istock_000007670771xsmall_419_03



The April 2014 issue of Jupiter Inlet Magazine polled the readers for a “2014 Best of the Area…Outdoors”

________________________________________________________________________________________________________



     BEST PLACE TO TAKE A DATE for LIVE MUSIC:

            GUANABANA’S/SQUARE GROUPER TIKI BARS
     
    BEST PLACE TO HIKE:

            JONATHON DICKINSON STATE PARK

    BEST  BEACH:

               HOBE SOUND NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE (north end of Jupiter Island)

    BEST PADDLING:

                LOXAHATCHEE RIVER

    BEST SURF BREAK:

                JUNO PIER

    BEST SNORKELING:

             CARLIN PARK

    BEST BOATING:

        INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY
 
    BEST BIRD WATCHING:

            JONATHON DICKINSON STATE PARK
       
      BEST BIKE RIDE:

           …

6568 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

South Florida Tourism

Now that the sun is warming up the northeast, the south Florida ‘season’ for tourism begins to wind down. Our winter season (which isn’t super wintery) has just been bustling and as it ended it set records. Across the nation hotels and resorts boasted 90 percent occupancy in February. This astonishingly high percentage rendered $5.1 million in bed taxes, as documented by the Tourist Development Council. March’s numbers clocked in at 87 percent. A few percentage points in occupancy can mean a gain of 10 percent in revenue because hotel owners can charge harder rates. 

The chief marketing officer for Visit Florida, the tourism agency for the state, Paul Phipps, noted that Florida’s hotel occupancy was 80 percent in March of 2014.  This is 20 percent…

8303 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

istock_000019817503small_784

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…

18665 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

saintpatrick_768

The Palm Beaches gets "its party on" early with parades, bagpipes, green beer and traditional Irish fare. The festivities begin Friday.

Saint Patrick’s Day Festival 2014, Martin Health System Village Square, Port St Lucie, Friday, March 14.  Brought to you by the “Friendly Sons and Daughters of Ireland.  Music and Food Booths.  Anticipated 10,000 attendees. Visit www.festival.net.com for more information.
 
Saint Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival, Flagler Park, Saturday, Stuart, March 15 @ 10:00am.  There will be ice cold beer, hot corned beef and cabbage, traditional bagpipes, lively Celtic music , Irish dancers, plenty of quality vendors and a kid’s area at this fulfilled family event.  Parade starts at 2pm sharp!  8,000 attendees expected.  Visit…

8446 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

istock_000019814065small_2_851

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…

4090 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

phototour_honda_img2_580_01

The Honda Classic will bring the best PGA tour players to Palm Beach County, providing a week of splendid golf entertainment for the entire community beginning February 24 through March 2 at PGA National Resort and Spa.

Tiger Woods, the Number 1 player in the Official World Golf Rankings, and Jupiter Island resident, has committed to compete in the 2014 Honda Classic.  This will be Woods third consecutive year in the Honda Classic.  He finished second in 2012.  Woods said, “The Honda Classic is close to my home, and I want to support it whenever I can. We have a learning center at Murray Middle School in Stuart, and this event does so much to help the community, including the efforts of the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation.”

Honda Classic…

8021 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post


istock_000021867978medium-1_1698

Local Jupiter area “foodies” will delight with the progress of the nationally renowned chain, The Fresh Market, and their local outpost.  

For over 30 years, The Fresh Market, focuses on providing high quality products from around the world.  It started in North Carolina as a tiny little store and grew to over a 100 stores in over 20 states across the nation.

Each store focuses on the customer and the shopping experience.  It has an open-air feel and “an old world charm, stocked with fresh meats, seafood, fruits, and vegetables.  They wanted the store to be a fresh concept in grocery shopping.”

This "European feel" market will be present at the new local site of The Fresh Market in Jupiter and is currently under construction at The Shops at Fisherman’s Wharf…

13993 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

istock_000021678672xsmall_365

As Managing Partner of one of the most successful luxury real estate companies in the Southeast United States, Rob Thomson has mastered many things.  One key strategy is to identify unique marketing opportunities, and secondly, network with the best!

Thomson will be attending the 2014 Luxury Real Estate International Symposium held in Monte Carlo, Monaco this year.  LRE is one of the world’s leading international networks of real estate professionals, and Waterfront Properties and Club Communities is one of the organizations longstanding and respected members.  Thomson is a member of Board of Regents and an exclusive, and youngest, member of the Billionaires Club (for real estate professionals who have sold over $1 billion).

This symposium will welcome the…

13678 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

happycouple_425

South Florida offers such a diversified lifestyle.  Not only do the Jupiter/Tequesta, North Palm Beach, and Stuart areas boast some of the most stunning beach and waterfront residences on the eastern seaboard, it has fantastic things to do!

In addition, to the unlimited obvious water sports and fishing opportunities that present themselves here, the area has world class shopping and entertainment.  Unleash you’re your passion for fashion on infamous Worth Avenue, Palm Beach or stroll for antiques on “Antique Row” in West Palm Beach.  Find the latest pieces from Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton and discover over 160 specialty shops at The Gardens Mall, including Saks, Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, Macy's, and Sears located in Palm Beach Gardens.

Palm Beach County…

8342 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

 

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…

8804 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post