Boca Raton Florida Homes for Sale David Serle

Calling All Buyers

It is Your Turn to Dictate the Real Estate Market. Recent Trends in the South Florida Real Estate Market have shown that inventory has grown at a radical pace. We as buyers now have a little control. There are a few issues that Buyers need to understand while in a "Buyer's Market".

1: Make sure you know what you want. You should prioritize your requirements. Is a Pool a Must? Do you need to be on a Lake? Will a 3 Bedroom with a Den be okay or do you need at least 4 bedrooms? These are some of the options you must consider. Make a list of these priorities and take them with you to the homes you are seeing. Please know that as you sift through the homes you are looking at, your priorities may change. Keep a log of them. Would you consider a 2500 square foot home with a pool instead of the 3000 square foot home with no pool? Know your limitations and be firm. Do not settle for a home.

2: Set a realistic starting price of what you are looking for. If you want to spend $500,000 on a home make sure you look at homes in the $450,000 range, and those homes in the $600,000 range. This will allow you to make a more informed decision on how much $50,000 -$100,000 more or less will get you. You may be surprised that the difference in home between $450,000 and $500,000 is really nothing so you may end up with that less expensive home.

3: If you are obtaining a mortgage, make sure you get pre-approved before you start looking. The reason for this is so you basically know your payment at every property you are going to see. It will also let you know how much you may need to bring, and the requirements of the lender in order to obtain each specific loan.

4: Similar to #3 Know your Costs. Each property that you see may have different property tax amounts, Homeowners Association Costs, Insurance Costs, etc. You should know exactly how much a property costs you monthly down to the penny. The problem recently with all these foreclosures is that owners did not know ALL the costs down to the penny or they believed that since the market is appreciating at 30% a year, then they could use their homes as an ATM machine and borrow, borrow, borrow. It is very important to know all the costs. After you have decided on all the costs add 10% for unexpected costs such as the new A/C or the appliances broke or whatever. There are always unexpected costs.

5: Choose a Real Estate Agent not by its good recipe cards or their large postcards. Ask your friends and business partners for a referral. They have unbiased opinions, and would probably be the best source for choosing a REALTOR®. Otherwise just choose me. It is very important to choose the right REALTOR®. that is going to market your property correctly and efficiently. You also need a REALTOR®. that will give you their honest assessment and opinions without regard for insulting you as the buyer. It is kind of like the heart surgeon. If you get a heart surgeon that has a good bedside manner choose a different one. Same with a real estate agent. You need an agent that is going to work for you without regard to your feelings.

These are just a few good tips for Buyers. No more "Buyer Beware." It is go find a good deal and make sure you have an agent working for you.

Boca Raton Communities

Azura
Azura is the newest single family community to come to Boca Raton built by Gordon Homes. This luxury community offers 92 estate homes which are priced from over 1.3 million.

Boca Isles
With their dramatic gated entrances and tons of amenities, Boca Isles is one of the most desirable communities in Boca Raton. Boca Isles North & South have clubhouses, exercise facilities, resort-style pools & spas, community rooms and much more.

New Floresta

A community in every sense of the word. Known for its Spanish and Mediterranean homes, New Floresta is in a prime location nestled in between the Town Center Mall, and some of the most amazing parks.

The Oaks at Boca Raton
The Oaks at Boca Raton is a prestigious community spanning 282 acres of magnificent landscaping in that Old Florida Charm. With approximately 469 homes to be built, they are priced from $900,000 to over 5 million.

One Thousand Ocean
One Thousand Ocean at the Boca Raton Resort & Club is located on a private peninsula and offers condos from 2900-8000 square feet that are priced from $2.7 million.

Saturnia
Built by GL Homes, this single family home community is located in West Boca Raton and has resort-style amenities and a dramatic gated entrance. Prices are from $700,000 to ver a million.

The Seasons Swim & Racquet Ball Club in Boca Raton
With 255 home sites surrounded in neatly manicured lawns in the heart of Boca Raton, the Seasons Swim & Racquet Ball Club in Boca Raton is a wonderful community is priced from the $700,000's to well over a million.

The Shores at Boca Raton
Built in 1993, The Shores at Boca Raton is one of the most prestigious communities in West Boca. This 330 single family home community has all the amenities of a resort and range in price from $400,000-$800,000.

Toscana Towers
Toscana is located in the exclusive city of Highland Beach and consists of 3 towers with 455 units in total. Most of the condos have intracoastal and ocean views, and the the building is one of the only buildings to have a beach club on the ocean side. Prices range from $500,000 to over 3 million.

TOSCANA HIGHLAND BEACH

Highland Beach is a residential community with a year-round population of approx. 4,000 which more than doubles during the season. The season in Florida are the months of December through April.

