Today I’m going to tell you about another well-known older neighborhood in the Fort Lauderdale area: Rio Vista.

Known for its old Florida feel, Rio Vista is located south of New River and north of the SE 17th Street Causeway.

Because of its optimal location, Rio Vista is especially popular for those who work downtown.

Continue reading to learn more about this outstanding Fort Lauderdale neighborhood, and what it has to offer to interested Florida home buyers like you!

Rio Vista: A Distinctive Fort Lauderdale Neighborhood

Rio Vista’s proximity to Port Everglades makes it an attractive residence for anyone who is a serious boater.

In fact, Rio Vista residents can be out in the Atlantic Ocean in ten minutes or less typically!

About half of the homes at Rio Vista are on the water while the other half is not. Homes range from about 1,000 to 18,000 square feet – offering home buyers an impressive variety to choose from.

These homes typically sell for between $325,000 and $9,000,000 – appealing to an array of price ranges.

What’s more, Rio Vista residents are just a short drive away from such South Florida regional attractions as:

• Fort-Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport
• West Lake Park
• South Beach Park
• Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale
• And more!

South Florida Homes for Sale

If Rio Vista has piqued your interest as a home buyer, then make sure to contact me, John O’Flaherty, today.

As your Fort Lauderdale real estate experts, my team of REALTORS and I will be happy to answer any questions you may have as well as provide you with a number of helpful relocation materials, such as:

• Fort Lauderdale real estate videos
• FREE relocation package
• Interactive area map
• Moving tips

Until next time,

John

Today I’ll tell you about Victoria Park, an esteemed neighborhood with beautiful landscaping, gorgeous homes and friendly neighbors.

Continue reading to learn more about this excellent South Florida neighborhood to discover if it’s the right fit for you and your family.

Victoria Park: A Model South Florida Neighborhood

Victoria Park is a grandiose Fort Lauderdale neighborhood located south of Sunrise Boulevard and North of Broward Boulevard.

Part of this neighborhood’s charm is its walkability and mixed use zoning. Victoria Park is comprised of single-family homes, legal duplexes and triplexes, apartment buildings, town homes and even a few guest houses!

Single family homes in Victoria Park range from 2 to 3 bedrooms and 1,185 to 4,900 square feet. Homes are priced from $295,000 to $2,000,000

These homes come with the latest upgrades, including Hurricane Impact windows, spacious master suites and more.

And thanks to Victoria Park’s convenient location, residents are always within just a short drive of such Fort Lauderdale attractions as:

• Bonnet House Museum and Gardens
• Fort Lauderdale Antique Car Museum
• Las Olas Boulevard
• Broward Center for the Performing Arts
• And more!

Fort Lauderdale Properties for Sale

To learn more about what makes living in Victoria Park such a unique experience – or to inquire about available listings – make sure to contact me, John O’Flaherty, and the rest of The O’Flaherty Team, today!

While you’re at it, make sure to browse some of our helpful Fort Lauderdale home buying resources, including:

• Buyer FAQs
• Mortgage calculator
• Featured properties
• FREE buying guide

Until next time,

John

Not only did the number of Florida home sales increase but so did the median home sales price!

Continue reading to learn more about these developing trends on the Fort Lauderdale real estate market and how they benefit you as a seller.

Homes for Sale in Fort Lauderdale

Here’s an overview of the current state of the Fort Lauderdale real estate market, according to statistics from the real estate website, Trulia:

• Currently there are 4,030 homes for sale, including 3,185 homes in some stage of the foreclosure process.
• Between October and December, the average price per square foot for a home was $235, up 39.9 percent when compared to the same period in 2010.
• During that same period, the median sales price increased by 3.3 percent year-over-year, from $152,000 to $157,000.
• During the week ending on January 18, the median sales price for a 1-bedroom Fort Lauderdale home was $115,500.
• The median sales price for a 2-bedroom home was $157,500
• And the median sales price for 3- and 4- bedroom homes was $225,000 and $165,000.
• And here’s a look at how neighboring communities stacked up in terms of median sales price:

o Oakland Park: $82,400
o Wilton Manors: $138,000
o Lauderhill: $50,000
o Plantation: $139,950
o Dania Beach: $283,854

• During the week ending on January 18, the average listing price for a Fort Lauderdale home for sale was $738,621.
• Compared to the previous week, the average listing price increased by 1.2 percent.
• During that previous week, the average listing price was $729,596.
• Here’s a look at how neighboring communities stacked up in terms of average listings price:

o Oakland Park: $175,046
o Wilton Manors: $283,126
o Lauderhill: $90,654
o Plantation: $346,950
o Dania Beach: $85,100

Your Fort Lauderdale REALTORS

The fact that the number of home sales as well as the median sales price are rising is a great sign for Fort Lauderdale home sellers interested in getting a great deal on their home and selling it in a short amount of time.

