Stories

The end of Summer looms, and it's time to think about what we want our nest to look like as we hunker down for the "winter" here in Boca Raton, Florida. Whether you're a new family, an empty nester, or somewhere in between, the few minutes we spent with Maia, this gorgeous blue-eyed Plott hound, was all we needed to know she'd be perfect for anyone. With the right amount of love and attention, this once abused pup will change your life as you change hers. Spread the love! Cuffing season is ahead!

Contact the Tri-County Animal Rescue to visit Albert today!

Click HERE to visit our Boca Raton Pet Rescue and Animal Adoption Section

We're sure at this point more than a few readers are saying to themselves: "it's about time!" We have observed the mercurial and meteoric rise of this ever-popular racquet sport over the years, from a niche amongst retirees to the fastest growing sport in the united states. Pickleball has grown from a fun pastime to a near-necessity in new condo and country club construction, and we're here for it! We delved into the history, the development, and the trajectory of this growing game - and asked why it appeals to so many of all ages. Learn more, as we ask... what's the deal with pickleball anyway?

What Is Pickleball?

For many reasons, Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in America, more and more a crucial amenity desired by thousands moving to Boca Raton. Pickleball is the middle ground between tennis, badminton, and ping pong. The sport is played on a modified tennis court or badminton court and follows very similar rules to tennis. Unlike tennis, the game is played with a wooden paddle and often, a whiffle ball - although as the sport has grown so has the dedication to pickleball-specific equipment. Learn more about this sporting phenomenon below, and why it holds the spot as one of the fastest risers in the athletic world.

The Origins Of The Game

Pickleball...

Despite the omnipotence of expensive HVAC issues and the wear and tear on your home, Florida home improvements aren't all subcontractors and trained labor. There are many projects (some even involving power tools) that will beautify your home, and improve its utility. We chose a few of our favorite DIY Boca home projects that everyone can get involved in, building camaraderie in pursuit of something better. Read on and learn these among our key homeowner tips in the Boca Raton Real Estate blog!

Restore/Repaint Mailbox

A mailbox might not necessarily increase the value of your home on paper, but its curb appeal will benefit you massively. The mailbox is the furthest outcropping of your personal expression, reflecting the aesthetic that follows behind as the introduction to your palette and design motifs. Mailbox repair kits, and even entire mailboxes, are relatively cheap and easy to work with.

Install Solar Pathway Lights

Another inexpensive way to improve your entryway and impress houseguests and passersby alike, these cheap, easily installed, solar-powered pathway lights are a practical...

Welcome to Autumn! While it may not feel like outside, we are heading into the fall and winter months. With the busy season ahead, there's bound to be more people, but plenty more to do as the weather becomes a bit friendlier and people venture out for more than the beach! Here are some of our choices for things to do in Boca Raton. Stay tuned and learn more!

DeadMau5 @ DAER Nightclub

• When: Saturday, September 3rd. 12 PM - Close
• Where: DAER Nightclub - 1 Lucky St. Davie, FL 33314

Legendary electronic musician and cultural icon Deadmau5 will play an all-day set at DAER nightclub, one of the preeminent clubs in Broward County found on the property of the newly remodeled, immense Hard Rock Resort & Casino. Arrive at noon for the doors to open, and dance the night (and day) away!

Heart Of Soul Duo 

• When: Sunday, September 11th. 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
• Where: Luff's Fish House - 390 E. Palmetto Park Rd. Boca Raton, FL 33432

Luff's Fish House, one of the most popular seafood restaurants in Boca Raton, plays host to the Heart of Soul Duo, one of the favorites for patrons to enjoy while they dine. The unplugged acoustic duo plays dozens of the greatest hits from Classic Rock, Contemporary, and the tracks we all grew up loving.

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With the hubbub around our economy constantly hovering over our record-shattering real estate market, it's important that we know the fundamentals. With the feds raising interest rates and mass speculation around our surging prices, low inventory, and unique circumstances, we dedicated ourselves to writing about, and explaining the most common home mortgage types you're likely to come across in your Boca home search. With the help of our superb partners at supreme lending, we have access to dedicated professionals who are always on top of the latest news and changes to mortgage law. Read on and learn from our ultimate guide to mortgage types and see if these choices are right for you.

30 Year Fixed Rate Mortgage

A 30 Year fixed rate mortgage is as it sounds. Of the two major types of mortgages (fixed and adjustable rate), this is the most commonplace and usually the preferred financial product for first time homeowners.

15-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage

A 15-year fixed rate mortgage is a much greater risk to default, but in hindsight appeared to some to be the better mortgage as opposed to the 30-year variety. While the upfront costs are vastly higher, the lack of time for interest to compound usually ensures the final cost is much lower. Without the additional...

