Boca Woods Homes for Sale: February 2011

Thursday, February 24, 2011

THE GOOD NEWS

According to the National Association of Realtors:

· Existing home sales increased 2.7% nationally

· This is the first time in 7 months that sales activity was higher than a year earlier

· Chief Economist Lawrence Yun says

o Home sales uptrend is consistent with improvements in the economy and jobs

o Consumer confidence is boosting

o Affordability conditions are a big factor

o Tight credit has resulted in high levels of all-cash purchases primarily for distressed homes sold at deep discounts – which pulls the median price downward but traditional homes in good condition have held their value

o Investor activity is another factor re purchasing undervalued homes

· In January, first time buyers bought 29% of homes sold

· Investors bought 23% of purchases in January

· Housing inventory is at a 7.6 month supply, lowest level since 12/2009

· Existing-home sales increased 3.6% in the South

NAR is America’s largest real estate trade association, representing 1.1MM members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.

Saturday, February 12, 2011

GOOD NEWS AND BAD NEWS ON THE HOME FRONT

Zillow reported that south Florida home values are down 15.4% year-over-year in 4Q2010. Home Value Index fell to $139,100 from $160,000 at end of 2009.

Housing bargain sales wins prevail with big losses for many sellers. This IS THE BEST TIME EVER to buy in Florida.

Foreclosures in Florida fell 54% according to Realty Trac year-over-year in January 2011. Foreclosure filings last month were 21,671 in Florida, one for every 409 housing units in the state which is 15.4% lower from December 2010.

What to make of this? An interesting 9-acre man-made island between Aventura and Sunny Isles Beach is on the market for $49.5MM reports Condo Vultures. In the 1950’s the DOT created the island as part of a massive dredging effort. Assessed value? $3MM or $7.90 per sq ft according to the Miami-Dade County Property Appraisers Office. Sounds like an interesting deal… so let’s wait and see who (if anyone) buys this island!

Mortgage interest rates are going up… rate topped 5% for the first time since last April. Rates, however, are still historically low according to Florida Realtors organization, and there is actually a $100 a month jump on a $200,000 loan since the lowest rate in November. Rates follow the 10-year Treasury note yields, heading up with inflation fears. Many buyers are paying cash.

Thursday, February 03, 2011

WANT TO SEE THE NEWEST DECORATOR MODELS?

Model Tour: 1200 Hillsboro Mile, Before & After – 2/8/2011 at 2 pm

Join the Robb & Stucky Design Team of Rene Evans, ASID and Richard Ramus at 1200 Hillsboro Mile for a private tour of their beautiful model. This is an opportunity to see the “before” unfurnished unit and the “after” decorated model–and the transformation is amazing. This event is offsite. The model is located about 1 mile south of Hillsboro on the west side of A1A. Reservations are required so please call early to reserve your space and to receive directions. No cameras, please.

Model Tour: Villas By The Sea, Before & After – 2/16/2011 at 2 pm

Have you ever wondered how a designer finds inspiration and then transforms it into a design concept? Join Robb & Stucky Design Associate Ron Acosta on-site at Villas by the Sea. Ron will start the tour in an unfurnished unit, then continue to the completed model for comparison. He will share his design process, and the secret that inspired the special look of this incredible Oceanside model project. Meet first at the Sales office for Villas by the Sea, located off A1A just north of Commercial Blvd in Lauderdale by the Sea. Reservations are required so please call early to reserve your space and to receive directions. No cameras, please.

Please call (561) 862-5597 to reserve; reservations are limited!

BOCA WOODS MARKET UPDATE

In the last 12 months 64 homes closed ranging from a 2 bedroom 2 bath banked owned property that sold for $47,000 (on the market 98 days) to 3 bedroom, 2 ½ bath 3298 living sq ft pool home that sold for $362,500 (on market for 51 days). Currently there are 20 homes on the market ranging from a 2 bedroom, 2 bath 2008 living sq ft Pinewood model (no pool) listed for $99,000 to a 5 bedroom, 6 bath 5361 living sq ft home with pool listed for $897,000. 5 homes are pending, 4 homes are contingent.

MARILYN KNOWS BOCA WOODS

Boca Woods offers great value with spacious homes, many with water views and screened pools. Membership (mandatory) is $55,000 one time, with a portion returned if you move, and there are annual dues around $13,000/year. Clubhouse has been renovated, has a full service dining room and breakfast café, pro shops for tennis and golf, tee time usually available for golf, and many social activities. Located in southwest Florida, Boca Woods is near shopping, medical facilties, turnpike, and all Boca schools are A-Rated. It is an active adult community.

MEMBERSHIP DUES AND FEES AND OTHER EXPENSES

The equity membership due at closing is a fully refundable $30,000 + $25,000 non-refundable initiation fee. Annual dues are $12,900+ tax. Boca Woods features 2 championship golf courses (often no wait for tee time), pro shop, driving range, Har-Tru tennis courts, newly redecorated clubhouse with 3 restaurants, special interest clubs (single, womens) and a fitness center. Valet parking. Dining room requires a spending minimum of $1500/year. A $106 service charge covers tipping. Special Assessment of $113/month for redoing both golf courses.

MARILYN HANDLES LISTINGS AND SALES

Email marilynfjacobs@gmail.com, let her know price range, # bedrooms, location (city, ocean/countryclub/active adult/ inland house condo or townhouse) and move in and move out dates. Tell your friends to call Marilyn. AT THESE LOW PRICES FOR CONDOS AND HOUSES, NOW IS THE TIME FOR YOU, YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS TO BUY A PIECE OF THE AMERICAN DREAM, 2ND HOME, VACATION HOME OR PERMANENT RESIDENCE. Call Marilyn at 561-302-3388 and she will find THE HOME OF YOUR DREAMS. Realtor MARILYN JACOBS is licensed with Realty Associates Florida Properties in Boca Raton, Florida.

SIX OF MARILYN'S LISTINGS... LOOK HOW FASSSST THEY SOLD!

Delray Beach Townhouse: under contract in 14 days. Polo Club house under contract same day listed. Polo Club townhouse and condo both under contract in 21 days. House listed with another agent for a year was under contract in 90 days when Marilyn listed it. Smith Farm house in Lake Worth CLOSED in 63 days with endless showings when the market was "DEAD". Both a house in Delray Beach and a townhouse in Boca Raton were sold over the internet by Marilyn. An out-of-town buyer saw 7 properties on the first day out and immediately purchased one. If you click the SOLD SIGN you will see TESTIMONIALS but first copy the URL below so you can return to this blog.

Known as "a kinder, gentler place," where neighbors care about each other

Boca Woods is a well-planned community, with 645 single family homes built between 1957 and 1991, all with golf course or lake views on over 600 acres. Homes have space between them - not zero lot lines. There are no condos or townhouses in the community. 65% of the residents live there year round.

Golf Membership is Mandatory ($50,000 total). Two golf courses are available with guaranteed tee time. Many scheduled activities provide an active social life. There is a clubhouse, pool and 5,000 sq. ft. fitness center with fitness instructor always on duty; personal training and massages available. There are a driving range, professional golf staff, private lessons and clinics. There are 8 Har-Tru tennis courts with two lighted for night play. There is a ball machine, private instructions and complimentary clinics.

Activities include a computer club, singles club and a women's club. There is a breakfast and lunch cafe and pro shop. Location is on the south side of Glades Road on west side of State Road 7 (US 441).