I attended Hudson & Marshall Auction yesterday at the Hyatt Bonaventure 300 properties we auctioned; this was my first time ever attending one of these events. And while I went there with one of my investor clients I must say that going to one of these events was a phenomenal experience, I wrote every single one of the prices that each home sold for as I like to keep it as a good indicator for future reference. Here is what my client purchases keep in mind that before bidding on anything you MUST perform your due diligence on the property, inspections, comparables, restrictions etc. Unit in Downtown West Palm Beach originally sold for $342k in 2005 we got it for $112.500 intracoastal front.   Coral Springs condo originally sold for $272k in 2005 we got it for $62.500   AMAZING DEALS!!!N... 12/07/2008

December 7, 1941 is remembered as "a date which will live in infamy":   Pearl Harbor Day. Thousands of lives were lost, a major portion of America's Pacific fleet was in pieces and the U.S. was catapulted into war in the Pacific. Today, at the onshore "USS Arizona" Memorial Visitor Center, we can see displays of World War II naval history and wartime Hawaii; and view a film about the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. A ferry shuttles back and forth between the visitor center and the memorial where one can actually stand right above the "Arizona". In fact, the rusted remains of the "Arizona" are clearly visible under the waters of Pearl Harbor. The memorial to the 1,100 men, entombed forever within the sunken, once mighty, battleship, straddles the "USS Arizona". One wall of the structure... 12/06/2008

Monday night (12/1/08) I attended the Dave Koz Concert with my Husband and absolutely LOVED it!  Dave Koz' Smooth Jazz Christmas 2008 Concert at Broward Center for the Peforming Arts was one of the Tour Dates on the 2008 Dave Koz and Friends Tour. Monday night's performance featured Dave Koz along with multi-talented Band and Artists, Jonathan Butler, Keiko Matsui, Jeff Golub, Brian Simpson, Stevo Theard, Bill “Rubberhand Man” Sharpe, and Randy Jacobs.  This was my first time hearing any of their Live performances and the Vocals, Drums, Piano, Bass, and Guitar were beyond phenomenal! The Songs included Smooth Jazz versions of Christmas Classics such as "My Favorite Things," "White Christmas", "O Holy Night", "Little Drummer Boy" and others along with many Smooth Jazz favorites.   The 2... 12/01/2008

The 2008 Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade in Ft. Lauderdale is right around the corner and I'll be attending.    It's scheduled for December 13, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. The Parade Route starts on the New River, travels East to the Intracoastal Waterway, and continues North to Lake Santa Barbara in Pompano Beach. To enjoy the show, you have 2 viewing options: Free Viewing along the Parade Route with prime viewing spots East of The Stranahan House View the Parade from the Grandstand Viewing area, which opens at 3:00 p.m. and will offer reserved and assigned seating, located inside Birch State Park on the Northeast corner of Sunrise Blvd. and the Intracoastal Waterway. The Grandstand Viewing Area will feature interactive games for the family, Florida Panthers' Slap Shot Game, 99.9 KISS... 12/01/2008

  Professional Office/Retail Suite Number: R-A Space Available SF: 2,000 SF Minimum Divisible SF: 2,000 SF Maximum Contiguous SF: 2,000 SF Space Subcategory 1: Office Building Space Subcategory 2: Office Showroom Lease Rate ($/SF): $20 PSF Lease Rate Type: Annual Date Available: 11/11/2008 Lease Term (Months): See Agent Lease Type: Absolute NNN Space Type: New Conference Rooms: 1 Offices: 5 Kitchen: Yes Parking Spaces: 6 Real Estate Taxes: $5.25 Operating Expenses: $13 CAM Expenses: $7.75 Rent Escalators: Index Lease Rent Escalators Description: 4.5% Annually Rent Concession: office is being offered fully furnished, with PBX and 15 phones, 1 T1 Internet service, Photocopy machine. Phone service (excluding International long distance) Internet Service and electricity are included. 200 S... 11/30/2008

The FDD - Franchise Disclosure Document and Franchise Agreement isn't so scary; in fact, it is typically a standardized document brimming with franchise information   Ft. Lauderdale, FL --  Young entrepreneurs who are looking to enter the world of franchising have learned a lot of valuable information by working with Rick Bisio, a highly respected franchise consultant and mentor for franchisees in training.  Rick teaches his students all about researching franchises and choosing one that is right for them.    Rick has discovered that many students are intimidated at the thought of reading and understanding the franchise contract.  In one of his recent mentoring sessions, Rick explained, "Though the contract may seem to be very heavy on legal terms it is not so difficult to understand on... 11/30/2008

