Staging is the process of making a home look more appealing to the highest number of buyers in order to sell the home more quickly and at the highest price. Staging creates a demand for the home.

Your argument might be that your home is already furnished and well cared for so there’s no need to stage. However, staging is a strategic method of planning the layout and design of a home so that potential buyers can see themselves living in the home.

The appeal to staging is that with professional help, you are maximizing the beauty and functionality of your home.

You want potential buyers to get a clear vision of the qualities your home has to offer.

One tried and true element of staging is to detach yourself from your home.

Let the professionals come in and do what they are experienced in, which is to look at your home to find the strengths and flaws that may be invisible to you. By detaching yourself, the expert stagers are then able to focus on the potential new owners of your home.

Know your buyers. It is a good idea to look at the demographics of what age groups are buying right now. We are seeing that mid 20’s to mid and late 30’s are the group of who are buying up the market.

Appealing to your audience will give you an advantage when it comes time to sell.

Since buyers make up their mind in the first 30 seconds when they enter the home, curb appeal is crucial.

That does not mean you have to spend thousands on new landscaping, but adding colorful planters on the porch, a nice wreath, a new light fixture, and a re-painted front door can make a big impact.

Out with the old and in with the new. White instills a showcase of modern, clean, and classic designs and helps to open up a cramped space. If you can’t afford to overhaul your kitchen and bathroom counters, opt for a re-paint with white paint.

If you are selling or buying a home in Palm Beach Garden, Florida, our realty group is experienced and up to the task of making sure you get the best for your money. Contact the Leibowitz Realty Group at 561.262.0721 or 561.262.0722 today.

Tying the knot brings a lot of new exciting adventures for the future. As a duo, you can make new memories and tackle life’s greatest moments together.

One of those special moments in the lives of newlyweds is purchasing their first home. For anyone, buying a home is a big commitment. For newlyweds who are adjusting to married life and taking on a very large and lifelong investment, you make sure you want to start the process on the right foot.

According to a study done by Coldwell Banker, “35% of married Americans purchased their first home together within two years of tying the knot.”

Home buying troubles can happen to all couples. For newlyweds who have a lot to adjust to, it is important to have some discussions and do pre-planning before making a 30-year investment on a new home.

Figure out each other’s credit score.

When getting approved for a mortgage and getting the best interest rate, credit score plays an important role, especially if you both will be on the financial front. This might not be something you thought to discuss prior to buying a home.

Also, knowing your credit scores beforehand will allow you to fix any credit issues.

Decide where you want to be in five years.

Knowing how long you plan on wanting to stay in the home will determine what type of loan you want. If you are looking to stay in the home for the foreseeable future, a 30-year loan will do. For a lower interest rate and less time in the home, a 15-year adjustable rate is an option.

If you plan on it, how do you plan on raising the kids?

Is one of you planning on staying home, leading to a one income household? Are you planning on starting a family a few years after you’re settled in and saved money or right away? This could drastically change the affordability of a home so it’s a good idea to talk about it.

If you are recently married, we wish you all the best in your new life together. For Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, homes for sale, the Leibowitz Realty Group  is here to help guide you in this process. Contact us at 561.262.0721 or 561.262.0722 today!

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Buying a home is much more than just finding your dream home with a beautiful kitchen, plenty of storage, and a spectacular outdoor space. Buying a home is a huge financial commitment, a 30-year one to be exact.

When you are in the mindset that it’s time to purchase a new home, whether for the first time or not, you want to shop around lenders for the best interest rates and mortgage loans.

Doing your financial homework ahead of signing a contract can guarantee you will put the best foot forward in being able to afford your new home.

Your real estate agent will be an incredible source when it comes time to choose a lender and especially with understanding the mortgage commitment of the transaction.

To help ease a little bit of the confusion or anxiousness you might feel about taking on a mortgage or at least a larger one, here are some tips.

First to consider is how long you plan on living in the home.

If you are someone who moves around a lot, an adjustable rate mortgage might be more beneficial for you.