It also may be a good sign that the Fort Lauderdale real estate market is shifting from a buyer’s market to a more balanced market.

In order to maximize your success on the local housing market, however, you’ll want to work with an experienced Fort Lauderdale REALTOR who can effectively market your home.

So contact me, John O’Flaherty, your Florida real estate expert, today!

My team of Fort Lauderdale real estate experts and I will be happy to explain our exclusive marketing plan for sellers as well as provide you with such helpful home selling tools as:

• FREE home evaluation
• Getting ready to sell
• Neighborhood sold report
• FREE selling guide

Until next time,

John

Continue reading to learn about some of the fun activities going on this February that you and your family could be enjoying if you were Fort Lauderdale residents.

Enjoy These Family-Friendly Events This February

Here is a brief overview of some of the community events going on this month in the South Florida area:

Reptile Exhibit: Bring your family to Repticon to learn about various reptiles and exotic animals. This annual event draws large crowds and is guaranteed to be both entertaining and educational for you and your family!

• When: February 4 and 5; times vary
• Where: War Memorial Auditorium, 800 NE 8th Street in Fort Lauderdale
• Admission: $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 5 to 12. Military will receive $1 off with ID and teachers receive free admission with ID. Boy and Girl Scouts in Uniform attend for free.
• More Info: Call 954-828-5380.

History Trade Show: Come check out exhibits on everything from the Revolutionary War to World War II during the annual American history trade show. The event will also feature live encampments and one-of-a-kind artifacts.

• When: February 10 to 12
• Where: War Memorial Auditorium, 800 NE 8th Street in Fort Lauderdale
• Admission: $10
• More Info: Call 954.828.5380.

Night Hike: Enjoy a scenic and peaceful hike at Secret Woods Nature Center. The hike will be led by an experienced naturalist from the center. Pre-registration is required.

• When: 6:30 to 7:30 on February 7
• Where: Dania Beach
• Admission: $5
• More Info: Call 954-357-8884

Bird Walk: Come check out the array of bird species that call South Florida home during this bird walk, led by Gloria Cashin. During the walk, participants will see such species as the burrowing owl.

• When: 8:30 a.m. on February 11
• Where: Central Broward Regional Park and Stadium
• Admission: FREE
• More Info: Call 954-357-5400

Relocating to Fort Lauderdale Florida

I hope you and your family get a chance to check out some of these fun and educational events! If you do, please let me know what you thought of them!

And if you decide during your adventures around town that you would like to make Fort Lauderdale your permanent home, make sure to contact me, John O’Flaherty, today.

As your Fort Lauderdale real estate expert, I’ll be happy to tell you about what it’s like to live in this incredible Florida city year-round as well as answer any questions you may have.

Until next time,

John

About ten minutes from Victoria Park, The Weston Town Center is holding a Halloween Spooktacular from 6 pm to 8 pm. Let the kids come dressed up for an evening of trick or treating and a costume contest.  There will be face painting, a bounce house and plenty of other fun events for the whole family.

Just ten minutes from the Harbor Beach neighborhood, the Cinema Paradiso, located on SE Sixth Street, will be holding a Boo-tacular in the evening, from 5 pm until 7 pm. The kids will enjoy plenty of treats, prizes, costume contests and more.

If ghouls and goblins aren’t your thing, you may want to consider attending the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show on the last day of the month. This unique all-day event on Monday starts at 10 am and ends at 5 pm. Yacht builders and designers will have their work on exhibition. Boats of all kinds will be available, from sportfishers and cabin cruisers, to canoes and trawlers and more.  Tickets cost $16 online or $18 at the show, while children between the ages of 6 and 15 are $3 online and $5 at the show. You can go to any of the show’s four sites. If you’re close to the Las Olas neighborhood, you may want to check out the Bahia Mar/ Hall of Fame/ Las Olas Marina. The Broward County Convention Center, the Fort Lauderdale Hilton Marina and The Sails Marina will also be hosting the event.

Do you have any interesting Halloween traditions in your family? Feel free to share with us!

There are plenty of restaurants and eateries along North Ocean Boulevard, not far from Edgewater Arms. Just a five minute walk away, Oceans Grill offers seafood and American cuisine. If you’re craving Italian food, head over to Lucca or Nick’s Italian restaurant. And if you’re in the mood for lamb chops or baklava, Greek Islands Taverna is only about a five minute walk away.

