Where the sky’s so dark, the stars don’t just twinkle. They pop. And the moon seems to hang in mid-air, almost close enough to touch. So oversized, you expect to see the Dreamworks® logo… And the waves keep rolling gently in.

If all that sounds just a bit too picturesque, you haven’t explored the Jupiter atmosphere. Where you can live your life in flip-flops. Dine alfresco nearly every night. Sip a martini or a brew. Sail the intercoastal or bike along the beach. Scout the local art fairs that spring up on weekends. Alternate between the Food Shack and Kee Grille, depending on your mood.

Jupiter is a small town with a sophisticated soul. At any given time or place you’re just as likely to see a family outing, a retired couple, singles of any particular age. It’s easy living. Close proximity. Great shopping. Fine dining. Live music. Excellent education. And as Scripps® will attest, a smart place to do business.

And right now, thanks to factors well outside its sphere, Jupiter is a great place to buy property. The real estate market here has never been better or more accessible for all kinds of buyers, all kinds of homes. Condos. Townhouses. Estates. Gated communities. Vacation homes. Rental properties.

You can take my word for it. I’ve lived here for the past 6 years. And the only way to explore the atmosphere in Jupiter is to move here. An hour from Miami. A million miles from everything you want to leave behind. 

A smart man I know has spent a lifetime watching for depressed real estate markets. When everyone else is fleeing the scene, he swoops in and buys up everything he can afford. He did it in London in the 70’s. If he were here right now, he’d buy up a chunk of Palm Beach County — especially Jupiter homes for sale and Palm Beach Gardens real estate. And he wouldn’t be the least bit daunted by the fact that mortgage underwriting is a little more stringent. No indeed. He understands that real estate is like the stock market. When people are sitting it out, that’s the time to roll up your sleeves and plunge in.

Contrary to common concerns, there will never be a better time to buy than right now. If they’re looking for a deal and don’t think the bottom has hit yet, you just might miss your opportunity. The bottom will flip before you ever see it, and you’ll miss a great deal waiting for a better one.

Besides, rates are lower now. So there’s a window of opportunity that won’t last long. Rates can swing from 5 percent to 9 percent surprisingly quickly. And if your credit is in reasonable shape, you’ll probably qualify. I should know. I’m not just a Realtor, a Certified Residential Specialist. I’m also a mortgage broker with years in the business.

There’s huge inventory out here. A lot of people, a number of builders who need to get out from under and are willing to take a big cut in price to do it. So right now you can probably afford far more than you could have a year or two ago. In fact, some sellers will even carry the note.

If you’re looking at pre-construction, chances are prices have gone down from where they started. And many homes or condos built on spec are standing empty, with the developer carrying the note at a loss.

So listen up. You can sit this one out and regret it for years. Blame it on high insurance and tight underwriting and miss the buyer’s market of a lifetime. Or you can make the right call. As for me, I know what I’m doing. I’ve invested it all.