History of Palm Beach Gardens

Before it acquired its title, Palm Beach Gardens was anything but. Forests and swamps made up the majority of the region. The area remained that way until an American businessman decided to turn it into a garden city.

In March of 1959, John D. MacArthur began developing 4,000 acres into his dream real estate property. He estimated room for 55,000 people in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

In the 1960s, MacArthur developed his city quickly. MacArthur spent millions on making Palm Beach Gardens real estate property beautiful. MacArthur even constructed streets to move around the a series of Banyan trees, which remain to this day. Of course, this would cost extra. Undeterred, MacArthur continued with the creation of his garden-themed city. MacArthur also purchased an 80-year-old Banyan tree from the nearby town of Lake Park. The tree was scheduled to be cut down. Instead, MacArthur spent $30,000 to have the historic Banyan tree moved to Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. The current Palm Beach Gardens City Council still has strict guidelines on landscaping, in order to keep the city beautiful.

The first Palm Beach Gardens property to be created was a church.

In '64, MacArthur donated $2 million dollars to the PGA. As a result, the PGA moved to Palm Beach Gardens. From 1965 to 1971, PGA tournaments like the Seniors and the World Cup took place in Palm Beach Gardens. Yet in 1972, PGA tournaments left Palm Beach Gardens and moved to BallenIsles. Today, the PGA has 12 golf courses in Palm Beach Gardens. Of course, the PGA doesn't have the only golf courses in Palm Beach Gardens. The Mirasol Country Club and Old Palm Golf Club also have beautiful golf courses.

By 1970, the population of the city was a 7,000. Today, the population of Palm Beach Gardens has reached 48,452. Almost the amount of people John D. MacArthur predicted!

Palm Beach Gardens Continues to Grow

Looking for a luxury home in Palm Beach Gardens? You’re in luck. Three neighborhoods at Old Palm Golf Club are experiencing a building surge. Fifteen homes are currently under construction in the luxury gated community that is a testament to upscale living in the Northern Palm Beaches.

Since Old Palm Golf Club was sold to Clarion Development Ventures in 2010, Old Palm has seen 30 sales transactions that totaled more than $65 million. This does not include additional sales that are currently pending.

So, why are people flocking to Old Palm?

Old Palm Golf Club is a luxury gated community that sits on 651 acres and includes an 18-hole signature golf course, a 33-acre golf practice facility, and a 43,000 sq. ft. Clubhouse and Spa. The gated community is located near fine dining, shopping, cultural attractions and breathtakingly pristine beaches.

Old Palm Golf Club is limited to 330 members and interest in the area is at an all-time high.

To view homes in this luxury gated community contact Leibowitz Realty at 561-262-0721. We’ll help you get started.

4th Annual Flavor Palm Beach Kick Off

August 26^th marks the official kick-off party for Flavor Palm Beach, a foodie festival that has been enticing Palm Beach residents and visitors to Palm Beach County for the last three years.

Flavor Palm Beach is a month long dining event that runs from September 1 to September 30 and was established to introduce diners to the various types of restaurants throughout Palm Beach County.

Now in its 4th year, Flavor Palm Beach allows diners to experience inexpensive 3 course dinners in restaurants from West Palm Beach to Jupiter, and everywhere in between.

While the official kick-off party starts on August 26^th at 6pm at the waterfront on Clematis, food enthusiasts can look forward to an entire month of quality dining at some of Palm Beach County’s best locations.

Just another reason why we love Palm Beach!

 

Leibowitz Realty specializes in Palm Beach home sales and luxury homes in Palm Beach Gardens.

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7 Things to do in West Palm Beach

As the largest city in Palm Beach County, it’s no surprise that West Palm Beach has a lot to offer its visitors and residents. There are activities and events designed to please almost every type of interest.

So whether you’ve got your eye on West Palm Beach Real Estate or on Palm Beach Gardens Real Estate, or even if you’re just planning a visit to the area, the following list of 7 things to do in West Palm Beach is just the tip of what’s available to you.

