real estate advice: How to Get the Best Offer for Your Pet-Friendly Condo - 08/21/17 08:14 AM
Do you remember the headache of searching for a pet-friendly, luxury condo?
Congratulations. It’s time for the payoff.
While it was probably a frustrating journey to find the perfect place for you and your four-legged family members, now that you’re selling, you’re actually at an advantage.
All the obstacles you found as a buyer will now help bring top dollar for your pet-friendly condo in South Florida. But only if you help buyers find your property and sell it in the right light.
Here are four quick tips to help you get the most for your highly desirable condo.
Make sure your listing highlights the pet-friendly aspects of … (0 comments)

real estate advice: Should You Buy a Second Home in Florida? Answer These Questions. - 08/07/17 05:59 AM
Owning your home is a smart way to build equity and create more stability in your life. But what about buying a second home? Does it offer the same advantages for buyers?
A second home can be a great way to put down roots in your favorite vacation spot or start a real estate investment portfolio. This is particularly attractive for buyers in their early fifties to late sixties. You likely have solid credit, a decent job, and you may have recently paid off your first mortgage. Plus, the kids are probably out of the house and finished with college. With their … (1 comments)

real estate advice: Keep Your Cool (And Save Money) with these 6 Energy Efficient Upgrades - 07/31/17 10:08 AM
We’re blessed with excellent weather in South Florida. Warm winters and relatively cool summers allow us to go the whole year without fretting over energy costs.
But energy efficiency should be a top priority for any homeowner. There’s no need to throw money out the window when you can caulk that window and save the cash for something more exciting than air conditioning.
Whether you are looking to cut costs, reduce your carbon footprint, or get your home ready to sell, here are a few energy upgrade ideas to help you out.
Maximize Your InsulationLet’s be honest, when it comes to renovating, insulation has … (1 comments)

real estate advice: Are You Ready for the 2017 Hurricane Season in Florida? - 07/10/17 06:52 AM
Believe it or not, it’s that time again: hurricane season. While it’s easy to grow complacent in the calmer seasons of winter and spring, Florida residents, especially those of us near the coast, should be diligent once the new season of storms hits us.
Whether you are a seasoned hurricane veteran or this is your first year to experience a storm season in Florida, here’s what you need to know to be prepared for the next six months.
Predictions for the 2017 Atlantic SeasonOfficially, the 2017 Atlantic Season began on June 1st, but a named storm (Tropical Storm Arlene) was the first to … (1 comments)

real estate advice: Is Your Realtor Staging Your Home Incorrectly? - 05/22/17 10:23 AM
Staging your home is one of the most effective ways to ensure that it sells quickly and for top dollar. A savvy Realtor can help guide you through the staging process, from choosing a stager to the finishing touches.
Unfortunately, an inexperienced agent can accidentally sabotage your home staging by making mistakes. Avoid the following common missteps in the staging process to make sure you get the best value for your property.
Choosing a stager on price alone.Obviously, you want your Realtor to be budget conscious when it comes to marketing and presenting your home. That doesn’t mean you should automatically choose the cheapest stager, … (2 comments)

real estate advice: Home Renovations that Make Sense - 05/15/17 08:20 AM
If your home is on the market here in South Florida, or destined soon to be there, then you may want to consider some renovation, especially if your home is somewhat dated. 
And if you’re not moving, consider fixing up now so you can enjoy the improvements until you’re ready to sell.
Everybody’s favorite place to fix-up: the kitchen.
You have two choices in the kitchen: minor remodel, or major remodel. The minor usually involves re-facing or replacing the cabinet drawers and doors and buying newer appliances. A standard kitchen will probably cost about $7500 to $15,000.
A major remodel, which usually means a total … (0 comments)

