For most people, choosing the Palm Beach homes they ultimately settle on is a matter of ensuring that its size, design and its price tag all satisfy that particular buyer’s needs and financial situation. However, any reputable Palm Beach realtor will tell you that there are several additional factors you should take into account before making that final decision.

What’s the neighborhood like? Just because you visited during the day and found the neighborhood serene and quiet does not mean that will necessarily be the case during the evening. Make sure you’re fully aware of the neighborhood and whatever quirks it may have.

What potential problems should I know about? Usually a seller will be forthcoming about possible flaws in and around the home as it builds trust but there is no law stipulating such. Before you end up finding out after it’s too late, make sure you know exactly what you’re purchasing.

What are the home utility bills? Air conditioning is pretty much mandatory in Palm Beach homes unless you want to endure the oftentimes sweltering South Florida heat. Cooling costs can be especially pricey during the summer when temperatures are firmly within the 90s and this could translate to a hefty electric bill. This may not work with your other monthly expenses so make sure you take utilities into consideration.

New Visas available for Foreign Buyers

New visa categories have been recently introduced allowing many foreign nationals the opportunity to gain US Residency and purchase property in America. Citizens of other countries contribute to a large part of home buying in the United States and the National Association of Realtors is urging Realtors and home buyers to educate themselves on the new available opportunities.

Knowing how to use the correct special visas Realtors are able to assist foreign nationals buy second homes, vacation homes or future retirement homes.

During a recent forum in Washington, attorney Stephen H Davis noted “NAR research shows the increasingly international nature of real estate markets and how foreign buyers are responding to opportunities to acquire homes in this country. After all a piece of America is worth its weight in gold, and buyers from overseas recognize this. Understanding how the visa categories work can be useful tool in unlocking this important new market segment.”

According to NAR 2008 profile international real estate transactions in the United States make up a significant part of business for many realtors. Various programs are available to assist foreign buyers including the E-2, EB-5 and C-1 visas.

“These different Visa programs will help attract individual investors from other countries,” Davis said.  “One long term visa program helps investors attain a conditioned lawful permanent resident status by investing $500,000 in a limited partnership at various government maintained regional centers. Another program involves an investment of $1 million to create 10 new full-time positions for US workers.”

Davis also notes there are many other opportunities for people who are in the export, import business; foreign executives who manage US subsidiaries of foreign companies or those who manage various types of companies not limited to franchises, condos or rental properties.

Let us help you purchase a property here in Palm Beach. Call us today!

Scott Gordon Realty
www.scottgordonrealty.com
561-533-5888

Palm Beach is home to many of the world’s finest gourmet restaurants. Whether you are searching for a casual dining experience or something more exquisite, you will find everything you’re searching for and more in Palm Beach.

Fourteen Palm Beach restaurants are offering three-course price fixed lunches for $20.09 and dinners for $35 in June as part of Palm Beach Restaurant Month. A similar meal deal lasted just a week last year.

• Amici Palm Beach — Egg sandwich and cup of Lavazza coffee to go, $3.99 from 7:30 - 11 a.m. weekdays. To-go menu, $5 from 11:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday. Three-course dinner with wine, $29 daily until 7 p.m. 375 South County Road; (561) 832-0201.

• Cucina — Small-plate versions of regular menu items available at the bar only from 4:30 p.m. until close for $6-$18. 257 Royal Poinciana Way; (561) 655-0770.

• Michael R. McCartys Restaurant — Two-course (appetizer and entree) dinner for $29.95 with unlimited wine from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. weekdays and from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. 50 Cocoanut Row; (561) 659-1899.

• Nick and Johnnies — Three-course Sunset Supper for $25 from 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. daily. Small-plate versions of regular menu items available at the bar only from 4:30 p.m. until close for $6-$18. 207 Royal Poinciana Way; (561) 655-3319.

• Testas - Early bird menu from 3 - 6 p.m. daily from $13-$18. Coupon available at www.testasrestaurants.com make all early bird entrees $14. Thursdays from 5 p.m. martinis are $5. Breakfast specials with a cup of coffe daily for $7.25. 221 Royal Poinciana Way; 832-0992.

• PB Restaurant Month: Fourteen restaurants are offering three-course prix fix menus (appetizer, entree and dessert) for $20.09 at lunch and $35 at dinner. Beverage, tax and gratuity not included. Participating restaurants include:

• Bice — 313 1/2 Worth Avenue; 561.835.1600.

• Café Boulud at The Brazilian Court — Three-course Sunday brunch is $25. Other specials daily. 301 Australian Avenue; (561) 655-6060.

• Café L’Europe — 331 South County Road; 561.655-4020.

• Charley’s Crab — 456 South Ocean Boulevard; 561.659.1500.

• The Leopard Lounge & Restaurant at The Chesterfield — 363 Cocoanut Row; 561.659.5800.

