a new dog park include harming gopher tortoise nests.
It’s not known whether the commission will revisit the plan in the future.
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When is 2024 Atlantic hurricane season? June 1 to Nov. 30, with the busiest months between August and October....
(This story was updated to add new information.)
Flash floods, torrential rain, tropical tornadoes: All examples of the wrath of Hurricane Milton.
And that was hours before landfall.
At 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9, Hurricane Milton made landfall near Siesta Key, Florida, as a powerful Category 3 hurricane with estimated wind speeds of 120 mph. The storm had battered the West Coast of Florida with howling winds, pounding rain and storm surge. #HurricaneMilton #Category5 #Florida #Sarasota and #FortMyers were trending terms all day Wednesday as Floridians prepped for the storm or evacuated the state.
In many cases, Florida residents were without power as Hurricane Milton whipped through.
Reporters and photojournalists from the USA TODAY Network in Florida captured the widespread damage caused by Hurricane Milton across multiple cities along the West Coast and East Coast. In many cases, cleanup will take months.
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Here's a roundup of Hurricane Milton damage in Florida, city by city. Check back for updates to this story and for more photos of Hurricane Milton's wrath.
Contributing: C.A. Bridges, USA TODAY Network-Florida
Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network-Florida. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram at @byjensangalang. Support local journalism. Consider subscribing to a Florida newspaper.
Home » Home » Cocoa Beach Chamber Honored as 2024 Florida Chamber of Commerce of the YearBREVARD COUNTY • COCOA BEACH, FLORIDA – The Cocoa Beach Regional Chamber of Commerce has been named the 2024 Florida Chamber of Commerce of the Year by the F...
Home » Home » Cocoa Beach Chamber Honored as 2024 Florida Chamber of Commerce of the Year
BREVARD COUNTY • COCOA BEACH, FLORIDA – The Cocoa Beach Regional Chamber of Commerce has been named the 2024 Florida Chamber of Commerce of the Year by the Florida Association of Chamber Professionals during its Annual Conference this week in Boca Raton.
The prestigious award was presented by FACP Immediate Past President Dan Lindblade, CAE, President & CEO of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce, in front of more than 100 chamber professionals from across the state.
“What an amazing honor for our Chamber and community! The Cocoa Beach Chamber is truly an exceptional organization,” said Skip Marsh, CFO, of Community Health Services at Health First, the Chamber’s 2024 Chairman of the Board.
“This award is a recognition of the important work the Chamber performs daily to initiate transformational change that will ensure a prosperous future for our residents.”
Judged according to size, the Cocoa Beach Chamber received the Florida Chamber of the Year Award in the category of chamber of commerce with a budget of $500,000 to $1 million.
“We gratefully share this recognition with our over 1,000 Chamber investor businesses, their employees. as well as our board of Directors and the many leaders who come before us who established the chamber as a business success, convener of leaders and influencers, and champion for our thriving business community,” said Jimmy Lane, IOM, President & CEO of the Cocoa Beach Regional Chamber of Commerce.
The roots of the Cocoa Beach Regional Chamber of Commerce reach back some 80 years
In 1921, Cocoa, Rockledge, and Merritt Island began separate Chambers of Commerce. In 1925, Cocoa Beach opened its Chamber.
These small Chambers worked hard for the good of their municipalities and helped build a positive foundation for the businesses in the area. However, community visionaries recognized that a consolidated organization would have a stronger and more effective voice.
In 1967, a committee from each of the Chambers formed. Through most of 1968, these committees met to lay the ground rules of a combined Chamber.
On September 1, 1968, the Cocoa-Rockledge Chamber, the Merritt Island Chamber, and the Cape Kennedy Chamber joined together to form the Cape Kennedy Area Chamber of Commerce, with Dudley Jewell as the first Executive Director.
The first Chairman of the Board, in 1968, was Tommy Alston. He also repeated as Chairman in 1975. Tommy still closely follows the Chamber’s activities and is President of Alston Properties, Inc., in Merritt Island.
The list of past chairpersons reads like a “who’s who” of past and current business and community leaders.
Today, the Cocoa Beach Regional Chamber of Commerce is the largest business organization in Brevard County and continues to serve as a strong voice for the important issues facing our area.
“We are concerned about responsible growth, seeking a legislative and economic climate that encourages business development and creates job opportunities. Working together, we look forward with optimism to a future of peace and prosperity for our area and nation,” said a Cocoa Beach Regional Chamber of Commerce spokesperson.
Related Story:MATT REED: We Rode the Brightline Train. Now We Definitely Want a Brevard Station!
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Florida is known for many things, from the epic Everglades airboat tours to its theme park scene in cities like Orlando that’s simply unmatched. However, more than anything else, the Sunshine State is recognized for its 1,197-mile coastline, which is the longest in the lower 48.Bordering both the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, Florida offers over 800 miles of accessible beaches, and no matter where you are in the state,...