McCarthy’s Wildlife Sanctuary

Located in the pine forest of West Palm Beach, McCarthy’s Wildlife Sanctuary sits on five acres of land and boasts over 170 animals from Lemurs to White Tigers that can be viewed from as close as 3 feet away! The Sanctuary is not like a zoo, in that it is a non-profit wildlife rescue facility that takes in injured wildlife, orphans, and unwanted exotic pets. Rated the #1 attraction in West Palm Beach, McCarthy’s Wildlife Sanctuary is a wonderful family destination.

Norton Museum of Art

As the largest art museum in Florida, the Norton Museum of Art showcases a permanent collection of masterpieces that includes works by artists such as Picasso, Matisse and Monet. Other collections include American Art, Chinese Art, Contemporary Art, Photography and more.

Rapids Water Park

Waterpark lovers will find everything they’re looking for at Rapids Water Park in West Palm Beach. With 30 acres of attractions and 35 waterslides, Rapids Water Park has been pleasing Florida residents and visitors for over 30 years.

Antique Row

With over 40 antique shops offering a wonderful selection of 17th to 20th century antiques, Antique Row is a must-visit for antique lovers of all kinds. Noted as one of the east coast’s premier antique districts by Architectural Digest, The New York Times, Art & Antiques, and House Beautiful, Antique Row has been impressing antique collectors for more than 25 years.

CityPlace

As a popular shopping center in West Palm Beach, CityPlace resembles a small European village and includes more than 50 popular retailers. CityPlace is also an exciting dining and entertainment destination.

West Palm Beach Golf Course

The West Palm Beach Golf Course has been intriguing golfers of all skill levels since 1947. It has a full grass driving range, a large practice area that overlooks the course, golf lessons, and ER Bradley's Hole In One restaurant and bar with a lovely patio area. The West Palm Beach Golf Course was beautifully restored in 2009 by 10-time PGA Tour Champion Mark McCumber.

Palm Beach Water Taxi

Recommended as the best way to see Palm Beach, the Palm Beach Water Taxi departs as early as 8am and offers narrated sightseeing tours, private charters, and shuttles to Peanut Island, one of the best places in Palm Beach to enjoy snorkeling, diving, swimming, sunbathing, nature trails and more.

Not only are the above 7 things to do in West Palm Beach convenient to those visiting or residing in West Palm Beach, they are also accessible to people in Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, and Jupiter.

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Housing Market Improves in June

June was a good month for the housing market. The Commerce Department reported that builders began work on 629,000 homes last month -- a 14.6% increase from May.  Apartment construction was up by 31.8% and construction on single-family homes rose 9.4%.

Home sales have also increased.

According to the Rhode Island Association of Realtors, single-family home sales rose 16% in June, with 699,000 homes sold. The price of single-family homes also rose by 2%.

Increased home sales have been reported in Rhode Island, Houston, Southern California, and the San Francisco Bay Area.

Palm Beach County was a little ahead of the game with a reported 21% increase in home sales in April but the trend is now reaching other cities and states, and Freddie Mac economists are reporting that the housing market overall is unlikely to face a double dip.

Life in Palm Beach Gardens: Where There’s Something for Everyone

Palm Beach Gardens, the “latest hip destination”, boasts an average, sunny temperature of 74 degrees and is a premier city in which residents can enjoy an active or relaxing lifestyle. Whether your interests include golf, art and culture, shopping, or simply luxuriating on the beach, Palm Beach Gardens has something for everyone.

City of Palm Beach Gardens from City of Palm Beach Gardens on Vimeo.

View Luxury Homes available in Palm Beach Gardens provided Leibowitz Realty Group, Palm Beach Gardens Real Estate professionals.

Warren Buffet's Positive Predictions About Real Estate Market

Although we know the market is improving and homes are selling, don't take our word for it.

An optimistic excerpt from an interview yesterday on CNBC with Warren Buffet (owner of Berkshire Hathaway) and his POSITIVE PREDICTIONS ABOUT THE REAL ESTATE MARKET...

