This has been a different kind of year, that's for sure.  I'm grateful we're still here, despite what's going on around us every day.  Grateful we're healthy.  Grateful we get to see the sun rise every morning and set every evening.  Grateful for our furry friends, friends and family.Gratitude. Happy New Year!  Wishing you all the best in 2022! 01/04/2022

 I have the perfect CASH buyers for your home in Boca Raton.   These lovely people from out of state are looking to make Boca Raton their home. Looking for a $ 1M+ house with swimming pool in a gated community in Boca Raton.   Boca Pointe, Boca Bath & Tennis, Newport Bay, etc. Must be pet friendly.  No equity clubs, please. We are looking for homes that are single story.   It's important there is natural light, an inground swimming pool, and grassy area in back.  Willing to upgrade some things but redone a plus.   Maybe you have been thinking of selling and moving on?  Toying with the idea but haven't decided?   I'm here to tell you I have the perfect cash buyer for your home now!  And that's the truth! If you are thinking of selling your home in Boca Raton to a cash buyer, please conta... 11/25/2021

Yesterday I got a call about my listing in a certain community.  Puzzled because I don't have a listing in the community at this time, I started to explain how IDX works, thinking this was how the caller had found me. She listened but told me no, she found me on Active Rain.  She was certain of that.I was still confused because it's been a while since I posted about this community.  She texted me a copy of a post from 2020 and another from 2014 about this same community.  The caller thought they were current listings.  I thanked her for calling, explained these weren't current listings (the dates were on the posts) and explained what Active Rain was.  She had never heard of it before. In the midst of this,  I remembered Liz and Bill Spear 's post Old Posts Keep on Ticking and realized, ... 10/30/2021

  If you’re decorating your porch with real pumpkins this fall, you naturally want them to last as long as possible (and prevent this from happening too soon) – but what can you do? This guide will help you preserve your porch décor and make your pumpkins last through fall.Tips to Make Your Porch Pumpkins Last LongerLet’s be realistic: Our warm weather isn’t necessarily conducive to preserving pumpkins outdoors – but there are a few things you can do to make them last a little longer. If these tips fail, you may want to opt for faux pumpkins, which you can find at most party goods stores at this time of year.Tips for Preserving Whole Pumpkins on Your PorchIf you haven’t opted to carve your pumpkins, the best thing you can do is keep them out of the sun. Direct sunlight can cause them t... 10/26/2021

Things to Know Before Buying a Pet-Friendly Home in Boca Raton FL  There are things to consider before buying a pet-friendly home in Boca Raton FL.  This is especially true when you are making the move with pets.  Below are some great tips to help you. What type of house are you looking for? Do you know?  Is a single family home better than a a condo? Maybe yes, maybe no.  Do your dogs bark a lot?  Do they fall within the condo's pet rules and regulations as to breed, number and weight?  Do you mind going up and down an elevator to walk the dog at all times of the day or night? If the answer to any of these is yes, then a single family home might be a better way to go.  No one will complain about your dogs' barking, unless you leave them outside.  And that's not a good idea in south Flo... 09/21/2021

Pet Restrictions in Condos in Boca Raton FL Pet restrictions in condos are not all the same.  If you're looking to buy a pet-friendly condo in Boca Raton FL, make sure you are familiar with all the pet restrictions first.  As it turns out, they can be far more complex than you would think. Recently I worked with a couple who have two small Poodles.  You would think it would be easy because of their size.  Unfortunately, not so!    One oceanfront condo had pet restrictions of one dog maximum 20 lbs.  In addition, you had to post a $ 5000 bond and, if your dog made noise, you would be given a five-day notice to have the dog removed.  Really?!  You're buying a condo to live in and they give you five days to get rid of a family member for noise?  And they call it pet friendly.   Restriction... 08/05/2021

A Beautiful 4 Bed/2.5 Bath Woodfield Pool Home SOLD in Boca Raton!                                                A Beautiful 4 Bed/2.5 Bath Woodfield Pool Home SOLD in Boca Raton! This home is located in the exclusive and sought-after community of Woodfield Country Club for an affordable price. THERE ARE NO MEMBERSHIP FEES! This home offers over 3,500 square feet of living area with a nice back yard. There are also an updated kitchen and baths. Relax in the sparkling pool under screened patio. The home has accordion shutters for protection and a nice private lot with no neighbors in the back.This home is located in the highly desired Boca Raton community of Woodfield Country Club where residents enjoy a guard-gated entrance and a variety of resort-style amenities including a clubhouse,... 07/03/2021