Up until now, it's been kind of fun, hasn't it? This whole ‘franchise education' process? You've told your friends that you're thinking of being your own boss, you've found a franchise that appears to match your goals and desires, you've talked to existing franchisees...and now it's time to read the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and Franchise Agreement.   Ugh. It looks and feels heavy and legal. No fun. Scary even. Rest assured that fear at this point is normal and healthy.  What you don't know is that the franchise disclosure document you hold in your hands is a lot friendlier than it looks. It constitutes a standardized document, full with franchise information. You've likely heard that it's written to protect the franchisor; you should also know that it protects the franchisee ... 11/30/2008

The Auction method of marketing provides many advantages including:  •        By reducing the time a property is on the market, a greater value is returned to the seller as the marketing time has been greatly reduced, thereby reducing the carrying cost. •        A major reduction in the cost of carrying real estate, and the related expense of interest, maintenance, vandalism, taxes and risk of decline in the market value. •       Targeted marketing to the correct group of potential buyers who have the ability to purchase. This eliminates the expenditure of advertising dollars to groups of buyer with no interest in your property. •        Commissions collected from the buyer in the form of a Buyer's Premium instead of an adjustment to the gross proceeds on the closing statement. •      ... 11/25/2008

Foreclosures & Long Term Thinking  ! The majority of people that want to buy a home are not investors. There is a large group of people who don't want to buy properties now because they think prices will continue to drop. That may be the case but there is no one alive that can precisely time when the real estate market hits its extreme low as well as timing the extreme high.   The areas I specialize in are Foreclosures in Ft. Lauderdale & surrounding areas. People are waiting for the prices to drop further instead of realizing the Foreclosure home you purchase now will be lived in for a minimum of three to five years. Primary residential Foreclosure properties purchased today will be substantially higher in years to come. I don't have a crystal ball but if you bought a property at belo... 11/23/2008

Now is probably the greatest time in the history of Real Estate to buy Foreclosures. The general public needs to be educated about the fact that Foreclosures are relatively easy transactions as opposed to Short Sales or emotionally driven sellers.  The bank is not in the Real Estate business and has a surplus of properties they want to sell and sell now. Banks want to sell the thousands of properties on their books and are willing to take pennies on the dollar to do so. The average Foreclosure is well below today's market values and the bargains are incredible. The majority of buyers don't realize that five to ten years from now that most properties purchased from the bank today will have increased dramatically. Nobody has a crystal ball but if history repeats itself the general public ... 11/20/2008

110 N FEDERAL HY #632 in Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 has just been reduced to $299,999 and the best part about it is that it's not a SHORT SALE. 101 North Federal Hwy the Waverly You must see this very unique and spacious condo at 101 N. Fed. Hwy #632. Its original floor plan was a 2 bedroom and 2 bath with a huge storage room next door. This storage room was renovated and converted into a third room with large closet which can be used as a bedroom/office/media room. With this added space- you have approx 1686 s.f of air conditioned living space. Plus- you only pay maintenance on original sq ft.  Additional upgrades include crown moldings, kitchen granite, specialty lighting. Tandem space for two cars in covered garage.  Waverly Las Olas has resort-style pool, valet, 24-hour gym, and part... 11/20/2008

Humane Society of Broward County-Adopt a Pet Today A little over a month ago I had to sadly had to put my dog to sleep. We had a wonderful 17yrs together and I'll always cherish the times we had. A few weeks after his passing.....I decided to take the food we had left over and donate it to the Humane Society of Broward County.     While I was there for my visit..... I decided to go look at what dogs they had available to adopt. Adopting a rescued pet is a great thing for both the pet and the new owner. I looked around and went through all 4 kennels and I'll have to admit that it was hard for me to see so many dogs that were left abandoned.             Right now it's too soon for me to take in another pet at the moment but if you know anyone who would be interested....you should send the... 11/18/2008

Head to Huizenga Plaza downtown Fort Lauderdale 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday when Wendy's will give away 1,000, 1/4-pound Singles and 2,000 $5 Wendy's gift cards. All free! The same promotion will be repeated 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21 at Bayfront Park in Miami. Fort Lauderdale and Miami are the final two cities in Wendy's 25-stop Great Taste Tour which features a mobile kitchen, music and prizes. So if you are looking for free stuff, I suggest you head down to Fort Lauderdale for free burgers!! They go fast so don't wait to long!!! I loe free stuff and loe Wendy's so nothing better than for an excuse to head to downtown!! See you there!!!   11/17/2008