real estate advice: 13 Questions to Ask Before You Buy a Condo in South Florida - 05/08/17 06:57 AM
Boca Raton’s combination of oceanfront views and vibrant urban living makes it a great location for condominiums. They provide access to some of South Florida’s best features at a lower premium than a single-family dwelling but allow you to invest in your home rather than renting.
If you are debating whether to purchase a condo in Boca Raton, Delray Beach, or another South Florida location, consider the following 13 questions to guide your search.
Questions to ask yourself:1) Do I like living close to other people?
One of the biggest differences in condo living is your proximity to your neighbors. Depending on the property, the … (1 comments)

real estate advice: Don’t Make These Costly Mistakes When Selling Your South Florida Home - 05/01/17 12:04 PM
There is much to consider when selling your home. It is an involved process, and mistakes will cost you money or time. Sometimes a little. Sometimes a lot. Here are some of the common mistakes inexperienced sellers make during the process.
1) Sticking around during an open house or showing.At first, it makes sense to think you should be at your house when potential buyers are touring. After all, you know the place better than anyone. You can answer their questions. You believe you can sell them all on its benefits and turn its quirks into “character.” But no good will come of … (0 comments)

real estate advice: 5 Tax Deductions Every Homeowner Should Look Into Before Filing - 03/27/17 08:08 AM
For most of us (except for accountants) tax season isn’t a joyous occasion. However, sometimes there’s some good news for homeowners built into it. Check out these deductions to see if your home can minimize your bill from Uncle Sam.
1) Mortgage InterestThe mortgage interest deduction is the most familiar perk for homeowners when it comes to filing your federal taxes. To encourage citizens to invest in housing, the government allows you to deduct the amount you paid in interest toward your mortgage (for loans less than $1 million).
How much this can save you depends on your income level and your mortgage specifics. For … (1 comments)

real estate advice: Real Estate Expectations for 2017 - 02/20/17 08:15 AM
After a turbulent but generally positive year for real estate in 2016, many potential home buyers, sellers, and investors look forward to 2017 with anticipation. What should we expect for South Florida in the coming year? In general, a more toned-down version of 2016 is likely, but with a few caveats.
Across the country, home values are expected to increase again in 2017. However, experts suggest the gains will be smaller, in the 3.5% range rather than the nearly 5% we saw last year. No single factor determines the overall market, but here are some trends to watch for as the next year unfolds.
Higher … (0 comments)

real estate advice: Selling Your Pet Friendly Boca Raton Condo - 02/06/17 07:21 AM
When it’s time to sell your pet friendly Boca Raton condo, you should find yourself at a slight advantage in the resale market. Why?  Because even though there are hundreds of available condos,  relatively few  condominiums in Boca — especially luxury condos  in Boca Raton — can claim to be pet friendly.
Just as you probably had to work long and hard to find that perfect pet friendly condo in Boca, so will buyers who are headed down to find a Boca Raton home that will accommodate their pets comfortably.
So it’s up to you and to your Boca Raton real estate agent to make sure that … (0 comments)

real estate advice: Three Ways To Turn Off a Boca Raton Buyer - 01/30/17 07:56 AM
You’re ready to sell your Boca Raton home. You’ve hired the realtor, read through the checklist, and you’re sure you’re done everything right. But there are several no-nos that may turn off buyers to even the most beautiful of homes in Boca Raton (yours, for example).
My nose does not smell a rose
Perhaps you have a pet, as so many of us do. And you give your pet the run of your Boca Raton house. After all, he or she is a member of the family and someone that you love.
Like any loved one, pets emit a variety of aromas, and we … (1 comments)

real estate advice: Think You Can’t Afford to Buy a Home? Think Again - 01/16/17 08:00 AM
The South Florida real estate market has been trending upwards with great momentum for some time now, although that growth is likely to begin to slow in the near future. Likewise, interest rates have remained low for a number of years, but have recently begun edging up over the past few months and are expected to continue to rise in 2017.
To put it another way, if you’ve been thinking about buying real estate – especially if you’d be a first-time homeowner – now is the time to take action before it’s too late.
For many prospective buyers, however, it isn’t a lack of … (2 comments)