Toscana is nestled in between the Intracoastal Waterway, and the Atlantic Ocean, and has become the most prestigious resort style condominum in South Florida. With its dramatic entrance, and luxurious elegance it makes for one of the more popular residences for the rich and famous. There are 455 condo residences in the 3 Towers that make up Toscana ranging in square footage from just over 2000 to well over 5000 square feet in living space. Toscana is one of the only Buildings in Highland Beach that offers a Beach Club directly on the Atlantic Ocean. If you are in the area you can't miss the Maginficence and sheer size of these Towers as they are easily observed from almost anywhere in Eastern Boca Raton, and Delray Beach. For more information on Toscana or for a Private Viewing of Condos in Toscana please Contact me or call me at 561-756-3104.

Below you will find some of the Builder's Features that came standard. However, some owners have customized it significantly. The Deed Restrictions of the community are as follows:

MONTHLY FEE INCLUDES

Common area maintenance
Exterior building
Roof maintenance
Building insurance
Cable TV
Water
Lawn Care
Trash Removal
Pest Control
Security
Manager
Valet Parking

RESTRICTIONS

Pets allowed (2)
Rentals with restrictions
No truck or RV parking
Buyer approval required

Toscana Highland Beach Features

· Formal Rotunda Reception Gallery Foyers

· Luxury 2 and 3 Bedroom Spacious Units

· Spacious Master Bedroom Suite

· Stunning Living Room with Breathtaking Boca Coast Views

Security

· Individual Residence Security Alarm System

· Smoke detectors

· Deadbolt locks on all exterior doors

· 24-Hour Manned Security Entrance

· 24-Hour Manned Lobby

Electrical

· Hi-Efficiency AC And Heating System

· Pre-Wired Cable, Telephone And Facsimile

· Pre-wired for multi-lined phones

· Pre-wired for cable television

· Pre-wired for paddle fans

· Protective GFI outlets in garage, kitchen and bathrooms

Energy Savings

· High-efficiency air conditioning and heating system

· Individual, Quick Recovery Hot Water Heater

· Energy saving factory-tinted windows and sliding doors

· Weatherproofing on all exterior doors

Gourmet Kitchen and Laundry Room

· Full Kitchen Aid built-in appliances package featuring:

· Built-in refrigerator with cabinet panels

· Built-in microwave

· Electric Stove Top

· Built-in self cleaning double-wall oven

· Energy-efficient multi-cycle dishwasher with stainless steel interior

· In-sink food waste disposal

· Poggenpohl ® Kitchen Cabinets

· Granite kitchen counter tops

· Oversized built in pantry providing abundant storage

· Instant Hot Water In Kitchen

Luxurious Master Bath

· Custom Marble Bath W/Elongated 1-Piece Kohler ® Water • Closet/Bidet In Mst Bath

· Luxurious Jacuzzi Tub

· Custom & Raised Vanities With Marble Top

· Oversized and full width framed vanity mirrors with decorative lighting

· Frameless, Glass Enclosed Marble Shower In Master Bathroom

· Designer Faucets

· Shower seat and shampoo recess

· Private toilet room with Kohler one-piece water closet

· Recessed hi-hat lighting

· Oversized, mirrored medicine cabinets

Outstanding Toscana Features...

The Amenities

· Premier location in the Boca Raton, Florida area

· 24-Hour Manned Gated entrance with Electric Gate and tropical landscaping

· State of the art fitness center

· Heated Resort-style pools and Beach Front Mediterranean style clubhouse

· Poolside Chaise Lounge & Towel Services

· Poolside Beverage Service

· Beachside Beverage Service

· Barbeque Area

· Tennis Courts

· 24-HourManned Lobby

· Dramatic Entry With Porte-Cochére

· Valet Parking

· Concierge

· Assigned Covered Parking

· Private High-Speed Elevators With Limited Key Access

· Building Manager On Site

· Business Center

· Media, Entertainment & Function Room

· Social Room With Bar And Serving Pantry

· Card Rooms

· Mail & Package Receiving

· Social Activities

· Men's And Women's Locker Room With Sauna, Steam and Shower

· Catering & Party Planning

· Grocery Delivery Arrangements

· Dry Cleaning Pick-Up and Delivery Arrangements

· Personal Shopper Arrangements

· Apartment-Sitting And Plant Maintenance Arrangements

· Personal Fitness Trainer Arrangements

· Pet-Sitting Arrangements

· Limousine Service Arrangements

· Child Care Arrangements

· Maid Service Arrangements

· Massage Arrangements

· Beauty Salon Arrangements

· Facial and Skin Treatment Arrangements

Interior Features

· 9' High Coffered Ceilings

· Solid Core, Double-Door Entry

· Separate Dining Room for Formal Entertainment

· Spacious Terrace(s)

· Water Purification System

· Powder Room With Pedestal Sink & Elongated Kohler ® Water Closet

· His & Hers Walk-In Closets

· Wet Bar Optional

· On-Premise Storage

· Controlled access Elevators

· Spacious luxury Master Bedroom Suite

· Stunning Living Room With Breathtaking Views

Who would have ever thought of it? Chinese Drywall? What is that? Well it is drywall that was imported from China during the drywall shortage that contains sulfuric acid that will corrode the copper wiring in your entire home, and possibly be a health hazzard by continuiously breathing this in.

