Check out our listing on this waterfront community in South Florida. 3 bedroom, 2 bath condo, 1,515 square feet. The Moorings consists of three buildings with amenities galore. Including valet service, two pools, clubroom, a spa, and many retailers such as the Wine & Cheese Cafe and Nina’s Coffee shop to name the view.
Spring is on its way, and March in Delray Beach is bringing lots to buzz about — here’s Noreen with the details of this month’s events and how you can join in on the action!
Hot off the press this week is Issue 1.21 of Lang Magazine— and we’re ecstatic about our feature! Follow the link to learn more about and pick up tips, tricks, and listing spotlights in our area: amyandnoreendigitalmagagine
By: Jennifer A. Kingson
Axios.com
“It’s not just emotional buying, real estate agents say: There are smart and strategic reasons that Americans of all ages, races and incomes are moving away from urban centers.
Why it matters: Bidding wars, frantic plays for a big suburban house with a pool, buying a property sight unseen — they’re all part of Americans’ calculus that our lives and lifestyles have been permanently changed by coronavirus and that we’ll need more space (indoors and out) for the long term.
Driving the news: There’s a gold rush in real estate across the U.S., driven by record-low mortgage rates and the dawning realization that for many of us, our homes are going to be the only place we work and play for the foreseeable future.
What buyers are looking for: Fresh air, backyards, home offices (for two adults), a homeschooling area, space for pets, home gyms — plus proximity to beaches, lakes, parks and bike paths.
As more people do their grocery and household shopping online, proximity to retail stores is no longer a real estate priority.
Between the lines: Some people are moving because they find that — now that they spend most of their time in the same place with the same people — they are dissatisfied with their current housing.
By the numbers: Existing home sales rose 20.7% in June over May, and median housing prices rose in every region of the country, according to the National Association of Realtors.
Unlike in decades past, the move toward the suburbs does not represent “white flight,” but rather the work-from-home phenomenon, Yun tells Axios.
Inventory of available homes for sale — which was low even before the pandemic — has grown even scarcer, to the point that realtors are knocking on the doors of desirable homes and asking the occupants if they’d consider selling.
Despite the logic in the market, some percentage of buyers are making purchases based on panic or other emotions — and those are the ones who may rue their decisions or find that their homes don’t hold their value.
By: Amy Snook
Special to the Boca and Delray newspapers
Our world has changed so much in just a few months. For those of us fortunate enough to maintain our health during this crisis, we were forced to manage our lives in a very different manner.
We learned to work from home, we learned to balance home life with work with absolutely no escape for quiet time. We were forced to slow down and even developed some new skills out of necessity. Many of us are now Zoom experts, learned how telehealth works, learned to enhance our cooking, homeschooled our children, learned the importance of human interaction and friendship, and even learned how to workout at home. Buried in all of the sadness and dismay that came with COVID-19 were some very relevant and important life lessons about priorities.
The hope is that we all implement changes to our lives, for the better, and grow as a world moving forward. People in general are evaluating their lives and in particular where they are living their lives. They are looking at how best to protect their families and how best to survive in a catastrophe such as the one(s) we have been experiencing.
It therefore makes perfect sense that people from big cities are evaluating whether to remain living in the city or to move to the suburbs. Quarantine was difficult for everyone but for those of us in warm weather, we were afforded an opportunity to get out often for fresh air, and realized how important this is for our mental and physical well-being. It is not surprising that Realtors’ phones are ringing with Northerners looking to relocate to South Florida.
How do you evaluate where to live in a completely new state? This is where Realtors play an essential role in this relocation process.
Realtors are the homebuyers’ gateway to their new home. It is our job to get to know you and understand the lifestyle that works for you and your family. We need to educate the homeowner on the various cities and what each has to offer. So often we meet a buyer who starts out saying I “must” live near the beach but as we educate them on the options east, they quickly realize that they get much more house for the same price west and there are western communities with an easy, direct route to the beach. You can have it all if you make an informed decision. Looking for a golf club community but don’t want a large equity investment? Realtors can guide you to golf course communities that do not mandate membership making it an option not only for you but for a future buyer should you ever decide to move again.
It is a Realtor’s job to assist you in finding the right community and to protect you as you make your investment.
Providing walk through options for showings without a buyer physically having to be here to physically walk through is more important now than ever. As listing agents, we are adding the 360 tours, which allow potential buyers to “walk through” the home with the use of a mouse guiding the view as you virtually walk through the prospective home. For our buyers, if a particular property we are looking at does not offer at 360 tour – we are resourceful and utilizing technology to virtually walk you through all nooks of the home.
Partnering with the right Realtors is key to relocation.