As Boca Raton's most data-driven Realtors, we use our on-the-ground experience and the top-down data we aggrandize to influence our decisions further when aiding our clientele. It's our job to ensure what we see online and what we hear from your guides our hands and helps us lead you to the promised land. Read along for 5 of the most sought-after (and most searched) Boca Raton neighborhoods and find out why! 

Boca Pointe

Boca Pointe is an extremely popular resort-style country club that offers broader access to the community than some of the more exclusive clubs in the area. They feature a year-round social calendar, NO assessments, and an 18-hole championship golf course open to non-residents as well. Their commitment to personal health & wellness continues through their ultra-modern gym, 16 Har-Tru tennis courts, and a recently redesigned clubhouse. Beyond their Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course, Boca Pointe is a popular destination for private events such as bar/bat mitzvahs, weddings, and corporate events.

Boca West...

It's August! The dog days of Summer are winding down, and the last days of the hottest weather are soon-to-be in the rearview mirror. With most Summer visitors leaving between now and the busy season, it's your time to shine with less traffic and more room to run! Here are some of our favorite event ideas in the Boca Raton area for August.

5-Day Wakeboard and Tubing Camp

• Where: Above & Beyond Community Church - 7500 E. Country Club Blvd. Boca Raton, FL 33487
• When: Monday, August 8, 9 AM - Friday, August 12, 3 PM

The aquatic life is forever intertwined with our coastal, peninsular community. Campers ages 5-15 can enjoy a full week of aquatic enrichment via a variety of boarding mediums - such as kneeboarding, skiing, tubing, wakeboarding, and fishing. For an active way to soak up the sun and learn some riveting new skills, look no further than this clinic on good times and fun on the water!

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Florida is a true hotbed of culture, vivacity, and generally high-achieving, energetic people. This is evidenced by our many successful business people, artists, musicians, and yes... athletes. Something about the year-round sun and our place in the world has made the state of Florida one of the best states for young athletes to ascend to stardom. Whether it's simply a question of the population to select from or the lack of a semiannual slog through snow, Florida is responsible for thrusting some of the best athletes the world has ever seen into the limelight. For ten of our favorite legendary Florida-born athletes, read our intriguing list below!

Deion Sanders - Ft. Myers

Primetime! Nobody was louder, prouder, and more electrifying than a prime Deion Sanders. Born in Ft. Myers, Sanders attended college at Florida State University, where he would later be drafted fifth overall in the legendary 1989 NFL draft. In addition to serving as an NFL cornerback, kick returner, and even wide receiver, Deion played part-time as a left and center field for 5 MLB teams across 641 games. To this day, perhaps only Sanders' draftmate, Detroit Lions Running Back Barry Sanders, could claim the title of the most riveting player to ever put on shoulder pads. Today, Deion has wielded his presence as Head Coach of Jackson State University to increase the profile, competitiveness, and ultimately, the funding for both Jackson State and other HBCUs...

We've enjoyed writing about the many sights, sounds, flavors, and experiences modern Boca Raton has to offer. Lately, we've had the itch to delve into our past and remind ourselves why we live in such a special place - and how we got here. We live in a young country in an even younger state, but we're proud of how far we've come and the outsize impact America has had on global events near and far. These 5 Floridians might not all be war heroes or pro athletes. You may not even know all of their names, but their impact on our state's history, and the world abroad in some cases cannot be understated. Today we honor 5 significant and historical Floridians, their lives, contributions, and the impact we still feel today. 

Mary Macleod Bethune (1875 - 1955)

You may have heard of Bethune-Cookman College, one of 4 HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges & Universities) in Florida. This important institution is partly named for the legacy of Mary MacLeod Bethune, a key contributor to education reform, civil rights, and philanthropy in the United States. Born during the Post-Civil War Reconstruction and raised in the Jim Crow South, Bethune never knew the rights and freedoms that her descendants came to realize, but played a pivotal role in setting a new standard for African-Americans, namely through her contributions to education....

Nobody can deny the strong metropolitan influence that has invigorated Boca Raton in recent years. Much of this new traffic comes from places like New York, New Jersey, and New England - and the shared adoration for musical theater in its many forms. The tri-county area has long served as a bastion for musical theater big and small, with Tony Award-winning plays such as Hamilton gracing our stages in recent years. From Broadway to Boca Raton, here are some of the best places to catch your favorite musical theater acts in the Boca Raton area!

