Special offer

Boca Raton, FL Real Estate News

By Sandy Pitchford, Palm Beach, Jupiter, Tequesta Real Estate
(Distinct Estates)
 When I think of the most exclusive communities in Palm Beach County, Le Lac is one of the first that comes to mind. Though Le Lac is a small community of only 32 homes, the 200 acre property is just about as ritzy as it gets.  Located in the hear of Boca Raton, Le Lac boast almost 60 acres of lakes and large private estate homes that are over an acre.  If you're looking for an amazing and exclusive community, be sure to visit.
Comments 0
By Cheryl Hale, Mortgage Loan Originator NMLS#276668
(SMP Mortgage, Inc)
If you are age 62 or over, and are having trouble making your mortgage payments, you may want to consider a reverse mortgage as a way out.The proceeds from a reverse mortgage can be used to pay off the current lender, allowing you to stay in your home and never have another mortgage payment. My post on reverse mortgage basics will give you some information on how a reverse mortgage works.Investigate your options with a reverse mortgage as soon as possible. Once your mortgage is in default, interest, attorney and other fees add up quickly, making the payoff amount several thousand dollars higher.In order to use a reverse mortgage to prevent foreclosure, you will need to have a decent amount of equity in your home. With a reverse mortgage, you are eligible for a benefit amount of anywhere...
Comments 11
By Sandy Pitchford, Palm Beach, Jupiter, Tequesta Real Estate
(Distinct Estates)
Saint Andrews is a beautiful Country Club Community located in Boca Raton. Saint Andrews offers 2 18 hole Arnold Palmer golf courses, 15 tennis courts, spa, fitness center, restaurants, and so much more. When you live in Saint Andrews you are living at one of finest resorts in Boca Raton.  There are 5 restaurants a beautiful community pool and water park and a playground for the kids. Saint Andrews has it all and with a great Boca Raton location.
Comments 1
By Joseph Santini, Luxury Waterfront Expert
(Mizner Grande Realty - Boca Raton, Florida Waterfront Expert)
          We have such beautiful condos here in Boca Raton so naturally we get alot of people who come from other parts of the country who are looking for a winter home.  Many of these customers are not used to buying a condo and may not be aware of some very important issues regarding condo associations.  It is very important to check the financial health of the building you are considering.         Always check the buildings assets and liabilities to see if they are easily paying all the bills.  The building should also have a nice reserve fund.  If it is not sufficient and the building is hit with an emergency, you could be dealing with a large assessment.  Make sure that the building is being repaired and upgraded on a consistent basis.  All the little things add up if they have to ...
Comments 2
By Ignazio "Iggy" Lena
(Lehmann Realty Team)
                           I was introduced to Thai food about three weeks ago and since then I have not been able to satisfy my appetite for Thai food ( I just can't get enough of it ).  In the past three weeks I have eaten Thai food over a dozen times. I Have been to most of  Thia restaurantsin the West Boca area and I truly believe, that I have found what I think is the best Asian Bistro / Thai Food  in my area. The restaurant is spotless, as clean as they come (I was pleasently supirsed). The Decor at Boons Asian Bistro and Sushi Bar is not like your typical Asian Restaurant setup with one Big room, about 25 tables, commecial grade carpet, and a fishtank. At Boons you will find beautiful Bamboo flooring throughout the dinning area, some tasteful Thai artwork, a hand full of booths t...
Comments 0
By Gregory J Mullen
(True Floridian Realty)
 Facilities IncludeCoconut Cove Water ParkDagger Wing Nature CenterOutdoor Ampitheatre Water Ski School and training centerTennis Center and Pro ShopPicnic pavilions and grilling areasBaseball fields (8)Softball fields Multipurpose soccer fields (4)Tennis courts - (19)Racquetball courts - (12)Basketball courts Volleyball courts sand (2)Volleyball courts paved (4)PlaygroundsExercise course (20 stations, 1.2 miles) Bicycle path (2 miles) FishingRemote control car track Restrooms Parking  Coconut Cove Water ParkWater slides (2)River tube ride Water playground Food concession Meeting rooms     Tennis and Racquet-Ball CenterNineteen lighted, all weather, tennis courts, Twelve lighted racquetball courtsFull service pro shopIndividual and group instruction for players of all levels Social roun...
Comments 2
By Ignazio "Iggy" Lena
(Lehmann Realty Team)
Loggers Run Homes For Sale   West BocaLoggers Run CommunitiesCilick on Link below to View Homes for Sale.LoggersRunHomes.Com              Cimarron            Country Landings I   Country Landing II  Country Landing III       Crystal Cove                Country Landing           Indian Head            Island Lakes             Ponderosa                Tamarron          Estates                      TimberWalk             Timberwalk II        Winding Lakes I      Winding Lakes II          Winding Lakes                                                                                                                                                   EstatesBoca Falls                                          Boca WindsIf you are interested in a home in Island Lakes call Iggy .....West Boca's Rea...
