Forget those dismal newspaper headlines about the local real estate market!  You may be reading in local newspapers that home sales and prices are plummeting throughout our area, but our research shows that is not universally true everywhere in Palm Beach County. Some of the communities that we follow closely have remained stable in sales and price while changes in other communities have been significantly less than media reports.The buyers' market remains strong, but many sellers are pricing their homes realistically and buyers are looking carefully.  Offers are being made, contracts are being written and homes are being sold.  In August alone, the Weiss-Clawson Team brought eight buyers and sellers to agreement on home sales.        The Weiss-Clawson Team researches home sales and pri... 10/06/2007

BallenIsles Golf and Country Golf Club Communities are up This September 2007 our sales we're 9 sales in BallenIsles over 1 sale in in September 2006. So our market in BallenIsles is moving fast over year. 9 Sales in September months is where are were in a GREAT real estate market in BallenIsles.  10/04/2007

As many of my readers know I am a Licensed Florida Mortgage Broker located in Palm Beach County (Palm Beach Gardens) and I do not purchase leads.  My business comes strictly from referrals and thankfully through Active Rain and people reading my outside blogs. (Mortgage Advice, Palm Beach Gardens) Recently, I am working with a client who has now closed however, prior to finding me this client went to Lending Tree for their refinance.  When they filled out the information they informed them they had a high Loan-to-value (what the house is worth versus what you owe) along with ok credit.   Now that Fannie Mae has changed some of it's guidelines it seemed either Lending Tree re-sold leads (very common to re-sell old leads) or the mortgage companies are rehashing the old ones. With all the ... 10/03/2007

PROMENADE SHOPPING CENTER IS LOCATED:ON A1A ALT.BETWEEN NORTH-LAKE BLVD. AND BURNS ROAD, in PALM BEACH GARDENS:This is a shopping haven. Almost every service is available.Restaurants include: The Garden Ale House, Chopstick House, Dune Dog Express, Nature Way Cafe and of course McDonald's.For those that are weight and exercise conscious ,there is Jenny Craig and Planet Fitness center.Publics and CVS are there for your food and health care need.Need movies for that rainy day visit Block Buster.Jo Ann Fabrics and Crafts and Stuff two stores to visit for arts and craft for the kids and adults.All bargain hunters will love to visit the consignment store.Banks are available for your banking needs.There is a Vet for your pets health care.There is a hair salon and eye care center.For household... 10/02/2007

Sandelwood Town Estates is a town home community located: from A1A to  East Burns Road to Sandelwood Town Estates on the left.  The community was built  in the mid 1970's.The town homes have brick facing on the lower level and the second level is a Mansard Roof made of Shingle Shakes.There is a fenced patio, charming galley kitchen, split bedroom floor plan with a cute balcony off each bedroom, some units have fire places for those cooler Florida nights.The community has side walks, jogging and bicycling and a play area for the young ones.Prices start in the low 200,000's.If you would like to know more about Palm Beach visit our web site: www.NorthPalmBeachVillage.comcontact: marilynnglener@yahoo.comCall: 561 801 6968 10/01/2007

Palm Beach Gardens finally has a sophisticated Gourmet Mexican Restaurant with the recent opening of Cantina Laredo.  Situated in the new Midtown area of Palm Beach Gardens @ 4635 PGA Boulevard, Cantina Laredo takes Mexican food to new heights.  I've been in there several times so far- Lunch, Dinner and Brunch - and I was very impressed with the look of the restaurant, the fantastic service and (most importantly) the quality of the food.Continue the review >> Marc J BlasiRealtor® - Leibowitz Realty GroupMortgage Broker - Knightlines Mortgage Services, LLCPalm Beach Real Estate and Loans(561)-282-7406 Cell(561)-627-5100 Office(561)-627-9385 FaxMarc@LeibowitzRealty.com Email 09/29/2007

Right now is a marvelous time to be a Mortgage Broker in South Florida (Palm Beach Gardens).  What, how can I be writing this you ask? Especially after what Jim Cramer stated.  Simple, most of the "Wanna Be" Mortgage Professionals have left the industry when they felt had no Mortgage Programs left. For those of us who have been around we know one thing in life, things comes and go. Knowing this look at some of the Mortgage Programs that are available again:Stated Jumbo LoansStated Under $417,000 with FICO's Starting at 580 for Self-EmployedFannie Mae / Freddie Mac has loosened guidelines No Ratio for InvestorsSub-Prime is alive and well.  No FHA is not considered a Sub-Prime lender.Alt "A" Paper is Back.40/50 Year Mortgage 1 day out of Chap 13OK before you start asking yourself did'nt t... 09/28/2007

