Boca Raton Real Estate Blog

Check out Palm Beach County’s real estate market performance for August 2018, provided by the local market update & statistics reported by the Florida Realtors. You will notice that overall, the real estate market in Palm Beach County, FL displays relative stability, continuing to reflect the prevailing trends and conditions that have maintained a “seller’s market” thus far in 2018. Let’s take a closer look!

CLOSED SALES

August 2018 market stats reveal that 26 more single-family homes have sold in Palm Beach County in August 2018 as compared to August 2017, representing a slight increase of 1.7% for closed home sales. Condo & townhome sales in Palm Beach County display a slightly greater increase of 2.8%, with a total of 33 more condo/townhome sales in August 2018 compared to the same time last year.

MEDIAN SALES PRICE

In August 2018, market stats show that the median sales price for single-family homes in Palm Beach County was $340,000 which shows no change as compared to this same time last year. On the other hand, the median sales price of condos/townhomes in Palm Beach County for August 2018 was $185,000, a more modest 5.7% increase from the median condo/townhome sales price of just $175,000 in August of 2017.

INVENTORY

The lack of significant sales growth in Palm Beach County in August 2018 compared to August 2017 is likely...

When homeowners make the decision to sell their home, one of the most important factors leading to a timely & successful sale is placing the home on the market at the right price. It is often the case that sellers have unrealistic expectations of what their home is worth, which, unfortunately, does not align with the amount of money an informed buyer would reasonably pay for the home. There are many reasons that sellers tend to overestimate their home's value: they may have lived there for many years and therefore have a strong emotional attachment to the home; they may be estimating their home's current value based on what they paid for it, or with the incorrect assumption that home values always increase over time; or they may be expecting an unrealistic return on money they have invested on home repairs and renovations. Whatever the reason, the reality is that buyers do not care about the seller’s emotional attachments, what the seller paid for the home 10 years ago, or how much money was sunk into the powder room renovation. What buyers do care about, however, is getting a fair price for the home. So, what is the best strategy is for properly pricing a home for a successful sale? How does one determine a fair price? Let's take a look...

There are studies which show that the first 14 to 21 days that a home is on the market is crucial to the success & timeliness of the sale. It is during this initial two to three week time period that a newly listed home will get the most attention from real estate agents working on behalf of their home...

On Saturday, September 8th, Brazilian Beat 2018 will be held at Mizner Park Amphitheater in Downtown Boca Raton, FL. Now in its 7th year, the Brazilian Beat festival brings the art, music, and dance of Brazilian culture to our local community for the official annual celebration of Brazilian Independence. Headlining Brazilian Beat 2018 will be Dogo Nogueira, one of the biggest stars in Brazilian music today. A multifaceted artist and seven-time Latin Grammy award winner, Nogueira will be singing samba, the rhythmic, upbeat music that is synonymous with Brazilian culture. The event will also feature a Rio-style Samba Parade by SambaLa Samba School, a Zumba showcase, a Capoeira circle, samba drummers, and street dancing, as well as authentic Brazilian cuisine and cocktails.  

The Brazilian Beat festivities will take place from 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm at Mizner Park Amphitheater, located at 590 Plaza Real, Boca Raton, FL 33432. Admission to the event is free and all ages are welcome. With incredible live entertainment, fantastic food, live music, and dancing, Brazilian Beat 2018 is an exciting, high-energy event that you surely do not want to miss. Come out and join the thousands of others from across South Florida to celebrate Brazilian Independence and experience a taste of Rio right here in Boca Raton. We at Champagne & Parisi Real Estate look forward to seeing you there!

For more information about Brazilian Beat, 2018 at Mizner Park Amphitheater call 561-393-7807 or visit the Downtown...

This Friday, August 10, 2018, the City of Boca Raton will host the next FREE tribute concert in the “Summer in the City” concert series line-up at Mizner Park Amphitheater, with an outstanding live musical performance of “Turnstiles: A Tribute to Billy Joel.” This family-friendly event is free and open to the public, with doors opening at 7:00 pm and the concert beginning at 8:00 pm. The concert will kick off with a special performance by a surprise musical guest (TBA), sponsored by the Funky Biscuit.

