The 2013 LRE Symposium in Spain

Rob Thomson, Managing Partner, of Waterfront Properties and Club Communities attended the 2013 Luxury Real Estate International Symposium held in Valencia, Spain this year.  Luxury Real Estate (LRE) is one of the world’s leading international networks of real estate professionals. Waterfront Properties is one of the organization's longstanding and respected members.  This symposium welcomes a large contingent of prominent luxury real estate brokerage firms from across the globe, including North America, South America, Europe, and the Far East.

Connecting at this conference allows Rob and his team at Waterfront Properties, to look towards the future and provide insights for successful relationships with clients and colleagues.  Speakers and…

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Housing Market in Florida Makes A Come Back!

News of the real estate market in south Florida making a come back has been making headlines. According to the recent home price index released by Standard & Poor (S&P) in January of 2012, the prices of homes in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade Counties have risen considerably. Since October of 2011, the home prices have risen 0.8 percent and a whopping 9.9 percent from the year before. October was the 11th consecutive month that home prices have grown in these three counties on an annual basis, according to the Sun Sentinel.

The chairman of the S&P price index, David M. Blitzer, stated, “Prices are rising, as are both new and existing home sales.” He also made the comment that the “housing market is clearly recovering.” His enthusiasm and the positive…

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Seafood Festival

You are cordially invited to Port Salerno Seafood Festival. “The fish is fresh, the beer is cold, and the smiles are always warm!”  The Port Salerno Commercial Fishing Dock Authority, Inc. hosts this seafood festival each year, which is a not for profit in the Stuart area on January 26, 2013.  Seven years ago, it started as a humble fish fry and it has evolved into one of the tastiest events on the waterfront! Along with the Boys and Girls Club of Martin County, and others, this year’s organizers are anticipating 40,000 visitors to the festival.  www.bgcmartin.org/ 

Located around the Manatee Pocket area of Stuart and along the water near Pirate’s Loft, the festival is accessible by free water taxi or free trolley service.  Water taxi service will…

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Social Security Deadline Approaching!

Uncle Sam wants the over 5 million households to remember if you are still getting Social Security checks by means of paper, you have until March 1, 2013 to switch to electronic delivery.  The Treasury Department is phasing out paper check payments and requiring federal benefit recipients to get their money electronically.  You have the choice to switch to direct deposit or the U.S. government’s Master Card debit card.  The modification is not optional.  All new Social Security recipients since 2011 have been required to use the electronic system.  Remaining Social Security recipients must choose one of two options by March 1.  If this applies to you, here is how to sign up:

DIRECT DEPOSIT:

  • - Go to www.godirect.org. The Federal Reserve and the…

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Better Your Home!

One of the biggest misconceptions many homeowners have when the time comes to sell their home is they just put it on the market and hope for the best.  Actually NOT putting any money into it could be very costly!  Often times, many sellers want to be out of theirs homes quickly, and forget that marketing the home is crucial.  Here are a few ways that can boost you above your competition.

  1. Paint.  A fresh coat of neutral paint will attract many homebuyers. Do not forget baseboards, trim, outdoor shutters, and the front door.
  2. Curb Appeal.  Did you know that a majority of homebuyers make up their mind about a home before they even enter a home?  Ensure landscaping, flowers, lawn, trees and scrubs are all free of weeds and fallen branches.  Remove…

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The Fiscal Cliff

The House approved a Senate bill and our country has avoided the dreaded “fiscal cliff”.  As anticipated the vote, held Tuesday evening, fell along partisan lines, but how does this affect you or your family in 2013?  

The following items are key concerns to most Americans:

-  Income taxes for Americans earning less than $400,000 (joint filers earning less than $450,000) will NOT go up. “Bush-era” tax cuts are staying. 

-  Payroll Tax for Social Security is INCREASING back 6.2% from 4.2%. For every $30,000 earned anticipate taking home $50 less per month (approximately $600 per year).

-  Unemployment has been EXTENDED for a year. 

-  Child Tax Credit has been EXTENDED.  

-  Research and Development Tax Credit EXTENDED.

-  Tuition Tax…

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Purchasing a home is similar to looking for life partner.  You may go on many first dates and in the end, the one that has the most, but not all the characteristics that you desire, will win you heart. The same holds true when searching for your dream home. 

However, first-time homebuyers and even the most experienced homebuyers can get frustrated and disappointed with how long the process can take.  Yet they may not understand how their expectations, views, and lack of action may be causing the delay in finding the right home.

One of the biggest hazards a buyer can fall into is not working with an expert buyer’s agent. Waterfront Properties and Club Communities buyer’s agents can assist buyers readily identify the best-suited properties in the…

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Mayfair International Realty 

It is undisputed in the luxury realty market if one is looking for uncompromising service for discriminating clients - membership within Mayfair International Realty is advantageous!  Waterfront Properties and Club Communities has been the exclusive member of this network that redefines international real estate marketing for their discerning clients for many years.

Mayfair International Realty was founded in 1995 as a real estate service for London clients seeking country homes and estate agents seeking representation in London.  Over the years, the company has transitioned into a worldwide organization representing 125 real estate brokerages and 350 offices.  Their unique approach to marketing includes Country Club UK.  This is a unique concierge…

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Jupiter Lighthouse

CoreLogic (NYSE: CLGX) a leading provider of information, business services and analytics released its October 2012 report comparing it to October 2011.  It noted home prices nationwide, including distressed sales, increased on a year over year basis by 6.3 percent.  This change signifies the biggest increase since June of 2006.  It is also the eighth consecutive increase in home prices nationally on a year-by-year basis. www.corelogic.com

Anand Nallathambi, President and CEO of CoreLogic, stated, “We are seeing an ongoing strengthening of the residential housing market. Reduced inventories and improving buyer demand are contributing to stability and growth in home prices which is essential to the long term health of the housing market and the…

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Building Up!

Last year Warren Buffet predicted, we will come back big time on employment when residential construction comes back.” According to the H.U.D. and U.S. Census Bureau there was a 5.7% increase in the number of newly built single-family homes in the United States.  This is the fastest pace since April of 2010, when first time homebuyers hurried to take advantage first time homebuyer tax credit opportunities.

Hovnanian CEO, Ara Hovnanian told NBC, “We are undoubtedly on the recovery route.  It is not a question of are we beginning it.  I’d say it began at the beginning of the year and that’s not just for Hovnanian, that’s for the entire industry.”  Hovnanian noted net sales for the ten public homebuilders have increased 30% year over year.  Barry…

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