If you live in the North Palm Beach County area, you’ve probably been noticing the big changes around that have been happening to the community. It’s almost making the Palm Beach unrecognizable, but in a good way. Come 2015, residents will be surprised to the new environment and seasonal residents will want to stay longer.

There’s a booming in the local landscape. Some of the transformations that residents will notice are new factory outlets at the old Palm Beach Mall site, Habourside Place cultural-arts center, new retailers, and a restaurant row.

Even the luxury residential development business is thriving. Specifically with new condominiums and gated communities that will look to change the luxury living look.  With the market improving, companies like Frankel Enterprises, Couture Homes, and Kolter Urban are looking to create a new atmosphere with each adding to the luxury landscape.

Frankel Enterprises is planning a new 113-unit condo called Azure that will overlook the Loggerhead marina. Leibowitz Realty represented the seller on the sale of the land that is now home to Azure. The targeted move-in date for the five-story condominium is mid-2016, call Michael or Andrew Leibowitz for more details about this new project.

Kolter Urban has asked Randall Stofft Architects Limited, to help design a new 22-story gated, waterfront condo community called Water Club in North Palm Beach. With unobstructed views of the waterfront, this property looks to light up the skyline and be rich with luxuries.

And lastly the new Couture Homes exclusive, gated community called Habor Place will break ground featuring seven state-of-the-art homes. Each home will have Lutron lighting controls, swimming pool, and its own dock.

The changes in the area can only get better especially in the real estate market. If you are looking to get into one of these new luxury homes that are sprouting up in North Palm Beach, contact Leibowitz Realty Group at LeibowitzRealty.com today.

(Source: The Palm Beacher)

The luxury real estate market has seen its fair share of ups and downs, mostly ups in a very recent time. It’s a great time to invest in a luxury property. And if you don’t have the time to look for a luxury home yourself, you have to trust in a high-end real estate firm to find one for you.

That’s where things can get tricky. With the luxury market rising, everyone is trying to get into the luxury real estate game. Agencies are hiring more agents to help sell the luxury homes that are in plenty, but is that always a good thing for you?

You have to choose the right agency in order for you to get the right agent who can work for you. As the old adage goes, quantity is not always quality, and when you are spending a good amount of money for a property, you want the value to last. Agents have to look out for you.

So you can’t just have any agent handle your business. A buyer wants to have the knowledge and comfort that they aren’t being passed off to just any realtor in the company.

With over 18 years of experience, Leibowitz Realty Group takes care of our clients. At Leibowitz Realty, you can expect the high level of ethics and professionalism you deserve when buying or selling a luxury property. Check out our site for our listings or contact us today for any of your realty needs at 561-627-5100.

(Source: LATimes.com)

In the luxury real estate market, buyers sometimes look at the wrong reasons why they should purchase a high end property in big cities. Even though the reasons might be fresh and unique to what might surround the property, quality is more important.

Location of the high end property is a huge factor, but what other characteristics are overlooked when searching for a high end property?

Here are a couple things buyers should focus on:

Unique Architecture – Look for high-grade details, solid foundation, unusual details, and artistic components in your research. Search for the who’s who in architects with solid records practical designs, while deciding how the property will look decades to come.

Move-In Ready – Buyers should look to avoid purchasing properties that will cause a majority of time consumption in high-end renovations. Particularly when researching properties that need changeable characteristics such as finishes, kitchens, and fixtures.  This is where the case of paying premium for a move-in ready property is worthwhile.

Layout – If you have a luxurious property, you probably have a lot of friends. If you have your friends over, you don’t want an accident to happen in your more private areas. Avoid space wasters, but look for clear separation from social and private areas in the home.

Don’t settle for just anything when purchasing luxury real estate. If you want to see value for your dollar, focus on some of these ideas. In the luxury game, you want your attention to be on quality over the trending and frivolous.

(Source: Forbes.com)

Not only is buying a home a huge financial decision, but it’s also a lot of physical and emotional work. For starters, you have to think about transferring your things from one place to another and actually moving in; finding a new school for your children; befriending new neighbors; saying goodbye to old memories. However, it can also be an incredibly rewarding experience.

So as you go back and forth wondering whether or not you’re ready and if this is really the right time for you, here are a few things to keep in mind in regards to why right now is the perfect time to buy a new home.

Interest Rates Are Still Low – for now. According to Freddie Mac, the average 30-year-fixed-rate loan averages at about 4.16% right now. However, experts do predict that this will rise to 5% by next year. Higher interest rates = higher monthly payments.

 More Selection – More houses are being put on the market now than ever in the past year, which is causing prices to even out. With these homes being listed at similar prices, home buyers are finding that they have more options within their budget.

Prices Will Only Continue to Rise – This past June, the average price of a home was 4.3% higher than that in June 2013. This marks the 28^th month in a row of year-over-year price increases and according to economists, that trend isn’t going to come to an end anytime soon.

