Boca Raton Real Estate Blog

Come join the end-of-summer celebration at Boca’s annual "Wine & All That Jazz!" party on Saturday, August 24, 2019! Presented by the Boca Chamber of Commerce and JM Lexus, this exclusive event will take place at the luxurious Boca Raton Resort & Club, bringing together the “who’s who” of the Boca Chamber & the local community. 

Featuring more than 100 varieties of wine, spirits, and beer, as well as dinner entrees by the bite, guests will have the opportunity to indulge in an array of adult beverages and culinary delights from over 15 of Boca’s top restaurants. The event will feature a live band performing smooth jazz in the main event room, which will later transform into a dance party when they turn up the volume with top hit music from yesterday and today. "Wine & All That Jazz!" will also feature an exciting raffle with a host of amazing prizes including wine baskets, spa packages, concert tickets, & more! VIP passes are available for those seeking the red carpet treatment, granting access to an ultra-exclusive, private VIP lounge offering gourmet cuisine, fine wine, and live entertainment by DJ Chris Prime.

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Development of Hillsboro El Rio Park Phase II in southeast Boca Raton is now underway with an expected opening at the end of 2019. This 14-acre, city-owned parcel of land located on the south side of SW 18th Street between Dixie Hwy & the El Rio Canal, will be the site of the City of Boca Raton’s newest waterfront park. Phase I of the Hillsboro El Rio Park, which is located on the north side of SW 18th Street, has been open to the public since 2002. 

Though plans for completing phase II of the Hillsboro El Rio Park have been in the works for several years, a renewed commitment to the development of the City’s waterfront park sites has now taken priority. After receiving input from nearby Boca Raton residents and the Parks and Recreation Board, a new and improved site plan was created for phase II which is estimated to cost approximately $7.8 million. By the end of 2019, the new Hillsboro El Rio Park Phase II will be open to the public from dawn till dusk, offering the following amenities:

• Walking/Jogging Paths 
• Fitness Station
• Children's Playground
• Four Pickleball Courts
• Two Tennis Courts
• Basketball Court
• Sand Volleyball Court
• Picnic Pavilions
• Canoe/Kayak Soft Launch Area
• Public Restrooms & Parking

For the latest updates & additional info about Phase II of the Hillsboro El Rio Park please visit the ...

If you are planning on buying your very first home and feeling a bit overwhelmed, know that you are not alone. As a first-time homebuyer, purchasing a home is likely the most important financial decision you have ever made! We at Champagne & Parisi Real Estate understand that buying your first home can be as scary as it is exciting. It is wise to approach the process with caution and to prepare yourself with the right information to help make the things run as smoothly as possible. Fortunately, there is a wealth of knowledge & expert advice available to help you navigate the home buying process.

Below, you will find our list of valuable Tips For First-Time Homebuyers. Following these essential tips will not only help save you time and money but will also enable you to make informed decisions and avoid common first-time homebuyer mistakes. So, before taking the plunge into homeownership, be sure to put our expert tips into practice to pave the way for a successful first-time home buying experience.

1. Begin Saving For Your Down Payment ASAP.
Saving up for a down payment on a home may seem like a huge undertaking, especially considering today's real estate market and the home prices in Boca Raton. Many home buyers mistakenly believe that it is necessary to put 20% down; however, many lenders now accept much less. There are also various first-time...

We are pleased to announce that the Summer in the City Series will be returning to Downtown Boca Raton for a sensational 2019 season! Sponsored by the City of Boca Raton, the Summer in the City Series will feature an exciting lineup of eight FREE concerts & events which will be held between June 7th and August 9th at Mizner Park Amphitheater. The 2019 schedule is packed with fantastic, family-friendly events, including live musical tribute concerts, yoga, art, games, and even an outdoor viewing of the 2018 award-winning film “Bohemian Rhapsody.” 

This year's Summer in the City Series will kick off on Friday, June 7, 2019, with a thrilling Battle of the Bands concert! This competitive event will showcase the musical talent of eight carefully selected local bands, each battling it out for the coveted title of "Best Band." The competition will be broken into two categories, with three finalists competing in the Teen category and five finalists in the ages 20+ category. The winners in each age group will not only win bragging rights amongst their fellow musicians, but each winning band will also receive a $1,500 cash grand prize! Battle of the Bands judges will include select officials from the City of Boca Raton as well as representatives from AEG and Live Nation. What better way to kick of the 2019 Summer in the City Series than featuring some of the top musical talent that exists right here in Boca Raton? Be sure to come out and show your support!

The complete lineup of events...

When listing your home for sale, your basic goals are generally: 1) to attract potential home buyers and, 2) to sell your home for the best price possible (usually, as quickly as possible). We all know that first impressions matter, especially in real estate, so it is no surprise that the path to a quick sale at top dollar begins with creating great “curb appeal” for your home. The general appearance of a home’s exterior can be very telling of what one can expect to find on the other side of the door, and often determines whether or not buyers will want to take a look inside.

