After a massive disaster with a former website and IDX provider, I have been working hard to rebuild my website and write new articles on pet friendly housing in Boca Raton FL and south Florida.  It's been a huge undertaking the past six months and a work still in progress.  But, my blog is a labor of love and so it goes. Here are some of the articles I recently wrote about pet-friendly gated communities: Mizner's Preserve - Pet Friendly Gated Community in Delray Beach FL -  This is a great community and one we built a house in years ago.  Centrally located to everything and cat and dog friendly, Mizner's Preserve is a great choice for a gated community if you have pets.         Berkeley - Pet Friendly Gated Community in Boca Raton FL - Berkeley is new construction in west Boca Raton ne... 04/26/2018

Houses for Sale in Boca Isles in Boca Raton, Florida Why Do People Live here?                      Boca Isles is comprised of two beautiful gated communities of single family homes - Boca Isles North and Boca Isles South.  They are located in western Boca Raton.   It's not uncommon to see neighborhood kids playing in the streets, at the clubhouse or people out walking their dogs.   After all, this is south Florida and Boca Isles is a pet-friendly community in Boca Raton.Looking for a home in Boca Isles?Interested in finding homes for sale in the Boca Isles Community of Boca Raton FL? Click that link to find all the currently available homes in this area of Boca Raton. What's the Neighborhood Like?                           The homes you would expect to find for sale in the Boca Isles Ne... 04/10/2018

  Boca Raton FL Homes Prices for March 2018      Real estate market data for Boca Raton, FL provided by Elyse Berman of Best Connections Realty, Inc.   Boca Raton Home Prices   If you are interested in how much inventory is currently on the market, you can click on this link.   It will show homes for sale in Boca Raton, FL.     Low inventory suggests that homes are not sitting on the market for very long . That is the market we are in.  Low inventory continues in Boca Raton with some houses getting multiple offers coming in.   You can still get a good deal but you need a good Buyer's Agent working for you - for FREE.   I wouldn't expect home prices to run up quite as fast as they did back in 2006 as banks have gotten a lot stricter on lending guidelines and are no longer giving a loan t... 04/08/2018

Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Highland Beach or Boynton Beach? Where should I move, buyers will ask?  Boca Raton or Delray Beach?  Highland Beach or Boynton Beach?  What's the difference?  My friends told me to look here or there.  Well, there are some differences between them, but first you have to figure out what you want in a condo or house.  They are all close enough that if you want to go out to eat or to a local vet, you'll be fine.   If, for example, you want to live at the beach, then I would suggest you look into Boca Raton, Delray Beach or Highland Beach.  Then we would dig further, depending on price and pets. If you want a single family home with a dock in your backyard, I would say Boca Raton, Delray Beach or Highland Beach.  Again, depending on price. If you want a gated commu... 03/29/2018

Monet Cafe, Best Place for Lunch in Boca RatonWhere: 7050 W Palmetto Park Rd #31, Boca Raton, FL 33433Hours: Monday to Saturday 11am-3:00pmWhat: French Restaurant SpecialtyCost:  (See Menu of Monet Cafe)Phone: 561-368-1740 Specializing in French Specialty Food in Boca RatonMonet Cafe is a great place for lunch.  Located in the Garden Shops at Boca Raton, this small French cafe has amazing food.  Fresh, home cooked wonderful food.  They have been in this shopping plaza for many years.  You can have anything from a cold sandwich to a hot sandwich, soup or crepes.  Even the cappuccion is perfect - and if you like cinnamon, just ask for it.   It is owned and run by a husband and wife.  He does the cooking; she greets you and will bring you your food.  They are as delightful as the food the... 03/26/2018

Dog owners and lovers know I write about pet friendly housing and have been for years.  This year, I wrote 3 articles that surpassed all of my articles on pet friendly condos, pet friendly gated communities and pet friendly 55+ active adult communities  in south Florida.  It was time to break it down. The first article is about pet friendly condos in Boca Raton, Highland Beach FL.  This article is about finding dog and cat friendly condos in Boca Raton, Highland Beach and the surrounding areas in south Florida, and the frustrations and aggravation people go through when they try to do it on their own.  The second article is about pet friendly gated communities in Boca Raton FL.  This article talks about pet restrictions in different pet friendly gated communities in Boca Raton FL and th... 03/25/2018