Following the special guest performance, Turnstiles, a critically acclaimed South Florida-based Billy Joel tribute band, will hit the stage with a rockin’ performance hailed to be the ultimate tribute to the music of Billy Joel. Tony Monaco, Turnstiles’ leading front man & lifelong fan of the Piano Man, became inspired by the musical genius & unique style of Billy Joel when he was just a young budding musician and has since used that inspiration throughout his musical career to grow as a pianist, singer, and songwriter. Never intending to be an “impersonator,” Tony’s focus is purely on the music and delivering an authentic live Billy Joel musical experience that is second to none. Turnstiles’ faithful renditions of Billy Joel’s timeless classics will move both casual listeners and hardcore fans alike, promising an awe-inspiring concert experience that will have you singing along and screaming for more!

In addition to the extraordinary live musical performances, the event will feature plenty of family-friendly...

This Friday, August 3, 2018, the City of Boca Raton will host the next free tribute concert in the 'Summer In The City' concert series line-up with a live musical production of “Purple Madness: A Tribute To Prince.” This family-friendly event is free and open to the public, with doors opening at 7:00 pm and the concert beginning at 8:00 pm. The free concert will kick off with a special performance by musical guests TCHAA (pronounced CHA), sponsored by the Funky Biscuit. TCHAA is a popular local South Florida band with an entirely unique sound which can be described as a funky blend of Jazz and Hip Hop that is sure to get the crowd movin’.

Following TCHAA, Purple Madness will hit the stage with an unforgettable tribute performance to Prince, one of the most beloved artists and influential entertainers of all time. Widely known as America’s #1 Prince Tribute Band, Purple Madness will bring to life some of Prince’s most memorable concert moments with a high energy, electrifying, “must see” performance. Purple Madness leading front man & world-class Prince tribute artist, Bobby Miller, along with some of the most talented dancers and musicians touring the U.S. and abroad, have all but perfected every last nuance in recreating the sights and sounds of the artist Prince, promising a mind-blowing show which the group proudly describes as second to none.

In addition to the live musical performances, the event will also feature plenty of fun and games, as well as food and beverages available for purchase inside the venue. Mizner Park Amphitheater is located at 590 Plaza Real in Downtown Boca Raton, FL. Event attendees...

An evacuation plan is a necessity for every home, especially if you live in an area where fires, earthquakes, hurricanes, flooding, and other disasters are a possibility. Living in coastal South Florida, one of the most hurricane-prone regions in the entire U.S., Boca Raton homeowners are well aware of what to expect from a major hurricane and the importance of emergency preparedness before one strikes.

Though many homeowners create evacuation plans for their homes and practice them with their kids, far fewer have considered an emergency home evacuation plan for their pets. With hurricane season (June 1 through November 30) now in full swing, and peak hurricane season (August 1 through October 31) just around the corner, now is the perfect time to address any holes in your emergency evacuation plan, including your pets. We recommend taking these simple steps to add your pets to your emergency evacuation plan to be sure that your four-legged friends are safe-and-sound if a hurricane or any other natural disaster should strike in your area.

1) Assign pet evacuation to an adult. Everyone in the household should know how to respond during an evacuation, and that includes assigning one parent or adult to the pets. This allows the other adults in the household and the children to focus on their part of the evacuation plan, preventing any additional confusion during a high-stress moment when time is of the essence.

2) Keep evacuation maps, pet carriers & pet supplies readily accessible. If you need to evacuate, you should know exactly where every important item is. If your pets require carriers, keep them...

Most Boca Raton real estate agents have heard this observation from a selling client on more than one occasion: “Now that I’ve fixed the place up, it’s so nice to live here!” Many times, this statement is followed by a wistful, “I should have done it years ago!” They don’t need to add, “so we could have enjoyed it ourselves.”

