The Daily (102016) Hot Sheet Of Top Real Estate News Trending Now  New homes: Single-family up, multifamily downU.S. home construction fell 9% in Sept., but while apartments declined, single-family starts rose 8.1%, and a 6.3% increase in building permits suggests a rebound. Read moreRealtor.com: First look at 2017 real estate marketBased on its survey of active home shoppers, realtor.com predicts that 2017 will see more first-time buyers - but affordability and mortgage challenges will become the No. 1 problem, overtaking concerns about a lack of listings. Read moreFEMA flood insurance may see climate change revampFlood maps, by definition, pinpoint the geographic areas most vulnerable to flooding, but FEMA hasn't considered the potential impact of climate change yet. Read more.'Aging ... 10/20/2016

Boca Raton real estate lies in the middle of lightning country, and it is important for homes in Boca Raton to protect their homes or at least for homeowners to be aware. Florida is the Lightning Capital of the United States with approximately 1.45 million lightning strikes each year. Although most of these won’t directly hit Boca Raton real estate, damage can still occur to these properties if a strike happens more than a mile away!Learn a few facts about lightning pulses and what homeowners can do to protect their Boca Raton real estate properties and any other homes. 10/11/2016

Home Prices in Boca Raton FL for August 2016 Real estate market data for Boca Raton, FL provided by Elyse Berman of Realty Associates Florida Properties. Boca Raton Home Prices If you are interested in how much current inventory is on the market in Boca Raton you can find that information by clicking on the link. Low inventory suggests that homes are not sitting on the market for very long, That is the market we are in. Low inventory in Boca Raton has multiple offers coming in on homes similar to what we saw back in 2007. I wouldn't expect home prices to run up quite as fast as they did back then as banks have gotten a lot stricter on lending guidelines and are no longer giving a loan to anyone with a pulse. But, low inventory is one indicator that prices should continue to rise.    Boc... 10/09/2016

Applying For A Mortgage Loan, Here Are The Basics RequirementsFuture home buyers ever wonder what you need to complete a loan application and what to bring? Listed below are the items necessary along with your loan application.       The following is a list of documents needed to process your loan request:•         Federal Tax Returns: 2014 & 2015 for each borrower (all schedules & amendments)•         W2 forms: 2014 & 2015 for each borrower•         If self-employed: 2014 & 2015 personal & corporate 1040 tax returns (all pages & schedules required)•         Pay stubs: One month of your most recent for each borrower•         Assets: last 2 months of bank statements for checking/savings, IRA, 401K, stock/bond accounts (include all pages of each statement)•         Driver’s License: copy ... 09/24/2016

 18820 Stewart Circle 8Boca Raton, FL 33496Town VillasSOLD!!! Pet-Friendly 55+ Villa with Garage in Boca Raton is located near Town Center mall, Walmart, Costco, all types of shopping, movies, medical facilities and more. There are 2 bedrooms 2 baths and a 1-car garage.  The kitchen has been updated with stainless steel appliances and solid-surface counter tops with a breakfast area.  There are hurricane impact windows throughout.There are enclosed front and back patios.The master bedroom has a walk-in closet and separate shower.This is a corner unit with split bedrooms.The second bedroom has 2 closets.Both bedrooms are good sized.Villa is tiled throughout except bedrooms.  Inside laundry room.Community has swimming pool, spa, tennis, clubhouse and exercise room.                 18820 S... 09/22/2016

 The Daily (092116) Hot Sheet Of Top Real News Trending Now  Not enough construction in most Fla. metro areasNAR compared local employment gains to housing stock and found 80% of U.S. metros need more construction. In Fla., one city tops list; another ranks near bottom. Read more Most real estate firms optimistic about the futureNAR's 2016 Profile of Real Estate Firms finds general optimism about the market even with slightly lower profit expectations thanks to inventory shortages and home price growth. Read more Home construction slumps in Aug.Homebuilders pulled back on construction in the South, causing the pace of August housing starts nationwide to drop 5.8% - the lowest level in three months. Read more.New foreclosures down 4% in state, up 6% in S. Fla.ATTOM: New U.S. foreclosure ... 09/21/2016