Amy Snook, a 1990 graduate of the University of Maryland, is a partner in the All About Florida Homes team of Lang Realty, along with co-partner Noreen Payne of Delray Beach. She has been practicing real estate and title insurance for 17 years and is currently the Florida State Vice President for Women’s Council of Realtors. Amy is also a director of the Realtors Association of the Palm Beaches and Greater Fort Lauderdale and a director of Florida Realtors. She resides in Atlantis, Florida.
Join us as we support the important work of The Achievement Center for Children and Families. Click Here for more Information about The Achievement Center for Children and Families.
Now in its 19th year, the Delray Beach Home Tour draws hundreds of guests from all over South Florida and beyond for an exclusive tour through some of Delray Beach’s most distinctive residences. Guests enjoy a leisurely day of exploring unique residences, a catered luncheon and trolley service between homes. With over 600 attendees, 100 volunteers, and dozens of community supporters, this well-orchestrated signature event raises much-needed funds for the Achievement Centers for Children & Families. This year’s Home Tour will be in the Lake Ida Neighborhood of Delray Beach and features a wide variety of architectural styles and design elements that provide home decorating enthusiasts an inside look into the world of distinctive Delray living.
Noreen Payne was the first guest of 2020 on the weekly Delray Morning Live show! Click play to hear Noreen talk about the new diverse and dynamic board members this year on the Delray Beach Chamber. She is Chairman of the Board and shares exactly why she decided to become involved in the Chamber and hints at some exciting new things to come!
May has been a busy month so far for our team! It’s a great time to list a home in Palm Beach County (check out why we think so in our most recent Market Report here.)
We have three homes just hitting the market. Take a look at…
This 2/2 condo in Lantana, and its breathtaking water views in all directions:
…Or this custom built 4 bed / 2.5 bath home is nestled in a manned, gated, Boynton Beach community:
…Or this adorable 2 /1 cottage is located in East Delray Beach right off of Atlantic Avenue:
Get in touch with us if you – or someone you know – would like more info about any of these homes! You can also see all of our featured properties here. We’re at (561) 571-2289!
Welcome to the December Holidays – a month long celebration in Delray Beach! This is just one of countless reasons why we LOVE living, working and playing in Delray – our unique Village by the Sea.
Thursday, November 29th
Delray Beach is widely known for the 100 Ft Christmas tree, which is the crown jewel of the entire season! The holidays start with a city-wide celebration of the lighting of the tree – which is impressive, for sure, standing 100 feet tall! And, it actually houses a gorgeous display of vignettes inside.
The tree is positioned on the grounds of Old School Square in the center of downtown, where kids of all ages can enjoy the tree, plus a visit with Santa, ice skating on the skating rink, putt putt golf, or a ride on the antique merry go round! It’s truly enchanting, so we recommend you earmark some serious family time to enjoy it all!
Sunday, December 2nd
The fun continues after the Christmas tree lighting, with the lighting of the Menorah to kick off Hanukkah.
Weekend of December 7th
Did I mention the shopping events?? Another new “not to miss” this season is the Holiday Market at The Arts Warehouse in Artists Alley, happening the weekend of December 7th! Local artisans will be showcasing one of a kind gifts – great for those hard to buy for on your list.
Saturday, December 8th
After these lighting events, we then look forward to the Holiday Parade, this year taking place on Saturday, December 8th along Atlantic Avenue. You’ll see carolers, elves, ballerinas, nutcrackers, dancing teddy bears, Santa on the fire truck… You name the holiday icon, and they walk, dance or ride along in the parade.
Friday, December 14th
Local restaurants and private homes along the intracoastal play host to those of us that really do enjoy celebrating the season with this event. Boat owners go all out and decorate/light up their boats of all shapes and sizes and parade along the water way. What a sight to admire!
Mixed into the month of December are celebrations are all the opportunities to socialize with our neighbors while supporting some our key local non-profits.
Carols by Candlelight Concert, Empty Bowls, Mix & Mingle at The Sandoway House, Christmas at Cason Cottage and new this year is the Jingle Mingle Drum with Food Trucks, Caroling… These are all events to look up, attend, and enjoy!
Monday, December 31st
The Grand Finale of the Holiday Festivities is The New Year’ Eve Celebration of First Night. This is a true tradition for many of us! Music out on the Ave… shows, activities for the kiddos… all ending with the spectacular fireworks from the top of the parking deck.
The month of December flies by in Delray Beach, but the memories made during the season last a lifetime!
The following is a guest blog post, written by Bill Michaels of Patterned Concrete. We were curious about this cool product, and wanted to share his info. He agreed to write about both the pros and the cons of the product, so our readers can get a balanced picture! – Noreen and Amy
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Florida weather lends itself to relaxing in the pool. But you want a great environment around that cool water, too, right? The pool for most of us is another area of the house that should be designed with beauty in mind. A key part of that is the surface we walk on. It has to be beautiful but also safe and durable. And stamped concrete is a great option that meets all of those criteria.