The culprit has to be human nature—at least the part that resists spending money improving something that works (even if it doesn’t work all that well.) One of the prime areas where this tends to hold true for homeowners is in the kitchen. Though you may not mind the quirks and drawbacks that exist in your home and the limitations of the current kitchen, ignoring them is not going to make the task of selling your home any easier.  When making the decision to sell one's home, especially in the highly competitive Boca Raton real estate market, it is critical that your property is able to stand out from the other available options including Boca Raton condos, townhomes, and the diverse selection of ...

On Friday, June 29, 2018, the City of Boca Raton will continue its “Summer in the City” tribute concert series at Mizner Park Amphitheater with a live musical production of "The Rocket Man Show: A Tribute to Elton John." The event is free and open to the public with doors opening at 7:00 pm and the show starting at 8:00 pm. The concert will kick off with a live musical performance by soul & blues artist Bonefish Johnny, a local favorite, followed by an electrifying performance by renowned Elton John tribute artist, Rus Anderson, performing his own production “The Rocket Man Show.” Undeniably the most authentic Elton John tribute show in the world, “The Rocket Man Show” is regularly featured across the USA at well-known venues including House of Blues, Hard Rock Live, Caesar’s Palace, Legends In Concert, Universal Studios, & MORE!!! You do not want to miss this spectacular on-stage reproduction of the iconic music and persona of the young Elton John that will leave you speechless and promises not to disappoint!

Mizner Park Amphitheater is located at 590 Plaza Real in Downtown Boca Raton, FL. Food and beverages will be available for purchase inside the venue, as well as plenty of family-friendly fun and games. All event attendees are encouraged to walk, bike, or rideshare to the event or use the free, yet limited parking available at City Hall and the Boca Raton Library. Blankets and chairs for seating are welcome, however, chairs will also be available to rent for $5.00 at the event which will take place rain or shine. 

Please visit the Mizner Park...

The Mizner Park Downtown Drive Car Show will take place this Father’s Day, Sunday, June 17, 2018! This exciting free event will be held from 9 am to 3 pm at Mizner Park, located at 327 Plaza Real in downtown Boca Raton, FL. This special Father's Day event will showcase over 100 automobiles which will proudly line the streets of Mizner Park. Featuring a diverse selection of unique cars including antiques, classics, street rods, race cars, sports cars, and a variety of other one-of-a-kind vehicles from the early 1900’s to the present, the show is sure to excite and impress even the most discerning of car aficionados.

The Downtown Drive Car Show at Mizner Park is a charity event, with all proceeds raised through car show entry fees and charitable donations going to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida. The Make-A-Wish Foundation is an incredible non-profit organization which grants the wishes of children with critical, life-threatening medical conditions in hopes of instilling a sense of joy, hope, and strength in the children and families whose lives they touch. 

From young children who still have years to go before hopping into the driver's seat to life-long automobile enthusiasts, the Mizner Park Downtown Drive Car Show is sure to be a great time for all. Not only does the event benefit a noble and truly life-changing cause, but it is also the perfect, family-friendly way to spend this Father’s Day in downtown Boca Raton! We look forward to seeing you there!

On Friday, June 8, 2018, The City of Boca Raton will kick off its “Summer in the City” tribute concert series at Mizner Park Amphitheater in Downtown Boca Raton, with a free concert featuring The Long Run: A Tribute to the Eagles. Doors to the event will open at 7:00 pm, with the show beginning at 8:00 pm and running until 11:00 pm.

The Summer in the City Concert Series, sponsored by the City of Boca Raton & Downtown Boca Raton, promises an exciting line up of FREE tribute concerts which will run from June 8th through August 11th at Mizner Park Amphitheater. Some of the other amazing concerts in the series will include tributes to some of music's greatest icons, including The Beatles, Elton John, Billy Joel, and Prince, among others. In addition to the live musical performances by some of the most popular local tribute artists, each event will also feature a combination of food, drinks, fun, and games.

