Your Pets are Good for YouYour pets are good for you.  I've been saying it for years.  Now it's been proven by the medical professionals.  So it begs the question, why then are pets restricted in so many communities in south Florida.  And that's a very good question, one which I wish I had the answer to.   But that’s a topic I know I've written about many times.  PHYSICAL ACTIVITYMost dogs go outside to do their business. Walking is great exercise for your dog and for you.  It’s good for their healthy and yours.   Of course, please check with your doctor first before starting any walking regimen.  But if you have a dog, hopefully, you’re going to walk the dog.  With that twice-or-more daily walk, you are both getting physical exercise.  And that’s a good thing!  SOCIALIZATIONDogs are so... 09/22/2023

It seems every time I talk to Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400, I get off the phone with an idea for a blog.  Last night she asked me, So do you have an idea for a blog?  I told her no, and I really didn't.  But lo and behold, an hour later, I did. So here goes.   This month Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400 and John Meussner want to know what makes you exceptional as an agent.  I think there are two things that make me stand out from my peers in real estate.  The first goes my back to my parents.  They were truly people of integrity who taught me to do the right thing.   The second goes back to my years as a Court Reporter.  In Court Reporting, things have to be done a certain way - the right way.  Transcripts have to go out as near perfect as possible so they don't read (phonet... 07/24/2023

Just Sold!  Pet-Friendly Country Club | Boca Raton FL Congratulations to the buyers on this beautiful pool home with golf course views in Boca Woods Country Club!Oh, and did I mention it's also pet friendly?  You bet!  So the buyers can bring their beautiful dog along with them to enjoy their new Florida home.  The house has two bedrooms, two baths and a den. Boca Woods has two golf course courses, seven Har-Tru tennis courts, pickle ball, bocce ball, fitness center, spa services, card rooms, and clubhouse with dining.Take a look at these views.      07/05/2023

6 Tips for a pet-friendly houseFollowing are some tips for finding and setting up a pet-friendly home.  We love our pets so, naturally, we want them to be safe as well as comfortable. After all, they're family!  IS THE COMMUNITY PET FRIENDLYIf you're looking to buy a new home, the first thing to check is if the community or condo is pet friendly to your pet.  Will it accept your cat?  Will it accept your Goldendoodle or your two German Shepherds?  This is definitely your starting point.  Once you've narrowed down a community, check to see if there are veterinarians, groomers, pet stores, dog parks, dog beaches, whatever it is you may need within a reasonable distance.  You don't want to buy a home only to find out the closest vet is over an hour away.  That would be nightmare in an emer... 04/19/2023

8 Tips to Get Rid of Pet Odors Here are 8 tips to get rid of pet odors.  We may not notice them but, trust me, they're there.  We tend not to notice pet odors on a day-to-day basis because we live with them.  Believe me, I'm in this group with you.   If you're thinking of selling your home, you need to realize not everyone feels the way we do about our pets.  Many people are allergic and they're sensitive to animals odors, or they just may not care for them. You should take care of this before you list your house for sale.  Don't wait until someone complains.  Don't give them a reason to complain.  The object is to get your house sold.  AIR YOUR HOME OUTTip # 1:  Air your home out.  Open windows.  Run your air conditioner.  Get the air circulating, and have your air conditioner professi... 04/10/2023

03/10/2023

Is Now a Good Time to Buy a House in Boca Raton Is now a good time to buy a house?  The answer is yes, it is a good time to buy a house or a condo or whatever you're looking for.  Let me explain.The past 18 months have been tough on buyers.  They were dealing with multiple offers, short showing periods on weekends, offers due by Sunday night.  Highest and best.  Buyers were being forced to waive contingencies they normally wouldn't.   It was really rough on them.As a result, many buyers had had enough.  You can push a buyer just so far.  Some buyers left Boca Raton and the surrounding areas for other areas, while others took a break. MORE INVENTORYHowever, the tables are turning.   We now have more inventory than we've seen in a long time.  Not in every community, but in many communitie... 07/16/2022