She Had Me at Hello She really did.  Two plane rides and an hour-and-a-half car ride later, I was at a ranch in San Antonio to pick up "the pistol. "  A name my friend Marichin had lovingly given Gracie back in 2006 because she was so full of spunk.   Gracie was born to be a show dog.  She was 8 months old, beautiful with  fabulous papillon ears.  Her parents were both full size, but she was a miniature.  Just four ounces at birth,  Marichin kept waiting for her to grow.  It didn't happen.  Marichin said, She's too small to show and I'm not going to breed her, so come and pick her up.   And so I did. When I arrived at the house, I sat on the floor with the dogs.  They were all gorgeous tri-colored papillons.  I had no idea which one was Gracie, because they all looked similar! It didn't... 06/27/2021

A Beautiful 4 Bed/2.5 Bath Woodfield Pool Home FOR SALE in Boca Raton!                    A Beautiful 4 Bed/2.5 Bath Woodfield Pool Home FOR SALE in Boca Raton! This is your chance to live in the exclusive and sought-after community of Woodfield Country Club for an affordable price. THERE ARE NO MEMBERSHIP FEES! This home offers over 3,500 square feet of living area with a nice back yard. The split floor plan has a large living area and an awesome loft with a unique spiral staircase. There are also an updated kitchen and baths. The family room sits off the kitchen for ease of entertaining. The home is light and bright with tons of natural lighting and there are beautiful built-ins in the den for convenience. All the rooms are large. Relax in the sparkling pool under screened patio. The ... 05/28/2021

Pet Restrictions in CondosIf you have pets and are plannning to buy a condo, you must read the pet restrictioins carefully.  Not what the listing says.  Not what the agent says they are. Request and read the actual condo documents as they relate to pets.   Please.  You may just be surprised. In looking for a pet-friendly condo in Boca Raton last week, we found a condo will accept one pet up to 20 lbs.  Sounds good if you have a small dog right?  Not so fast.  Additionally, the buyer must put up a $ 5000 bond and carry the dog out through the garage.  The dog is not allowed to go out through the lobby.  And, if your beloved dog becomes a nuisance, the board has the right to ask you to remove it within three days.   Doesn't sound so pet friendly to me!   In another building that accepts t... 05/10/2021

Pets as Comfort This has been a long year for everyone.  Being at home more than ever, it just seems natural that your pets would be a source of comfort to you.   Most pets adore their humans.  Pets are there for your every mood.  When you're down, your cats and dogs are there and provide comfort.  When you come in after a day of work, your dog will run to greet you at the door.  Where else do you get that kind of greeting?  I didn't think so!   If you're sick, most dogs will stay with you.  They'll hop on the bed or sofa and watch tv with you.  Dogs get you out of the house.  People need to get out of the house and some may need help in doing so.  Walking a dog may be the only social interaction they have.  You get social interaction with other dog people you meet on your walk.  Social... 03/22/2021

Love at First Bark It was almost 15 years ago when I flew to Texas to pick her up.  Nicknamed "the pistol," by her breeder, she was the runt of the litter  Just four ounces at birth.  My friend nursed her every two hours like a baby, and thankfully she survived.   This little runt was just four pounds at eight months old.  My friend told me she was too small to show and too small to breed, so I should come and pick her up.  Which I did.  It had to be done in one day as I had another dog in kidney failure on fluids. I arrived after two plane rides and an hour-and-a-half car ride.  She jumped in my lap, though I had no idea which dog she was.  They all looked alike! She has lived up to her name, Chispa.  Chispa means sparkle.  She truly is a sparkle.  Although we changed her name to Graci... 03/07/2021

Tips to Be a Good Pet NeighborPets are great but it's important to be a good pet neighbor.  Common courtesy and being a good pet parent can go a long way to making happy neighbors.  Here are some tips to being a good pet neighbor. TrainingAre your dogs trained? I have seen some very untrained dogs being walked by people who think it's cute when they misbehave.  They don't try to correct them.  Or, they will say, s/he always does that.    Any dog can have bad behavior, but it's our job as a responsible pet parent to try and correct the behavior.  It takes time and effort, but will be worth it in the end. VaccinationsNot everyone believes in vaccinating their pets, but in Florida a rabies vaccination is required.  This is a personal one to me, as I was bitten by a neighbor's dog a few yea... 12/20/2020

Live at Pet Friendly Sea Ranch Condos | Boca RatonDog Friendly Condos for Sale in Sea Ranch Club in Boca RatonOceanfront LivingSea Ranch Club is a beautiful gated, oceanfront complex located on North Ocean Blvd in Boca Raton.  You will definitely see dogs walking around Sea Ranch, because they are allowed.    People walk their dogs along A1A or North Ocean Blvd, but Sea Ranch Club is set on 37 acres giving you plenty of room for walking or jogging with your furry friends.   Search pet friendly condos for sale at Sea Ranch Club in Boca Raton  Condos for Sale in Sea Ranch Club Interested in finding condos for sale in Sea Ranch Club in Boca Raton  Click that link to find all the currently available condos and townhouses in Sea Ranch.  What is Sea Ranch Club like Condos in Sea Ranch are two... 10/22/2020