If it’s been a while since you last evaluated your home’s curb appeal or you haven’t even considered it, you may want to walk or drive by your house and take a good look at it from the street with an unbiased, critical eye. Next, ask yourself, “what would a stranger or potential home buyer first notice about my home?” Would they see an inviting, well-maintained exterior and lawn, or would they immediately notice neglected maintenance and areas with major room for improvement?  

Curb appeal is critical when selling your home— not only for the purpose of enticing potential buyers to look at your property but also from a value perspective. Fortunately, curb appeal is not all that difficult to achieve with some relatively minor, yet impactful, adjustments. Here are ten quick & easy things you can do to instantly improve the curb appeal of your home:

1. Give your front...

Check out the Palm Beach County Local Real Estate Market Update for November 2018. The following market update summary is based on newly released statistics reported by the Florida Realtors®, with a year-over-year snapshot comparison of 2017 & 2018 market data for the month of November.

CLOSED SALES

The November 2018 market stats from the Florida Realtors® reveal that 54 less single-family homes have sold in Palm Beach County in November 2018 as compared to November 2017, representing a 4.3% year-to-year decrease in total closed home sales. On the contrary, condo & townhome sales in Palm Beach County show an increase of 6.1%, with a total of 58 more condo/townhome sales in November 2018 compared to this time last year.

MEDIAN SALES PRICE

November 2018 market stats show that the median sales price for single-family homes in Palm Beach County was $348,000, a 5.5% increase over the $330,000 median home sales prices in November 2017. The median sales price of condos & townhomes in Palm Beach County for November 2018 was $176,750, an increase of 2.8% from the median condo/townhome sales price of just $172,000 in November...

On December 14, 2018, enjoy a fun-filled Friday evening with a holiday-themed movie under the stars at Mizner Park Amphitheater in Downtown Boca Raton. Sponsored by the City of Boca Raton, this FREE, family-friendly movie night will feature the 2003 hit holiday comedy "Elf." Will Ferrell stars in this light-hearted holiday film, delivering a hilarious performance as a full-grown man raised as an elf at the North Pole who ventures to the U.S. in search of his true identity. "Elf" offers plenty of laughs and a heaping dose of yuletide cheer that is sure to help you and your loved ones embrace the holiday spirit. Arrive early for kid-friendly crafts hosted by The Journey Church of Boca Raton, as well as a special guest appearance by Santa! 

Movie Night featuring "Elf" will be held at Mizner Park Amphitheater, located 590 Plaza Real in Downtown Boca Raton, FL. Admission is free and open to the public, with doors opening at 6 pm and the movie beginning at 7 pm. Food and beverages will be available for purchase at the event, with designated picnic tables and high-top tables set up for dining. No outside food or beverages will be permitted into the venue. Chairs will be available to rent for $5 (cash only), but guests are also welcome to bring their own chairs and blankets to set up on the amphitheater lawn. 

Please feel free to RSVP...

On Wednesday, November 21, 2018, kick off the Holiday season at Boca Raton’s Annual Holiday Tree Lighting event at Mizner Park Amphitheater & Mizner Plaza in Downtown Boca Raton! Experience the ceremonial lighting of the City's tree led by Mayor Scott Singer, which will illuminate simultaneously with Mizner Park’s tree located at the south end of the shopping center. Following the traditional tree lighting ceremony, enjoy a spectacular holiday fireworks display above the amphitheater!

The tree lighting event will feature tons of holiday-themed entertainment and festivities that are fun for the entire family. There will be free carnival rides, an artificial ice rink for skating, a 30-foot snowman bounce house, musical stage shows performed by local dance and theater groups, strolling carolers and stilt walkers, as well as holiday treats and carnival food available purchase. There will even be a “Letters to Santa Station” where kids can write & send their personal holiday wish lists to the North Pole, as well as photos Santa ($5 each.)

The event will take place from 5:30 to 9:30 pm at Mizner Park Amphitheater located at 590 Plaza Real in Downtown Boca Raton. Admission to the event is free and open to the public. There will be limited seating available on a first come, first serve basis for the ceremony & fireworks display. For additional event information please call 561-367-7073. Click here for ...

This Saturday, November 10, 2018, the Annual Boca Raton Wine & Food Festival returns for its 9th consecutive year with the Grand Tasting, “A Culinary Affair!” Hailed as one of the biggest and best culinary events in South Florida, the festival will take place inside Sanborn Square Park in the heart of Downtown Boca Raton. Master chefs from the tri-county area will gather for the Grand Tasting at the festival grounds from 6 pm to 10 pm to create a culinary experience like no other. 