Based upon estimates approximately 61,000 homes have imported this Chinese Drywall. Over 36,000 homes have been estimated to have it in Florida. The 4 communities I personally know that has this Chinese Drywall are:

• Cobblestone Creek in Boynton Beach,
• Canyon Isles in Boynton Beach,
• Parkland Golf & Country Club in Parkland, and
• Banyan Isles section of Heron Bay

This is so very unfortunate for these homeowners. Many of these homeowners have no idea that they can have Chinese Drywall in their homes. Plus to overcome the perception that every house has this type of drywall in their communities will not be easy.

To do a surface test look at your copper pipes coming from the A/C and hot water heater tanks then check the attic to see if you can find the exposed drywall with a label of where it was made. An inspection would be a little more comprehensive as they would send out lab samples of air quality and the drywall.

The six traditional items on the Seder Plate are:

• Maror and chazeret - Bitter herbs (Grated Horseradish)
• Charoset- Charoset is traditionally made from chopped nuts, grated apples, cinnamon, and sweet red wine.
• Karpas - A vegetable other than bitter herbs, which is dipped into salt water at the beginning of the Seder. Parsley, celery or boiled potato is usually used
• Z'roa - A roasted lamb or goat shankbone, chicken wing, or chicken neck; symbolizing the korban Pesach (Pesach sacrifice), which was a lamb that was offered in the Temple in Jerusalem, then roasted and eaten as part of the meal on Seder night. Since the destruction of the Temple, the z'roa serves as a visual reminder of the Pesach sacrifice; it is not eaten or handled during the Seder in Ashkenazi and many Sephardi traditions. Vegetarians often substitute a beet, quoting Pesachim 114b as justification
• Beitzah - A roasted egg, symbolizing the korban chagigah (festival sacrifice) that was offered in the Temple in Jerusalem and roasted and eaten as part of the meal on Seder night. Although both the Pesach sacrifice and the chagigah were meat offerings, the chagigah is commemorated by an egg, a symbol of mourning (as eggs are the first thing served to mourners after a funeral), evoking the idea of mourning over the destruction of the Temple and our inability to offer any kind of sacrifices in honor of the Pesach holiday. Since the destruction of the Temple, the beitzah serves as a visual reminder of the chagigah; it is not used in any way during the formal part of the seder, but some people eat it with saltwater as the first course of the meal.

Did you know that during the week of Passover, the Jewish people are not only forbidden to have any leavened bread, but anything that may have traces of leavened bread such as cereals, and crackers?

Do you know why the Jewish people do not eat leavened bread during Passover?

Never eat leavened bread with the meat from this sacrifice. Instead, for seven days you must eat unleavened bread at this festival. (It is the bread of misery because you left Egypt in a hurry.) Eat this bread so that, as long as you live, you will remember the day you left Egypt.Basically the Jewish people do not eat leavened bread so that they can remember their ancestors coming out of Egypt.

Did you know that Passover is one of those traditions that brings the family closer together. Family gets together for Seders (Dinners), and we all have something in common during the week. We eat Matzoh, and lots of it.

Did you know that Passover lasts from Wednesday April 8th at sundown till Thursday April 16th at sundown. During this time No leavened bread shall be eaten.

Did you know the Jewish people are supposed to eliminate all products that contain leavened bread in their homes before sundown on the start of Passover?

Did you know that the Jewish people can not have certain leavening and fermenting agents, and things made with them, such as yeast breads, certain types of cake and biscuit, and certain alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages-but wine is an essential component of Passover. Specifically, five grains, and products made from them, may not be used during Passover-wheat, rye, barley, oats, and spelt-except for making matzo, which must be made from one of these five grains. This is because the oral law decrees they begin to ferment within eighteen minutes of contact with water. So, despite pasta not being a leavened product, macaroni products cannot be owned or used during Passover under this interpretation of Jewish Law. Ashkenazic rabbinical tradition also forbids the use of rice, most legumes and new world grains like maize (unknown to the old world when the Bible was written), because they might be made into bread (such as cornbread). Sephardic and other rabbinical traditions do not have this prohibition.

I just wanted to share with you the reason why Jews celebrate Passover or Pesach.

For all my Christian friends I wish you a very Happy Easter!!