Graphic image courtesy of HB Smart Home Technology.

With so much emphasis on an eco-friendly living environment, as well as leaving a smaller carbon footprint on our planet, many new homeowners are incorporating "smart home" technology into their new residences. A "smart home" is one that is equiped with special structured wiring which provides its homeowners with energy effciency, security, comfort and convenience knowing that all occupants may remotely access an automated home program whether you're near the home or not.

"Smart Home" is the term commonly used to define a residence that has appliances, lighting, heating, air conditioning, TVs, computers, entertainment, audio & video systems, security, and camera systems that are capable of…

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“Does taking the extra step to stage a home make a difference in how much a buyer is willing to pay for a home?” The experts at The National Association of Realtors (NAR) ask this interesting question and they’ve done the research to support their answer. 

The experts at NAR have done extensive research to support the fact that staging a home for sale will bring in higher offers from buyers as opposed to homes that are not staged. Staging is the practice of decorating a home with furniture, art and décor to give the home a vibrant and lively feel. There are many reputable staging companies as well as knowledgeable realtors for hire for personal home staging. 

NAR has asked realtors, homeowners and potential buyers alike what their opinions are on…

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For those of you who happen to be planning to buy a home in the New Year there is a whole lot to celebrate this upcoming year.  According to National Association of Realtors, “varieties of financial vectors have dovetailed” to make 2016 the year to buy a home.

Mortgage rates have been bouncing around record lows for a while now. However, even though they are likely to start going up, you have not missed your chance to get a deal on a house.  Even though they may creep up at any moment, it is nonetheless a fact that interest rates on home loans are at historic lows, with a 30-year fixed-rate home loan still hovering around 4%.

Rents have skyrocketed! Another reason homebuyers are lucky is that rents are going up, up, up!  In fact, rents in 2015,…

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Not only do we feel an exceptional connection to Florida but also our “sunshine state” has some nationwide fans. Jupiter is just one of the prime examples of perfect south Florida living. Palm Beach County is known for its yearlong good weather, stunning real estate and limitless fun. For those who live in Palm Beach County, the beach is your backyard; boating and fun in the sun is commonplace. 

The Travel Chanel has dubbed Florida’s beaches as some of the best in the world. The beaches offer visitors and residents a sandy escape from the hectic world. South Florida has become synonymous with lavish living, a relaxing environment and a great deal of culture and fun. The Travel Chanel has ranked many of Florida’s beaches as top destinations and a few of…

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If asked your opinion on which cities in the world are the most expensive, what would you guess? Singapore, Hong Kong, Palm Beach, Dubai?  Sorry you would be incorrect. According to a new analysis by Swiss Bank USB, they have factored into determining the most expensive cities to live such factors as residential price points, goods and services as well as high taxes and after tax wages.

Anyone who lives in New York City won't be surprised which city is on top of the list, given the extravagant real estate market, city, state, and federal taxes as well.  Interestingly, Swiss cities, is the absence of Singapore- which topped the world list last year, " were markedly more expensive than in last year's study because of the Swiss National Bank's…

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During the holidays, people are so busy with planning family gatherings and prepping for the holidays that real estate purchases seem to fall on the back burner.  According to Forbes Business, the biggest big-ticket items purchased during this time are homes!

Forbes states, “About a million consumers will purchase a home from November to January this year”.  Did you know that according to the Case -Shiller Price Index, typical homes rise around 3% to 5% per year?  They are predicting this year; the gain will be a little bit stronger closer to 6%.  A shortage of inventory is partially to blame.  Thusly, indicating a seller’s market.  Nevertheless, hold on one minute…

Homebuyers must keep in mind that great deals can be had during this time. The…

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The former Jai Alai Fronton at Mangonia Park in West Palm Beach has been selected for a new, $500 million business and technology center. The center is the vision of Victor Palacios, a former real estate broker and businessman. Palacios said his Palm Beach Business and Technology Center would feature businesses and vocational schools as well as a K-12 charter school, a cultural center, a sports venue, some retail and dining, and even a hotel.

The Mangonia Park, a 53 acre piece of land on 45th street that has been owned by boxing promoter, Don King since 1999. The land has been vacant and unused since 1994. It has been appraised by the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser and was given a market value of nearly $7million. 

The possible Business and…

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The most expensive home in the United States is back on the market and listing price is $159 million! The beachfront mansion is located at 935 Hillsboro Mile, Hillsboro Beach, Florida.  The luxe digs feature over 60,000 square feet with 11 bedrooms and 17 bathrooms sprawling over 4.4 acres from the Atlantic Ocean to Intracoastal Waterway.  It includes an IMAX Theater, a 4,500-square-foot infinity edge pool, a $2 million grand staircase, gold leaf finishes, a putting green, a 26-foot tall fountain, and a 30-car garage.

Le Palais Royal just became the most expensive listing in America — again. Le Palais Royal originally was listed a year ago for $139 million. At the time, it was the most expensive formal listing in America. Then a California…

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The latest quarterly report by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), released November 12, 2015, asserting that median prices for existing homes in metropolitan areas continued to climb in the third quarter of 2015, but at a healthier pace that could entice more homebuyers into the market.

"Many of the metro areas with the fastest price appreciation over the past year were in the South — particularly in Florida," says Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist. The economist stated that Florida, in particular, had some of the strongest price appreciation.  Yun stated without question the housing market had its best quarter in nearly a decade. "The demand for buying, picked up speed in many metro areas during the summer as more households…

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 Do you have a passion for fishing, have the courage to battle and recognize the power ladies have, especially when they work together?

Well, one of the most talked about as well as one of the most entertaining charity event in our South Florida community is gearing up for its 7th Annual Fishing Tournament. Bluewater Babes: Fish for a Cure!

This year, Bluewater Babes is being presented by Waterfront Yacht Brokerage, Dex and Sailfish Marina on October 2 & 3, 2015 and will be kicking off the party this Thursday September 17, 2015 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Square Grouper Tiki Bar in Jupiter, Florida.

The two day fundraising event is all about supporting long-standing local charities: Cancer Alliance of Help and Hope and Hearing the…

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