The festival grounds will be completely transformed into an elegant walkway winding through a series of elaborately decorated “Villages,” each representing a unique country, region, or culinary theme. Some of the festival’s villages will include Italy, America, the Mediterranean, Asia-Pacific, and Spain, taking you on a tantalizing journey of authentic tastes, sights, and sounds from all over the world. There will also be a "Sweet Endings Village" and a "BBQ Village", as well as two foodie favorites, the "Craft Brew, Fine Wine, & Artisanal Cheese Village" & the "Specialty Foods Village."

In addition to the unlimited samplings of artfully crafted cuisine from various regions around the world, attendees will have the unique opportunity to meet and mingle with some of South Florida’s master chefs. Top vintners will also be hosting wine tastings, offering generous samples of some of the most celebrated varietals of wine from all over the world. The festival will also include a Retail and Shopping Bazaar, as well as a new Wine Store...

Each year at the end of January Hotworks.org hosts the winter Boca Raton Fine Art Show in Downtown Boca Raton, FL. This critically acclaimed juried art show has grown in both size and popularity since it first began in 2008, and has been voted in the Top 100 art shows in the Nation for three years in a row. Given the success and popularity of the winter show, Hotworks.org is proud to announce that the Boca Raton Fine Art Show is going bi-annual, with a new fall show coming to Mizner Park Amphitheater on Saturday & Sunday, November 3-4, 2018.

Like the winter show, the new fall Boca Raton Fine Art Show is a juried exhibition, with each of the featured artists hand-selected by a panel of experts based on artistic quality, technique, design, & originality. The show will feature up to 175 juried artists of various disciplines who will have their unique, handmade artwork on display and available for purchase. Some of the fine art you can expect to see at the show includes paintings, clay & pottery, photography, sculpture, glass, wood, handcrafted jewelry, and much more. There is sure to be something for everyone, in all price ranges. Visit the Hotworks.org event website for a complete list of all participating exhibitors & the exhibit layout.

Hotworks.org owner/operator, Patty Narozny, also runs a non-profit organization called Institute for the Arts & Education, Inc. (IA&E) whose purpose is to “educate and promote Fine Arts and Crafts among all...

On Saturday, October 13, 2018, FLOYD A Tribute will take the stage at Mizner Park Amphitheater, bringing the ultimate Pink Floyd experience right here to Downtown Boca Raton. Presented by Endless River Productions in conjunction with SeaSide Music Management and Inside MusiCast, this 90-minute show provides Floyd fans of all ages an incredible opportunity to relive the creative musical and artistic genius of Pink Floyd’s 50-year groundbreaking musical career.

Often hailed as the most authentic tribute to Pink Floyd in the U.S., Floyd A Tribute delivers precisely executed renditions of some of the iconic progressive rock band’s signature songs. The 10-member band fully captures all of the dramatic musical elements which were the foundation of Pink Floyd’s distinctive sound: the energetic lead vocals, the signature vocal harmonies, the artful blend of multiple guitarists, the orchestral quality provided by two keyboardists, the punctuating sounds of the solo saxophone, and the solid percussion and bass rhythm section which underlies each of the complex musical compositions. In addition to the perfectly executed musical and vocal techniques of the band, the production is accompanied by a mind-blowing laser light show to enhance the overall musical performance. The light show is complete with multiple computer synchronized lighting fixtures, including multiple laser light displays and a wall of colorful video to compliment each musical sequence. 

Mizner Park Amphitheater is located at 590 Plaza Real, Boca Raton, FL 33432. Doors open at 7 pm with the show beginning at 8 pm. ...

We are now beginning the month of October, which many are aware is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This worldwide health campaign, which takes place annually from October 1st - October 31st, serves to increase Breast Cancer awareness & education, as well as raise funds for ongoing research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and cure. There are many ways to get involved during Breast Cancer Awareness Month to help make a difference in research, education, and support for those affected by the disease. 

This October 2018, Mizner Park in Downtown Boca Raton invites you to join them as they Paint the Park Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Throughout the month of October, Mizner Park will host a variety of special offers & events to commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness Month & raise funds for local Breast Cancer health services and education. Mizner Park is a proud supporter of Boca Raton Regional Hospital, with a portion of the proceeds from Paint the Park Pink specials and events going to support the hospital’s Breast Cancer awareness programs & services.

Throughout the entire month of October at Mizner Park there will be daily and nightly opportunities to help support this worthwhile cause. Specialty pink cocktails will be available daily at 6 participating restaurants with a portion of the proceeds going to Boca Raton Regional Hospital. Coins For A Cause will also last the entire month, with all coins dropped into Mizner Park’s fountains being donated to the hospital’s Breast Cancer programs & services. Each night this month, you can also stop by Mizner Park after dark...

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 due in part to the continued decline...

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 buying clients as well as homebuyers...

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 Boca Raton Event Page.

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 fun and games, as well as food...

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 are encouraged to walk, bike,...

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 in a place that you can access...

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 ...