Maybe the heat gets to people in South Florida but being a Mortgage Broker in Palm Beach Gardens, I can't believe how some people can come to me with an attitude about obtaining a Mortgage. My Grandfather gave me some great advice when I was growing up in Miami. "In life you get more with honey".  I am not saying you should be grateful for my time or grovel to me, but speak to me like a person.  I have over 20 years of Sales experience ranging from being a Sales Person, Sales Management  to training sales people and along with that I have taken numerous sales courses.  If I could give people who are shopping Mortgage Advice is be a mentsh. (a person) Not everyone in the industry is a bad person. With the recent industry changes many of the unethical Mortgage professional have been flush... 09/27/2007

Being a Mortgage Broker in South Florida (Palm Beach Gardens) allows me a lot of choices for my clients.  I receive roughly 50 e-mails a day from all types of Wholesale Lenders like CountryWide, Bank of America to Delta Funding (Sub-Prime). Recently, I received e-mails letting me know that Fannie Mae expanded approvals on the DU System. (Desk Top Underwriter).Having a current file that was referred with caution (Nice way of saying denied) the file was off to one of my sub-prime lenders that I work with.  The current rate for this client because of Low FICO Scores and very High Loan-To-Value of the home was just under 10%.  The good news was because the loan is going Sub-Prime the client does not have to pay MI (Mortgage Insurance).  Of course they are paying it in the interest rate of t... 09/26/2007

Florida is not just the Sunshine State but it is also the home to second chances.  Everyone in life has hit a speed bump or two. Is'nt that what life is all about?  If you are currently in a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy you might be able to buy your way of it by using the equity in your home and help restore your credit at the same time.Now before you start thinking "Yeah Right" What will the lender actually loan me .50 on the $1.00? You may be surprised to find out that some investors might go as high as 95% of what your home is worth.  These type of loans are manually underwritten and are on a case by case scenario.  Most of the determining factor will come on how you paid your Mortgage Payments.                                                                   How long do I have to wait to ... 09/24/2007

                                                                    Being a Mortgage Broker in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida I have clients everywhere from Miami to Orlando that I prefer to meet Face-to-Face when doing business. So I depend on my Car a lot to make sure it takes me to these places.  Recently, I needed new tires so I did the typical Shopping of Tire Kingdom, Costco, Good Year all of which some had better customer service than others however, their prices seemed high. (at Least to me)  In Sunday's paper I came across an advertisement for Pep Boys in Palm Beach Gardens with some amazing prices.  I figured it had to be a bait and switch along with lousy customer service imagine my surprise when I was greeted with great customer service by a gentleman named Jeffrey.Jeffrey actu... 09/21/2007

When I first started in the Mortgage Industry in Northern Palm Beach County (Palm Beach Gardens)  my first job was as a Loan Officer for a company who made us Process our own files.  Looking back I do realize the truth was the owner was just cheap and did not want to pay our processor that much money. However, the education that I gain by processing my own files was invaluable.   Now many years later,  I have contracted with an Full-Time Processor outside of my office and yesterday I am so glad that I did.  While many of us would like to think we know everything in the lending world, the truth of the matter is we don't.  Some times things just get by us and mistakes can happen.  Yesterday, was one of those days for me.  I have been using my appraiser for many years and have never had an... 09/19/2007

BallenIsles Estates homes are selling this summer 2007. Most BallenIsles Residents believe that the summer months are slow in Golf Club Communities and that most buyers buying homes in season (Nov-May). I believe that everyone puts their home on the market during that time and then your homes get lost in the crowd. I think that in the summer months you might get less activity, but more serious buyers. So, before you decided to wait for the busy season, consider selling your home when no one else is. 09/17/2007

