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Rob Thomson, managing partner at Palm Beach County’s exclusive real estate firm of Waterfront Properties and Club Communities offers strong ties and marketing relationships with leading brokers in the Europe, the United Kingdom, Asia and Latin America.  These global connections have consistently lead to home sales from international buyers.

Thomson’s membership into the invitation only Who’s Who in Luxury Real Estate, as well as sitting on the executive board, has enabled him and his expert team of professionals, market homes for clients to a worldwide audience.  Thomson, along with manager David Abernathy, has been forward thinking on real estate technology.  This foresight has enabled Waterfront Properties to become the accomplished and highly sought…

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Do you live in one of the most dynamic cities of 2014?  Only seven of the top 20 cities were from the United States.
 
MSNBC Real Estate reported on a study that ranked 111 global cities looking for specific hallmarks of lively and progressive areas.  Using three main categories – commercial real estate, socio-economic momentum and high-value incubators representing “the quality of a city’s infrastructure, its innovation capability and the strength of its technology sector.”
 
California harbored two - San Francisco and San Jose, thanks to their high tech Silicone Valley contributions.  An ability to foster new and creative businesses, adapt and innovate quickly and new building construction were some of the criteria for the cities.

The top ten upwardly…

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According to data provided by the National Association of Realtors, a lack of houses for sale continues to lift the prices of homes for sale in much of the country, and our area.  This in turn has pushed down the number of existing homes sold in January.

The torrential weather has not helped either. NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun said, “Disruptive and prolonged winter weather patterns across the country are impacting a wide range of economic activity, and housing is no exception.   Some housing activity will be delayed until spring.”

The National Association of Realtors noted some significant changes among the population of homebuyers.

1.     First time homebuyers accounted for 26% of purchases in January 2014. That is the lowest market share for first…

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Yes, you read that correctly, Edward Snowden, who worked as a contract employee at the U.S. National Security Agency in Hong Kong and leaked documents that damaged the security interests of several nations, has been nominated for the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize! 

Anyone can be nominated for the prestigious award.  Two Socialist lawmakers Baard Vegard Solhjell, a former environmental minister, and Snorre Valen, both from Norway, jointly nominated the former National Security Agency contractor, stating his disclosures have contributed to making a more peaceful world.

In their nomination letter, the Norwegian politicians stated, “We do not necessarily condone or support all of his disclosures.  We are, however, convinced that the public debate and…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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