Smartproperties's Blog

Best of Boca Raton 2010

smartproperties — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 15:43:18 +0000

Boca Raton Magazine’s Annual Best of Boca issue recently was published. Some of the 2010 winners!

Best Happy Hours : Morton’s The Steakhouse, Vic & Angelo’s, Cut 432, McCormick & Schmick’s, Atlantic Grill

Best Sunday Brunch: Sunday House

Best Take Home Dinners: Joseph’s Classic Market

Best Wine Bar: Vino’s

Killer Sliders: Bogart’s at the Cinemark Movie Palace

South Florida Restaurant Specials

smartproperties — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 17:39:38 +0000

Now that summer is upon us with the temperature heating up, afternoon thunderstorms and snow birds back up north we can enjoy some specials that this slower season brings. One of these is reduced prices in restaurants.

Check out www.southfloridadines.com for some great specials in our local restaurants. There are all types of restaurants and some really great deals. Enjoy!

Sales of Existing Homes Sales Rose In April

smartproperties — Mon, 24 May 2010 18:08:38 +0000

The Florida Realtors Association has reported that sales of existing home in Florida rose 27% in April. Last month’s statewide exsisting – home median price of $140,000 was 1% higher than the statewide median price in April 2009.

Condo sales reported a 55% increase in statewide sales in April compared th the pervious years sales figures.

The Federal homebuyer tax credit, housing options at attractive and affordable prices and historically low interest rates all are contributing to the increase in sales.

UF – FLORIDA REAL ESTATE MARKET HAS HIT BOTTOM

smartproperties — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 18:38:27 +0000

A study released by the University of Florida on April 29, 1010.

“Results of our first quarter survey indicate that the real estate market in Florida has hit bottom and is in the process of stabilizing across most property types” said Timothy Becker, director of the University of Florida Bergstrom Center for Real Estate Studies.

They also indicated that one of the strongest areas in the state is South Florida because of its diverse economies, continuous migration and the influx of foreign capital.

Great New!

Has the Foreclosure Crisis Peaked

smartproperties — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 20:49:13 +0000

USA Today has reported that the share of homeowners behind on their mortgages fell in the first quarter, the first drop in 4 years! This could possibly be a sign that the foreclosure crisis has peaked.

April Events in Boca Raton

smartproperties — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 21:25:06 +0000

Friday April 2 – Spring Egg Drive Meadows Park Pool

Saturday April 3, 12-3 Spring Fling At the Children’s Museum

Saturday April 10 7 – 11 Previously Owned Sale at Patch Reef Park

Friday April 23 7 pm Music in the Park at Mizner Park

Friday April 30 at Dusk Cinema in the Park “Kung Fu Panda” Mizner Park

Mobile Apps to Download

smartproperties — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 19:37:27 +0000

Some great mobile applications for your smartphone.

Yelp – Find the closest coffee shop or the best nearby place for a burger.

TeleNav - Turn your cell phone into a real-time navigation device. TeleNav will guide you with spoken directions.

iLiving - This iPhone app allows you to take a photo of a ro0m and then add object such as sofas, lamps, and other furniture.

New Short Sale Rules Begin April 5

smartproperties — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 17:57:44 +0000

Beginning April 5, under new Treasury Department rules, short sales will be presented as the potential next step for homeowners who are rejected by or fail to make the grade for the federal Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP).
The new Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternative program will run until Dec. 31, 2012. Among its provisions:

• The lender must offer a short sale in writing to the borrower within 30 days after the borrower either is ruled ineligible for mortgage modification under the HAMP program or has been ruled unable to sustain payments under a trial plan.

• A borrower may receive up to $1,500 to assist with relocation expenses.

• Incentives of $1,000 will be offered to lenders for each completed short sale. For each deed in lieu of foreclosure, in which the borrower voluntarily transfers the property to the lender, $1,000 will be paid to the lender.

• A lender with a second lien on the property will get up to $3,000 of the short-sale proceeds, or can pursue a short sale outside the program if it doesn’t agree to share.

• The lender will not be permitted to reduce the real estate agent’s commission after an offer on a property has been received.

Millions Allocated to Support Mortgages

smartproperties — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 18:46:03 +0000

Distressed homeowners in Florida will get $418 million of economic stimulus money to help them sell homes or make mortgage payments to avoid foreclosure.

The Florida Housing Finance Corp., a non profit group funded by the state, must submit a plan to the Treasury by April 16 to say how they will help homeowners. They are looking at implementation late summer or early fall.

The Florida Housing Finance Corp. plans to post updates to Floridahousing.org and homeowners can sign up on the website for e-mail notices.

March Activites in Boca Raton, FL

smartproperties — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 18:29:31 +0000

March 5 -13 Festival of the Arts Mizner Park Amphitheater

March 13 – 5th Annual Sea Turtle Day Gumbo Limbo Nature Center

March 30 10 – 3 Children’s Spring Fair Patch Reef Park

March 29 and March 31 Spring Break Activities Sugar Sand Park

March 20 10:00 AM Fire Rescue 2010 Expo, Town Center Mall Demonstrations, exhibits, hot dogs