Old Palm Golf Club was crafted by WCI, Florida's premier luxury golf course community developer and is situated on 650 pristine acres in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. The Old Palm golf course has been designed by golfing great and Hall of Fame member Raymond Floyd and keeps with a commitment to present a golf program steeped in tradition and created for the "player," Serving as the Club's Honorary Chairman, Mr. Floyd is intimately and personally involved in the design, development and maintenance of this exclusive club and golf course to ensure that Old Palm Golf Club stands as one of the finest clubs and courses in the world. Old Palm Golf Club will be known as Raymond Floyd's home course and will serve as a residence for his family. Learn More at Palm Beach Real Estate Blog 09/16/2007

Frenchman's Creek is all that one could hope for in a private country club community. Breathtaking in its beauty and splendor, Frenchman's Creek is home to some of the finest residential masterpieces available in the entire state. Single family estate residences, lake-side town homes, villas and patio homes all are designed to drink in the glorious, sun-splashed surroundings that make Frenchman's Creek truly special.Learn more at Palm Beach Real Estate Blog 09/16/2007

Living and working in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida which is located in the Northern end of Palm Beach County really allows me to meet most of my clients. Whether my clients are in Miami, Ft. Lauderdale or even as far North as Orlando and would like to meet with me about refinancing the current mortgage or purchasing a new home.In the current Mortgage Industry, Borrowers really need the help and advice of a true mortgage professional.  Know longer does size matter of the Mortgage Company just look at HomeBanc for example.  When a borrower is looking to work with a Mortgage Professional they must realize that it is know longer like going to a Burger King drive through and getting it their way.  They really must work with the Mortgage Professional in a two way street.Below are some suggesti... 09/13/2007

Ok has everyone had enough bad news about the Mortgage Industry especially in Florida?  I know I have had it...Thankfully, I am a Mortgage Broker in Palm Beach Gardens and my phone and e-mail keeps sending me clients.  Everyone I meet lately keeps saying how sorry they are because we have no programs left for the home buyer.  WHAT?!?! So I did a little research with some of my lenders that I use.. (One of the advantages of using a broker...Sorry I had to get a plug in)                                      These are just some of the programs that are available100% Financing640 FICO STATED up to 90%LTV on a Purchase (Self-Employed)580 FICO STATED on Self Employed Borrowers  For Self-Employed Borrowers..Business Bank statements can count for Proof of Income (at 75%)Great Programs for Teach... 09/11/2007

Last week I mentioned several things that were being done at PGA National to improve what is already a fantastic Golf Club Community:PGA National Owners' Meeting Palm Beach Real Estate Update: Improvements to PGA National Many of the changes have already been made or at least started.The only question that was left was: "Are we finally going to have restricted access?"Well, I'm happy to report that the answer is YES (and it's about time!).Read More >> Marc J BlasiRealtor® - Leibowitz Realty GroupMortgage Broker - Knightlines Mortgage Services, LLCPalm Beach Real Estate and Loans(561)-282-7406 Cell(561)-627-5100 Office(561)-627-9385 FaxMarc@LeibowitzRealty.com Email 09/10/2007

It has been a long hot summer in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida but thank the Lord Football is Back!  As many of my readers know I enjoy smoking a good Cigar from Gardens Cigar located in Palm Beach Gardens.  Over the summer they had a change in ownership and sometimes change is not always for the better.  However, in this case Gardens Cigars has really made some nice changes in the paint, flooring and the over all look of the place.  The biggest improvement has been made to the Humidor where many great cigar brands have been added.  I am glad to see they have kept with tradation and have Sunday Football at the shop.  Bob (The new owner) really went to town this past Sunday for Kickoff.  He made is own dips from scratch one spicey (still drinking water from it) and one mild.  In addition, ... 09/10/2007

Palm Beach County, Florida is Not just Golf, Sun, Shopping and great Restaurants the County also has some great Web sites.  Today I met with a client who informed me they wanted to take advantage of the Buyers Market in Palm Beach Gardens and what percent should they offer under the asking price.  My first response (as always) are you working with a Professional Realtor?  Of course the client told me that they did not believe in working with Realtors.  ( I know I shook my head also)  My advice was as follows:Since You are Not working with a Professional Realtor in this market, you really should be working with one!Not every seller is desperate to sellI cannot tell them what percentage under to offer as a seller.  To my knowledge I don't believe their is a set percent that is ok.I did in... 09/06/2007