Someone who plans on retiring in his or her home would want to consider a 30-year fixed rate mortgage.

What are the differences?

Adjustable Rate:

These are hybrid loans in the sense that they are fixed for a period of time before becoming adjustable. The most common type of adjustable rate is the 5/1 ARM. This loan is fixed for the first five years of the loan and becomes adjustable for the remaining 25 years. The benefit to the adjustable rate is that it presents the lowest possible rate of 2.99%, which will drastically reduce your mortgage payment.

Fixed Rate:

There is a sense of security with a fixed rate mortgage. Your interest rate is locked in for the duration of the home, but this type of loan costs more. Average percentage rate for a fixed rate mortgage is 4% or higher. Some people like the security that comes with this loan.

One last point to make is to ensure you are asking the questions and having potential lenders give you a breakdown on mortgage rates and loan types before you decide. It is best to be completely informed before locking in a lender.

If you need assistance with understanding mortgage financing for homes in the Palm Beach Gardens, Florida area, contact Leibowitz Realty Group at 561.262.0721 or 561.262.0722 today.

Of course, you will have a budget in mind for what you want to purchase a home for, but you are at the mercy of the real estate market and if happens to be a seller’s market, you want to make sure you’re not overpaying for a home.

This leads to the task of negotiating a price.

Basically, you put an offer in on a home and if the seller doesn’t immediately accept, you will then go back and forth and negotiate until both parties agree on a price.

Negotiating in the real estate market can be tricky.

There are particular ways to handle the situation appropriately so that you get a home for the price you want and the seller is satisfied with what they receive monetarily.

There are three main components that will affect a negotiation strategy: the market at the time of purchase, seller’s requirements, and the condition of the home (the inspection).

You will want to do your homework and consult with your agent ahead of time about the area you’re looking to purchase in, recent sales, and the most successful of negotiation strategies.

Straight away, negotiations are easier in a buyer’s market where there are more houses available than there are buyer’s looking to purchase. A seller doesn’t have the advantage of being one of a handful of houses for sale with tons of potential buyers.

If it is a buyer’s market, don’t be afraid to negotiate even the littlest details.

If you want the entertainment center or the gas grill, go ahead and ask for them. A seller is more likely to work with you when their option of buyers is limited.

In a seller’s market, the seller won’t counter if you make that bid of 10% less than the sale price, they’ll just go with the other 15 buyers looking to purchase the home. Your best bet for negotiating in a seller’s market is to not, offer a clean bid instead.

Do the math. You want to check the comparable sold homes in the area so you have a better outlook on fair market value.

Don’t forget to crunch numbers. This is where your agent comes into play at large.

They have a good sense of what offer will be most suitable to the seller.

If a counteroffer is made, act quickly. Buyers who wait too long to respond will almost always lose the home because the seller doesn’t have the patience to wait (unless it is slim picking for buyers).

For expert Palm Beach Garden real estate assistant, our team at Leibowitz Realty Group is here to help.

Contact us at 561.262.0721 or 561.262.0722 today!

All the work that is done on your home should be factored into the return on the investment with the projects you are planning on doing.

The return on investment, or ROI, is a fundamental question every homeowner will face because it determines if the money you invested in projects will be paid back when the house sells.

Ultimately, a buyer is only willing to pay more for a project when the work and materials are of high quality. If you plan on living in the home forever, you more than likely will not worry about recouping any of the money you’ve spent upgrading the home.

However, if you ever plan on putting the house up on the market, it is wise to have a general idea of what your improvements might be worth.

Here are five projects that are worth the investment because you will see a return at the time of a sale:

Siding: having a home vinyl sided will give you a return on your investment. New siding makes a house look new and clean. Buyers of this generation are all of neat and tidy.

Kitchen: if it doesn’t look its very best or if it is not convenient, you will want to remodel. You will get more of your money back if you re-configure the layout for an open flow as well as adding upgrades such as recessed lighting, granite countertops, new wood cabinets, wide planked wood flooring or tile, backsplash, islands, and a deep sink.

