Stefanie Cohen, PA, ABR, SFR Prudential Florida Realty-Broward County

Cooper City Garage Sale

Believe it or not, it was time again for the semi annual Cooper City Garage Sale! It was held last Saturday, March 3rd, and as usual, people came out in droves!

The Cooper City Garage Sale is held at the athletic fields at the corner of Stirling Road and Palm Avenue.

This time, I waited in line to sign up to participate. This is such a popular event that the city distributes spaces by lottery. It costs $16 for a space, and residents begin lining up in advance, so they can secure a spot.

It was a very hot day, temps were in the 80's. We began setting up at 6:00 am, and buyers were already waiting to shop! And shop they did.....it was a very successful day, with so much of my "garage sale stuff" selling! It was hot though!!! Very hot, and there wasn't much shade, but we made the best of it, and were busy all day, until we closed up at noon.

The next Cooper City Garage Sale should be some time in October, but I will let everyone know in advance!

City of Sunrise Florida Offering Cash Incentive to Home Buyers

The City of Sunrise Florida has seen an increase in Real Estate Sales, and they want to keep the momentum going. In an effort to move the inventory of existing short sales and foreclosures, the city is offering up to $2,000 to those who buy a distressed property as their primary residence, and who have been pre-approved for a conventional, fixed rate or FHA mortgage.

The New Home Buyer Incentive Program

There are a number of guidelines that the home buyer must meet in order to be eligible.

* The property must be a single family home, townhome or villa to be used as the primary residence, which was purchased as a foreclosure or short sale.

* The owner/buyer must actually reside in the property and it MUST be their primary residence. The city will verify this.

* The home must be occupied as a primary residence within 6 months of purchase. The applicant will be asked to complete a Primary Resident Certification form at the time of application. The applicant must occupy the home and obtain Homestead Exemption from the Broward County Property Appraiser within 12 months from the when the home was purchased.

* The incentive reimbursement for up to $2,000 is for any one or more of the improvements on the "Improvements Eligible List". See the following links for details....

New Home Buyer Incentive Program - Summary

New Home Buyer Incentive Program - Application

Primary Residence Certification

New Home Buyer Incentive Program - Flyer

Sunrise, Florida is a growing city with several newer residential developments, and lots of great entertainment, some of which include the Bank Atlantic Center, and Sawgrass Mills Shopping Center.

The New Home Buyer Incentive Program is run by the Redevelopment and Grant's Division of the City of Sunrise Community Development Office.

The is an outstanding opportunity for home buyers considering a purchase in the Sunrise Florida area!!

City of Sunrise Florida Offering Cash Incentive to Home buyers

Just Sold in Pembroke Pines Florida

I am happy to announce that I have just sold the home at 11620 NW 18th Street in Pembroke Pines, Florida. I brought the buyer to this home located in the Pembroke Lakes area of Pembroke Pines, Florida.

This home is 4 bedroom, 2 bath with a swimming pool. The list price was $309,850.

Pembroke Lakes is one of the few communities that is not governed by a Homeowners Association, which many people prefer.

Pembroke Lakes has much to offer......

The Pembroke Lakes Golf and Racquet Club is located within the community and features a magnificent golf course that is open to the public. The club also features a restaurant, tennis courts, and swimming pool. Memberships are available.

Excellent public and private schools......

Close proximity to great dining and shopping, Memorial Hospital West, and just minutes from I75 and the Sawgrass Expressway. In addition, Pembroke Lakes is easily accessible to Ft. Lauderdale and the Beaches and Ft. Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport.

Pembroke Lakes is a very beautiful community, with lush foliage and many lakes and parks. You will also find playgrounds and ballfields to accomodate many different sports.

Pembroke Lakes....a beautiful place to call home!!

Honeybells Are In Season - Only in January!

Honeybell season is short lived, but for those who love this delicious fruit....get them while you can!
Unfortunately, Honeybells are only available in January. The local farmers markets sell them by the bushel or by the pound, but they are stocked with them and when January is over...they are gone.

Honeybells come in two sizes...a small round Honeybell or the larger Honeybell that resembles a small grapefruit. Both are equally sweet, contain literally no seeds, and peel very easily. South Floridians await their arrival and then crowd the markets when Honeybell season arrives.

Spykes Grove located in Davie, has a farmers market that sells Honeybells, as well as wonderful fresh fruits and vegetables. Gift baskets can be ordered as well. They have lots to choose from! Spykes Grove is located on Griffin Road, just east of University Drive.

Honeybells are are a healthy, delicious Florida grown treasure! Honeybells Are In Season - Only in January!

Sunrise Florida - Home to Florida Panthers Hockey

This year the Florida Panthers are winning games, and we are lucky enough to have them in our own backyard at the Bank Atlantic Center in Sunrise. The Bank Atlantic Center is conveniently located off the Sawgrass Expressway just north of Sunrise Blvd. This gives easy access to fans coming from points north, south and east.

It is certainly a great time and a fun experience to attend a Panthers game! There are activities for the entire family! Before entering the Bank Atlantic Center for a hockey game, there is a skating rink set up on the plaza for the kids. Fans arrive sporting their Panther jerseys with the names of their favorite players emblazoned on the back. It is a sea of red jerseys entering the arena. Panthers fans are loyal fans who love their team!

On a recent night when I was there, the Panthers were playing the New York Rangers. It was sold out! There were plenty of Rangers fans on hand, and on this night, they did beat the Panthers.

The Florida Panthers have lots of great in-game entertainment! There are the Panthers Cheerleaders, the Panthers Patrol, and many contests during the game where prizes can be won by the fans.

A tradition which was started back in the mid 90's was after a winning home game, the fans would throw rats on the ice. Rats were everywhere! That was disallowed and hadn't appeared for many years, but now that the "Cats" are winning again, you can see the rats come flying down from the stands after a winning home game. They sell the rats in the arena, and on most nights are sold out early in the game...fans just hoping for a win.

Sunrise Florida - Home to Florida Panthers Hockey