5 Newer Pet Friendly Gated Communities in Boca Raton & Delray Beach   People are interested in newer pet-friendly gated communities in Boca Raton and Delray Beach that were built by GL Homes. There are 5 newer gated communities, and they are all pet-friendly.These 5 communities are built out.  There are only resales now.  These are the 5 newer communities along Lyons Rd in Boca Raton and Delray Beach people are referring to. THE BRIDGES IS PET FRIENDLYThe Bridges was the first of the newer gated communities to be built along Lyons Rd.  I've already introduced you to The Bridges, so let's talk about the rest of them.   SEARCH HOMES FOR SALE IN THE BRIDGES SEVEN BRIDGES IS PET FRIENDLYSeven Bridges is a gated community with approximately 700 homes in Delray Beach.  It is directly across t... 07/07/2022

Is Now a Good Time to Sell My House   People are asking:   Is now a good time to sell my house?  The answer is yes, now is a good time to sell your house.There are many moving parts to what is going on in the world today, and what is going on in your world today.  Let's take a look.  WHY IT'S A GOOD TIME TO SELLThe market is different than it was three months or four months ago.  The real estate market is even different than it was one month ago. We are still in a seller’s market, but there has been a shift.  It's a subtle shift, but it's there.  For the most part, houses are not selling in a day, nor are they getting 15 or 20 offers in a weekend.  The insanity, that was all too common this past winter, seems to have subsided some.I’m starting to see some price drops, and some homes tha... 06/16/2022

Tips for Being a Good Pet NeighborIf you have a pet, here are some tips for being a good pet neighbor.  After all, who needs to have problems with your neighbors?  That's the last thing you need.Along with owning a pet comes the responsibility of being a good pet neighbor.  LEASH YOUR DOGMake sure your dog is on a leash before you leave your house.  In other words, don't open your garage door without having your dog's leash on first and in your hand.   Seems simple, but it happens.  Some counties have a leash law.   Palm Beach County is one that does.  Know the laws where you live.  If you live in a pet friendly gated community or a pet friendly 55+ gated community, they also have rules with regard to leashing your dogs. TRAIN YOUR DOGTrain your dog.  Some dogs don't get along well with... 06/08/2022

7 Great Tips For Getting Your House Ready To SellHere are 7 great tips for getting your house ready to sell.  Preparing to sell your home takes a bit of work, but it's worth it.  Clean, updated homes sell better, faster and for more money.   You want your home to look its best.  Remember, you only get one chance to make a first impression.  TIP # 1:  CURB APPEALClean up the outside.  Rake dead leaves and trash out from between and around the bushes.  There is nothing worse than seeing trash as you're walking in to see a house. Plant some pretty flowers and trim  back hedges and trees, if needed.  Paint the front door.  Make it look inviting.  I can't tell you how many complaints I get from buyers who say, They're selling their house and they can't even paint the front door!  Power wash ... 06/03/2022

IT'S A TOUGH MARKET FOR BUYERSIt's a tough market for buyers these days.  The real estate market over the past 18 months has certainly been crazy, but the past 6 months have been especially tough on buyers.   With virtually no inventory and too many buyers for each home that comes up, it has gotten hairy and downright ugly at times. DON'T GIVE UPif you're a buyer looking for a home, don't give up.  There are always homes coming on the market - slowly, these days, I know - but they do come up.  And when they come up, you want to be ready. Let me rephrase that.  You must be ready, or you lose out.Your agent will guide you as to what you need in this regard.BE PREPAREDBe prepared to move and move fast.  Do your part.  If you're a cash buyer, have proof of funds.  If you're planning on fina... 05/17/2022

Pool of Buyers Just ShrunkWhen the Fed raised interest rates this week, the pool of buyers just shrunk. Don't misunderstand.  Buyers are not going away.  There are still plenty of buyers around, especially in south Florida.  However, it will now cost buyers more money to who are buying with a mortgage.  That's really the bottom line. There are still cash buyers around.  Plenty of them.  Especially in Boca Raton, Delray Beach and Boynton Beach.  People sold their homes elsewhere  and are moving here in droves. There are still buyers who have extra cash to cover the difference the mortgage rate hike presents, but this is not true for all buyers.  Some buyers will be priced out and may have to wait or come up with an alternative plan in the meantime.  The rate hike will mean all the differ... 05/06/2022

