BLOG POSTS by Susan J Penn PA, Realtor
Welcome to Weston, FL: A Vibrant and Thriving Community
Weston, Florida - The city of Weston, Florida , our tropical paradise, is a beautiful neighborly master planned city with a big family feeling and large parental involvement. Weston, FL known for its warm climate encompasses 1,877 acres of maintained lakes, canals and 2,200 acres of wetland mitigation offering many of its single family homes fabulous lakeviews.
Located in West Broward County, Florida, Weston, FL is a highly sought-after neighborhood known for its picturesque landscapes, family-friendly environment, and exceptional quality of life. Whether you're seeking a serene suburban atmosphere or access to world-class amenities, Weston has it all. Let's explore the lifestyle and market trends that make this community so appealing.
Lifestyle in Weston:
Education: Weston boasts multiple top-rated schools, including public, private, and charter institutions. Families can choose from a range of educational options, ensuring their children receive quality education. Weston, FL is known for its excellent education system, with a variety of highly rated schools. Here are some of the notable schools in Weston, FL.
Cypress Bay High School:
Cypress Bay High School is a top-rated public high school in Weston for grades 9-12. It offers a comprehensive curriculum, advanced placement courses, and a wide range of extracurricular activities. The school has consistently achieved high academic standards and is known for its dedicated faculty.
Falcon Cove Middle School:
Falcon Cove Middle School for 6-8th grades, is a highly regarded public middle school in Weston. It provides a challenging academic program along with various elective courses and extracurricular activities. The school emphasizes a supportive learning environment and encourages students' personal and intellectual growth.
Manatee Bay Elementary School:
Manatee Bay Elementary School offers grades K-5, is an exemplary public elementary school in Weston, FL. It presents a nurturing learning environment, dedicated teachers, and a strong emphasis on academic achievement. The school provides a comprehensive curriculum and encourages parental involvement in the education process.
Everglades Elementary School:
Everglades Elementary School, for grades K-5 is another highly rated public elementary school in Weston, FL. It focuses on academic excellence, character development, and fostering a love for learning. The school offers a range of educational programs and extracurricular activities to enrich students' educational experiences.
Imagine Charter School at Weston:
Imagine Charter School, a Broward County public school for grades K-8 is a well-regarded charter school in Weston, FL It offers a unique educational approach with an emphasis on personalized learning and character development. The school provides a supportive and engaging environment to help students reach their full potential.
Recreation and Nature:
Weston, FL offers an abundance of public parks, nature trails, and outdoor recreational areas. Residents can enjoy activities such as hiking, biking, golfing, and boating in the beautiful surroundings.
Weston Regional Park
Weston Regional Park is a spacious and well-maintained park offering a range of amenities. It features walking paths, playgrounds, sports fields, picnic areas, and a large lake where visitors can fish or enjoy a peaceful stroll along the water.
Markham Park and Target Range
Markham Park and Target Range is located just outside of Weston, FL. Markham Park is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The park spans over 650 acres and offers nature trails, bike paths, a disc golf course, camping areas, and a shooting range for archery and firearms.
Peace Mound Park
Peace Mound Park is a serene green space in Weston, perfect for relaxation and nature appreciation. The park features walking paths surrounded by lush greenery, beautiful landscaping, and a peaceful ambiance.
Indian Trace Park
Indian Trace Park is a charming neighborhood park with a tranquil atmosphere. It offers playgrounds, picnic areas, sports fields, and a walking trail that winds through the park's natural surroundings.
Tequesta Trace Park
Tequesta Trace Park is a community park in Weston that offers various recreational amenities. It includes sports fields, a skate park, tennis and basketball courts, a fitness trail, and a scenic lake with a boardwalk.
Weston Hills Country Club
The Weston Hills Country Club features two championship golf courses known for their stunning landscapes and challenging layouts. Golf enthusiasts can enjoy a round of golf while soaking in the scenic views of the meticulously maintained fairways and greens.
Cultural Scene: Weston, FL hosts various community events and cultural festivals throughout the year, providing opportunities to celebrate diversity and connect with neighbors. You will discover outdoor concerts, art fairs, and cultural celebrations, movies-in-the-park and more such as 4th of July celebrations, Easter Egg Hunts, Rock Banks performing in the Park, Art Shows, and more.
Shopping and Dining: The neighborhood features premier shopping centers like Weston Town Center in the Heart of Weston and the Shops at Pembroke Gardens, nearby in Pembroke Pines, FL or the Sawgrass Mall in Sunrise, the largest outlet shopping destination in the U.S is close to Weston. Weston, FL Residents can explore a wide range of dining options, from casual eateries to fine dining establishments.
Bocas House - Latin Contemporary Food
Carrot Express - healthy dishes but with a lot of taste!
