BallenIsles, Mirasol, Old Marsh, PGA Nat Marc Blasi

For all the folks who insist that real estate is dead in Florida:

"Florida's existing home sales rose in February, making it the sixth consecutive month that sales activity showed increases in the year-to-year comparison..."

AND

"Existing home sales rose 20 percent last month with a total of 9,858 homes sold statewide compared to 8,181 homes sold in February 2008...."

(Thanks to FAR for the information)

(Unfortunately, you'll probably never see the mass media printing that info - positive news doesn't sell newspapers!)

So far this year, Palm Beach Gardens luxury real estate has seen the following:

BallenIsles - 5 properties SOLD

Mirasol - 12 properties SOLD

PGA National - 33 properties SOLD

Those #'s do not include any CONTINGENT or PENDING transactions, just closed sales.

So... if you're one of those people whose waiting and waiting because "nothing is selling" ....... don't be surprised to find that the home you really liked has already sold because:

Those who wait, lose.

This Sunday (3/22/09) you're invited to take a look at some of Palm Beach Gardens best luxury real estate in the Golf / Country Clubs of Mirasol and BallenIsles -

BallenIsles Open Houses - All open from 2-4 PM

126 C Palm Bay Terrace

101 Banyan Isle Drive

111 Victoria Bay Court

148 Vintage Isle Lane

158 Vintage Isle Lane

216 Coral Cay Terrace

Mirasol Open Houses - Also all open from 2-4 PM

107 Tranquilla Drive

104 Via Florenza

118 Andalusia

122 Playa Rienta Way

123 Playa Rienta Way

125 Playa Rienta Way

When you arrive at the Guard Gates just let them know which Open Houses you'd like to see and you'll be let right in.

If you have any questions, or to set up a private showing, please feel free to call me @ 561-282-7406.

Back on December 15th I wrote a post about those people who refuse to believe that things are improving with Palm Beach real estate.

"Those Who Wait, Lose" was dedicated to those who keep looking and looking, thinking they have time to waste because as they say: 'Nothing's selling - we have PLENTY of time'.

Well.... things ARE selling and those folks who continue to wait continue to lose out.

The South Florida Business Journal recently posted two articles:

Florida Home Sales Up, But Prices Still Down

"Statewide, sales of existing, single-family homes was up 13 percent in the fourth quarter, compaired to the same period a year prior...."

"FAR also reported a 3 percent gain in statewide sales of existing condominiums..."

Home Sales Up in Florida, Down Nationwide

"Florida's existing home sales rose 24 percent last month, the fifth consecutive month to show an increase in activity..."

Here's an example that should open your eyes: Yesterday a client and I reviewed 14 homes listed for sale. Two of the 14 already have accepted offers... from other people.

So, in the simplest terms possible - if you want it, you had better make an offer before someone else gets the home that YOU want.

Sorry, I mean wanted.

If you've been thinking of buying luxury real estate in Palm Beach Gardens, tomorrow (2/1/09) you'll be able to tour some of the best available.

Ballenisles and Mirasol are both gated communities, but the Guards are aware of all the Open Houses so just have the addresses of the properties that you'd like to see and you'll be let right in.

I'll be at 106 Dalena- but if you have questions about any of the listings, just give me a call at 561-282-7406.

I'm certainly no fan of print media.

Let's face it, with all that's available on-line, newspapers really are on their way out.

On Tuesday a friend of mine mentioned that the local paper had not only printed a POSITIVE real estate article but it was the first article on the front page!

I found a copy of the Palm Beach Post - and there on the front page it said:

Hope Builds: Home Sales Up, Prices Flat

I was shocked. Not because of the statement, I already knew that sales were up. What I couldn't believe was that the paper actually ran the story!

The mass media has been incredibly negative all through the housing downturn. For them to actually say that things are improving..... I couldn't believe my eyes.

Several good points were made including the facts that the home price decline had stabilized in December and that low interest rateswere aiding the improvement.

People are still guarded when looking at purchasing homes and that certainly isn't a bad thing when you're talking about a transaction of that magnitude - however, don't make the mistake of wating too long.

I had to let a client of mine know that a property he expressed interest in was no longer available. Why? Because it had sold. Against my recommendation he had decided to 'wait for the price to go lower' and not make an offer.

Things ARE improving and this is the busiest time of the year for luxury real estate in Palm Beach Gardens - so if you're interested, it's time to get going!