2020 has been very different than any other year in our lives, for almost everyone (unless you're 101 or older!)  It's been a year of learning to adapt to change and, more than ever, a year of gratitude.  At least in my opinion. We have all had a wake-up call.  Life is short.  Life is fragile.  Appreciate what you have and have gratitude for every day, every new sunrise, for it is a gift denied to many.  Appreciate your health.  Don't sweat the small stuff.  We all have a few aches and pains.  I have been home since the end of March, except for work.  I have not gone out to eat in almost seven months (not so terrible, I can stand to lose the weight!)  Life as we knew it has probably changed forever. I've learned about masks.  Boy, have I learned about masks.  No matter if we feel like w... 10/18/2020

5 Star Review Elyse Berman | Boca Raton FL  Positive: Professionalism, Quality, Responsiveness We were so fortunate to have found Elyse Berman when we were looking for a realtor in Palm Beach County. As our Realtor, she helped us find the right house in the right neighborhood for the right price. She was patient as we mostly communicated over the phone and that included many weekends and after-hours calls. Elyse goes beyond when it comes to helping families find their perfect home.She has so much knowledge of the area that if you say the address and some reference point she would have a very close guess of what type of house you are referring to. She knows pretty much all the communities in Boca Raton and its surroundings.Thank you so much for all your help, Elyse.Thank you John & Mary!... 10/08/2020

Sold Virtually | Pet-Friendly Pool Home in Boca Raton    This remodeled home in Boca Raton just closed.  The new owners are a beautiful young couple, and the home was sold virtually.   Welcome to 2020, the year of virtual everything, including buying homes!    It was just a funny story   I had to share.     I digress.  This couple was referred to me looking to move back to warmer weather.    I had their wish list.  Non-negotiable was:  It had to be in Boca Raton.  It had to have a pool for the wife and a garage for the husband.    You would think this would be easy as many homes in Boca have pools and many also have garages.  But many is not a word when it comes to inventory today.  Inventory is very, very low.  Together we were on a mission.  We worked hard and we worked fast.  Submitt... 09/24/2020

5 Star Review Elyse Berman PA | Boca Raton FL I love when I know I've found the perfect home for buyers.  It's a wonderful feeling.   Such was the case with a beautiful pet-friendly condo at the beach in Boca Raton.  Everyone is happy including their adorable dog.   And that makes me happy!  Enjoy!  "Elyse was a true professional. We enjoyed working with her. She made the purchase of our condo easy seamless and a lot of fun. She knew a lot about pets of course. I would highly recommend her."    (Review originally posted on Yelp.)       RELATED POSTS Great Tips for Buying a Home with Pets  Pet Friendly Condos in Boca Raton, Highland Beach Trafalgar Condo | Dog Friendly Condos in Highland Beach  MORE RELATED POSTS Boca Raton FL Real Estate Market Report July 2020 Highland Beach FL Real Es... 09/10/2020

Sold! Pet-Friendly Beach Condo | Boca Raton FL 4001 N Ocean Blvd 906Boca Raton, FL 33431Sea Ranch ClubRX-10629190$ 879,000CLOSED! This dog-friendly beach condo in Boca Raton has closed.    This condo is located in Sea Ranch Club, a gated complex at the beach.  Sea Ranch is comprised of 4 buildings and a beach club, along with many amenities. The best part, aside from the view, is that Sea Ranch is pet friendly to cats and dogs.  Woof! This 2 bedroom 2 bath condo has been fully remodeled.   Complete with a view to die for, the condo is approximately 1900 square feet with a large balcony, complete with hurricane impact glass and accordian shutters.. Everything was well thought out, including a stove top overlooking the blue Atlantic Ocean.    For more dog friendly condos in Boca Raton, Hi... 08/30/2020

5 Star Review | Elyse Berman Boca Raton FL There is nothing better than receiving a thank you like this, knowing I've done my job well.  It's a great feeling to know you're apprciated for your efforts.  Thank you! "From Day 1, we knew we would be connected to Elyse forever. As a New Yorker who sought a more peaceful life in Florida, we connected with Elyse both through emotion and shared experience. As an animal lover herself, she instantly tailored our searches to communities and homes to allow for our  furry children. Taking into account my physical limitation, she adapted the search to meet those needs as well. What resulted was a finely curated listing of desirable homes. Partnering with Elyse made the whole process a breeze. And, Elyse continues to be an invaluable resource and fon... 08/18/2020