Below are the top ten reasons me and my family choose to live in Boca Raton. 1. The Climate and Geography. 2. The People. 3. The Parks and Beaches. 4. The Private Schools.                                                                5. The Shopping. 6. The Cleanest City Anywhere. 7. The Proximity to the Rest of the States Attractions. 8. The City Services. 9.The Boca Raton Police Department / Fire Rescue 10. The Community Sports Programs.   08/08/2008

BOCA EAST PALM BEACH FARMS 3/2/2 FOR $ 1,990 PER MONTH FOR RENT IN EAST BOCA RATON WITH NO HOA. HUGE BACK-YARD WITH SPACE FOR A POOL AND WITH A CABANA BATH. SCREENED-IN PATIO. LOTS OF CLOSETS. A GREAT FIND IN DESIRABLE EAST BOCA! SPACIOUS 3/2/2 SPLIT FLOOR PLAN. NEWLY ROOF. WOOD FLOORS IN LIVING AND DINNING ROOM.SEPARATE FAMILY ROOM AND EAT-IN KITCHEN. FIRE PLACE. OVER 2000 SQ FT UNDER AIR. LAUNDRY ROOM WITH FULL WASHER/DRYER, SINK AND IRON TABLE. LOTS OF SPACE! HUGE BACK-YARD. SHOWER/TUB IN BATHROOMS. VERY SPACIOUS 2-CAR GARAGE WITH REMOTE CONTROL AND MUCH MORE. CALL NOW KARINA LEAL 561-350-3503 EMAIL KARINA@LEALUSA.COM FOR SHOWING INSTRUCTIONS. http://www.karinaleal.com 08/07/2008

Boca Raton has some of the very best restaurants around.  From the casual to the chique, here are some of my favorites, and thanks to Zagat reviews as well. Zagat is one of the Leading Food Critic Guides in the Country.  If you have been to a great restaurant or maybe even a restaurant that you would never want to go back to, I would love to hear from you.  Please email me at DSerle@SearchPalmBeachHomes.com and I will publish your review on both my website and blog.  You can find coupons on www.SouthFloridaDines.com Great information as well.  Abe & Louie's2200 West Glades Rd.(Renaissance Way) Boca Raton, FL 33431561-447-0024 ZAGATRatings & Review  Food Decor Service Cost - - - E A bit of Boston beefs up Boca with the arrival of this bustling steakhouse (with a Massachusetts-based sibli... 08/06/2008

Now that its getting close to back to school time everyone is taking care of things like school supplies, clothes and aftercare arrangements. As we get closer to switching back to our school time routines our mindsets are changing and we are getting down to business. Don't forget to be attending the district that you are supposed to be attending as Palm Beach County as well as the surrounding counties are really cracking down on people using addresses that are not theirs to gain access to certain schools. This is now considered a felony in some areas. Visit the link below to find out more about the schools near you. Click on the link below and then click on the word schools up at the top of the page. www.PalmBeach.k12.fl.us   08/06/2008

July was not bad considering the time of year and luxury single family homes continue to do well.  The condos are a little quiet due to the time of the year. Below are the numbers for July 2008 for properties priced $1,000,000 and above.   Single Family Homes 566 Properties Available Price Range - $1,000,000 - $22,500,000   26 Properties Sold Price Range - $1,025,000 - $8,000,000 Average Days on Market - 388 Average Price Per Square Ft. - $378     Condos 121 Properties Available Price Range - $1,000,000 - $5,950,000   2 Properties Sold Price Range - $1,150,000 - $2,650,000 Average Days on Market - 314 Average Price Per square Ft. - 587     08/01/2008

Growing up in Indiana, we had plenty of local parks to visit. However, as an adult, I am amazed at the extent of Boca Raton's parks. Sugar Sand park on Military Trail, just south of Palmetto Park Road is nothing short of amazing. I can only classify it as the largest tree house mansion ever created. The area is so massive, it's hard to keep track of your child. There are so many different mazes and activities built in, the children never want to leave! The city has built it as a science playground, with different science stations throughout the playground. They also have a science water station, which is much appreciated in the hot summer. There is also an area for the younger children, and an enormous sand pit. To top it all off, they have an indoor science museum. Two large rooms with... 07/31/2008