The Hugh Taylor Birch State Park is located less than ten minutes south following Ocean Boulevard.  Nature lovers will have the chance to bike, fish, hike, canoe and picnic in the park’s designated areas. Tours are also provided for guests during the winter season.

There are plenty of places to shop in close proximity to the condos of Edgewater Arms. The Galt Ocean Plaza and the Galt Ocean Marketplace shopping center are less than five minutes away.  Just down the street, the St. Lawrence Print Shop offers high quality art reproduction services including original artwork scanning, digital archiving, framing and more.

If you feel like heading out to the movies, the AMC Coral Ridge 10 theater isn’t too far away, located on NE 26^th Avenue.

The Coral Ridge Country Club is less than a ten minute drive west of the Edgewater Arms condominiums. This private club offers members a stunning eighteen hole golf course, eleven tennis courts – including private lessons – and a junior size Olympic swimming pool.

Find out now what Edgewater Arms condominiums has to offer you.

Many first time buyers and young families have chosen to settle at Imperial Point for the reasonable cost of homes. Home prices range from $150,000 to $550,000, with houses ranging from 1275 square feet to 2400 square feet. Almost all homes have a carport or a garage.

Imperial Point is close by to great shopping centers and entertainment. The Imperial Shopping Plaza, east of US – 1, is not far from other shopping areas like The Promenade at Bay Colony.

There are a variety of restaurants in and around the neighborhood. If you’re in the mood for Italian you may want to try Sette Bello Ristorante, just off the North Federal Highway. Pompano Pizza and Italian Eatery is located in the northwest corner, on South Cypress Road.  The Cypress Nook restaurant has been praised for serving great breakfast and is known for its German-American food. If you’re looking for barbecue, The Smokey Bones Bar and Fire Grill is just up the road from Sette Bello Ristorante.

Other areas of note include the Imperial Point Medical Center, in the eastern part of the neighborhood, close to Bay Colony. It specializes in endocrine surgery, rehabilitation and outpatient services. The Tae Kwon Do Institute on 62nd Court is the oldest professional Tae Kwon Do school in Broward County. Classes are open to both children and adults. Finally, the Hi-Tech Kidz Early Learning Center is a state of the art learning center for young children, focusing on creativity and a love of learning.

Discover available real estate in and new homes for sale in Imperial Point.

A WOW FORT LAUDERDALE PRICED HOME!

As in “Wow did you see what they listed that Fort Lauderdale house down the street for?” . A “wow” price gets both Fort Lauderdale real estate buyers  and Fort Lauderdale Realtors  buzzing and almost always results in a fast sale for very close to asking price (if not more than asking). “Wow” pricing is typically used with Foreclosures, Estate sales, and super serious “real” sellers. And a “wow” price can also be achieved with a substantial price reduction for a home that has been on the market for an extended period of time. A “wow” price leads the Fort Lauderdale real estate market and is almost always the next property to sell in a given Fort Lauderdale neighborhood  or Ft. Lauderdale condo building. Most real sellers are not able to stomach listing their home right off the bat with a “wow” price. Properties in poor condition and/or in poor locations often need a “wow” price in order to get action.

A TOP DOLLAR PRICE

Now this is not necessarily overpriced. What this represents (or should represent) is a Fort Lauderdale property  that deserves to sell for whatever the absolute top price a neighborhood or building will allow in the current market conditions. If the last 10 sales in a neighborhood are “nice” 3 and 4 bedroom homes, a seller with a “fantastic” 5 bedroom home deserves to get more than these previous sales. We have been selling in a “bad” market since 2006 and to date we have had many instances of our listings selling for substantially more than what buyers or other Realtors might first think. In order for a seller to get “top dollar” a few things must be present: a very nice if not completely remodeled property, scarcity of what you are selling (larger than normal square footage, one of a kind view, over the top renovation etc), and most importantly first class marketing and seller representation that puts the property in its best light to the most amount of people possible.

IN THE MARKET PRICING

Not the cheapest and not the most expensive. A property that is asking a fair price and a price that can be justified by recent Fort Lauderdale sales and a price with perhaps even a little built in room for some negotiation. A home priced in this manner needs to be desirable but by no means completely renovated. An example might be a home with newer kitchen and a great backyard but with an older roof and a dated master bath. We personally feel that first a buyer must like your home and envision themselves there for the next ten years and that so long as your home is priced “in the market” we will be able to get the buyers to come look. If a buyer can’t see themselves living there, a 5% difference in price (both up or down) won’t change that. This is not to discount the importance of pricing your property well but just an honest discussion that price is only one element in getting a property sold, but obviously an important one.

