I recently read an article by a mortgage consultant advising home sellers against putting all the equity they gained from the sale into their next home. He emphatically suggested they stay more liquid, and make their money work harder in another investment vehicle.  As I recall, the word DIVERSIFY came up frequently…as did the phrase, FINANCIAL ADVISOR. His bottom line: “Borrow the biggest mortgage you can reasonably afford and put your other money to work elsewhere. Or, if you’re not selling, harvest your equity in with an Equity Repositioning Refinance…and put that money to work.”

PLEASE! I have 20-odd years of mortgage experience. But I would NEVER tell a client that. Having worked both sides of the market (Realtor® & mortgage broker), I know all too well what happens to amateur investors and people with too little equity in their homes. We all do. They’re dropping like flies out there right now.

The reality is, that man had a not-so-hidden agenda. He wanted all the refi money he could “reasonably” make. And the buyers who listened probably aren’t feeling too secure right about now. A heavy mortgage in this market is a killer. You wind up paying for the house several times over in interest. Your biggest asset can be easily lost if you get hit with a job loss or a heavy medical expense. And the stock market is a crapshoot if you don’t know what you’re doing.

My bottom line: be careful who you listen to. All too frequently mortgage “consultants” are interested in selling not consulting. And “financial advisors” are frequently securities pushers with a fat commission in sight.

As if the sub-prime mortgage debacle that has sent economic shocks into the international economy wasn’t enough to help turn the real estate boom into a real estate bust… The government has just signed into law a disaster-piece under the pretext of a housing stimulus package!

This new piece of legislation basically discourages wealthier homeowners from buying a second home. Previously they could plan to eventually sell their primary residence, take a capital gains exclusion and move into the vacation home, converting it to a primary residence. The new legislation eliminates that capital gains exclusion and takes away a huge incentive for buying that second residence. And it will have a particularly negative impact on the Florida real estate market.

Instead of denying that capital gains exclusion altogether, why not place a cap on it. Now many buyers who wanted a second or third or even fourth home in sunny climes will be financially dissuaded. And that’s a hit this market really can’t afford right now.

Home hoppers have always been a big part of what made this market boom. And quashing their incentive to hop isn’t my idea of a housing stimulus! But why take my word for it. Read about it for yourself and let me know what you think.   Article 

So there I am, standing in my flip-flops watering the lawn. And my cell phone rings. A convenience we’ve all come to take for granted. And who, pray tell, is on the other end but a prospective client in search of a house in my neighborhood…Valencia at Abacoa. Ordinarily, just another day at the office, another client call.

But this particular call was placed from my website to my phone with one mouse click. This particular client had Googled® me. Visited my site. Found the click phone conveniently placed throughout. And decided to try it out. A moment later we were connecting…on a range of topics from her home requirements to her arrival date in the States.

I’m not quite sure which of us was more shocked. The client at just how well that little gismo works. Or me, at what a convenient tool I’d installed.

Yup. You just gotta love technology.

For the past two nights, the Maltz Theatre’s Conservatory for the Performing Arts (COPA) in Jupiter has performed J.M. Barrie’s classic children’s tale, Peter Pan. Ironically, this was a children’s tale performed by children to appeal to the child in all of us. This two-day production featured 82 kids who had attended a 3-week acting camp sponsored by COPA. And the play was their season’s denouement.The children were, of course, adorable. But what was so remarkable was the level of quality of the production, in view of the prep time and age levels involved. Naturally, the sets were utterly professional and completely delightful, as was the music. But so, too, were the casting, acting, choreography and direction.

Christina Reagan, a would-be thespian since the age of 5, played Peter with confidence, stage presence and a rather remarkable singing voice for an 11-year-old. She hit every note with skill few adults could match. Her archenemy, Captain Hook, played by Spencer Ballantyne, showcased his burgeoning talent with several singing numbers of his own. And Sydney Carbo, as Wendy, was a remarkably skilled young actress with a surprisingly mature singing voice. And the rest of the cast, ages 10-12, followed suite. Read the rest of this entry

If you moved into 196 Barbados Drive, in The Island at Abacoa, you’d be happy just sitting on the big porch swing with bare toes, looking out at the lovely tree-lined drive. And you’d never get wet coming in from the car, with that portacache alongside.