You can probably spend your whole life making excuses for why now isn’t the right time to take the next step and buy a new house. However, if you take a look at the big picture, you’ll see that there really is no better time than now.

(Source: Realtor.com)

(Posted by: Miki Leibowitz of Leibowitz Realty)

As we delve into one of the last months of summer, many homeowners who are interested in putting their homes on the market are wondering whether now is still a good time to sell, or if they should wait until after Labor Day. For the most part, the general consensus amongst real estate experts seems to be that selling your home now is a great idea, especially if it is located in a great area, is structurally sound and already boasts excellent curb appeal.

While the spring season sees high prices and a plethora of competition, the summer inventory is much tighter – especially this year. That  being said, it is extremely important to understand that if you do decide to list during the summer, you want your home to be one of the best offerings available in the area – so price and condition should be of utmost importance.

During the summer, you will see many potential buyers who are very serious about purchasing a home quickly. Many of these buyers missed out during the spring seasons due to an unwillingness to increase their offers or simply experienced bad timing. Others are eager to settle into a new home so that they can get into a new school district before fall arrives. The more appealing and move-in-ready your home is, the quicker they will sign on the dotted line.

Just because this isn’t the most popular month to sell by industry standards does not mean that listing your home on the market right now can’t be a prosperous opportunity for you. Contact us today to get started on the listing process.

(Source: TheWashington Post)

(Posted by: Miki Leibowitz of Leibowitz Realty)

As most of you will remember, 2013 was a busy year for the housing market. However, the same cannot be said for the first half of 2014, which has proven to be very slow after the less-than-ideal winter weather we’ve seen across the U.S. and rising mortgage rates. Nonetheless, this isn’t to say that things can’t turn around for the second half of the year. In fact, statistics show that we are currently on the road back to normalcy, and market experts have plenty of predictions on what we can expect to come from the remainder of the year.

Supply with Continue to Increase – One of the greatest challenges throughout the past year and a half has been the lack of available homes on the market. However, while the number of resales on the market was at a mere 4.9-month supply back in January, that number increased exponentially by the month of June, reaching the 5.5-month level. Why? According to Michael Simonsen, CEO of Altos Research, “As price increases kick in, more people are above water on their mortgages, so supply is increasing a little bit.”

Prices Will Go Up at a Slower Rate – Though prices are rising, they are not doing so as quickly as they did in 2013. According to research from California-based data firm, Altos Research, through June 20^th, prices are only up by 9% year-over-year. Chief Economist at Zillow, Stan Humphries and Chief Economist at CoreLogic, Mark Fleming both predict that home prices will be up by as much as 5% by the end of 2014.

For more examples of market predictions for the remainder of this year, view the article in it’s entirely on Forbes.com. If you have specific questions about what this could mean for you and your real estate ventures throughout West Palm Beach and Southern Florida, contact Leibowitz Realty.

(Source: Forbes)

Posted by: Miki Leibowitz of Leibowitz Realty)

Before it even comes down to scheduling a private visit or attending an open house, most potential buyers are going to judge your home solely on the pictures that are provided online. You may think to yourself, well the pictures are just there to give them a general idea – they’re sure to fall in love with the space once they see it in person. In reality however, you’re hardly ever going to get anyone interested in making a trip out to your home unless your pictures provide them with some type of incentive to begin with.

Recently, a case study was conducted by real estate photography company, IMOTO that compared 350 listings that used professional photography to 350 similar listings in the same zip code that didn’t. In the end it was found that those homes that were professional photographed sold 50% faster and 39% closer to the asking price than those that were not. Additionally, one real estate agency that listed homes photographed by IMOTO reported that those listings were viewed 118% more than others.

The only key to getting results like this however is ensuring that you hire a quality, specialized real estate photographer. Here are a few great tips on how to find the right professional:

View Online Portfolios – Most every professional photographer will have a portfolio available online. Browse through a few that are located in your area and narrow down you list to those whose style you really like. When calling those few, be sure to ask what kind of equipment and software they use. Not only is it important to hire someone with a full-frame camera, but having the right editing software to help enhance the pictures can make all the difference.

Small Bathroom Test – This particular room is very difficult to photograph in a way that shows the true value of the space. A quality photographer will have photos of a small bathroom featured in their portfolio to show that they are fully capable of showcasing even the smallest room in a positive light.

Get the Photos You Need – One of the most important pictures you will need when putting your home on the market is the exterior, as this will be the shot that is featured on most search engines. After that, your photographer should capture photos of a few of the most prominent rooms in your home, such as the kitchen, master bedroom and bathroom, as well as small spaces and any unique details. Make sure that you hire a photographer who recognizes the aforementioned as key elements.