Florida is known for many things, from the epic Everglades airboat tours to its theme park scene in cities like Orlando that’s simply unmatched. However, more than anything else, the Sunshine State is recognized for its 1,197-mile coastline, which is the longest in the lower 48.
Bordering both the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, Florida offers over 800 miles of accessible beaches, and no matter where you are in the state, you are never far from a beautiful sandy stretch. From the nicest beaches in Miami to the beautiful beaches in Florida's state parks, you have endless options to explore.
Better yet, if you’d rather enjoy a beachside getaway served with a dose of small-town charm, then you should opt for the prettiest small coastal towns in Florida, starting with these gorgeous gems.
Some vacation spots are great to retire in, but these seven places in Florida are terrible for retirement, even though they're great to visit.
Known as the surf capital of the East Coast, Cocoa Beach isn't just one of the prettiest small coastal towns Florida has in store; it's also renowned for its surfing experiences that are hard to beat, whether a beginner or an expert.
There are surfboards to rent, surfing lessons you can take, and even the Florida Surf Museum, where you can learn about the history of this fun water activity.
Besides surfing, strolling along the Cocoa Beach boardwalk, spending time in Coconuts on the Beach, the town’s only beach bar, and paddling the Thousand Islands will be a treat!
The best time to visit | Spring for water activities; fall for fewer crowds |
Beaches to visit | Alan Shephard Beachfront Park, Robert P. Murkshe Memorial Park, and Cocoa Beach Pier. |
Population |
Founded by John Jensen, an immigrant pineapple farmer from Denmark in 1888, Jensen Beach was once the "Pineapple Capital of the World", a status it gained in 1895, only a few years after it was discovered.
Although the pineapple industry didn’t survive for long, strolling through Jensen Beach’s downtown area feels like a brilliant walk in the olden days. Beyond that, Jensen Beach is one of the prettiest coastal towns in Florida, attracting travelers with its beaches, delicious culinary scene, and unique shopping.
If you are looking for a relaxing coastal experience, look no further than Jensen Beach.
Lauderdale-by-the-Sea is one of the small beach towns in Florida that are laid-back and low-key and makes a wonderful day trip from the popular Fort Lauderdale, which is only a 15-minute drive away.
This locale boasts an incredibly walkable town, but it's the shore diving scene that is truly one of the most unforgettable experiences in Florida; you can swim just 100 yards to get to the nearshore reefs!
The town also offers wonderful waterfront dining, unique shopping, and amazing accommodations you can choose from. The scenery is stunning, and you will fall in love with this place.
Located on Amelia Island, a hidden Florida gem that was recently voted America’s best island, Fernandina Beach is among the prettiest small coastal towns in the Sunshine State and offers a wide range of attractions and fun activities.
The county seat of Nassau County, this town is historic, and the Victorian courthouse, which was constructed in 1891, is Florida’s oldest county courthouse. Located northwest of Jacksonville, the town is also recognized for being the birthplace of the modern-day shrimping industry, and you can’t visit the town without trying this delicious food.
Fernandina Beach also offers a gorgeous shoreline, an amazing seafood scene, and incredible golfing experiences – and makes a perfect option for tourists looking for a serene beach adventure on Florida’s coast.
A portion of the Miami metropolitan area, Key Biscayne was founded by the Spanish explorer, Juan Ponce de León in 1513, but it had been inhabited by the Tequesta Indians for thousands of years before that.
Today, it is a beautiful coastal gem with many fun adventures to enjoy, from breathtaking sunset and city views at the Rusty Pelican to getting an insight into Florida’s unique ecosystems at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center.
Key Biscayne’s beach scene is incredible and makes a great choice for beach bums looking for fun, quiet, and relaxing adventures. You can also take a day trip to the nearby Biscayne National Park, where snorkeling meets turquoise water.
Geologically speaking, Captiva Island, along with its sister, Sanibel Island, is pretty young, only formed 6,000 years ago by the rising sea levels in the Gulf of Mexico, which separated them from the mainland. Located only an hour from Fort Myers, Captiva Island is known today for being a premier shelling destination.
It’s home to over 250 types of shells, with Lighthouse Beach, Blind Pass Beach, and Bowman’s Beach offering some of the best shelling experiences. The island is also a great spot for catching stunning sunsets, watching dolphins, and indulging in fun water activities, like fishing, swimming, and kayaking.
This coastal town is rarely crowded, making it a perfect spot to enjoy a secluded island getaway in Florida.
Only about five miles north of St. Pete Beach, Madeira Beach is one of the best beach towns along Florida’s Gulf Coast. Its breathtaking scenery, stunning sandy stretches, and pristine Gulf waters make it among the prettiest small coastal towns in Florida.
There are plenty of fun ways to enjoy this seaside town’s charm, including boating, jet skiing, watching dolphins, and swimming. Its family atmosphere also makes it a unique gem, and parents with kids will have a blast at the Alligator & Wildlife Discovery Center, where more than 160 unique animals, including alligators, thrive.
The town is also famous for its John’s Pass Village and Boardwalk, which includes delicious restaurants, unique shops, and a lively boardwalk.