Bathroom: a bathroom is a beautiful space where you can get creative. Tiled showers, soaker tubs, double vanities, wainscoting, pendant lighting, and a neutral delicate color are a few of what will impress buyers enough to want to pay more for a bathroom such as your remodeled one.

Deck addition: an outdoor entertaining and relaxing space is a homeowners dream. Wood does require more maintenance, but it certainly gives it an authentic feel. Composite will definitely last longer and is very easy to maintain. Both options, however, look wonderful.

Additional living space: any time you can add a room to your home, you will be far into the black at the time of a sale. People pay more for an enlarged home and one with an added bathroom, bedroom, or attached sunroom is a great idea.

If you are looking to purchase a home in Palm Beach Garden, Florida, we can help you find one that has all of the bells and whistles of a beautifully maintained and upgraded home. Contact Leibowitz Realty Group at 561.262.0721 or 561.262.0722 for more information today!

A bathroom is a place to for personal use, but it is also space where you can get creative with a design.

There was once a time when bathrooms were the color of cotton candy pink and baby blue hues, top to bottom wall colored tile, and vintage dangling light fixtures.

We are pleased to see that interior bathroom design has come a long way!

The year 2016 is placing much emphasis on unique bathroom design to suit the personal style of the owners and possible future owners.

The life of luxury can be played out in the bathroom. It is a space for peace, relaxation, and pampering.

Here are some luxury 2016 bathroom design trends that we are very excited about:

A walk-in shower: it used to be popular to have a tub and shower enclosed together, but that since has faded. Now, we are seeing many homes with a separate large walk-in shower with an oversized showerhead and a modern glass door entry. This type of shower provides the most invigorating of showering experiences.

Radiant heat flooring: no one likes to walk into a cold floor of a bathroom early in the morning. Walking on a perfectly warm floor is a great way to start the day and evokes a comforting appeal to the bathroom. A heated bathroom floor is the model example of luxurious.

Freestanding bath: as a symbol of architectural beauty, a freestanding claw bathroom or one with a unique shape, such as that of an oval, can completely change the look of the space. A sleek bathtub next to a floor-to-ceiling window is picture perfect for relaxation.

You will find many luxurious homes in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida with beautiful bathrooms that embody luxury and tranquility with the upgrades mentioned above.

To view homes such as described above, contact Leibowitz Realty Group at 561.262.0721 or 561.262.0722 today.

If you live or are looking to live in the Palm Beach Gardens area, the weather cannot be beaten.

With that being said, more and more home buyers are looking for a pool.

There are so many endless days that can be spent year round taking a nice dip in the water. If you are considering the possibility of adding a pool to your luxury home, it is worth it, here is why!

If your backyard has the room, adding a pool can easily take up that wasted space you have been wondering what to do with for the last 5 years.

The benefits to the improvement of your quality of life in the backyard will significantly increase.

Your kids and family will have such a great time in the backyard during barbeque season, which is year round, your house will be the place to be.

If you are considering selling your home in the next few years, you do not want to be the only one without a pool on the market.

Since you live in a higher end market, and most of your neighbors have pools this could be a determining factor and make your home harder to sell.

If you are looking for some rough cost estimates for a pool install, here are some figures to consider.

The price for a basic 20ft x 18ft x 6.5ft pool and jacuzzi including equipment, plans, permits, and drawings is $35,000.

The price can increase if you have a hillside lot. A retaining wall can cost over $10,000.

The price can get as high as $600,000 when pilings are required to secure the pool and deck to a slope although the cost of a hillside pool installation is more likely to cost around $250,000-300,000 with increases due to the lot and type of pool.

Ready to dive right in? Call Leibowitz Realty Group at 561.262.0721 or 561.262.0722 today and we can offer further recommendations on pools that you will love, and buyers will love when you are ready to sell down the road.

Purchasing a home is a big deal with at least a 30-year financial commitment. Before you close on your dream home, you first need to compile a list of "must haves" in order to find that dream home.