Each of the events planned for the Summer In The City series is absolutely free and open to the public with doors opening an hour before the show, rain or shine. Attendees are free to bring their own chairs and blankets for seating, however, chairs will also be available to rent for $5.00. All attendees are strongly encouraged to walk, bike, carpool, or use the free parking available at City Hall and the Downtown Library, as parking at Mizer Park is limited.  

The Summer in the City Concert Series at Mizner Park Amphitheater is sure to be a fantastic time for music fanatics...

This Memorial Day, Monday, May 28, 2018, the City of Boca Raton will be hosting a FREE Memorial Day Concert event at Mizner Park Amphitheater in Downtown Boca Raton. The concert will feature awesome live musical performances by the Helmsmen, a local Indie rock group, as well as country artists, the Shane Duncan Band. The event will also feature several food trucks, including the local favorite, Tucker Duke’s, serving up a variety of tasty eats & treats, so be sure to bring your appetite. There will also be a beer garden featuring a wide selection of craft beers from Boca Raton Brewery & Barrel of Monks.

The City will be teaming up with Forgotten Soldier’s Outreach, a local non-profit organization that supports America’s deployed military service members, to offer an area at the event where items can be donated and attendees can write a letter to a soldier. The donations and letters will be used to create “We Care” packages which will be sent to military service members currently deployed overseas. Donation items such as personal care/hygiene products and non-perishable, individually wrapped snack foods, are greatly appreciated. For a complete list of acceptable donation items please visit the City of Boca Raton's Memorial Day special event page.

The event is free and open to the public (no ticket required), with doors opening at 5:30 pm and the show beginning at 6:00 pm. Chairs will be available to rent...

On Saturday, May 19, 2018, the 4th Annual “Especially for Kids” Family Event will be held at the Sugar Sand Park Community Center for kids with special needs and abilities and their families. This event will take place from 5:30 pm to 8:30pm, when after closing to the public, the Community Center will reopen for registered guests to enjoy exclusive, VIP, “after hours” access. The event will feature many exciting & educational activities that are guaranteed to be fun for the entire family. Activities will include exhibits from The Children’s Science Explorium, science demonstrations, glitter tattoos, arts & crafts, as well as a photo booth, dance room, and resource fair. 

Due to a high volume of requests from guests in years past, new this year, the event will feature an outdoor petting zoo, with accommodations for those with physical restrictions. Attendees will also have the opportunity to explore the beautifully expanded Science Garden, as well as experience carousel rides and the three-story science playground. In addition to the exciting activities available, each guest will receive food tickets for pizza and a snow cone.

Registration is limited so please pre-register online at your earliest convenience, no later than one day prior to the event for all family members who would like to attend. To best accommodate the needs of guests, sound modifications will be made...

On Saturday, May 12, 2018, popular feel-good Rock n’ Roll artists Eddie Money, Blue Oyster Cult, & Foghat will hit the stage at Mizner Park Amphitheater in Downtown Boca Raton, FL. Eddie Money will be headlining the show, playing classic sing-along favorites like “Take Me Home Tonight” and “Two Tickets to Paradise.” Blue Oyster Cult & Foghat will be performing well-known hits like “Don’t Fear the Reaper” and “Slow Ride,” with the local band The Livesays opening the show. Doors to the event will open at 5:00 pm, with the show beginning at 6:00 pm.

Presented by Gabriel Entertainment in association with Rescued Puppy Productions, this rockin' benefit concert will raise funds to support local dog shelters & help our local rescued four-legged friends in need. Gabriel Entertainment & Rescued Puppy Productions provide support to local no-kill shelters and canine rescue and wellness facilities throughout Palm Beach County, FL. They are committed to working with and supporting the local Dog Rescue Community, raising awareness of the importance of supporting local Spay & Neuter programs, and developing a network of supporters & volunteers in order to create a better life for our local homeless pets. A portion of the proceeds will go toward this incredible cause, and there will be a donation station located at the venue’s entrance accepting much-needed donations of canned and bagged dog food,...