18820 Stewart Circle 8, Boca Raton FL - Town Villas                                                        Coming Soon!  2 Bedroom 2 Bath Corner Villa with Garage in  an Active Adult 55+ community in Boca Raton FL.   Coming to market soon! Updated with front screened-in porch and back screened-in patio.    Hurricane Impact windows. Newer kitchen and baths.  Being sold furnished or unfurnished.   Town Villas has a clubhouse, community swimming pool, spa, tennis, shuffleboard, exercise room, billiards and library.    Town Villas is an Active Adult 55+ pet-friendly community in Boca Raton FL. Conveniently located in Boca Raton, Town Villas is close to shopping, restaurants, banks, pharmacies, dry cleaners, medical facilities, houses of worship and major highways. ALL INFORMATION AND MEASUR... 09/18/2016

10 Reasons To List with A Realtor is courtesy of Florida Realtors and explains to buyers and sellers 10 reasons why they should list with a Realtor®.  It's my opinion buyers and sellers do themselves a disservice by trying to go it alone.  Please read the chart.  Makes sense, don't you agree?  09/16/2016

The Daily (091616) Hot Sheet Of Top Real News Trending Now  U.S. average 30-year mortgage rate jumps to 3.50%That's the highest since June, though long-term rates remain at historically low levels. Analysts say volatility in the U.S. stock market likely played a part. Read more.CoreLogic: 548K homeowners regained equity in 2QNationwide, the percentage of homes with positive equity rose to 92.9% of all mortgaged properties. At 14%, Fla. ranked 2nd among states for the highest percentage of mortgaged properties in negative equity. Read more.3Q HOME survey shows affordability concernsNAR: Strong home-price growth is eroding confidence among renters when asked if it's a good time to buy a home - 60% of renters agree, compared to 62% previously. Read more.Scholarships for college-level real ... 09/15/2016

Home Prices in Boca Raton FL for August 2016 Real estate market data for Boca Raton, FL provided by Elyse Berman of Realty Associates Florida Properties. Boca Raton Home Prices If you are interested in how much current inventory is on the market in Boca Raton you can find that information by clicking on the link. Low inventory suggests that homes are not sitting on the market for very long, That is the market we are in. Low inventory in Boca Raton has multiple offers coming in on homes similar to what we saw back in 2007. I wouldn't expect home prices to run up quite as fast as they did back then as banks have gotten a lot stricter on lending guidelines and are no longer giving a loan to anyone with a pulse. But, low inventory is one indicator that prices should continue to rise.    Boc... 09/05/2016

Although real estate market trends indicate a slowdown in home purchases as the school year starts and fall approaches, this isn’t always the case, especially in South Florida. Homes for sale, like Boca Raton luxury homes, are in demand all year. It may be the weather or type of buyers that house hunt in this area of the country, but now is a great time to buy. If you’ve got interested buyers looking at Boca Raton homes for sale, why not provide them with these 4 tips to help their search for their perfect living space go as smoothly and quickly as possible.  08/31/2016

The Daily (082616) Hot Sheet Of Top Real Estate News Trending Now Florida Realtors honors 2016 award winnersAndrew Barbar, 2015 president, is 2016 Realtor of the Year; Stephen Lingley is Associate Realtor of the Year - awards were given out yesterday at the convention. Read more.FEMA nixes community flood insurance; GAO agreesThe government oversight office agreed with a FEMA report that it's not wise to create community-based flood insurance policies. Under the plan, all residents would have been covered and paid for flood ins. through taxes or utility bills. Read moreNAR: Both presidential candidates good for industryState and local AEs at NAR's Leadership Summit were told Realtors should be okay no matter who wins the election thanks, in part, to NAR's lobbying strength. Read more.Av... 08/26/2016

This post is a follow up to Andrea Sweidler's post Honey Let's Not Use a Realtor. It is courtesy of Florida Realtors and explains to buyers and sellers 29 Ways It Pays To Work With a Realtor® .  I think buyers and sellers do themselves a disservice by trying to go it alone.  Please read the chart.  Makes sense, don't you agree? For information about pet-friendly housing in Boca Raton FL and Boca Raton Real Estate, please contact me. I am a Boca Raton Real Estate Agent.  I can be reached at (561) 716-7824 by text, cell or email at Elyse@ElyseBerman.com. All information deemed accurate but not guaranteed or warranted.    08/19/2016