real estate advice: Why Renters Should Think About Buying Now - 01/09/17 10:38 AM
Renters all across the state are facing the exact same problem: steady and substantial increases in rental rates. Due to a variety of market factors, the cost of renting has skyrocketed around the country, and Florida is no exception.
For the first time in years, these increased rental rates are making it more practical for many people to buy rather than rent. This opening in the market isn’t going to last long – changes on are their way. But for those renters able to take action now, this could well be the best time to buy that we will see for a number … (0 comments)

real estate advice: Are We in Another Housing Bubble? - 12/12/16 08:24 AM
Home values are on the rise in nearly every corner of the United States, and that is certainly true here in Florida. At the end of September, the median single-family home in the state had jumped in price by 12.5% – increasing from $199,900 to $224,900 – over the course of the twelve months prior. This means that the typical homeowner saw their property gain more than $2,000 in value every single month. For some, especially in South Florida, that increase in equity was much greater.
Because of this rapid movement, as well as a number of other factors, many homeowners and even … (0 comments)

real estate advice: 4 Affordable Ways You Can Boost Your Home’s Value - 12/05/16 07:23 AM
According to the United States Census Bureau, the average retirement-age American couple has more than two-thirds – 67.6% to be exact – of their total savings locked away in their home’s equity. That means, for most people, that their primary residence makes up the majority of their wealth and nest egg. So it’s vital that they get as much money out of their home as possible when they decide to sell it.
But not everyone can afford to invest in big renovations before listing their home on the market. In fact, high cost fix-ups typically are not a very cost-effective way to … (2 comments)

real estate advice: Why Baby Boomers Should Consider Selling Their Homes Now - 11/28/16 07:16 AM
A decade ago, South Florida was at the epicenter of the biggest decline in United States housing market history. Today, however, the flood of short-sales and foreclosed properties selling for pennies on the dollar are long gone. And instead of finding themselves deeply underwater on their mortgages, most homeowners are now celebrating the equity they’ve gained through rapid appreciation over the past few years.
Problems for millennials and maybe for baby boomers.
There is one group of people, though, who aren’t quite as happy with continually rising home values: millennials. That’s because the combination of low-paying jobs and the increasing cost of purchasing … (2 comments)

real estate advice: 4 Ways Real Estate Investment Builds Bank Accounts - 11/20/16 11:40 PM
Investing in real estate has long been one of the most popular and powerful ways for investors – both seasoned and just starting out – to establish and grow a significant amount of wealth.
That’s because unlike most other types of investments, real estate provides a variety of different ways in which you can generate revenue and build value. Through comprehensive due diligence and smart investing, real estate can help you grow your nest egg in each of the following ways:
AppreciationFor many people – especially new investors – dreams of building wealth through real estate often center on locating a good deal, … (0 comments)

real estate advice: Make Your Home Bigger Without Construction - 10/31/16 12:18 AM
Maybe you’ve been thinking that you need a larger home. But you don’t have the money to buy it or to add on to your own home. Fortunately, there are a few handy tips and tricks that can make your home look larger and help give it a more comfortable feel.
And if you’re selling your home, these tips can be especially handy for home staging, because they really make the home appear larger, which may help to  attract potential buyers.
Use warm and light colors when painting your home. This can make rooms look larger and more inviting. A modern approach … (0 comments)

real estate advice: 7 Simple Upgrades to Increase Your Home’s Value - 09/19/16 12:27 AM

Even though the South Florida real estate market is hot right now, getting the most out of your home takes more than simply listing it for sale. Sure, you’ll probably receive a variety of offers once your home is on the market, but are you really getting as much money from your sale as possible? In most cases, sellers fail to take advantage of all of the simple home improvements that can collectively add to their home’s value.
If you’re ready to get more money out of selling your home, (and after all, who isn’t?) here are 7 simple upgrades that won’t … (2 comments)