What is Stamped Concrete?
Stamped concrete is real concrete but the surface is colored and “stamped” with a design to make it appear to be another surface. It can look like brick, natural stone, pavers or even wood.
You’ve probably seen stamped concrete without even realizing it because it looks so realistic. As concrete, it’s reasonably priced and holds up well. But it goes beyond the normally drab appearance of concrete to create a work of art. And it can be designed for almost any look you’re trying to achieve, from hand-hewn stone to wood.
Versatility of Stamped Concrete for Pool Decks
You want your pool area to reflect a certain mood or theme. It may continue the architecture of your house, or it may be a totally different concept. Perhaps you’d like to divide your yard into different sections, even. You may have an outdoor kitchen, the pool itself, and perhaps a walkway through the garden. And you may want each to be distinct.
One of the great things about stamped concrete is that it can be used to create the surface for all these areas. Your contractor simply colors the concrete differently and stamps it for the effect you want.
Want a paver walkway? No problem. Cobblestone kitchen floor? Easy. Wood panels for the pool deck? You got it. And your visitors can hardly tell that it’s not “the real thing” until they’re on top of it and really paying attention.
A pool deck, in particular, has to be a reliable, safe material where you’re free to walk barefoot and enjoy the warm Florida sun. Its appearance has to hold up over time and contribute to the overall atmosphere. Stamped concrete fits the bill.
Advantages of Stamped Concrete Compared to Other Surfaces
Why would you choose this option compared to others? There are several reasons.
Stamped concrete provides significant durability. It’s concrete, after all. It holds up well under the sun and rain. It’s a surface that going to serve you well for a long time.
It’s also easy to maintain. Regular maintenance just involves basic cleaning – just sweep it off. You can choose to power wash it if you want, and even use a mild liquid detergent on it as needed. The biggest step you’ll need to take is having the surface resealed every two to three years; this helps seal in the color and keep it vibrant. Your contractor would be glad to do this for you and it’s extremely inexpensive to have done.
As we mentioned above, stamped concrete also provides a great deal of flexibility. There are so many designs available and more are developed all the time.
Another advantage is the price. Stamped concrete is competitive with other surface materials in price, and is a good bit cheaper than some types. Combined with the low-maintenance aspect, you’ll come out ahead economically.
Worried about burning your toes? Concrete reflects a lot more heat than brick or tile. As always, lighter colors are cooler, but the concrete itself stays cooler as well. Overall, it’s a more comfortable surface to work on in the heat.
You can also avoid some of the pitfalls of other materials. Natural stone or pavers can be uneven from the start. They become worse as they settle. Wood can, of course, splinter. But you avoid those problems with stamped concrete. You don’t want to trip, stub your toe, or have to pull a splinter out of your foot. With stamped concrete, you won’t have those issues.
Pool Safety and Stamped Concrete
Pool safety is always important and many factors have to be taken into account to keep everyone safe. That includes the safety of the surface around it.
Since you’re dealing with a surface that’s usually wet, it’s important to do what’s necessary to reduce the risk of slips and falls. Since stamped concrete has a seal on it to protect its appearance, it can be slippery. However, an anti-slip agent mixed in the sealant helps keep you safe.
This mix is a normal part of the installation. But it’s always good to ask your contractor about this and other steps that might help you stay safe.
Are There Any Drawbacks?
Nothing is perfect, and we do want to present the reality as well. The advantages are far greater than the disadvantages, but here are some things you’ll have to deal with.
First, concrete cracks. There’s no way to avoid that. That doesn’t mean it’s going to fall apart, but at some point you’ll see points where the concrete does split. However, your contractor knows how to lay the concrete so that usually it will concrete in the best spaces. In other words, the cracks will be in places that least affect the usability and appearance of the surface.
Also, there may be some issues with saltwater pools and stamped concrete. There are still divided opinions among professionals about the presence and seriousness of the issue. But in some cases, it seems that the salt has worn through the sealant. Also, the salt seems to find its way into cracks in the concrete, which can cause the concrete to flake.
Usually this problem with salt happens where there’s a lot of salt dropping – for instance, where people climb out of the pool. It’s only in those spots where excessive salt accumulates that there’s an issue. Again, the jury’s still out on this, but it is something to ask your contractor about. They may recommend a different type of sealant. Also, it’s a good idea to hose down the deck anyway after use.
Conclusion
Stamped concrete offers a chance to make your pool deck look great for a reasonable cost. It is both beautiful and durable, so you know it’s going to be a great benefit to your yard for a long time. There are tons of great designs and colors to go for, too!
About the Author
Bill Michaels works for Patterned Concrete as a media outreach specialist. The company is an expert and pioneer in stamped concrete since 1972. It has grown from its Toronto-area roots to have franchises across North America.