 Home Prices in Boca Raton FL for February 2018                    Real estate market data for Boca Raton, FL provided by Elyse Berman of Best Connections Realty, Inc.   Boca Raton Home Prices   If you are interested in how much inventory is currently on the market, you can click on this link.   It will show homes for sale in Boca Raton, FL.     Low inventory suggests that homes are not sitting on the market for very long . That is the market we are in.  Low inventory continues in Boca Raton with some houses getting multiple offers coming in.     I wouldn't expect home prices to run up quite as fast as they did back in 2006 as banks have gotten a lot stricter on lending guidelines and are no longer giving a loan to anyone with a pulse.  But, low inventory and rising mortgage rates, whic... 03/18/2018

SOLD! Villa Flora at Boca Pointe Home Closed in Boca Raton FL                                          I found the perfect buyers for this single family home in the Villa Flora section of Boca Pointe in Boca Raton FL.  Good thing it's pet friendly, because they have an adorable Yorkie!   This single family home has 3 bedrooms 2 baths, 2 car garage and 2081 air conditioned square feet.   It has a pool with endless lake views!   This home was listed at $ 372,500. Congratulations to the new homeowners and their furry friend who are going to enjoy that pool while watching our fabulous Florida sunsets!  You can read what they have to say here. 03/14/2018

Earlier this month Congress extended certain tax breaks through 2017 that expired at the end of 2016. Among these “extenders” are several related to residential real estate. The tax breaks are retroactive to January 1, 2017, and may affect the tax return that you file in 2018.Needless to say, these last-minute changes may create a problem for taxpayers who have already filed their returns and will need to file amended returns to take advantage of these extenders.Mortgage Insurance Premiums – For years 2007 through 2016, premiums paid on mortgage insurance contracts, in connection with acquisition debt, issued after 2006 were deductible as home mortgage interest. The deductibility of these premiums now continues through 2017. The deductible amount of the premiums phases out ratably by 10... 02/28/2018

If you owe back taxes to the IRS you know how quickly penalties and interest can spiral out of control, possibly adding thousands of dollars or more to your tax debt.  Since the focus of our practice is helping taxpayers with IRS collection and audit matters, we regularly request and obtain IRS penalty relief for our clients.The IRS will abate or remove tax penalties due to reasonable cause or under their first time abatement (“FTA”) program.  If the requirements of FTA are met the IRS will remove penalties for:          Failure to file          Failure to pay          Failure to deposit (payroll taxes) The conditions for FTA are (1) the taxpayer has not been required to file a return or has no prior penalties (except an estimated tax penalty) for the three years prior to the year that ... 02/25/2018

 Home Prices in Boca Raton FL for January 2018                    Real estate market data for Boca Raton, FL provided by Elyse Berman of Best Connections Realty, Inc.   Boca Raton Home Prices   If you are interested in how much inventory is currently on the market, you can click on this link.   It will show homes for sale in Boca Raton, FL.     Low inventory suggests that homes are not sitting on the market for very long. That is the market we are in.  Low inventory continues in Boca Raton with some houses getting multiple offers coming in.     I wouldn't expect home prices to run up quite as fast as they did back in 2006 as banks have gotten a lot stricter on lending guidelines and are no longer giving a loan to anyone with a pulse.  But, low inventory and rising mortgage rates, which ... 02/25/2018

I am thrilled to share with you that I have been selected to work on the Grievance Committee of our local board of Realtors.   Our local board, Realtors of the Palm Beaches, has joined with the Greater Fort Lauderdale Board of Realtors, making it a pretty large board.   This week, I went for training in Fort Lauderdale.  I'm very excited about working on Grievance as it reminds me of my original career in court reporting.  It combines two things I love (other than dogs!) - real estate and the law.   I don't know why I waited so long! To me, it raises the bar of being a REALTOR®.  I have seen some pretty crazy things go on in almost 14 years and am anxiously awaiting being called.     02/11/2018

 Home Prices in Boca Raton FL for December 2017                     Real estate market data for Boca Raton, FL provided by Elyse Berman of Best Connections Realty, Inc.   Boca Raton Home Prices   If you are interested in how much inventory is currently on the market, you can click on this link.   It will show homes for sale in Boca Raton, FL.     Low inventory suggests that homes are not sitting on the market for very long. That is the market we are in.  Low inventory continues in Boca Raton with some houses getting multiple offers coming in.     I wouldn't expect home prices to run up quite as fast as they did back in 2006 as banks have gotten a lot stricter on lending guidelines and are no longer giving a loan to anyone with a pulse.  But, low inventory and rising mortgage rates, whic... 01/17/2018

I was in total shock when Kathy Streib texted me with the news.  Several of us are geographically close here in south Florida and have met at quite a few meet ups through the years. But I first met Lou when he was teaching a Continuing Ed class in Boca Raton.  He was a wonderful instructor.  There were only 14 of us in the class at that time.  Sometime during those two days, he said, "Are you on Active Rain?  If you're not, you ought to be."  This was back in 2009. I went home and put up a profile.  It sat for several months and then I began to blog.  Well, you know the rest. I took several other classes with Lou.  I did my GRI with him as one of the instructors.  He was smart, interesting and truly enjoyed seeing others succeed.  He was a great inspiration and motivator to many of us. ... 12/25/2017