The Boca Raton GreenMarket, Boca’s fun & friendly community farmer’s market which is held every Saturday from 8 am to 1 pm at Royal Palm Place, is now nearing the end of its season. May 12th will be the last time the GreenMarket will be held before it closes for the summer, which means you only have 3 Saturdays left to attend! 

Since it first began in 1996, the GreenMarket has evolved into a popular Saturday morning community meeting place where not only can one purchase a variety of local foods & products, but also chat with friends, listen to music, grab a bite to eat, and spend a few hours outdoors enjoying Boca’s unbeatable weather. The market offers an amazing selection of locally grown fruits & vegetables, herbs, skin care items, plants, unique arts & crafts, and more, and is truly a great time for the entire family.

If you have yet to experience the Boca GreenMarket, we encourage you to try to make it between now and May 12th, 2018, otherwise, you will have to wait until it reopens in the Fall. Come experience for yourself why the GreenMarket is now the preferred way to spend a Saturday morning for an ever-increasing number of Boca Raton residents! We hope to see you there!

On Saturday, April 21, 2018, Boca Raton will host Comic Cure's "Florida’s Funniest Female" competition at the Mizner Park Comedy Club. This annual comedic showdown, now in its third year, showcases female comedians from across the state of Florida as they go head to head for the coveted title of “Florida’s Funniest Female.” With fifteen of Florida’s top female comedians taking the stage this year, each hoping they have what it takes to be crowned the funniest of the bunch, you can bet that this year’s competition will deliver some of the best, knee-slapping stand-up comedy around.

The show will begin at 8:00 pm, but it is recommended that attendees arrive 45-60 minutes prior to the start of the event. You must be 18+ years of age to attend, with General Admission on a first come, first served seating basis. Tickets can be purchased over the phone by calling (786) 564-2291. Ticket prices are $20 for General Admission, $25 for Reserved Seating, and $30 for VIP Reserved Seating. Beer, wine, soft drinks, as well as light snacks & candy will be available for purchase, but attendees are encouraged to dine prior to the show at one of the many amazing dining options available in Mizner Park & Downtown Boca Raton.

The Mizner Park Comedy Club is located at 201 Plaza Real, Boca Raton, FL 33432. Nearby street, lot, and garage parking will be available at the regularly displayed rates, however, parking around Mizner Park is typically at a premium and very limited. Ride share services, such as Uber, Lyft, or the Downtowner, are highly recommended for those who would prefer to avoid the hassle of finding parking before...

On Wednesday, April 18th, Israelfest 2018 will be held at Mizner Park Amphitheater from 6-9pm. Presented by the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County, this event will celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the State of Israel on Israel’s Independence Day which commemorates the signing of the Israeli Declaration of Independence in 1948. Thousands of residents from the diverse local Jewish community will come together in solidarity at Mizner Park Amphitheater in observance of this momentous day in Israeli history, along with thousands of other celebrations taking place around the world.

Doors to Israelfest 2018 will open at 6 pm, with the event offering an array of Israel-themed children’s activities & a fair to showcase the various local Jewish resources that are availabe. Kosher foods and beverages will also be available for purchase, including chicken, falafel, hamburgers, hotdogs, ice-cream, and more. The onstage program will begin at 7:15 pm, with a Yom HaZikaron (Israel Memorial Day) ceremony, followed by the Yom HaAtzmaut (Independence Day) festivities beginning at sundown. The celebration will also include a live concert by The Shuk, an eclectic international band that performs world and Jewish roots music, with a unique ethnic, traditional, and progressive fusion sound. 

This commemorative event will also feature greetings from the Consul General of Israel to Florida and Puerto Rico, Lior Haiat, along with other community leaders showing their support for Israel. Israelfest will be held under the large amphitheater...