Comments 1
By Cheryl Hale, Mortgage Loan Originator NMLS#276668
(SMP Mortgage, Inc)
As a mortgage broker in Boca Raton, Florida, I often help homebuyers become pre-approved for a mortgage before they begin home shopping.  Many of these borrowers are first time homebuyers.Boca Raton has a bit of a "snobby" image. Many people think they need to be wealthy to afford a home in Boca Raton to take advantage of the wonderful amenities and the excellent school systems. But this is not the case.We all know this is a buyers market today. To test my theory, I decided to do a search on Craigslist for homes for sale in Boca Raton under $200,000.  My search resulted in 60 properties!!Ok, so you won't get a mansion.  What you will get is a 2BR villa or condo..a great starter home... perfect for a single person, couple or small family. And most of these homes are updated and remodeled...
Comments 3
By Ignazio "Iggy" Lena
(Lehmann Realty Team)
  THE OAKS...A WAY OF LIFE.                                  Once you arrive at The Oaks of Boca Raton, Florida you Instantly                                  have the felling of a Mediteranean style elegance or that of a traditional                                  Palm Beach estate in a  contemporary setting with all of the posh                                  amenities that you could possibly imagine in this fabulous community.  The Oaks of  Boca started in 2002 by award winning builders Kenco Custom Homes, Albanese Popkin Development Group, Charlse Watt Communities and Gordon Homes. At the present time there are furnished models available for your convenience. You may also choose a model that you would like to furnish on your own. Whatever your preference, you will be dazzled at th...
Comments 0
By Joseph Santini, Luxury Waterfront Expert
(Mizner Grande Realty - Boca Raton, Florida Waterfront Expert)
    Boca Raton has it all. I can't think of a better place to raise a family and enjoy a great life.  After coming down from New York some years ago the only thing that comes to mind now and then is why did I wait so long.  Anybody from the Northeast or anywhere else for that matter contemplating a move, now is a great time to do it. Take advantage of the low interest rates and the high inventory while you still can. Who needs cold weather and more stress than necessary?      There are so many pluses here in Boca I don't know where to begin. My kids are involved everyday with softball, gymnastics, cheer-leading, soccer etc.  The quality of the activities is excellent and when we are not enjoying those things we are enjoying all the beautiful parks and beaches Boca has to offer. My kids ...
Comments 0
By Cheryl Hale, Mortgage Loan Originator NMLS#276668
(SMP Mortgage, Inc)
Many Active Rainers have been discussing how the credit crunch is impacting borrowers...Jeff Belonger summed it up very nicely in his featured post today Will Conventional Loans be Just Like the Subprime Mess?   He added links to several illuminating posts, so I won't repeat them here.And now more fuel to the fire....MGIC, one of the nation's largest mortgage insurance companies, announced plans to limit coverage and increase premiums for higher risk borrowers.A few of the key points:MGIC will no longer provide mortgage insurance for borrowers who have a FICO score of less than 575. Coverage will be limited in states such as California and Florida, where markets have declined severely.  The maximum loan to value they will insure will be 95%.Increased monthly premium rates for layered ri...
Comments 12
By Cheryl Hale, Mortgage Loan Originator NMLS#276668
(SMP Mortgage, Inc)
As a mortgage broker in Boca Raton, Florida, I am often asked by mortgage "shoppers" to provide a Good Faith Estimate of settlement charges. I am proud to say that the Good Faith Estimates that I provide very closely match the settlement statement at closing. A Good Faith Estimate cannot be exact, because some settlement charges, such as prepaid interest, are calculated based on the number of days left in the month when the loan closes.However, not all lenders provide accurate Good Faith Estimates. Some conveniently omit certain fees to make you think you are getting a better deal. With that in mind, I have decided to write a series of articles explaining the typical fees you can expect for a mortgage in the state of Florida.Settlement charges are grouped into sections: lender fees, tit...
Comments 2
By Gregory J Mullen
(True Floridian Realty)
   BaseballSugar Sand Park boasts six of the most meticulously maintained baseball facilities in Florida and four lighted batting cages.     Community CenterThe community center features a science explorium, theatre, art exhibit, inline roller-hockey rink, and gymnasium.The Field House Gymnasium hosts annual special events and sports tournaments and is frequently open to the public for pick-up basketball and volleyball.  It also offers regular classes for painting, dancing, writing, sculpting, and acting. The Willow Theatre has seating for 155 and hosts concerts, plays, musicals, dance, lectures, children's programming and classic movie exhibitions.    Carousel, Picnic area, and Incredible Fortress PlaygroundThere are plenty of ways to keep children entertained at the enormous wood fort...