Of course, you’d be equally happy lazing about in the huge screened-in backyard…big enough to add a pool, but incredibly charming as is. Looking out on a quiet lake with the view of golf beyond.

But if you did decide to wander indoors, you’d never be at a loss. Every detail of this charming 3 bedroom, 1900+ square foot, single level, Cape Cod-style home is crafty, comfy, stylishly smart. From the ample laundry room filled with light to the cozy den, to the master suite with a walk-in closet large enough to store a Sex & the City wardrobe for the whole cast!  But what’s really great about the floor plan is the great room, with living space flowing into living space gracefully, purposefully. And the fact that both the living room and master bedroom open onto that glorious lake view.

 Just listed at $495.000…this one is all charm wrapped in solid value. See it before it sells!

The address is 124 Santiago Drive in Valencia at Abacoa. The neighborhood alone should tip you off. But nothing will quite prepare you for this house. Not for the Brazilian cherry and mud set porcelain floors (that you’ll probably mistake for marble). Not for the dream kitchen with two extensive islands (one a work station), two built-in stainless fridges, and the commercial gas stove. Not for  the adjoining family room with the hand-coffered ceiling (the cost of which could have paid for a year away at college). Or, just past the family room, the wall of French doors the length of the house that looks onto a perfectly shaded oversized lap pool with a lion’s head fountain.

Impressed yet? Guess what? The French doors end by a private staircase leading up to a separate guest apartment. And where, you may ask, are the four other bedrooms and baths in this 4000 square foot Mediterranean delight? The master sweet (and it is) is downstairs…the other three are up. And I tell you the layout, the architectural detailing, the level of taste throughout is not to be believed. It must be seen. So what are you waiting for? Even in this market, this one won’t last long.

Yesterday, May 31^st, the neighborhoods of Abacoa came together in quite a remarkable way. Their residents competed at tennis, golf and track in a 5K run. The contests began at 8 am and by 3 pm Valencia was pronounced the Grand Champion…the neighborhood that had swept in almost all categories. And in the process, my husband, Dane, and I managed to snag a second place for Valencia at golf. Second overall was the New Haven neighborhood, followed closely by Charleston Court. Plaques were awarded in Downtown Abacoa amid live music and delicious munchies (served up as a Taste of Abacoa). Clearly a good time was had by all in this first annual Battle of the Neighborhoods. Possibly the only battle in history to foster a real sense of community!

There’s always something fun going on in Abacoa! Visit www.BristolManagement.com right now and see for yourself. And while you’re at it, sign up for The Battle of the Neighborhoods scheduled this weekend.  There’s a pep rally and baseball game at Roger Dean Stadium on May 31…followed by neighborhood competitions in golf, tennis and a 5K run on June 1, along with live entertainment. Now how’s that for community involvement! Isn’t this the kind of neighborhood spirit you’d enjoy. So if you live in Abacoa…don’t miss out. If you don’t…check it out. Jupiter is a great place to live. And Abacoa is one huge reason why.

Unlike the days of 100% financing with no income or asset verification, there’s no question loans are tougher to get these days. But they’re still available if you can document your income, down payment, closing costs and cash reserves. If you know what to watch for and know how to play the game. Read the rest of this entry

In many parts of Florida, busy season ends with the flight of tourists and snowbirds. But Jupiter is a  ‘year-round town for most of its residents. And with summer comes a whole raft of new things to do. Why, the Jupiter Community Center Newsletter alone has a jam-packed schedule. You’ll find everything from sports for adults and camps for kids, to bridge games, shopping excursions, weekend getaways and casino night at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino. There’s live theater, movies galore, outdoor dining, AAA baseball, bass fishing, surfboarding…the list goes on and on. In fact, you’ll find locations for all that and more right on my website. And while you’re there, check out what’s going on with Jupiter housing this summer. Whether it’s a gated community, condo, horse acre or a home in Abacoa…this summer is a great time to make your move. So come explore Life in Jupiter…where busy happens all year round!