Showtime Performing Arts Center

The Showtime Performing Arts center is a two-story, 125-seat theater that specializes in the enrichment and growth of the arts in Boca Raton. They feature 5 instructional studios including both private and group lessons in dance, vocals, musical instruments, and acting. The hard work and dedication from its wonderful instructional staff are put on display through its Fall-Spring season, with live showings during its September - May season. They offer to perform arts camps every season, even including audition preparation lessons.

Rocky Mountain Conservatory Theatre

Despite its possibly... misleading...

It's (hopefully) as hot as it'll come this year! With temperatures soaring into the mid 90's on an almost daily basis, some of us will run for cover, while others will run to the beach. Besides the events surrounding the upcoming holiday, which you can find in the link at the bottom, what else is there to do during this spicy hot July in the Boca Raton area. For everything not July 4th, read on and set your calendars! Here are the July Events in Boca Raton worth a gander.

Ancient Mythology - Electronic Music Festival - Boca Raton

• Where: Sunset Cove Amphitheater - 20405 Amphitheater Cir. Boca Raton, FL  33498
• When: Saturday, July 9th 7:30 PM - 11:00 PM

Electronic Dance Music, or EDM for short, is one of the most popular genres of music in today's world, especially amongst young people in The U.S. and Western Europe, where techno, house music, dubstep, and heavy bass gained traction. Attendees to this unique take on an EDM festival will enjoy the expected glitter and pageantry shown by the concertgoers with a folkloric twist. Thematic elements will draw inspiration from fantasy, folklore, ancient history, cultural anthropology, and much more. 

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It's that time of year! From Martin to Monroe, here are some of the best July 4th fireworks celebrations planned in the Boca Raton area and beyond. Read our ultimate guide to get your plans set! Each event has varying times covering charges, parking situations, and policies regarding alcohol and outside food. 

4th of July Fireworks Cruise - Boca Raton

• Where: The Waterstone Resort & Marina - 999 E. Camino Real. Boca Raton, FL 33432
• When: Monday, July 4th, 2022. 4:00 PM

Fabulous Fourth Celebration - Boca Raton

• Where: Countess De Hoernle Park -1000 Spanish River Blvd, Boca Raton, FL 33431
• When: Monday, July 4th, 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM

4th Of July at Sunset...

As the Summer months are fast approaching, the presence of our local flora and fauna will teem in comparison to the more temperate days behind us. New residents and longtime locals alike should exercise caution on behalf of themselves, but most of all for our beautiful wildlife, much of which has become critically endangered via the habitat destruction and poor environmental practices exhibited by several industries in recent years. Read on to learn about 5 endangered species in Florida, and what you can do to care for these beautiful creatures, whether that means doing something different or doing nothing at all. 

Florida Manatee

The Florida Manatee is one of the gentlest, most beloved icons of South Florida. This docile herbivore is often mistaken for a lumbering, slow, creature but in reality, is quite deft at acceleration, capable of reaching 20mph in short bursts, and is only one of two marine mammals without blubber! Contrary to what many think, the greatest killers of manatees are not boats, although it is fundamental to be mindful of your speed in boating channels. Cold water and algal blooms are responsible for the majority of manatee kills, so be wary of how you care for your lawn, and how you dispose of organic materials that may otherwise lead to an excess of nutrients in the water supply.

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When people think of American Cuisine, many will claim the only real contribution to global cuisine found outside of a ballpark menu can be found in a smoker. Yet, despite the omnipresence of this somewhat condescending opinion, America has taken her "melting pot" approach to cuisine, hybridizing a myriad of influences to form regional fare that is both inspired by its immigrants and wholly its own. Aside from BBQ, Americans can claim Soul Food, Cajun Cuisine, Pizza, and the California Mediterranean Diet as only a small example of our adaptation to global flavors. It is in Florida where our 3-sided access and superb Real Estate have attracted some of the most unique flavors in the country, with several distinct Florida foods found here and little elsewhere. Today we take a moment to answer the question: what are the most iconic Florida Foods? Read on to learn what you should try the next time you order up!

Fried Gator Tail

Fried gator tail isn't as widespread and available as one may think. Even some of the prominent fish houses and seafood restaurants in Boca Raton don't carry this Floridian classic. Known for tasting similarly to chicken with a more chewy, less fibrous texture, alligator meat is high in protein, low in fat, and...

It's beach season in Boca Raton! With May more than halfway over, we're expecting balmy nights and sunkissed mornings. Even with a splash of rain here and there, the summer heat brings the best out of South Florida's communitywide commitment to health & fitness. When you live in the shadow of Mizner Park, it's easy to lose track of what we order and the relationship it has with our waistline. After all, we have dozens of incredible restaurants and classy establishments to wine & dine with your favorite people. Did you know you can decode a restaurant menu by understanding the basic implications of menu terminology? Not every menu is likely to have calories cited, especially in more fine-dining settings. With our menu decoder, learn what you need to know before you order, and watch your positive decisions transform your physical outlook! 