Presented by The Boca Raton Historical Society & Museum
Friday, April 6, 2018 (7pm) & Saturday, April 7, 2018 (7-11pm)
Ticketed Event

Celebrating its 16th anniversary, The Boca Bacchanal Wine & Food Festival returns on April 6-7, 2018, with yet another incredible weekend filled with exquisite wine and fabulous food paired and presented by some of Boca’s very own world-renowned chefs. Presented by the Boca Raton Historical Society & Museum, this annual event brings wine & food enthusiasts together to celebrate and enhance the appreciation of fine wine & cuisine throughout the community. All proceeds from Boca Bacchanal enable the Boca Raton Historical Society & Museum to continue to provide and develop innovative, diverse, and rapidly expanding educational and historic preservation programs for Boca Raton area residents and visitors.

This year’s festivities begin on Friday April 6, kicking the weekend off with the highly-anticipated vinter dinners which will be held at private estate-residences and historical locations throughout Boca Raton, including the Boca Raton Resort & Club. Each of these exquisite dining experiences will feature a vinter & chef pairing their cuisine and wine to create an intimate 5-course meal. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet their chef and vinter to learn more about the unique pairings of the evening.

The event continues on Saturday April 7 with Bacchanalia, which will take place at Mizner Park Amphitheater from 7:00-11:00 pm. This must-attend community event combines incredible cuisine from over 30 local restaurants with world-class vinters showcasing their finest wine selections for event attendees...

On Saturday, January 20th, 2018, VegFest Palm Beach will take place at Boca Raton’s Mizner Park Amphitheater from 10am-6pm. This free festival is open to the public and is known as “The Ultimate Series of Vegan Events.” VegFest is aimed at educating and inspiring the community to make healthier choices, increasing consumer awareness about food quality and ingredients, and supporting local, vegan small businesses. 

The festival will include a multitude of wholesome activities and healthy food options including educational classes, local & national vegan food vendors, organic juices & smoothies, a veggie burger bar, guacamole-making station, and farmers market. The event isn’t just about vegan food though; in addition to the wide selection of tasty vegan and organic food options, the event will have a multitude of local vendors selling a variety of awesome products. From yoga apparel to essentials oils, artisan jewelry to natural skincare products, there is sure to be something of interest for all health-minded individuals. The event will also include a host of fun lawn games as well as some incredible live musical entertainment, making it the perfect way to spend a beautiful Saturday afternoon connecting with the community. 

VegFest is a non-profit organization, with all proceeds going toward supporting vegan community events, education & outreach, vegan organizations, ocean conservation, and animal sanctuaries. So bring your foodie friends and family and come enjoy a fun day that you can feel good about, filled with amazing vegan food, free education, live music, and other family-friendly activities.

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On January 27th & 28th, 2018, the 9th Annual Boca Raton Fine Arts Show will be held in Sanborn Square Park on East Boca Raton Road and NE 1st Ave in Downtown Boca Raton. Presented by Hotworks.org, this highly-acclaimed event features the fine art and handmade crafts of more than 130 of the nation’s most creative & talented artists. In an effort to bring artists with both national and international recognition to Boca Raton, and to ensure quality and originality of all displayed art, all exhibits in the show have been carefully selected by art experts and professionals with over 120 years of combined experience in the fine arts. 

This spectacular event has been voted in the Top 100 Art Fairs in the country 3 years in a row, with artistic works of various mediums on display and available for purchase. From fine paintings and exquisite handmade jewelry to photography and even found-object sculpture, this diverse art festival is sure to have something for everyone within all price ranges. Over $1,500 in Professional Artist Awards will be presented at this event, as well as a Youth Art Competition for children grades 6-12 or ages 9-19 with $250 in prizes. The Youth Art Competition is sponsored by the Institute for Arts & Education Inc. and is designed to encourage and inspire young artists to explore their talents and create original handmade art.

Not only will The Boca Raton Fine Art Show provide an abundance of visual and artistic inspiration, but there will also be an assortment of great food from local Boca Raton restaurants available for purchase as well as wonderful...