• COCO Palm Beach — 290 Sunset Avenue; 561.832.3734.

• The Flagler Steakhouse at The Breakers — 2 South County Road; 561.659.8488.

• The Italian Restaurant at The Breakers — 1 South County Road; 561.659.8488.

• The Ocean Bistro at the Four Seasons — 2800 South Ocean Boulevard; 561.582.2800.

• Renato’s — 87 Via Mizner - Worth Avenue; 561.655-9752.

• The Seafood Bar at The Breakers — 1 South County Road; 561.659.8488.

• The Temple Orange at The Ritz-Carlton — 100 South Ocean Blvd., Manalapan; 561.533.6000.

• Ta-Boo — 221 Worth Avenue; 561.835.3500.

• Trevini — 151 Worth Avenue; 561.833.3883.
 

7 Amazing reasons to visit Palm Beach RIGHT NOW! Stay for a while, vacation, shop, relax and find your new vacation home! There will never be a better time to buy!!!

Luxury Palm Beach hotels are offering amazing specials!

Omphoy Ocean Resort – 561-540-6440
2842 S Ocean Blvd.
July 31 – September 30th 
From $149

The Ritz-Carlton – 561-533-6000
100 S. Ocean Blvd.
From $269 with Breakfast for 2 and $50 Resort Credit

Four Seasons Palm Beach 561-582-2800
2800 S Ocean Blvd
From $225 with $50 Resort Credit

The Brazilian Court Hotel and Beach Club 561-983-4292
301 Australian Ave
Through August 31
From $249 with 3 course dinner for two at Café’ Boulevard

The Colony Palm Beach 561-655-5430
155 Hammon Ave
Weekend rates start at $195 with full English breakfast for 2
Weekday rates start at $159 for two nights stay

The Chesterfield Palm Beach  561-659-5800
363 Cocoanut Row
Through September
From $149 with continental breakfast for two

The Breakers Hotel 800-273-2537
1 S. County Road
Through September 30
From $225 – Free golf, tennis or kid’s meals with some packages.

Book your hotel now and then call Scott Gordon Realty and set up appointments to tour some of our amazing inventory! You wont believe the gorgeous properties available until you see them!
Call Today!
Scott Gordon Realty 561-533-5888
www.scottgordonrealty.com
 

According to the National Association of Realtors pending homes sales continue to rise as buyers take advantage of affordable interest rates and low home prices.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist said, “what we’re seeing is the momentum of people taking advantage of low home prices, with pending home sales up in California, Nevada, Arizona, Florida, Rhode Island and the Washington D.C. region.”

The economic situation currently puts many buyers in a great advantage, said NAR President Charles McMillan also a Dallas-Ft. Worth Broker. “The drop in mortgage rates and home prices mean the buying power of a typical family has never been better” he said.

“If you have a good job and long term plans, it’s unlikely that you’ll find a much better time to buy a home. This is especially true for first-time buyers who can qualify for an $8,000 tax credit this year, have a great selection of homes to choose from and are in favorable negotiating position.”

 To learn more about how you can take advantage of the current low interest rates and the high volume of quality homes available in our inventory call us today!

Scott Gordon Realty 561-533-5888
www.scottgordonrealty.com

Sold Homes! April 2009

This report shows Sales for Zip Code 33480 in Palm Beach.

Home sales are up in April from previous month. In March 09 there was 1 single family home sale, in April 5 homes were sold. Condo sales were also up, 16 sold in March to 22 sold in April.

Single Family  [ 5 Sold]

$3,000,000 250 Pendelton Ave
$2,650,000 220 Esplande Way
$2,500,000 235 Atlantic Ave
$1,650,000 216 Bahama Ln

Condo  [ 22 Sold]
$4,800,000 3000 S Ocean Blvd PH6
$3,450,000 400 S Ocean Blvd 203/204n
$2,250,000 100 Royal Palm Way B4
$2,250,000 3000 S Ocean Blvd 406
$1,962,000 300 S Ocean Blvd 2A
$1,750,000 400 S Ocean Blvd 418E
$1,725,000 3170 S Ocean Blvd. 502S
$1,300,000 2100 S Ocean Blvd 303N
$1050,000 2100 S Ocean Blvd 607S
$825,000 2580 S Ocean Blvd 1C1
$775,000 2600 S Ocean Blvd 301N
$750,000 3600 S Ocean Blvd 504
$730,000 44 Cocoanut Row B412
$600,000 3400 S Ocean Blvd 6E1
$330,000 3400 S Ocean Blvd 1B1
$320,000 3501 S Ocean Blvd 402
$225,000 2295 S Ocean Blvd 511
$200,000 3575 S Ocean Blvd 104
$175,000 3450 S Ocean Blvd 706
$150,000 3589 S Ocean Blvd 810L
$135,000 4500 S Ocean Blvd 505
$125,000 3589 S Ocean Blvd L33