Boca Raton Real Estate Blog

Is An HOA Neighborhood Right For Me? | Boca Raton HOA Homes

When we think of Boca Raton, one of the first things that pop into our heads is palm trees, beach, the ritzy lifestyle of the rich, and many gated communities. While these are common tropes, they're not necessarily wrong! Boca Raton is arguably one of the most expensive places in the nation to live, but for every gated community, there's a suburban alternative that's more affordable for the family. 

If you look between the playgrounds of the rich, you'll find suburban neighborhoods that are picturesque paintings of safety, uniformity, and tranquility. There are many misconceptions about HOA; while they are not exactly for everyone, we are going to list some of the reasons why a Boca HOA may be for you. 

Property Value Increases

property value increasing

Yes, sometimes an HOA's strict rules and regulations are tough, but did you know that there is a reason for it? Pressure washing those driveways once a month will contribute to a long-term effect. One of the reasons why so many Homeowners’ Associations apply these rules is for the property value of your home. 

Proper care and attention to the exterior details of your home and yard will certainly attract home buyers. Upholding these rules will also prevent future maintenance on your home, further keeping you from expensive costs and stressful situations. Upkeep on your home can sometimes be stressful, but if you are planning on selling your Boca home, you can guarantee you will receive top-dollar for your home!

Amenities Are Always Available...

4 Essential Traits To Find the Right Real Estate Broker | Boca Raton Real Estate

4 essential traits of a real estate broker

The market is red hot right now! We can’t blame you if you’re looking to sell and move on to greener (and cheaper) pastures. Nowadays, it seems like there are more Boca Raton realtors than actual houses on the market. You certainly have the pick of the litter. In a city where our local realty looks good and our brokers even better, it may be hard to find the right one for you. Here are 4 essential traits to look for when choosing a real estate broker.

Efficient Communication

communication graphic | bright megaphone graphic overlaying dark background

Do they reply to your e-mails within one business day? Do they use full sentences and proper punctuation? Some of us have taken these skills for granted, so it comes as a shock when the person you’re looking to entrust with closing the sale on your home writes at an 8th-grade level. Aside from a baseline of literacy, is the broker you’re speaking to transparent, or do they dance around the subject? Do you have a sense that they don’t have your best interests at heart? Seek out opinions from your friends, a simple referral can weed out the shysters. With transactions the size of your home, overcommunication from your realtor is much better than one who disappears for days at home.

Adequate Experience

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The Best Italian Fine Dining In Boca Raton

italian fine dining in boca

Casa D'Angelo

burrata salad

Casa D'Angelo  is the flagship brainchild of renowned Chef Angelo Elia's restaurant group, which also includes Angelo Elia's Bakery Bar, and Angelo's Pizza Bar & Tapas. Casa D'Angelo features locations in Boca Raton and Ft. Lauderdale, bringing an old-world flavor to our modern Boca home. Casa D'Angelo's dedication to quality and carefully sourced ingredients begins with the chef's upbringing in Salerno, learning from his mother while watching his father, the local butcher. Enjoy a truly authentic tour of Italy's most spectacular flavors and curated wines at Casa D'Angelo.

Trattoria Romana

fine raw italian food

Through its flavors and decor, Trattoria Romana brings a truly rustic Italian aesthetic to your dining experience. Trattoria Romana opened its doors in 1993, and has been here to stay as one of Boca Raton's longest-running Italian fine dining establishments. Their prices are surprisingly accommodating considering the quality of the cuisine they provide, with their antipasti bar in particular lending to a wonderful atmosphere for group gatherings and birthdays. Like the romanesque atmosphere they've crafted for their guests, their menu is a fine dining crash course on classic Italian fare.

Frank & Dino's

fine italian food...

Boca Raton Pets on the Move | Moving Your Pet

guide to moving pets

Anyone who has moved knows how exhausting, stressful, and chaotic things can become. With the South Florida population on the rise, hundreds of people are moving into the area by the minute. If you are a Boca Raton native, then you've probably seen how busy the streets are becoming, excluding rush hour!

Pop-up condos, apartments, and multi-million-dollar homes are now inhabited by people out of state. South Florida has become a haven for people around the country, and the influx of people shows it! 

However, with the influx of people, comes the influx of their four-legged companions. Moving is already a tedious task none of us want to be a part of--but what about our pets? Pets feel the pinch, too, and stressing a pet out can be just as detrimental to them as it is to us. We will be discussing some key tips on how to move without upsetting Fido. Moving is difficult for all parties involved, but keeping your pets relaxed can be one of the best ways to avoid unnecessary problems. 

Reduce the Action

bustling people

We all know pets can be annoyed by a multitude of noises and sounds. Involving your pet in the process itself could easily irritate your four-legged friend--leading to your pet becoming scared or acting out. A common mistake most homeowners make is allowing their pets to roam freely among the chaos. It's important to make sure your animal is comfortable but placing your pet in a carrier or empty room will keep him/her out of the action. It's a stressful situation, but a barking dog certainly will not help in any way, shape, or form. 