 The Daily (081816) Hot Sheet Of Top Real Estate News Trending Now  Freddie Mac lowers mortgage rate predictionsMortgage experts have long predicted rates would increase "soon," but once again they appear wrong. Freddie now says low rates may be around for a while. Read more. Appraisers, 10 associations oppose PACE loan changesAlong with NAR, the Appraisal Institute objects to the energy-efficient program's costs taking precedence over the mortgage debt on FHA- and VA-backed loans. Read more. Buyers want to build a home? It'll take 7 monthsCensus Bureau: In the U.S. region that includes Fla., it takes about six months to build a new home plus 27 days for a permit to clear after contract signing. Read more.What do you do if floodwater rises unexpectedly?The floods in Louisiana came witho... 08/18/2016

Pet Friendly Homes in Boca Raton FL and Pet Restrictions Here is yet another reason why it's pet-friendly housing in Boca Raton FL can be hard to find.  This recently happened in a gated community that allows two dogs up to 25 lbs.  A letter came from the management company and HOA, along with a form, demanding you fill in information regarding your pets. The form had to be returned  within two weeks. The letter asked how many pets you have, what are their breeds and how much do they weigh.  Now, there are people whose pets are over 25 lbs - we all know that.  We see them walking in the neighborhood.  Do they bother anyone?  No.  There are no "aggressive breeds" in this particular community (that I know of.)  The letter went on to say, that if management or the HOA thinks your pet is ov... 08/17/2016

Anyone who lives in South Florida will tell you that once you are here, you will never want to leave! From the beaches and entertainment to the shopping and restaurants, there is so much to do and enjoy in this area of the country.  However, if you have never lived in South Florida, there are some differences between the various cities. Each city has its own individual personality and the cost of living can be different, for instance between Boca Raton luxury homes  and Coral Gables luxury homes.  Not all South Florida cities are the same. Read more about them and why cost-of-living calculations are important before anyone chooses to make a move. 08/15/2016

Home Prices in Boca Raton FL for July 2016 Real estate market data for Boca Raton, FL provided by Elyse Berman of Realty Associates Florida Properties. Boca Raton Home Prices If you are interested in how much current inventory is on the market in Boca Raton you can find that information by clicking on the link. Low inventory suggests that homes are not sitting on the market for very long, That is the market we are in. Low inventory in Boca Raton on has multiple offers coming in on homes similar to what we saw back in 2007. I wouldn't expect home prices to run up quite as fast as they did back then as banks have gotten a lot stricter on lending guidelines and are no longer giving a loan to anyone with a pulse. But low inventory is one indicator that prices should continue to rise.    Boc... 08/13/2016

The Daily (081116) Hot Sheet Of The Top Real Estate News Trending Now  What is 'prompt' notification of insurance claims?A condo landlord didn't discover mold for three years, so Citizens denied her claim. But a court ruling says "prompt" notification can't be a hard-and-fast rule. Read more.Miami condo prices fall - first time in 5 yearsA bubble hasn't burst, but housing supply and demand seem to be stabilizing. Miami has also been impacted by a decline in the number of international buyers and an uptick in new condo projects. Read more.Consumers love looking for homes onlineGoogle study: Americans spend an average of 55 minutes per online visit with real estate apps on their phones; 1 in 5 are actually in the market to buy a home. Read more.Renovation ideas owners may want to rethinkF... 08/11/2016

A Word to the Wise...Purchase TipAs anyone knows cars are an extension of who we are, or at least to some. Getting rid of a vehicle is no easy chore either. That being said timing is everything, especially when a home loan is involved. Take heed to this lesson  and make sure a car doesn’t trump your purchase.   08/07/2016

Boca Raton luxury homes may become even more attractive to those Americans 55 years old and older. A recent survey conducted by Freddie Mac offers an interesting insight into American who will be entering retirement age in the next few years. Research conducted on Americans 55 years and older looked into their current and future housing preferences, which provides some excellent information of realtors who will be seeing more of these home buyers in the future.  These results point to the fact that close to 40 percent of respondents expect to move at least one more time and cited a list of factors on what they will be looking for when they move into their next property. Find out more. 08/02/2016