Joseph Santini's Real Estate Blog

When buying a home it is important to know the status of any work that has been done and that everything has the proper permits and that the permits have been closed out.  Often times the person selling the home has no idea about their own permit situation.  They may have had some work done and their contractor told them everything was good to go and somewhere down the road they will find out that the permit is still open and if you are the new owner this is now your problem to deal with.  A problem that can be very costly and time consuming. Sometimes work was done before the current owner bought the home and they have no idea anything could still be open because it hasn't come back to them yet.

The best way to protect yourself as a buyer is to do an open permit search.  A good title company will take care of this for you but you have to ask for it because it normally is not done.  Below is the City of Boca Development Services information so you can find out all of the information you need.

If you are selling your home it is a good idea to make sure your home has all of its permit issues in order because nothing can kill a deal faster than when a buyer finds out there are open permits.  Take care of it before you have a buyer.

City of Boca Raton Development Services

201 W. Palmetto Park Rd.

Boca Raton,  FL  33432

561.393.7700

www.ci.boca-raton.fl.us/dev/bp/

What a great time to enjoy some time off in beautiful Boca Raton with all your family and friends.  If your in town and aren't sure where to go check out these Boca Raton fireworks displays.  One is located in West Boca and the other is located East.

South County Regional Park  (West Boca)

Concert 6:30pm at The Sunset Cove Amphitheater

Food & Drink available

8:30pm is the fireworks display.

This is the first time this is being done in West Boca so look for a great crowd pleasing show.  For more information call 561.488.7414

Florida Atlantic University

777 Glades Rd.

6pm    Games, Rides and Entertainment

9pm     Fireworks Display

For more information call 561.393.7806

Stay safe and have a great 4th of July.

During this time of year in South Florida its a great time to take a look at our homes to make sure they are ready for any weather we may experience even though things have been quiet. Its also a good idea that you have some kind of action plan in place just in case we get a storm.  Think about how you will secure things and if you have enough batteries, lights, etc.  Keep a first aid kit ready to go as well as some basic tools ready and available.  Below is a list of numbers you can print out and keep in your phone book.  Lets hope things remain as uneventful as they have been.

Police/Fire-Rescue Emergency  911

Fire-Rescue Non-Emergency   561.982.4000

Police Non-Emergency  561.368.6201

Boca Raton Citizen Information Center (During Emergencies Only)  561.416.3400

Hurricane Information Line   561.393.7800

Evacuation Information   561.393.7800

American Red Cross   561.994.2060

FEMA   800.621.3362

Animal Care & Control   561.233.1200

Consumer Assistance Hotline   800.227.8676

Contractor Certification  561.233.5525

Florida Department of Insurance   800.342.2762

FPL Power Outages  561.697.8000

Also, its a good idea to get to know your neighbors if you don't already and exchange cell phone numbers so you can work together and help each other in times of need.

Below are the numbers for luxury properties in Boca Raton  priced over $1,000,000.  Luxury homes continue to do well as we enter the slow season and condo activity was quiet which can be expected during this time of the year.

Single Family Homes

Total Properties on the Market   586

Price Range    $1,000,000 - $24,900,000

Total Sold   19

Price Range   $1,050,000 - $10,600,000

Average Price per Square Ft.  $398 

Average Days on Market   321

Months of Inventory   30

Condos

Total Properties on the Market   127

Price Range    $1,000,000 - $5,950,000

Total Sold   0

Price Range    N/A

Average Price per Square Ft.   N/A

Average Days on Market   N/A

Months of Inventory  N/A  

One of the best things about the Boca Raton area is the world renowned Boca Raton Resort and Club.  This upscale resort is located at 501 E. Camino Real and has every amenity you could ever want in a resort property. It covers 356 acres and features world class golf and tennis and is well known for its dining experiences.

Designed by Addison Mizner and originally opened with the name The Cloister Inn, its named change to The Boca Raton Club in the 1930's. This property is visited by people from all around the world and is a must see if you are considering purchasing a second home in this area. For membership information call 888.438.2622 or visit www.bocaresort.com.

Many of my customers come from other parts of the country like New York and they often ask me if they need an attorney to attend their closing here in Boca Raton, Florida.  I explain to them that title companies handle the closings down here and unless there are special circumstances you usually won't find one necessary. With a good agent and title company everything is taken care of. I also tell them that if they want one just to feel comfortable and have peace of mind than maybe its worth having one but not necessary. I remember when I came down here I thought it was very strange not to use an attorney for something as important as the purchase of a home but after the closing I felt better after I saw how the process worked.

I can't think of a better time than right now to buy property in Boca Raton. If you are looking for that second home now is the time.  Why not buy something while the buying is good even if you rent it out for a couple of years before you start using it?  People are getting great value in all price ranges and after the market turns these people will be the winners.

We have alot of inventory and you can get a really great deal on a mortgage as long as you have good credit.  Many people who couldn't normally afford the Boca area now can because of the current market!  Get in while you can.  Remember what it feels like to say "I should have bought then"?  If you buy now you won't have to feel that way.  Do your research and take action.

One of the most forgotten about subdivisions in beautiful Boca Raton is Hidden Valley, which is located in the northeast part of town.  It is one of the most convenient subdivisions with easy access to shopping, recreation and the highway.  Being that its not gated there is no HOA to worry about and prices range anywhere from around $300k to over 1 million. Its just perfect for first time home buyers with access to great public and private schools. With just a short drive you are at just about any store you can think of. 

The northeast part of town is the last part of Boca to be built out and plans are in the works to do just that with the new Boca Village Redevelopement Project that will one day rival Mizner Park.  When house hunting don't overlook one of the nicest neighborhoods in Boca Raton which features many different home styles.

Below is a list of some of the private schools that can be found in the Boca Raton area.

1. Spanish River Christian School  561.994.5006

2. Advent Lutheran School   561.395.3635

3. Pope John Paul II High School  561.994.8998

4. Boca Raton Christian School  561.391.2727

5. Saint Joan of Arc School  561.392.7974

6. Saint Paul Lutheran School  561.395.8548

7. Saint Andrew's School  561.210.2000

8. Pine Crest Preparatory School  561.852.2800

9. Grandview Preparatory School  561.416.9737

There are others and Boca has great public schools as well.  Another great reason to move to Boca!

The luxury market in Boca Raton continues to do well as people from all over the world continue to choose this area for their second or third homes. The location is a big draw with easy access to the Boca Raton Executive Airport and your only 20 minutes from Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach Airports. Enjoy entertainment and dining hotspots such as Mizner Park and Royal Palm Place.  Just a short drive puts you in City Place up in West Palm Beach or Las Olas in Fort Lauderdale. If your looking for the ultimate paradise be sure to check out Boca Raton where people are getting great values even in the luxury market.