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Best Steak In Boca Raton | Finest Steakhouses In Boca

the best steakhouses in boca raton

Perhaps no trio says "fine dining" quite like steak, lobster, and red wine. In Boca Raton, where so many of the finer things in life are cultivated, we're blessed to host some of the finest dining and entertainment options anywhere in the world. When you think date night, corporate dinner, swanky party, or simply a night of decadent living, look no further than our very own Caesar Parisi's Top 5 Steakhouses in Boca Raton.

NY PRIME

steak on wood fire slab

New York Prime is one of the most prestigious steakhouses in Boca Raton. Its classy upper-class vibe welcomes the diner to the ultimate in red meat and red wine. This timeliness combination is cultivated to the fullest extent, with USDA Prime-only beef flanked by superb seafood offerings and the classic sides expected at a high-end steakhouse. NY Prime is currently promoting their Stags' Leap Wine Dinner this upcoming September 19th. 

ABE & LOUIE'S

grilled ribeye

This swanky location in the Glades Plaza is an offshoot of the legendary Boston flagship restaurant. Their prime-aged midwestern...

Tips To Stand Out On LinkedIn | Boca Raton Real Estate

tips to stand out on linkedin

The job market is red hot, and so is South Florida's booming real estate industry! Millions of Americans are putting in their 2 weeks’ notice and moving on to greener pastures, leaving their lightly used green pasture for you to move into. You should always keep your LinkedIn profile up to date, not simply for a job search, but to make the right impression on any new connections you encounter in your professional life. There are some best practices for how to set yourself apart from the crowd on LinkedIn!

Use a Good Photo

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You might be thinking, “How can I market myself on LinkedIn,” as you look at yourself in the mirror one morning, followed by “Damn, I look good.” You flash yourself a smile as your confidence grows and then…you walk away. Wait! Come back! The answer was staring you right in the face. Put your best face out there and use a professional photo. Profiles with one, and we cannot stress this enough, up to 25 times more likely to be viewed than those without one. This is one of the most overlooked LinkedIn tips out there. “Smile at the world and the world smiles back,” goes the old adage. You could also say, “Smile at the world and the world clicks connect.”

Skill Me Up

skill plate

There is a certain baseline of modesty out there. We understand, most of us are mild-mannered people going about our daily...

In Ground Swimming Pools In Boca Raton | A Quick Guide

building your boca pool

We are very lucky to have miles and miles of public beaches here in Boca Raton. Many of us spend every weekend soaking up the rays and swimming with friends and family. However, there are the annoyances of going to the beach like faraway bathrooms, burning the soles of your feet on hot sand, and a general lack of privacy. That’s why many Boca residents enjoy the added luxury of an in-ground pool in their backyards. With all the comforts of your home only steps away, a restful staycation is always within literal reach. Do you have a big patch of grass that looks like it could be your next private grotto? Here are 4 things to consider when buying a pool in Boca Raton!

The Price

red price tag

We might as well get this out of the way as soon as possible! You may think you can afford a pool, but exactly what kind of pool will it be? You have more to choose from than a simple concrete hole in the ground. On top of the purchase price, you’ll have to factor in the ongoing costs of maintaining your pool, lest your private lagoon turns into the community swamp. Swimming pool builders will be quick to point out that you can choose from fiberglass ($$$$$), concrete ($$$), or vinyl liner ($$). Don’t forget, you’ll also have to take into account the cost of rebuilding your landscape around it!

The Role Of Inclement Weather

hurricane force winds

For a myriad of reasons, severe weather in Florida can heavily impact your...

5 Back To School Tips To Start The Year Right | Boca Raton Schools

back to school tips

It’s that time of year again. Your kids are dreading, counting the days. You’re probably counting the days, too, but ready to rock and roll! The first day of school is right around the corner. We hope you enjoyed the warm weather, the summer vacations, and family time, but we think that you’re ready to get your kids out of the living room and back in the classroom for a new school year. Here are 5 tips for your family to start the school year right!

Never Stop Preparing

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The new school year may seem ages away to a kid in June, but September arrives faster than they realize. One of the most important yet overlooked ways to start the school year right is to keep children academically engaged throughout the summer. Leisure and idle time can dull the skills and cloud knowledge that your children have been absorbing for the past 9 months. It’s extremely important to maintain some form of learning to keep their minds fresh and continue their education even in the summer months. Trips to museums and the reading list certainly help, as does structure. Maybe nothing so draconian as tests and pop quizzes, but flashcards and light practice of math and language will keep your children sharp and ready to start the year off without the pains of getting acclimated to learning again.

Mandate Homework Time

homework time

With so much to do outside in our beautiful Boca...