 Home Prices in Boca Raton FL for November 2017                     Real estate market data for Boca Raton, FL provided by Elyse Berman of Best Connections Realty, Inc.   Boca Raton Home Prices   If you are interested in how much inventory is currently on the market, you can click on this link.   It will show homes for sale in Boca Raton, FL.     Low inventory suggests that homes are not sitting on the market for very long. That is the market we are in.  Low inventory continues in Boca Raton with some houses getting multiple offers coming in.     I wouldn't expect home prices to run up quite as fast as they did back in 2006 as banks have gotten a lot stricter on lending guidelines and are no longer giving a loan to anyone with a pulse.  But, low inventory and rising mortgage rates, whic... 12/04/2017

 Same Name.  Same Service.  Same Pet-Friendly REALTOR® in Boca Raton FL.    Just a Different Sign.   Yep, it's still me.   Although I am affiliated with a new brokerage as of this week - Best Connections Realty, Inc. in Boca Raton FL -  everything with me remains the same.   I am always available to help with all your real estate needs.  I am always available to answer your questions regarding pet-friendly communities in Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Highland Beach and Boynton Beach.  I am always available to help you with real estate sales, real estate purchases, local market reports, local market expertise and guidance with or without pets. Yep, it's still me.  Your pet-friendly realtor in Boca and beyond.  I'm here for you.                   Yep, it's still me.  Same name.  Same service.... 11/18/2017

 Home Prices in Boca Raton FL for October 2017                     Real estate market data for Boca Raton, FL provided by Elyse Berman of Realty Associates Florida Properties.   Boca Raton Home Prices   If you are interested in how much inventory is currently on the market, you can click on this link.   It will show homes for sale in Boca Raton, FL.     Low inventory suggests that homes are not sitting on the market for very long. That is the market we are in.  Low inventory continues in Boca Raton with some houses getting multiple offers coming in.     I wouldn't expect home prices to run up quite as fast as they did back in 2006 as banks have gotten a lot stricter on lending guidelines and are no longer giving a loan to anyone with a pulse.  But, low inventory and rising mortgage rate... 11/03/2017

Great Sushi Buffet in Boca Raton FL - Ichiyama Where:  145 SE Mizner Blvd, Boca Raton FL 33432Hours:  11:30-3:30 and 5:00 to 10:30 (12:00 on weekends)What: Sushi Buffet Cost: (See menu for Ichiyama)Phone:  561-395-7977 If you're in the area of Royal Palm Place or are just in the mood for some great sushi, stop in at Ichiyama  in Boca Raton FL.   Not only is the place sparkling clean, the sushi was delicious!  They have a very varied selection of all-you-can-eat, especially for a buffet at lunchtime.   In addition to sushi, they have a buffet of Pan-Asian hot foods.  Try the Shumai dumplings - light as a feather and wonderful!  There is also a hibachi station where they will cook your food to order and fabulous desserts.I didn't eat them, but Richard told me so! The staff is quick and on... 10/20/2017

 Home Prices in Boca Raton FL for September 2017                     Real estate market data for Boca Raton, FL provided by Elyse Berman of Realty Associates Florida Properties.   Boca Raton Home Prices   If you are interested in how much inventory is currently on the market in Boca Raton FL, you can click on this link.     Low inventory suggests that homes are not sitting on the market for very long. That is the market we are in.  Low inventory continues in Boca Raton with some houses getting multiple offers coming in.     I wouldn't expect home prices to run up quite as fast as they did back in 2006 as banks have gotten a lot stricter on lending guidelines and are no longer giving a loan to anyone with a pulse.  But, low inventory and rising mortgage rates, which seem to be coming, is... 10/06/2017

Home Prices in Boca Raton FL for August 2017                     Real estate market data for Boca Raton, FL provided by Elyse Berman of Realty Associates Florida Properties.   Boca Raton Home Prices   If you are interested in how much inventory is currently on the market, you can click on this link.   It will show homes for sale in Boca Raton, FL   Low inventory suggests that homes are not sitting on the market for very long. That is the market we are in.  Low inventory continues in Boca Raton with some houses getting multiple offers coming in.   I wouldn't expect home prices to run up quite as fast as they did back in 2006 as banks have gotten a lot stricter on lending guidelines and are no longer giving a loan to anyone with a pulse.  But, low inventoy and rising mortgage rates, which... 10/06/2017