Of course, you can always ask your real estate agent if he has any recommendations for quality, trustworthy real estate photographers. Chances are, they’ve worked with a few in the past and can point you in the right direction.

(Source: Realtor.com)

Posted by: Miki Leibowitz of Leibowitz Realty)

While it can be pretty easy to fall in love with a house at first glance when viewing pictures online, you never really know what you’re in for until you make an in-person visit. That’s why open house opportunities should be taken very seriously. Instead of just walking around and glancing over each room, you should be able to walk into that house with a clear, objective mind so that you can be hyper-aware of the most important points of purchasing a new home:

The Neighborhood and Neighbors– Too many potential home buyers are so focused on the house itself that they forget to stop and consider their surroundings, too. Take a look around the neighborhood and check out what kind of condition the other homes are in, as well as other factors such as traffic speeds, playgrounds, etc. Additionally, unless you plan to spend all of your time indoors, you’ll also want to check out the neighbors. You don’t have to speak to them if you don’t feel comfortable, but at least check out their yards. Any barking dogs? Dirt bikes? These are things you’ll want to know about before moving next door.

The Exterior – Don’t forget that the outside of a home can be just as important as the inside. Take a walk around and take a good hard look. Is the paint chipping? Does the roof look updated and stable? What about the gutters? These are the types of things that can cause major issues down the road if overlooked.

Closet Space – Adequate closet space is extremely important when it comes to purchasing a new home. Not only will you want enough space in each bedroom for clothing and shoes, but throughout the house as well for little odds and ends. Closets are our main allies when it comes to keeping a home organized, so make sure you add it to the list of things to check.

Light and Air – When living in Southern Florida, you’re going to want to purchase a home with as much natural light as possible. Does your potential home give you that? How about air flow? You’ll want to determine whether or not the home was designed in a way that allows air to flow freely, giving you a nice, cool breeze on those hot summer nights.

Most importantly, just remember that first impressions aren’t always accurate. Utilize your time spent at an open house wisely and think seriously about what a big decision this is. The last thing you want to do is rush into the process and be left to deal with an endless list of issues.

(Source: Forbes)

Posted by: Miki Leibowitz of Leibowitz Realty)

Selling your home may seem like a nightmare and while it can be overwhelming at times, the process can actually be enjoyable with the proper preparation. First and foremost, your property needs to appeal to the masses; a “For Sale” sign just won’t cut it these days. Prospective buyers need to be able to envision their lives in this home, and its your job to do whatever you can to entice them into wanting to explore further.

Your home should welcome people in, and it all starts with its curb appeal. As prospective buyers approach your home, they should not see overgrown grass and weeds, wondering if the home is being properly maintained. You can improve the exterior of your home by keeping up with the lawn care, ensuring your windows are grime- and fingerprint-free, and adding embellishments to make your home feel inviting.

An often overlooked element of your home’s appearance is how the property looks during evening hours. Many prospects will go “window shopping” at night, after they have rested up from the work day. You can ensure your home is aesthetically ready by making sure that the house number is clearly visible and turning on the porch and walkway lights as soon as the sun begins to set.

Making necessary repairs will also go a long way – especially when it comes to appealing to new buyers. Proper upkeep whether it is a cabinet, lighting fixture or faucet, will make your home more attractive. Buyers feel a sense of peace when they see that the home was well-maintained and are more apt to put in an offer right away.

For more assistance with preparing your home for sale, contact your realtor!

(Source: Realtor.com)

Posted by: Miki Leibowitz of Leibowitz Realty)

For those who have been paying attention to the housing market over the past few years, there’s no doubt that you’ve noticed that there have been some rough patches. However, it finally seems as though the market is back on track and booming more than ever in the past decade. Housing prices are now consistently on the rise and if you have been questioning whether or not you should sell your home, Forbes has offered a few reasons why now may be the best time to take the plunge:

Equity Advantage – When the market was a little less than ideal, many homeowners experienced a huge decrease in their equity. In fact, a great number of these owners ended up having to pay the bank or list their home as a short sale simply because they owed more than their home was actually worth anymore. Then there were those who did have equity but though they may have wanted to sell, they didn’t want to risk the chance of low sale prices making it disappear. Due to the market upswing, now may be the perfect time to sell.

Growing or Shrinking Family – Regardless of whether you’ve just welcomed baby number three or if you’ve just sent your youngest off to college, your home many not be conducive to the amount of people actually living in it anymore. Whether you need to expand or downsize, enter the market this spring and take advantage of current interest rates.

Interest Rates are Low – Now is the best time to get a good mortgage on a new home after you sell your old one. Interest rates are only going to keep going up, so why not get into the market and take advantage of the rates while they’re still at an all-time low?

For the longest time, the housing market bust was causing homeowners to hold onto their properties, no matter how much they wanted to sell.  Don’t wait any longer; the time to sell is now.

(Source: Forbes)