The following terms are related to the removal or omission of certain ingredients that may be linked to allergies or lifestyle choices.

Vegan 

All products are completely free of animal-based ingredients, including eggs, dairy, broths, and gelatin, among the more obvious inclusions (or exclusions).

Vegetarian

Vegetarian foods include the use of dairy and eggs but omit meats based on their immediate proximity to animal slaughter. No-kill byproducts do not count.

Gluten-Free...

Compared to most of the world, the United States of America has a very young history. Almost every major event has been chronicled since the initial foundation of the American Colonies. Without the nebulous origins of ancient civilizations, our foundational tales are not shrouded in myth & legend, do not contain religious underpinnings, and can be found in any major public library. Florida, namely South Florida, is an even younger vestige of this otherwise juvenile country. With nary a century of real development under our belts, the historic sites of Boca Raton are a rare glimpse into a time not too long ago. It was a time when our beautiful Tuscan architecture and signature luxury lifestyle were merely ideas coalesced around the vision of community forbear Addison Mizner. Without further ado, learn more of our Boca Raton history as we review 5 of the oldest sites in Boca Raton!

Spanish Village

Spanish Village sits in an area just a few blocks north of City Hall on Boca Raton Boulevard. Originally built in the 1920s by the Mizner Development Corporation, the company was named for its founder, Addison Mizner once Boca Raton became more of a city than a dream, these modest homes were among the earliest residences in the area. Today, eleven still stand, and despite efforts from the residents, only one is currently protected by historic designation.

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Father's Day is around the corner! Here are some of our favorite ways to celebrate our dad's in the Boca Raton area, from lunch to art, to full-fledged festivals, get ready to spend some quality time with the main man! These 5 events are only a smidge of what's been offered across the tri-county area. Read our Boca Raton Real Estate blog to learn more about where to go and who to see in Boca. Here are 5 Boca area events and experiences to celebrate Dad this upcoming Father's Day!

10TH ANNUAL MIZNER PARK FATHER'S DAY CLASSIC CAR SHOW - BOCA RATON

• Sunday, June 19th, 2022. 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
• Mizner Park - 327 Plaza Real. Boca Raton, FL 33432

Mizner Park is always a great place to bring the family. The shopping, restaurants, and activities are a year-round attraction. This Father's Day, enjoy a midmorning soiree with the whole family as you saunter through beautiful Mizner Park under the cooling shade of the swaying palms. This is the one time this year where vintage American muscle (no, we're not talking about Dad) is on full display in the heart of downtown Boca Raton - a city known for its affinity with German vehicles and electric cars. There will be plenty of giveaways, awards, and a wide range of outstanding achievements in human engineering. We know the whole family will love it!

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Welcome to our next entry in our young but exciting Boca Raton Pet Rescue efforts! As part of our ongoing support to Tri-County Animal Rescue, we've chosen the dogs and cats that have the biggest hurdles to adoption or are at a more advanced age than puppies or kittens. For this June, we've chosen to feature Hubert, a golden brown American Staffordshire Terrier mix with a contagious smile and love for the outdoors. We had such an easy time filming and speaking around Hubert, it was clear to us he's ready and willing to be a part of your family. Do you have a home that fits his needs?

Hubert is vaccinated, neutered, healthy, and strong. All his vitals are in great shape, and this dog is only getting healthier since his time on the streets of Georgia. Hubert is a lover, well-behaved and housebroken. It'll be bittersweet to see him go to a home he so deserves!

Contact the Tri-County Animal Rescue to visit Hubert today!

Alright! Here we go. It's hot as the 9th ring outside and the city is just getting started for Summer! Without further ado, here are some of the most exciting and diverse Boca Raton June Events. As always, we've included the city proper and the surrounding area. The highway is never far. Enjoy your month!

Boca chamber's 52nd annual golf classic

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  When: Friday, June 3rd, 2022 7:00 AM - 2:30 PM
• Where: 501 E. Camino Real, Boca Raton, FL 33432

For the 52nd year, The Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce will host its annual golf classic. In a community renowned for its golf & country club real estate, the chamber of commerce spares no expense in providing one of the most enjoyable golf events of the year. The event will include cash prizes, awards, raffles, breakfast, lunch, and even a long drive competition! Polish your clubs and lace-up for what's sure to be a searingly good time on the links.

Boynton Beach food, wine, & brew fest

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  When: Thursday, June 16th, 2022 6:00...