Ceviche Arigato Restaurant - Japanese & Peruvian fare
DelVecchio’s Pizzeria - Offers great pizzas, pastas, and homemade Italian dishes.
Duffy’s Sports Grill - Sports restaurant with burgers to mac and cheese.
Graziano’s - offers contemporary Argentinean food in Weston
India House - brings the flavors of India to Weston.
Japan Inn - Hibachi Steak and Seafood cooked at your table.
Moon Thai & Japanese - offers sushi rolls, sashimi, curries, stir-fries
My Big Fat Greek Restaurant - offers traditional Greek dishes.
Tarantella Ristorante & Pizzeria - serves delicious Italian dishes
Weston Bistro - offers a diverse menu of American cuisine with a modern twist
Vignetos Italian Grill - a family-owned restaurant serving Italian classics
Wellness and Health: Weston, FL is home to top-notch healthcare facilities, including Cleveland Clinic Florida, providing residents with exceptional medical services and wellness programs. Cleveland Clinic Florida, Weston, is equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment and cutting-edge technology. Cleveland Clinic Weston FL offers a broad spectrum of medical specialties, including cardiology, neurology, orthopedics, gastroenterology, oncology, urology, and many others. It is committed to delivering world-class healthcare services, advancing medical research, and providing the highest quality of care to its patients in Weston, FL and the surrounding communities.
Market Trends in Weston: Susan J Penn PA is a trusted eperienced local Realtor that writes monthly market trends on the city of Weston, FL. Please sign up for her website to enjoy the reports.
Real Estate Market: Weston, FL offers an array of fabulous housing options, including single-family homes, lake-view homes, golf course homes, Modern and Mediterranean style homes, townhouses, condos and luxury properties. The market has shown steady appreciation over the years, making it an attractive investment opportunity.
Housing Affordability: While Weston, FL is known for its upscale residences, there are diverse housing options available to suit different budgets and lifestyles. Potential buyers can find properties at varying price points.
Community Development: Weston, FL prioritizes a master planned development and meticulous landscaping, resulting in a visually appealing and well-maintained environment that enhances property values.
Low Crime Rates: Weston consistently maintains low crime rates, providing a safe and secure living environment for residents of all ages.
Strong Economy: Weston benefits from a robust local economy, driven by diverse industries and a thriving business community. This stability contributes to the overall strength of the real estate market.
(6) Best Weston, FL Neighborhoods to Live in
Weston, FL is known for its family-friendly environment and vibrant neighborhoods. Here are six fun neighborhoods in Weston that offer a range of amenities and activities:
Weston Hills:
Weston Hills is a prestigious gated community known for its upscale homes and beautiful landscaping. It features two championship golf courses, parks, and recreational facilities. Residents can enjoy golfing, tennis, swimming, and walking or biking along the scenic paths.
Savanna:
Savanna is a master-planned community with a variety of amenities and recreational spaces. It offers a clubhouse, swimming pools, water slides, sports courts, and playgrounds. The neighborhood hosts events and activities throughout the year, making it an engaging place for families.
Isles at Weston:
Isles at Weston is a picturesque neighborhood featuring Mediterranean-style homes and lush landscaping. It offers a clubhouse, fitness center, swimming pool, and walking paths. Residents can also enjoy kayaking or paddleboarding on the neighborhood's lake.
The Ridges:
The Ridges is a family-friendly community with an emphasis on outdoor activities. It offers numerous parks, playgrounds, sports fields, and scenic walking trails. Residents can enjoy picnics, bike rides, and community events in this welcoming neighborhood.
Emerald Estates:
Emerald Estates is a charming neighborhood known for its tree-lined streets and well-maintained homes. It offers a clubhouse, swimming pool, tennis courts, and a playground. Residents can also explore the nearby regional park and nature trails for outdoor recreation.
Windmill Ranch Estates:
Windmill Ranch Estates is an exclusive gated community with large estate homes on expansive lots. It offers a tranquil and private setting with equestrian trails, lakes, and parks. Residents can enjoy horseback riding, jogging, or simply savoring the natural beauty of the neighborhood.
Dec. 29, 2020
Have you looked at the Record Low Mortgage Rates? The mortgage rates have taken an unexpected turn and dropped to the lowest levels most people have ever seen. Mortgages are usually 15 years or 30 year and the 15 year mortgages usually have the lowest rate. Yes, it is a great time for home buying. Please be safe and wear and mask and use hand sanitizer as we work our way through Covid-19.
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have laid out new guidelines in 2021 for our real estate buyers who are purchasing a home. Conforming loan limits are rising from $510,400 to $548,250 for 2021 as home prices continue to rise due to the limited supply of housing caused by Covid-19.
Freddie Macs prediction for an average 30 year fixed- mortgage rate is expected to be 2.9 percent in 2021.
