Housing Market Indicators:
Florida existing home sales:
-28%
Florida existing condo sales:
-32%
Florida existing home median price:
$236,000
Florida existing condo median price:
$208,800
Florida consumer confidence:
86
National existing home sales:
-8.4%
National existing home median price
$217,000
National (Freddie Mac) mortgage rate
6.16%
After 8 years in the making, new luxury beachfront resort to open in Fort Lauderdale
By Tom Stieghorst Sun-Sentinel.com Posted April 30 2007, 8:05 PM EDT
Fort Lauderdale’s newest hotel opens Tuesday after an eight-year odyssey, finally giving Broward County the luxury beachfront resort that should land it on the map of the nation’s high-spending tourist elite.The $225 million St. Regis Resort & Residences Fort Lauderdale is one of only 13 St. Regis hotels worldwide. It’s 166 guest rooms will be offered at a standard rate of $589 a night most of the year, rising to $800 a night in season. With its marble floors and rooms that come with both butlers and digital assistants, the resort is the first in the county to have a real shot of earning five-star luxury status. Read The Whole Story
McDonalds® Air Sea Show Saturday, May 5th Sunday, May 6th
McDonalds® Air & Sea ShowSaturday, May 5th & Sunday, May 6th Location: Las Olas Boulevard at A1A / Fort Lauderdale Beach One of the world’s largest spectator events, this two-day extravaganza features top military and civilian performances along four miles of beautiful Fort Lauderdale beach. According to military and city estimates, the show draws millions of people each year. This world-class event is part of the McDonald’s® National Salute to America’s Heroes, and is the kick-off for National Military Appreciation Month observed each May. The National Salute also includes Fleet Week USA presented by McDonald’s, which brings several Navy ships and thousands of sailors to Fort Lauderdale.Show hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday May 5th and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday May 6th.Best viewing for the McDonalds Air & Sea Show are along Fort Lauderdale beach between Oakland Park and Las Olas Blvd. The Show is under an open sky. Patrons are encouraged to plan accordingly. It is advised that spectators prepare for a day in the sun by wearing sunscreen, as well as a hat and sunglasses. They should also drink an adequate amount of water to avoid dehydration. For convenience, concessions will be available up and down the beach, with food courts located on A1A near Sunrise Boulevard.
National Real Estate Updates
Readers respond: Using a buyer agent
Last week’s column on shopping for a buyers agent elicited considerable response from real-estate brokers and agents, especially on the topic of exclusive buyers agents and dual agency. See House Talk.
Listing at $125 million could set U.S. record
A Los Angeles mansion modeled on Versailles and other French palaces has just gone on the market for $125 million, tying it for second place among available U.S. properties. See story from RealEstateJournal.
Housing starts, permits rise 0.8% in March
Boosted by warmer weather, construction of new homes increased 0.8% in March to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.518 million, the highest level this year, the Commerce Department estimated Tuesday. Building permits also increased 0.8% in March to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.544 million. See Economic Report.
How I got fired by my interior designer
I have been fired by an interior designer. See Teardown Diary.
REALTORS TALK TAXES, Members of FAR “Rallied in Tally”
Members of FAR “Rallied in Tally” yesterday and told lawmakers that they want something done about property taxes. FAR members visited their districts’ senators and representatives, reminding most of them that they rode to victory based on a promise to lower the skyrocketing costs for property insurance and property taxes. “We’re looking for you to perform,” said FAR President Nancy Riley. “Roll back that millage and let’s tighten the belt a little bit.” House Speaker Marco Rubio (R-West Miami) joined Riley, telling the audience that property tax problems are the primary issue facing lawmakers this year. “People will leave (the state); they’ve started to do so because Florida is starting to look like the states they came here to get away from,” said Rubio. If we don’t change that, we will pay a big price for it.” Copyright © 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
12th Annual Bank of America Wine and Culinary Celebration
Unique Features: Showcase of over 30 of South Florida’s Premier Restaurants and over 200 Wines and Spirits from around the WorldSilent Auction VIP Wine Tasting Mini-SeminarsRaffleComplimentary Riedel Wine glassPurchase your Wine and Culinary Celebration Tickets online and they will be mailed to you prior to the event. |
:: 12th Annual Bank of America Wine and Culinary Celebration at the Museum of Discovery and Science
Find a Hotel in Fort Lauderdale
Click Below for a complete list of Hotels in Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale Hotels
Here is a small sample
The Atlantic 601 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd.
Bahia Mar Beach Resort 801 Seabreeze Blvd.
Best Western Pelican Beach 2000 North Atlantic Blvd.,
Marriott Harbor Beach Resort And Spa3030 Holiday Drive
Comfort Inn Ft. Lauderdale3551 W. Commercial Blvd
Amerisuites Fort Lauderdale 17Th Street1851 S.E. 10th Ave.
Fort Lauderdale Restaurants
Restaurants in Fort Lauderdale: March 19, 2007
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To view all Fort Lauderdale Restaurants please click on the above link labeled “A Sample of Fort Lauderdale Restaurants“. If you know of a good restaurant, please let us know, be sure to add your personal review. Either post a blog or send it to: ekedersha@bellsouth.net |
Online Guides Help Buyers Choose a Mortgage
Online Guides Help Buyers Choose a Mortgage: Daily Real Estate News March 19, 20
With subprime mortgages making headlines over the past few weeks, buyers can be ambivalent about their lending options. New online guides and free brochures help to clear up any confusion and help consumers find a loan that suits them.
“Given the current real estate climate, home-buyers are faced with considerable decisions that could affect their financial state for years to come,” said Thomas R. Evans, President and CEO of Bankrate.com, which released a financial literacy guide that explains the lending process.
In addition, the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, the Center for Responsible Lending, and the Federal Housing Administration offer online resources for consumers. Here are links to the latest guides:
- Bankrate.com: Understanding Mortgages Information on the different types of mortgages available, choosing the right mortgage according to lifestyle, the importance of credit scores, mistakes to avoid, a real-life mortgage makeover and self-help tools and calculators. The guide is the third installment in the company’s year-long Financial Literacy Project.
- Specialty Mortgages: What Are the Risks and Advantages? Produced jointly by NAR and the Center for Responsible Lending, this brochure can help prospective buyers assess the risks and advantages of interest-only, negative amortization, payment option ARM, and 40-year mortgages. Available in English and Spanish.
- Traditional Mortgages: Understanding Your Options While specialty mortgages may help make homeownership more affordable, they generate more risk and consumers should understand these risks before they choose a mortgage. This brochure, also produced jointly by NAR and the Center for Responsible Lending, explains that for most consumers, traditional fixed-rate mortgages and adjustable-rate mortgages continue to be excellent options.
- How to Avoid Predatory Lending Home buyers need to be aware that some lenders offer predatory loans that take advantage of consumers. This brochure, produced jointly by NAR and the Center for Responsible Lending, identifies the warning signs of predatory loans. It also gives consumers tips on how to avoid them, including questions they should ask when shopping for a loan.
- Learn About FHA Mortgages The Federal Housing Administration has made significant improvements to its mortgage insurance programs. Many aspects of the FHA application process have been streamlined to make it more user-friendly and efficient. This brochure outlines the changes and how to qualify for an FHA mortgage, plus other resources available from FHA, HUD, and NAR.
HOUSING OUTLOOK – Bottom May be Here Home sales forecast brighter in ‘07
HOUSING OUTLOOK: WASHINGTON – March 12, 2007; Many forecasters now predict that the worst may be over when it comes to the housing market, pointing to sales data that shows the national existing home sales market is on the verge of regaining ground. Read the full story: