istock_000021094537xsmall_383_02

Seattle based Zillow, an online real estate database known and respected in the industry for its housing precisions, has released its 2014 list of TOP 10 Hottest Home Markets For 2014.  Our area is right in middle of the list!

The Seattle based group report; released on December 5, 2013, has South Florida in Fifth Place!   Zillow reports, “The list is intended to give an early view into the housing markets that are likely to experience a heavy demand for homes, as well as increasing home values."

Four bold housing predictions by Zillow for 2014 include:

  1.  U.S. Home values will increase by 3 percent.
  2. Mortgage rates will reach 5 percent by the end of the year.
  3. It will be easier for borrowers to get a mortgage in 2014.
  4. Homeownership rates…

8984 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

istock_000017495518xsmall_347

A June report by the Realtors Association of the Palm Beaches is reporting the inventory of homes for sale in Palm Beach County has dropped again!  This low inventory of homes is pushing levels below a five months’ supply leaving very few properties to show to eager buyers. The report indicates findings of only 5,766 single family homes on the market last month; this is a 48 percent drop from this time last year!

The Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller index is reporting, “home prices continue to rise in South Florida” from a year ago.  It’s the 16th consecutive increase”  and that the “home price index for Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade counties rose 13 percent in April from a year ago.  It’s the 16th consecutive jump.”

The Case-Shiller index covering 20…

7633 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

istock_000017737932xsmall_425_01

1.    AMP UP CURB APPEAL:  Does the outside of your home make them want to see the inside?  The first thing the buyer sees is the outside of your home.  Make it as appealing as possible.  Maintain the yard, a clean driveway and an inviting porch.  Drawing the buyer in wanting to see more, it is a good start.  Touch-up or repaint exterior.  Plant fresh annual flowers, keep porches swept, and gutters clean.  Showing that the exterior of your home is well kept will lead buyers to the assumption that the home is well kept in general.

2.    SIMPLIFY, CLEAN, and DE-CLUTTER:  Do a deep clean or hire a professional cleaning service to make sure your home looks its best.  Keep beds made and carpets vacuumed.  Rooms will look larger by removing clutter. Over stuffed…

8065 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

photo_12_600

This Memorial Day please take a moment to commemorate all the men and women who have died while in military service for the United States of America.

This noble holiday started as an event to honor Union and Confederate soldiers who had died during the Civil War. After World War I, it was extended to include all men and women, who had died in any war or military action.  It was originally known as “Decoration Day” and fell on May 30, regardless of the day of the week on which it fell.  In 1968, a bill, known as the Uniform Holidays Bill passed, and Memorial Day became officially observed on the last Monday in May as a national holiday.

Memorial Day is not to be confused with Veteran’s Day.  Memorial Day is a day of remembering those who died while serving in…

10785 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

istock_000019330829xsmall_425_01

Canadian snowbirds may soon be able to spend two extra months nesting in their favorite spot, the sunshine state!  Each year Canadian snowbirds find their way to sunny south Florida. Currently, Canadians, aged 55 and older have a 182 day annual limit to stay in the U.S. without a visa. Winding its way through Congress is a provision that would extend that limit to 240 days – about eight months total.

Canadians represent a major boost to the economy in the U.S., particularly southern states such as Florida.  Florida recently dropped the requirement of an international drivers permit after strong objections from the Canadian Lobby.  Canadians are flocking to the sugary sand beaches of the Jupiter and Tequesta areas.   The surrounding areas are well known for…

7804 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

istock_000004121232xsmall_361_01

After five grueling years, Americans are feeling optimistic about the housing market and rightly so! “National home prices have been on the uptick for eight straight months and jumped 6.3 percent year over year in October – the largest increase since June 2006” according to CoreLogic.  CoreLogic is a North American corporation providing financial, property and consumer information, analytics and business intelligence.  The company analyzes data and information to clients and government with analytics and customized data services.

Bidding wars are making a comeback here in South Florida, and many properties located here on the desirable waterfront in Jupiter, Tequesta and surrounding areas are seeing multiple offers.  Buyers need to prepare themselves…

7568 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

marina-district_388The 10-block long Marina District in Riviera Beach that stretches from Blue Heron Boulevard to the Port of Palm Beach will undergo a major redevelopment over the next few years. There is a lot of talk that it will increase market value, with the goal to revitalize the beautiful waterfront area and make it another great area for Singer Island residents and guests to go and enjoy all that South Florida has to offer.

Included in the redevelopment is the addition of 150 new boat slips as well as a re-construction of the Marina, new restaurants, hotel, retail, and office space, and new housing. Bicentennial Park and Newcomb Hall will also undergo reconstruction.

Renovations have already started in the marina and everything is expected to be completed in phases…

5886 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Price Gaps are Closing!

Catching a lot of attention this week in the real estate world, are the results we are seeing in “list-to-close price gaps.” This price gap is the difference between the price of a listed home and the price you want to pay for it. According to an article in MainStreet, the difference between the seller’s asking price and the final sale price is diminishing. This means that sellers are getting offers and eventually sales near their original asking price. According to the study by MainStreet, the average home in America sold for 98.3% of the asking price in December of 2013, a nice increase from the 97.1% in January of 2011. 

There are different ways you can look at this news. Some may think that it is only good news for the seller because they are…

7920 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

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…

6533 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

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…

6087 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post