The new year is here and this is a great opportunity to own a South Florida home!
Covid-19 has left the real estate market in South Florida in short supply and real estate prices seem to be going up every day. Supply and demand have entered into the housing equation. When there is a short supply of housing, pricing increases. Real Estate will remain very active this year, (2021). Do not wait if you are ready to buy, and please do not wait to be pre-approved when you have finally discover the house you love, as competition is growing, and someone already approved for a mortgage may end up with the house you fell in love with because they were ready. Remember, no one can predict the surge in home pricing that keeps occurring.
Having a global pandemic, has definitely interacted with the real estate market. We are currently facing a home inventory shortage in 2021. The number of homes for sale has reached the lowest level on record. That has prompted home prices to increase faster than incomes. increase exponentially now that a COVID-19 vaccine is on the horizon. Homebuyers should prepare for what could possibly be the most competitive spring homebuying season in years. Here are a few suggestions that will put you ahead of other homebuyers.
Working from home has forever changed where people choose to live. Homeowners are re-evaluating their current house and determining what amenities they just can’t live without. We are watching where this outcome will take us.
Record low mortgage rates over the past few months have helped to offset high prices in real estate homes for sale. Experts are predicting that mortgage rates will remain low for the foreseeable future. New home construction keeps popping up and historically low mortgage rates are creating new opportunities for more buyers and sellers. Ask Susan J Penn PA about the new nearby real estate housing developments.
Nov. 6, 2020
Does Notice of Commencement Mean the Florida Permit is Closed?
When looking at properties, I spend time researching how old the roof is, looking to see if the home has shutters, and determining the latest comparable sales.
Finding a notice of commencement means the work was preformed on a particular area of the real estate property, but it does not mean the contractor who was hired to complete the work actually finished the job and closed the permit.
To find out if a lien has been closed out, it is best to let a title company provide the buyers and sellers with a lien search and discover this answer. I ran into this open permit issue and helped my sellers close out the open permit. This open permit was due to the contractor overlooking to process the final paperwork and final inspection and complete his job. To close out the permit involved the city, the building department specifically, the contractor, the sellers and multiple telephone calls. The contractor waited until the last minute to close the permit, which was very unprofessional. We realized to leave the permit open was also truly unprofessional. Many mortgage companies will not let the prospective buyer purchase a property with an open permit. Yes, open or expired permits can stop or postpone a closing. Certain cases involve hiring a new contractor to inspect and possibly fix the old work and having the building department from the city inspect the work.
There is a new Florida Statue as of July 9, 2019 allowing local governments to close an open permit or expired permit six years after its issuance, as long as there are no safety hazards. This bill helps a real estate transaction from failing due to the presence of an open or expired permit.
Nov. 6, 2020
My Florida Seller Died - Now What Happens to the Real Estate?
Death in Real Estate does occur. Lately, I have run into 2 occasions where the seller of the real estate property is now deceased. Yes, sometimes the unexpected situation occurs. The first perspective relates to a home my buyers and I fell in love with while they were searching to purchase a home. The buyers and I were not informed of this horrible news, that both of the sellers had passed, the husband and wife, until our contract was signed. The seller's disclosure was missing important information saying I do not know for some of the answers, which was the first clue. During the inspection we were finally informed of this sad news. We could tell this was a happy home full of laughter and good times. It was a beautiful luxury home with lush tropical landscaping, a beautiful pool with a patio area and a canal in the back. The probate process had already occurred and a personal representative was appointed for the estate. The deceased parents were so young that a will was not involved, intestate, and one of the decedent's adult children, a rightful heir was handling the affairs. The As/Is Florida Residential Contract was used.
My second set of circumstances occurred this year to one of my property owners. Another young individual fell ill and died of a heart attack in his early 60's. He is a foreign seller who lived in Brazil and loved coming to South Florida. This was not the first home that he bought with me. Now we are dealing with the sadness of his loss and the affairs of going through the probate process with his family. Without Florida probate and a Florida attorney, the heirs cannot sell the real estate. This process of hiring an attorney to open a court filing, and formally transferring title from the deceased to the rightful heirs is probate. Due to being a foreign seller without a will, there will be many tax consequences for the family to deal with.
July 31, 2017
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Keep in mind prices are rising and competition is growing with the limited market supply caused by Covid-19 in 2021. When you are selling your home, it becomes important to have a real estate expert to guide you through the process.
When it comes to setting the right price for your home, we want to increase visibility and drive more buyers your way in place of trying to win the negotiation process with one buyer.
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Home Values are much higher than in the past, as this pandemic has left home sellers with equity in their homes like never before. . If you are wondering if now is the time to sell, please try out our INSTANT home value tool. You’ll get an estimate on the value of your property in today’s market. Either way, we hope to hear from you soon as you get to know our neighborhoods and local real estate market better.