Most people want the basics, a large open floor plan, a couple of bathrooms, several bedrooms, a master en-suite, large kitchen, vaulted ceiling living room with lots of windows, and ample yard space.

Realtors who have been in the real estate business for a while are savvy at finding homes with these common "needs".

As the buyer, have you ever thought of thinking outside the box of what you'd like to have in your home?

You don't have to settle for the obvious basics of what makes a home a convenient one, as listed above.

For example, have you ever thought about a home with a backyard brick oven pizza? For those times of entertaining a lot of guests, wouldn't it be great to fire up some seriously delicious pizzas from the oven right in your backyard?

Hardscape rather than landscape is also becoming a trend.

Where the greener and plusher the grass the better was once a necessity, now buyers are looking for a hardscape, which includes decorative concrete pads, stone walls to separate the yard, and incorporating colorful tiles into the concrete.

Another trend we are seeing is built-in exterior storage so that it conceals to the exterior of the home.

Buyers are not looking for a good flow from space to space just within a home; this idea is extending to the outside as well. People want their outdoor space to feel cozy and inviting just like the inside.

Storage that is functional and beautiful to match with the exterior of the home is becoming a desire.

Palm Beach Gardens, Florida has properties with amenities that are not typical to most buyers, but the make the home truly unique.

When working on a "must have" list, as expert realtors in Palm Beach Gardens, we can help you look for homes that offer much more than the common amenities. Contact Leibowitz Realty Group at 561.262.0721 or 561.262.0722 today!

When you are lying at home in bed at night, do you feel like your heart is in another place?

Should be living in the mountains away from it all, or you should be able to hear the ocean breeze from your window at night?

If this sounds like you, the best way to take care of these feelings may just be to buy a second home that is out-of-state and in your dream location.

We have a few needed tips for you if you are considering the idea of a second home:

1.      Connect with a Real Estate Agent – there is no need to go rouge. A real estate agent that is familiar with the area will know all of the best listings that are on and off the market. They will be able to set you up with showings and give you the inside knowledge of the best areas to buy in.

2.      Video or Picture Tour Homes – use the resources that are right at your fingertips to begin searching for houses and finding out what you like and don’t like in your area. Most homes have a number of pictures on the internet and some homes will have video tours as well.

If there are not sufficient images online, you can even ask your realtor to Skype with you while they are on the phone, so you can get a better idea of the inside.

3.      Find a Lender – if you are going to need a second mortgage, find a lender that can work with you on your out of state purchase. These lenders will help you figure out how much you can afford and will help you close on the house of your dreams.

If you have any other questions about buying a second home out-of-state or are looking for additional real estate help, feel free to reach out to the luxury real estate professionals at Leibowitz Realty Group.

Search our listings in Palm Beach Gardens and the surrounding areas, then contact us at 561.262.0721 or 561.262.0722 today!

The tides are beginning to turn as many baby boomers are getting close to retirement, or are retiring now.

The types of homes that people are beginning to buy all depend on the way that they are living or want to live.

When you are able to afford luxury real estate you can practically buy whatever and wherever you want. In many instances, people are choosing location over home size.

After their kids have moved out and moved on baby boomers may find themselves being empty nesters. With this new way of life, there are endless opportunities because they are not worried about after school activities and another day to day responsibilities of being a parent.

Because of these new opportunities and retiring as well there is the option of buying a second home or a new home that is luxurious or in a neighborhood that they have always wanted to live in.

In Miami and New York City, there is no shortage of cash buyers ready and waiting to get in on new real estate. There are condos and townhomes in the middle of the city or on the waterfront that are selling above their estimated market values just because the demand is there.

Buyers are looking for locations that fit in with the lifestyles that they want to live, and they have probably not been able to live up until this point in time.

Having a condo in the middle of the city with great views that are convenient to all of the great restaurants, parks, and exciting places may not have been so do-able five or ten years ago because of proximity to work or the kids schools, but now it is perfect for this new phase of life.

If you are looking to get into a luxurious home in Palm Beach Gardens, contact Leibowitz Realty Group at 561.262.0721 or 561.262.0722 today.