Recently a dryer fire was reported in Boynton Beach.  The home on Chrysanthemum drive was a total loss.  Mrs. Pittman, an animal trainer was able to save her dogs, but sadly four cats died in the fire. The day before, Gena Brown of Lexington, MA lost her life to a house fire that was caused by lint build up.  The heroic mother managed to save her two daughters but sadly she perished in the fire. Unfortunately, this happens more often than you think.  The US Fire Administration reports there are 15,600 dryer fires annually resulting in 15 deaths and almost $100 million in damages.  "FAILURE TO CLEAN" is listed as the main reason by the US Fire Administration.  That is why Consumer Product Safety Commission, Underwriter Laboratories and Consumer Reports all recommend inspecting and cleani... 11/15/2008

Amazingly buyers in the current Fort Lauderdale real estate market are finding themselves in an extremely advantageous situation. The market is flooded with homes for sale and sellers are dropping their prices to bring in more prospective buyers. The conventional way of buying real estate is to browse through listings and contact the homes that best match the buyer’s criteria. But in the current real estate market, there maybe hundreds of homes that match a buyer’s criteria and a they need to find out which Fort Lauderdale home for sale has the most motivated seller. So, how does a buyer know where to start? The buyer can’t set up appointments to see several hundred houses so the best option is probably to defy convention and market themselves as a buyer to the sellers. Sellers anywhere... 11/12/2008

I know it's a day latter but a friend of mine sent me this quote from a former President and I just wanted to share it with my Active Rain family. From Stuart:  Happy Birthday, Marines! I'm a day late as I was busy doing my 233 push-ups yesterday, as I'msure y'all did as well. Anyway, a friend sent me this great veteran'sday quote, I thought you'd all enjoy."It is, in a way, an odd thing to honor those who died in defense of ourcountry, in defense of us, in wars afar away. The imagination plays atrick. We see these soldiers in our mind as old and wise. We see them assomething like the Founding Fathers, grave and gray-haired. But most ofthem were boys when they died, and they gave up two lives, the one theywere living and the one they would have lived. When they died, they gaveup their c... 11/12/2008

Happy Birthday Marines Video from Go Daddy.   I want to thank Go Daddy for this great video to Honor Marines on this 233rd Birthday. Click on video.                             Monday November 10th 2008 will be the 233rd Marine Corps Birthday.     Tenth day of November  Like the U.S. Marine Corps itself, the annual Birthday Ball has evolved from simple origins to the polished and professional functions of today.  Nonetheless, one thing remains constant, the tenth day of November!  This unique holiday for warriors is a day of camaraderie, a day to honor Corps and Country.  Throughout the world on 10 November, U.S. Marines celebrate the birth of their Corps -- the most loyal, most feared, most revered, and most professional fighting force the world has ever known.   Happy Birthday Marine... 11/10/2008

A penny for your thoughts.... remember that old saying? Veterans Day is Tuesday...let's remember! Here in Florida, almost every morning there are people trying to make a little money selling newspapers.  I usually buy one from them and give them a quarter or fifty cents if it is a Sunday. The other day, while I was buying my newpaper at a red light, the man said to me, "'Do you remember what a few pennies used to buy??" I said, "Yes" while I was remembering a piece of bubble gum or a fire ball, he was indicating to me that pennies, while now an insignificant amount of money these days, added together, make a nickle,,,25 pennies make a quarter...and in these times...that still is not enough to survive on. He said, "You know, I'm here on this street corner every morning, trying to make a ... 11/09/2008

There are various rentals in the Downtown Fort Lauderdale area.  Menu Realty Group Specializes in Downtown Fort Lauderdale Rentals.  Just a few complexes we specialize in is The Waverly at Las Olas, Symphony, Nu River Landing, The Riverhouse and the Watergardens.  Don't forget the condos on the beach too.  Call today! 954-463-3160 or e-mail MenuRealtyGroup@gmail.com. If you know of a friend or family member planning on re-locating contact us we would love to help! 11/07/2008

Remember Veterans Day - November 11   By law, Veterans Day is set aside to honor our nation's military veterans both living and dead, who served in time of war.  So on Tuesday November 11 don't forget to take a moment out of your day to say a prayer for the men and women who make this country great. Tomb of the Unknown Soldier The focal point for national observance is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery.  At 11:00 am on 11 November, a color guard that includes all military services executes "Present Arms."  The President of the United States lays a wreath upon the tomb, steps back, and salutes.  A bugler plays Taps.  A grateful nation has not forgotten. Marine Rifle Honor Gaurd at  Arlington National Cemetery After four years of carnage in Europe, the giant c... 11/06/2008