Using renewable, recyclable materials is an increasing trend in building.  Both builders and consumers are more concerned about energy efficiency and leaving a smaller carbon footprint on the planet.  The new energy efficient movement is leaning toward sustainability.

Energy efficient appliances are now standard in new construction and in remodeling. The initial cost is more expensive than that of non-designated energy efficient appliances; however, over the long term the savings outweigh the slightly higher purchase price. Homeowners may qualify for a federal tax credit for making improvements or installing appliances design to boost the energy-efficiency of their home. You must purchase new energy-efficient equipment, and the equipment must be…

7844 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

 

The “Great Florida Reef” is the only living coral barrier reef in the continental United States.  It is the third largest coral reef on the planet.  Florida is the only state that has wide-ranging shallow coral reefs along the coastline.  The Florida Reef Track expanses 358 miles.  These reefs are habitats for a multitude of plants and sea life, providing shelter, breeding grounds, and nourishment.

A natural coral reef occurs in specific environmental conditions. The favorable environmental conditions required for the growth of a natural coral reef are rather warm, clear waters, a solid configuration for attachment, low phosphate and nitrogen nutrients as well as water movement (waves).

Microsoft co-founder and marine conservationist Paul…

6986 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

 

Its seems the majority of the public is bound to their smartphone.  It is anticipated within the next two years a smartphone could be your only computer.  The original (mass marketed to the public) smartphones of 2011 and 2012 were not powerful enough to accomplish all our computer needs.

Consumer trends industry expert and Chief Researcher Carolina Milanesi feels we will not all need desktops. She stated, “Some of us already don’t.” Thanks to increased processing power, better battery life, vastly improved networking speeds, and larger screen sizes on mobile devices, the shift away from the desktop is accelerating. Nevertheless, battery power is not powerful enough.

Solar energy may be the solution.  An environmentally aware company based in…

6573 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

The Food Network, Cooking Channel, along with Food and Wine present the 15th season of epicurean delights in South Beach. The South Beach Wine and Food Festival will be presented February 24-28, 2016 in sunny Miami Beach.

The festival, spanning both Miami – Dade and Broward counties, presents over 80 events featuring a plethora of options  for you to hand pick your favorite wine, spirits and food.  Top food and wine experts will host cooking demonstrations, wine tastings, pairings, gourmet dinners and seminars.  Past food and wine experts, like Emeril Lagasse, Rachel Ray, Bobby Flay, Martha Stewart and others have highlighted the four-day decadent festival.

The South Beach Wine & Food Festival has so many options to delight in such as late night…

5303 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Properties with "perks" have always been a stand out in the real estate market.  Architects have masterfully designed homes with al fresco kitchens, resort style pools and cascading waterfalls, wine cellars and unparalleled home theaters.  Sometimes amenities are just unusual think hydraulic lift transports in the garage to allow double level parking – exotic cars upper level and daily driving cars lower level or hi-tech home security and monitoring panels.  The luxurious amenities available are countless.  If you dream it, they can make it happen!  

Some of the most sought after homes listed feature guest cottages and outdoor living areas containing such open-air amenities as summer kitchens with sub-zero refrigerators and state of art appliances.…

5817 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

 

Voting closes January 25 for CoastalLiving.com and their annual “Happiest Seaside Town in 2016”.  From Hawaii to Alabama and Florida to California, they are considered based on their rank with the Gallup-Healthways Well Being Index.

The Gallup-Healthways Well Being Index methodology is “designed to be the Dow Jones of health, giving a daily measure of people's wellbeing at the close of every day. With a daily measure, determining the correlation between the places where people work and the communities in which they live, and how it impacts their wellbeing”.  It takes into account healthiness of the beaches, percentage of sunny and clear days, standard of living and financial demographics of the areas.

The editors of CoastalLiving.com then focus…

5763 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Beach Front at Singer Island is a luxurious condominium built on 5.7 acres of oceanfront property.  It was built by Toll Brothers in 2007 on a sprawling 5.7 acres and feature all the amenities most condominium owners desire.

Residents have the unique opportunity to view both the sparkling waters of the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean.  Amenities include 24-hour manned security, heated Oceanside pool, extensively decorated lobby, social room, theater room, fitness center, and on-site concierge.

 The 20-story building includes 51 condominiums, with only 3 residences on each floor, along with 8 separate two-story building.  The condominiums consist of two, three, and four bedrooms that range in size from 2,439 to 4,088 square feet.…

6070 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Every year AAA reviews more than 28,000 hotels, which include resorts, bed and breakfasts and historic inns.   Of the 118 hotels that received “Five Diamond” awards, 12 are in Florida!  AAA offers this coveted highest rating to hotels that consistently provide exceptional experiences for their guests.

Three local area hotels received the AAA “Five Diamond” rating.   Eau Palm Beach & Spa, Manalapan, The Breakers, Palm Beach and the Four Seasons Resort, Palm Beach. AAA gives hotels and resorts a thorough examination each year to determine “Five Diamond” status and “Four Diamond” status.

All three hotels take in the Atlantic Ocean vistas and jaw dropping scenery. The sun drenched South Florida climate allows for year round enjoyment to any of the…

5657 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

 

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…

5958 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Harry and the Natives is a wacky, yet genuine, kitschy atmosphere with so much to see! The local hideaway has been in Hobe Sound for years.  Many years and owners have passed since the original cafe, motel and gas station was built of native tidewater pecky cypress.  Today it is still locally owned and operated by a member of the MacArthur family. The sand crest that forms west Hobe Sound has been part of the north-south travel path for years. U.S. Highway One was built on the crest and heavily traveled. In the junction where the restaurant stands marks the intersection of US Highway 1 and the thinnest part of the Intracoastal Waterway in the area. Bridge Road connected Jupiter Island and mainland over the narrow.

Camp Murphy, located in Jonathan…

4654 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post