Comments 0
By Cheryl Hale, Mortgage Loan Originator NMLS#276668
(SMP Mortgage, Inc)
Looking to purchase a home in Florida?  Here's what conforming interest rates are looking like today: 30 Year Fixed Rate - Conforming Mortgage Interest Rate - No Prepayment PenaltyQuotes below are based on the following:  Owner Occupied purchase transaction, minimum 680 credit score, 20% down payment, minimum 2 months reserves and full documentation of income within guidelines.  Maximum loan amount of $417,000.  30 day lock.Example: Purchase price $250,000.    $50,000 down payment5.5% (APR 5.703%) - 1 point origination fee    Principal and interest payment = $1135.585.75%  (APR 5.8625) - 0 points                      Principal and Interest payment= $1167.15This quote is for illustrative purposes only and does not a guarantee a lock or commitment of interest rate. Rates change daily.Rece...
Comments 0
By Cheryl Hale, Mortgage Loan Originator NMLS#276668
(SMP Mortgage, Inc)
"No points, no fees, free appraisal, 2.25% rate fixed for 5 years..." I won't tell you any of those things. So maybe you'll move on to the mortgage broker who does. Yes, you want to be a savvy consumer, but you know the saying..."if it sounds too good to be true, it is" Obtaining a mortgage is one of the biggest financial decisions you will make. And you are doing a disservice to yourself if you shop for a mortgage based upon misleading advertising. Because it all comes out in the wash. That "free appraisal" will cost you somewhere else. Here's what you do. Find a mortgage broker, someone like me:) who will sit down with you for a half an hour or so and review your financial situation with you. Someone who will ask you about your financial goals: When do you want to retire? Do you have ...
Comments 4
By Cheryl Hale, Mortgage Loan Originator NMLS#276668
(SMP Mortgage, Inc)
After Hurricane Wilma roared through Florida, I needed  to have my roof replaced.  I also added hurricane shutters. Then, my insurance company went out of business and I had to apply for new property insurance.  As a condition of the application, a windstorm inspection was required.  The cost was $150.  Well worth it, because my insurance tab was reduced by $500 because of the improvements I had made. Now, these windstorm inspections are free for Floria homeowners who have single family detached homes. If the inspection reveals that your home has better hurricane protection, you may be able to get a discount on your property insurance bill. If your home is not a single family home, you won't qualify for the free inspection. However, you can still  contact one of the approved inspectors ...
Comments 4
By Cheryl Hale, Mortgage Loan Originator NMLS#276668
(SMP Mortgage, Inc)
There have been media reports about foreign investors finding properties in Florida attractive, yet these investors are waiting, like so many others, for the market to hit bottom so they can get even better deals. Well, I am wondering, will they be waiting too long???World Savings has been one of our great go to lenders for Foreign National loans with LTV's up to 75% and no income or asset verification. I recently received a memo from our rep at World Savings regarding some issues they are having with Foreign National loans.  Here are the key points:1 - "When a Foreign National is buying a new construction condo, especially in Dade county - please be aware we may not be able to offer the 75% LTV if the appraisal comes back displaying Marketability issues (high investor concentration, la...
Comments 4
By Cheryl Hale, Mortgage Loan Originator NMLS#276668
(SMP Mortgage, Inc)
In their November 15 Bulletin, Freddie Mac announced new post settlement delivery fees effective March 1, 2008."Freddie Mac continually evaluates the mortgages that we purchase and the applicable delivery fees.  In response to the continuing volatility and turmoil in the mortgage market, including the deteriorating performance of higher - risk mortgage products, we are expanding our use of risk-based pricing by adding fees on Indicator Score and loan-to-value ratio"The fees will be charged to lenders when they sell their loans to Freddie Mac.  Lenders will be likely to pass those costs on to borrowers, which in turn will make home loans more expensive. Since Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae operate on the pretty much the same wavelength, we should expect to see these changes across the board ...
Comments 10
By Cheryl Hale, Mortgage Loan Originator NMLS#276668
(SMP Mortgage, Inc)
Reverse Mortgages involve many of the same closing costs that you would pay for a home purchase or a refinance.Here is a breakdown of the typical closing costs for a reverse mortgage:Origination fee This covers the operating/overhead expenses for the lender.  A portion of this is also paid to the loan originator.Under the HECM (Home Equity Conversion Mortgage), which accounts for the majority of reverse mortgages, the origination fee is as follows:2% of the lesser of the property's appraised value or the FHA maximum loan limit for your county.  Here in Palm Beach County, Florida, the FHA max loan limit is $362,790.  So if your home was appraised at $400,000, the origination fee would be 2% of $362,790 or $7256.  The minimum origination fee is $2000.Mortgage Insurance PremiumThe mortgage...
Comments 6
By Gregory J Mullen
(True Floridian Realty)
   About Gumbo LimboNamed after the Dominant tree species the 20 acre park and research facility is essentially part of the larger Red Reef Park which lies between the Intra-Coastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean.  The park features a Nature Center with historical artifacts and aquariums.  The park is home to the Boca Raton Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program.  Public access is provided to view sea turtles and other marine life under the care of the program.     The Environmental ComplexSea Turtle nesting research is conducted on a 5 mile stretch of Boca Raton's beaches.  Project resources are also engaged in a variety of studies including plants, insects, and marine animals.  The Complex is designed to provide environmental education for the community through classes, seminar...
Comments 2
Explore Boca Raton, FL