A Dose of Lou Many of you remember Lou Ludwig .  I was lucky enough to live near him, take classes at the board where he was an instructor, and lucky enough to be mentored by him.  Lou's posts always inspired me, as I'm sure they did many of you.  When I was having one of those days when things weren't going quite right, or I needed some advice or a pick-me-up, I would always think, I need a dose of Lou.  Then I would stop and read his posts on Active Rain.  And things seemed to get better.  Or appear better.  Or I looked at them in a different way.  Sometimes I read just one post.  Sometimes it was two or three.  And sometimes I would just read them for a while.  Whatever, it always seemed to work.This started way back in 2009 and has continued to this day.  I was having one of those d... 04/10/2022

Under Contract 55+ Waterfront Condo in Boca Raton FL  8818 Windrow WayBoca Raton, FL 33496Whisper WalkRX-10783476$ 260,000  Rarely available wide open lake view on dead-end street in 55+ community of Whisper Walk in Boca Raton.   Renovated kitchen and baths.  Stunning white kitchen with quartz countertops and plenty of cabinets.  Kitchen has a pantry and Stainless Steel Appliances.   From the moment you step into this single-story villa,  the amazing water views will take your breath away.  Relax on your screened-in patio and enjoy the view .  New Air Conditioner 2020.  New Water  Heater 2020.  New Kitchen and Baths 2021. Laminate flooring with new tile flooring 2021 in kitchen and baths. Large primary bedroom with walk-in closet, renovated bath and more lake views! Washer and dryer ins... 04/03/2022

It certainly was about time for a blog signature change!Active Rain has been a big part of my life since 2009.  I don't know how long my  blog signature has been there.  There have been changes through the years, but I don't recall when.When I saw this month's challenge hosted by Craig Daniels and Eileen Burns , I knew I wanted to try to get it involved.  Not only because of the blog signature, but because I so enjoy this community and the people in it.   I've been out of touch for a while, and this seemed the perfect opportunity to jump back in.So here it is - the before and after.    Each one of us brings something unique to Active Rain.  Craig Daniels is in a class by himself.  He has given so much of his time and knowledge to teach us through the years.  Thank you Craig!  I'm gratef... 03/31/2022

This has been a different kind of year, that's for sure.  I'm grateful we're still here, despite what's going on around us every day.  Grateful we're healthy.  Grateful we get to see the sun rise every morning and set every evening.  Grateful for our furry friends, friends and family.Gratitude. Happy New Year!  Wishing you all the best in 2022! 01/04/2022

 I have the perfect CASH buyers for your home in Boca Raton.   These lovely people from out of state are looking to make Boca Raton their home. Looking for a $ 1M+ house with swimming pool in a gated community in Boca Raton.   Boca Pointe, Boca Bath & Tennis, Newport Bay, etc. Must be pet friendly.  No equity clubs, please. We are looking for homes that are single story.   It's important there is natural light, an inground swimming pool, and grassy area in back.  Willing to upgrade some things but redone a plus.   Maybe you have been thinking of selling and moving on?  Toying with the idea but haven't decided?   I'm here to tell you I have the perfect cash buyer for your home now!  And that's the truth! If you are thinking of selling your home in Boca Raton to a cash buyer, please conta... 11/25/2021

Yesterday I got a call about my listing in a certain community.  Puzzled because I don't have a listing in the community at this time, I started to explain how IDX works, thinking this was how the caller had found me. She listened but told me no, she found me on Active Rain.  She was certain of that.I was still confused because it's been a while since I posted about this community.  She texted me a copy of a post from 2020 and another from 2014 about this same community.  The caller thought they were current listings.  I thanked her for calling, explained these weren't current listings (the dates were on the posts) and explained what Active Rain was.  She had never heard of it before. In the midst of this,  I remembered Liz and Bill Spear 's post Old Posts Keep on Ticking and realized, ... 10/30/2021

  If you’re decorating your porch with real pumpkins this fall, you naturally want them to last as long as possible (and prevent this from happening too soon) – but what can you do? This guide will help you preserve your porch décor and make your pumpkins last through fall.Tips to Make Your Porch Pumpkins Last LongerLet’s be realistic: Our warm weather isn’t necessarily conducive to preserving pumpkins outdoors – but there are a few things you can do to make them last a little longer. If these tips fail, you may want to opt for faux pumpkins, which you can find at most party goods stores at this time of year.Tips for Preserving Whole Pumpkins on Your PorchIf you haven’t opted to carve your pumpkins, the best thing you can do is keep them out of the sun. Direct sunlight can cause them t... 10/26/2021