OVERPRICED AND OUT OF THE MARKET

This one is pretty self explanatory. This is when a Fort Lauderdale home is either priced substantially above what “like” properties are selling for or is priced equally to “better” properties. This is “no man’s land” and you do not want to be there. A home that is overpriced will either get no activity or will simply be a home that reinforces the value of the competition.

READY TO DETERMINE THE FAIR MARKET VALUE OF YOUR FT. LAUDERDALE HOME?

If so, contact any member of the Dan and John O’Flaherty Team  today and we will schedule an appointment to discuss your home selling goals!

Until next time,

John and Dan

We have been doing Fort Lauderdale real estate video tours since early 2010 and I am stunned that the rest of the FLL real estate community has been slow to follow.

I felt that we were a bit late to adapt and that within 6 months video would be the standard for Fort Lauderdale area Realtors. And yet at this moment I can say with confidence (and hopefully without sounding like a jerk) that no one is using video as effectively as we are. It is quite common for Fort Lauderdale real estate buyers to have watched a full 5-10 minute video of one of our listings before they first visit the property.

VIDEO IS A PRETTY BIG DEAL!

Why is video such a big deal? There is a little website you might have heard of, it’s called YouTube and it literally attracts two billion visitors a day. That’s Billion. And while I’m sure that at least 1 million of those are videos of kittens playing, the power of YouTube and video itself is undeniable.

REVEALING FORT LAUDERDALE REAL ESTATE WITH VIDEO

Video is real. There is no hiding or “glamming up” with video. But the consumer loves it. There is no use having a wide angle lense make a 10×10’ room look like Madison Square Garden. Do you honestly want Fort Lauderdale home buyers to come to your home with a complete misconception of what they are seeing? Or do you want an educated and informed Fort Lauderdale buyer  who has an idea of what they are looking at before they’ve even arrived.

IF PICTURES ARE WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS…

Here is how we use video to add value to the buyers looking online. We give them the one thing that pictures and static virtual tours don’t and can’t do…we give them a sense of the layout and the flow of the homes for sale in Fort Lauderdale . In addition, our Fort Lauderdale real estate videos  we point out the relevant features of your home: specific updates like the age of the roof or how big a boat is allowable for the amount of water. It let’s us sell the house and ensures that potential buyers are made aware of what makes your home unique and special.

APPEALING TO FORT LAUDERDALE HOME BUYERS WITH SHORT ATTANTION SPANS

We live in an era of the short attention span. And yet the same buyer who can “click” through 50 homes in 3 minutes will gladly spend 10 minutes watching a video of a home if it meets their criteria for neighborhood, price range, and style/condition.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR EXPERIENCE WATCHING VIDEO?

Leave a comment and let us know if you like video when searching for your Fort Lauderdale home.

Until next time,

John and Dan

And depending on your interests, family size and more – any one of them could be your dream Fort Lauderdale neighborhood.

Today I’d like to tell you about one Fort Lauderdale neighborhood that has become nearly synonymous with high-class living: The Coral Ridge Country Club.

Continue reading to learn more about this exclusive Fort Lauderdale neighborhood.

Fort Lauderdale Homes For Sale at Coral Ridge

Located in NE Fort Lauderdale, Coral Ridge is a gorgeous single-family neighborhood consisting of both waterfront homes and drylot homes.

Homes in Coral Ridge range from $400,000 (for smaller dry lots) to more than $3 million (for waterfront homes).

This established Fort Lauderdale neighborhood’s golf course is the only one within Fort Lauderdale city limits – making it a highly desirable place to live.

More than just your typical golf course, however, Coral Ridge also offers its residents a number of high-end amenities and features, including:

• Beautifully landscaped, large lots
• A vast amount of square footage – especially when compared to other Eastside neighborhoods
• Proximity to hospitals
• Easy access to such top-performing private schools as Pinecrest, Cardinal Gibbons, Saint Mark’s, Westminster and others.
• Designer paver driveways
• And more!

Thinking About Entering the Fort Lauderdale Real Estate Market?

Then call us!  As your Fort Lauderdale real estate experts, we’d be happy to answer any questions you might have about living in Fort Lauderdale as well as let you know about available listings.

Contact us, The O’Flaherty Team, today and we’ll instantly make navigating the market as a Fort Lauderdale home buyer easier with such helpful tools as:

• Buyer FAQs
• Fort Lauderdale Real Estate Market Stats
• Free Buying Guide
• Featured Properties
• And more!

Until next time,

John