Mark your calenders for the upcoming National Night Out which takes place on August 5, 2008. This is a national event which always occurs on the first Tuesday in August. It's a great chance for communities and police to come together and maintain control and organization in their neighborhoods and to get to know one another. So turn on all your lights, secure your homes and go outside and meet your neighbors.  07/31/2008

Even the dogs live the good life in Boca Raton.  The Canine Cove Dog Park is up and running at South County Regional Park just off of Glades Rd. in West Boca Raton. This is a Palm Beach County facility which is very nicely laid out with separate areas for big dogs and small dogs.  Enjoy one of three gazebos, water fountains for your dogs and even a pet washing station.  The hours are sunrise to sunset but it does close on Wednesday from 12 noon to 3pm. For more details check out: www.pbcgov.com/parks/dogparks/caninecove/ 07/30/2008

There are going to be a lot of changes to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac in the near future.  With a lot of people claiming bankruptcy and doing short sales I found this chart from Dan Campanella with Wachovia Mortgage.  I think it is one of the best explanations of what are the current guidelines when it comes to a conventional loan.  Bankruptcy and Foreclosure Policy Changes (applicable to manually underwritten loans only) In U-Memo 08-29, we detailed changes to our requirements for borrowers with a prior foreclosure in their credit history.  With this U-Memo, we are updating these requirements as well as establishing new requirements for bankruptcy and pre- foreclosure sales.  We are updating the requirements regarding the time period that must elapse before borrowers can demonstrate tha... 07/29/2008

The numbers don't lie when it comes to production and when it comes to choosing someone to handle one of the biggest transactions of your life you want to be sure you choose wisely. Below are the top ranked Real Estate Bokerages in Boca Raton for the past 12 months. When choosing a company to work with be sure to choose one that has all the tools and resources to get the job done. Company                            Total Sales in Units                Total Units Market % 1. Coldwell Banker                      685                                          13% 2. Lang  Realty                           425                                           8% 3. Remax Advantage                    377                                          7.1% 4. Majestic Palms Realty                168          ... 07/29/2008

When people think of Boca Raton many of them think of multimillion dollar luxury homes and 4,000 square foot condos right on the beach. While we do have many of those we also have some great communities for first time buyers and families and there is no better time than now to get into these communities. Maybe you have other family members who live here and want to be close to them or maybe you want to get a great deal now so when the market gets better you can roll it over and buy something bigger and better.  Remember that when the market gets stronger some of these great opportunities for first time home buyers will not be available. Also the Federal Housing Administration has raised its maximum loan limits which will help you secure the loan that you need.  This will expire at the e... 07/28/2008

What's New in Boca     There are some exciting projects coming to West Boca Raton.  Across from The Shores at Boca Raton is South County Regional Park.  It is an amazing park with a great kids playground, ball fields for lacrosse, soccer, and baseball, a water park open during the summer, picnic areas and more.  They are building a 27 hole Osprey Golf Course at South Regional Park that should be completed by the end of the year.  They are also building an Ampitheater and much more in the coming years.  It is going to be one of the most incredible parks in the state.  On the corner of Yamato and 441, they are building The Shops at Yamato Court.  It is going to be an upscale shopping center with boutiques, restaurants and more including a wonderful chinese restaurant, Gary Woo's Take-out.... 07/26/2008

Did I hear you say that you forgot to do something today?   Not any more.  With Jott.com, a FREE service that reminds you of all the things you have to do every day, life has become so easy.   You're just going to love this.   Here's the concept.   Your phone will now be transformed into your own personal assistant.  How?  First go to Jott.com and register.  It will only take a few seconds and the prompts will register your phone number.  Once you are registered, call Jott and leave yourself "instructions" as to how you want to be reminded of important facts, appointments or anything else you can think of.  Jott recognizes you from your phone number via caller ID. Then all you need to do is leave yourself a message.  That's it.  Jott then converts your voice message into emails, text me... 07/25/2008

Azura Boca Raton An absolute masterpiece.  Gordon Homes is developing 92 estate homes on a former parcel of Royal Palm Polo in Boca Raton.  Nesttled in between what is being declared "Millionaire's Row" on Jog Road North of Clintmore, Azura is going to bring an elegance to the already prestigious area.  With its magnificent entrance, and sophisticated Spanish designs this community is soon going to be the talk of the town.  Azura is on over 37 acres and will offer 7 home designs.  These homes will range from 3800 to nearly 8000 square feet under air, and will be customized with dramatic marble staircases, marble floors, elevators, high volume cathedral ceilings in the foyers, state of the art kitchens with granite countertops and top of the line appliances including natural gas to wate... 07/24/2008

