Florida conjures up images of luxurious palatial homes, palm trees swaying in warm breezes, sparkling swimming pools, expansive stretches of sandy beaches, and seas of boats moored in harbors. It’s where luxury living has been elevated to its limits.  Thinking of moving to South Florida in 2017, consider the hot forecast for real estate in 2017.

Expect a hot year for home sales in 2017, per recent forecasts from the National Association of Realtors, the Mortgage Bankers’ Association, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae and more.

NAR is predicting “existing-home sales to reach 6 million in 2017, higher than its 5.8 million forecast for this year. But other entities are even more bullish. MBA is predicting home sales to eclipse 6.5 million next year,…

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The Town of Jupiter is home to one of the few remaining dog friendly beaches in the State of Florida.  Jupiter is located north of Palm Beach and just south of Stuart, Florida.  Having “man’s best friend” allowed on the 2 and ½ mile stretch of beach is a privilege.  Well behaved dogs and their conscientious owners are always welcome on the beach.

Certain rules apply when you bring Fido to the beach.

  • While off-leash, let dogs run in uncrowded areas, giving no one reason to complain.
  • Don’t let dogs invade the space of or bathroom near other people or dogs uninvited.
  • Clean up after dogs with FJB dog bags, provided at every beach crossover, or bring your own bags.
  • Don’t bury poop or throw it in the dunes or water.  ‘Go’ at home before…

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Valentine's Day is a perfect time for a intimate dinner out. Why not try something out of the ordinary? Impress your sweet valentine with a romantic dinner for two. Several unique Palm Beach County restaurants are offering sweetheart dining experiences at some our local hidden treasures.

Tanzy Restaurant: iPic at Mizner Park, 301 Plaza Real, Boca Raton; 561-922-6699
Couples can feast in the “Ultimate Aphrodisiac Dining Experience,” which features a six-course prix fixe dinner by chef Sherry Yard. Highlights include dishes like “First Course ‘Kiss’,” “Feed Me a Fete,” “Seduction,” “Invigoration,” and more. $75 per person. Hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. today, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, and 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

City Oyster & Sushi Bar: 13 E.…

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Valentine's Day is a time of velvet hearts, chocolate sweets, romantic dinners, and love. It's not clear who the original Valentine was — there were several — but a saint's day with that name was established on the Roman Catholic liturgical calendar as early 1,500 years ago. There are indications that Valentine's Day may have originally been adopted in part to replace of the ancient pagan fertility festival of Lupercalia, which fell on February 13 to 15. By the time of Chaucer in the Middle Ages, the Valentine's Day had become associated with romantic love.

Many couples dream to go to Paris on their honeymoon or on Valentine's Day because the city is so well-known for its romantic walks along the Seine River, sidewalk cafe dining and the sparkling…

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The French Canadian singer, Celine Dion, has extended her Las Vegas residency.  This will extend her contract to perform 70 shows a year at The Colosseum in Caesars Palace through 2019.

The superstar’s 22,775 square-feet, Bahamian style oceanfront home has been on the market since August of 2013.  The estate is situated on 6 acres of prime Jupiter Island real estate.  The home features 13 bedrooms and 14 bathrooms and 6 half baths.  Initially the property was listed for $72.5 million in 2013.  A year later, the residence was reduced to $62.5 million and more recently, it was reduced to $45.5 million.  Further reduction has brought the listing price down to $38,500,000.00.

The South Florida home (see here) boasts one of the longest beachfront…

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Harbourside Place is a “premier downtown destination for shopping, dining, luxury hotel accommodations, entertainment and boating.” Harbourside is located at 200 North U.S. Highway One, Jupiter, Florida. Nestled along Jupiter’s Intracoastal Waterway, Harbourside Place expresses an informal, laid back vibe.

Take a stroll along the Jupiter Riverwalk and have a rest at the Harbourside Place Amphitheater. See why it’s the favorite place of many who visit. Harbourside is complete with delectable restaurants, specialty stores and the Wyndham Grand Jupiter Hotel. A focal point is the center’s waterfront amphitheater. The Amphitheater is the centerpiece for entertainment at Harbourside Place, boasting a canopied stage, interactive fountains, lawn seating…

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Image courtesy of Unlimited Sales Group,Inc.

Southeast Florida hosts the 7th Annual Coral Gables Food, Wine and Spirits Festival on Saturday and Sunday, November 11 – 12, 2016.  The flavorful festival is located just west of Alhambra Circle and Ponce de Leon toward Lejeune in Coral Gables.  Look for the colossal tents and many people.

The festival features a “wines of the world pavilion”.  The wine area will offer samplings of over 200 international reds, whites and rose’s.  After sampling some wine, head over to the “culinary pavilion” which will be offering tasters of the remarkable food from South Florida’s best restaurants. After sampling tasty morsels from area restauranteurs take a breather and stop by the “seminar stage”.  Here at the…

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Are you looking for a delicious cup of gourmet coffee?  Grab a book, kick back, relax and enjoy a cup of java in the Palm Beaches.  In addition to the gorgeous beaches, tranquil waterways, surreal sunrises and sunsets the local area boasts amazing coffee houses.

The Palm Beach Post conducted a survey of readers on “Who has the best coffee in the Palm Beaches?”  The results varied with three local coffeehouses rising to the top.

Topping the poll at Number 1 is Subculture Coffee Roasters, located at 509 Clematis Street, West Palm Beach and 123 East Atlantic Avenue, Delray Beach.  Subculture offers a relaxed atmosphere and small batch artisan coffee.  Coffee beans are harvested and imported from Ethiopia, Oromia, Panama, and Chinqui providing…

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Now that the housing market has steadied after more than a decade of difficulties, this could be the perfect opportunity to invest in a home. It is said that South Florida is an earmarked real estate market and it’s driving the prices of real estate up. 

The Case-Shiller 20 City Index noted that home values rose 5.7%.  Leading economists think prices will continue to rise, at least in the interim. Nationally, Miami is considered one of the top 20 metropolitan cities with highest growth forecast.  Topping the list is another South Florida city, Tampa. 

The National Association of Realtors is forecasting a 4.4% increase in existing home prices and in 2017 an increase of 3.4%.  According to Miami Board of Realtors, “South Florida housing…

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Image Courtesy of Turtle Beach Construction.

One of the first things many South Florida homebuyers look at when purchasing a new home is the kitchen. The kitchen can "make or break" a home.  In the Palm Beaches, indoor/outdoor living is paramount and the kitchen is the most trafficked room in the house. An upgraded kitchen can make your home stand above others and make it irresistible. 

If considering a kitchen renovation, building a new home, or just an update to your existing decor, take a look at the current design trends for 2016. Some of the hottest trends in kitchens these days, according to Forbes Magazine,  include hardwood floors, transitional styling and white in the kitchen. As a general rule of thumb, spend between 6-10% of the total…

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