Buffet says, "The mortgage terms you can get now you may not see mortgage terms like this three years from now or five years from now. And you change interest rates by a few hundred basis points and that changes the cost of a house to you by a dramatic amount for— if you're going to pay out— pay for it over 30 years. So I personally think that in most parts of the country, not all parts of the country, but in most parts of the country that if I were— if I were looking to buy a house, if I were renting now and I had the down payment and I had a job I was comfortable with, I would buy a house in a minute, I'd get a 30-year loan”.

He also bullishly predicts that construction will come back by the end of 2011 and that will not only help real estate but jobs and the unemployment numbers.  It is all good for real estate and all good for the economy and clear motivation that if you are in the position to buy a home and invest in real estate for your future, NOW IS THE TIME!

View the entire Part 3 of Warren Buffet's interview regarding real estate in the video below.

15 Home Staging Tips to Help Your Home Sell

Home Staging in the process of preparing your home for selling. While there are many professionals who provide Home Staging services, the 15 Home Staging Tips below can be followed by anyone and will greatly increase the chances of your home selling.

1.       De-personalize your home by removing family photos and mementos.

2.       Remove clutter. Too many belongings in plain view distract potential buyers from being able to envision a home as their own.

3.       Pull furniture away from walls. Rooms look more spacious and inviting when furniture is grouped together.

4.       Adjust lighting until rooms are brightly-lit but still feel soft and comfortable.

5.       Clear the bathrooms of toothbrushes, hairdryers, deodorant, etc. Buyers are especially critical of kitchens and bathrooms.

6.       Make sure the outside of your home is well-groomed. Neatly trimmed bushes and freshly-cut lawns show potential buyers that a house is being well-maintained.

7.       Small rooms look bigger when painted the same color as the rooms leading into them.

8.       Try painting common areas like living rooms in neutral colors.

9.       Deep colors work well in dining rooms, bedrooms and bathrooms.

10.   Open windows so that the house smells fresh and not like what you last cooked (unless you happened to be baking). Studies have shown that people are drawn to the smell of cookies baking. If you don’t bake, try a cookie scented candle. Realtors have been using this trick for ages.

11.   If you have art hanging on walls, position them in interesting ways. Refrain from putting them in expected places (like in high positions on the most obvious walls).

12.   Accessorize in odd numbers (3 candles of varying size, etc…).

13.   Add some fresh flowers.

14.   Clear closets of unnecessary items. Buyers love discovering that a home has an abundance of closet space.

15.   Finally, make sure that everything is spotless (this includes tidying basements, attics, and laundry rooms). The cleaner a house is, the more appealing it will be to others.

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New Homes Coming to Delray Beach

Land west of Delray Beach is currently being cleared to make room for the building and development of 656 new homes. Construction is slated to begin in the fall of 2011 on the Lyons Road homes that will target young families, older adults, and out-of-state buyers.

In a time when new development is rare and many areas of the country are experiencing a double-dip market, Palm Beach County is witnessing an encouraging level of growth.

Not only have home sales in Palm Beach County jumped 21 percent but buyers are also feeling confident in their ability to buy homes that are in move-in condition. They are no longer seeking fixer-uppers or properties that have undergone foreclosure. This is good news for luxury home communities like Steeplechase and Mirasol where pride of ownership has always been a top priority and the homes are more than well-maintained.

The Bridges project on Lyons Road will consist of 656 properties priced from $500,000 to more than $1.5 million.

 

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Delray Beach one of several areas getting new home starts

Palm Beach County Home Sales Jump 21 Percent

Palm Beach County is topping the list of home sales in Florida. The Palm Beach Post reported that in April of 2011 single-family home sales in Palm Beach County increased 21% compared to the same time in 2010. More than 2,000 homes were sold in the months of February and April.

In May, Michael Leibowitz of Leibowitz Realty spoke with The Palm Beach Post about recent changes in the housing market.  Mr. Leibowitz stated that "Things have surged and we've even seen sellers make profits, which we haven't seen in a while."

Leibowitz Realty specializes in luxury home sales in prominent areas throughout Palm Beach County. The company has seen a notable increase in the number of buyers looking for second homes. These buyers often pay cash and are in good spirits about the economy.  

While home sales continue to drop across the country, Palm Beach County is on the rise. Buyers are confident in the area and investors are taking advantage of low interest rates on mortgages.