The nice thing about Boca Raton is that you can always find something to do any time of the year.  Whether you go to the beach or take a ride on an airboat in the everglades or go shopping, you will never be bored in Boca Raton. Don't forget to check out Summer Music in the Park this Friday at the Mizner Park Amphitheater at 7pm featuring a tribute to Jimmy Buffet were you can see Jimmy Stowe and the Stowaways singing Jimmy Buffet songs. They have opened for Jimmy Buffet and are worth the trip. This is a free concert sponsored by the City of Boca Raton. Call 561.393.7806 for more information. 07/24/2008

Are you guilty of being selfish while you expect others to be generous?  Sharing knowledge with others has a silver lining that is almost invisible, unless you share.  You simply aren't aware of all the benefits you'll receive until it hits you over the head and suddenly you realize that sharing actually benefits you too.  OMG  Somewhere in the back of my mind...was it "Playground 101," I remember mommy saying...Jill, share your toys, but the lesson actually didn't make a lasting impression until I began working and started to mentor.  Most people don't know that I mentor.  I like it that way. Certainly it isn't something you brag about or advertise.  It's kind of private and certainly doesn't come up in conversation.  But boy does it make you feel great.  We all started out in the same... 07/24/2008

Boca Raton is a great place to be in the summertime and it's a great chance to enjoy some things that might get a little crowded during the busy months. During the day when the beaches might be a little hot you may want to take advantage of all the shopping venues Boca has to offer.  The Town Center Mall is a great place to escape the heat and have a nice lunch and visit your favorite retailers.  You can also catch a movie in Mizner Park and walk around one of the nicest shopping districts you will find anywhere.  Don't forget Royal Palm Place to complete your Boca Raton shopping tour where there is something for everyone. Check out the links below for more information.     Town Center Mall  www.simon.com/mall/default.aspx?ID=144   Mizner Park www.MiznerPark.com   Royal Palm Place www.R... 07/21/2008

I wanted to do a little something different.  We usually just get a market report on appreciation or depreciation of the median value.  In Boca Raton however, it looks like a trend is starting to develop within the price ranges of the market.  We have noticed a significant decrease in the percentage of homes that sold from $400,000-$800,000, but a significant increase in homes that sold from $100,000-$300,000.  Despite less transactions in 2008 the homes that sold for over 2 million increased a little percentage wise. The number of closed homes in Boca Raton as per the Multiple Listing System was: In 2006 there were 1966 transactions In 2007 there were 1665 transactions In 2008 there were 1570 transactions All the above numbers are as of July 18th.  From these numbers we can see a huge ... 07/18/2008

B Boca Raton, FL is nestled in between Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach on the Southeast coast of Florida.  The City of Boca Raton was incorporated in 1925 and has a total population of 86,396.  Most of the population however is in the unincorporated part of Boca Raton which has a population of near 200,000.               Top Ten Reasons to Move to Boca Raton The only snow you get in Boca Raton is on Holiday Cards If you like shopping you will love Boca Raton with one of the most luxurious shopping malls Town Center Mall and plazas in the country called Mizner Park. The great thing about Boca Raton is it has tons of history.  If you like a village feel you will love the city of Boca Raton.  Some of the best restaurants in the country.  Chefs such as Gordon Ramsey from Hells Kitchen ... 07/16/2008

                      Saturnia was built by GL Homes in 1998 and consists of nearly 400 single family homes, and  is one of the more prestigious and luxurious communities in West Boca Raton.  Saturnia is a 24 hour manned gated community and offers 23 floorplans/elevations with square footage under air ranging from 2600 to over 4700.  Prices start at around $650,00 and go up to over a million.  With its magnificent recreation center and clubhouse sitting on 2 and a half acres this clubhouse brings the social and family life home.  There is a state of the art fitness facility, resort style pool patio & jacuzzi, tennis courts, basketball courts, multi purpose room and much more.  West Boca Raton is one of the more popular and exclusive areas families like to call home.  Plenty of shopping... 07/14/2008