All posts by Scott Patterson

The Golden Beach Pavilion project has been completed. The Pavilion is a focal point of the town and is only for the use of Golden Beach residents. Among the renovations to the revamped Pavilion are wireless internet access, new furniture, renovated restrooms, landscaping to the parking lot and a new facade. Total renovation costs are estimated around $700,000.00. The Grand Opening was held this past Sunday September 14, 2008.

Golden Beach Residents Have Access To A Private Beach

The Beach Pavilion can be reserved by residents for parties or special occasions and is located at the Strand and Ocean Boulevard. The community of Golden Beach is one of the only ones to offer it’s residents and registered guests access to a private beach. Many of the Golden Beach properties are located on the intracoastal and it’s waterways or directly on the Atlantic Ocean.

Gated Single Family And Townhome Communities In Aventura Florida

access_timeSeptember 9, 2008personScott Patterson

Aventura Florida Real Estate Community YTD Market Report

Aventura Lakes

Number of current Active Listings: 16
Highest Priced Listing: $1,650,000
Lowest Priced Listing: $499,000
Number of Sales this year: 8
Highest Priced Sale YTD: $873,000
Lowest Priced Sale YTD: $620,000

Island Estates

Number of current Active Listings: 3
Highest Priced Listing: $6,700,000
Lowest Priced Listing: $5,900,000
Number of Sales this year: 1
Highest Priced YTD Sale: $4,250,000
Lowest Priced YTD Sale: N/A

Courtyards at the Point:

Number of current Active Listings: 6
Highest Priced Listing: $1,980,000
Lowest Priced Listing: $1,200,000
Number of Sales this year: 2
Highest Priced Sale YTD: $1,400,000
Lowest Priced Sale YTD: $915,000

Golden Pointe:

Number of current Active Listings: 4
Highest Priced Listing: $640,000
Lowest Priced Listing: $588,000
Number of Sales this year: 1
Highest Priced Sale YTD: $660,000
Lowest Priced Sale YTD : N/A

Aventura Estates:

Number of current Active Listings: 9
Highest Priced Listing: $1,999,000
Lowest Priced Listing: $949,000
Number of Sales this year: 2
Highest Priced Sale YTD : $1,126,000
Lowest Priced Sale YTD: Not Disclosed

Island Way:

Number of current Active Listings: 3
Highest Priced Listing: $899,999
Lowest Priced Listing: $735,000
Number of Sales this year: 5
Highest Priced Sale YTD: $970,000
Lowest Priced Sale YTD: $720,000

Presidential Estates:

Number of current Active Listings: 15
Highest Priced Listing: $3,250,000
Lowest Priced Listing: $999,000
Number of Sales this year: 5
Highest Priced Sale YTD: $3,200,000
Lowest Priced Sale YTD: $900,000

Villa Flora

Number of current Active Listings: 4
Highest Priced Listing: $3,700,000
Lowest Priced Listing: $1,999,000
Number of Sales this year: 0
Highest Priced Sale YTD: N/A
Lowest Priced Sale YTD : N/A

Porto-Vita

Number of current Active Listings: 1
Highest Priced Listing: $2,850,000
Lowest Priced Listing: N/A
Number of Sales this year: 0
Highest Priced Sale YTD: N/A
Lowest Priced Sale YTD: N/A

Scott Patterson Aventura Real Estate
Phone: 305.466.3070

*Data courtesy of MLS

South Florida Mortgage Market Update!

access_timeSeptember 3, 2008personScott Patterson

Educating South Florida Real Estate Consumers

One of the primary goals for the Buy South Florida Real Estate Blog is to be a valuable resource for the South Florida real estate market. From time to time, I will invite market experts to write a post providing you important updates on these experts’ area specialties. For this post I have invited expert South Florida Mortgage Banker, James Venney to offer this timely mortgage market update.

Knowledge is Power!

James is very knowledgeable in the mortgage industry and is up to date on the continually changing industry especially here in South Florida. I have invited James to offer his insight on the current trends in the mortgage market. Empowering you with timely mortgage information, after reading this post, we welcome your comments.

Continue reading →

Get To Know Hollywood Beach Florida

access_timeAugust 28, 2008personScott Patterson

Avoid the Crowds – Come to Hollywood Beach!

Offering visitors and residents alike many advantages including easy access to Fort Lauderdale and Miami, Hollywood Beach is located minutes from Aventura, Golden Beach, Sunny Isles, Golden Isles and Hollywood Lakes. In South Florida we all know its all about the beaches and Hollywood Beach Florida offers some of the finest beaches like its sister South Florida cities. Want to avoid the peak season crowds? You must come to Hollywood Beach. Offering something for every budget, visitors to Hollywood Beach can access accommodations from the luxurious to the affordable.

The Hollywood Boardwalk

Measuring two miles in length, the Hollywood Boardwalk was built in 1923. Beckoning to days of old, this landmark thirty-foot wide pedestrian promenade is home to a vibrant blend of beach activities, cultural events, awe-inspiring views and of course – a terrific beach! Named one of America’s top notch nostalgic venues by USA Today, the Hollywood Boardwalk is an auto-free zone. Expect to find an active crowd enjoying a bike ride, along with runners, walkers and rollerbladers. Blending in perfectly in this nostalgic setting are fanciful boutique hotels, interesting shops, and great Oceanside eats.

Hollywood Florida East Market Report (5 Year Snap Shot)

access_timeAugust 20, 2008personScott Patterson

Supply & Demand Hollywood Florida

In order to assist both Buyers and Sellers in better understanding the South Florida real estate market and precisely Hollywood East including “Hollywood Lakes” I have provided a “Supply and Demand” graph of the past 5 years. The peak of the market was April 2005 when there was hardly any inventory and tons of sales creating what is called a “Sellers Market”, we had approximately as little as 2 months supply of single family homes in both Broward and Miami-Dade Counties.

Condo v.s. Single Family Homes

If we were to graph different areas throughout South Florida they would all look very similar to this graph with the exception of the “Condo Market” which is dramatically different. Although often grouped together the “Condo Market” and the “Single Family Home” market are “Apples and Oranges”. The “Single Family Home” “Waterfront Market” is in much better shape than any other sector of the real estate market. Sellers were in the drivers seat for a very long time but today the Buyers have much of the control due to the abundance of inventory and especially International Buyers that are also taking advantage of the weak dollar.

What Is A Healthy Real Estate Market?

Many of the single family home markets have anywhere from 20 to 50 months supply of inventory and some of the condo markets have up to 90 months supply, depending on the location, price range and even the development. To give you an idea of what is a “Healthy Market”, we need no more than 6 to 12 months supply, below 6 months supply is a “Sellers Market” and above 12 months supply is a “Buyers Market”.

International Influence

I could talk about supply & demand and the whole real estate market forever but let’s all be thankful we are selling and/or owning properties in South Florida (Hollywood, Golden Isles, Aventura and Golden Beach) where we have one of the largest concentration & influence of international Buyers in the US. The Aventura Mall is now one of the top grossing malls in the country mainly due to “International” shoppers. My sales so far this year are up 22% over last year, I contribute this directly to South Florida being the place the world wants to be.

Dockside Dining In Hollywood Florida

access_timeAugust 7, 2008personScott Patterson

Whether you are looking for a place to take your boat or simply enjoy the scenic water views while dining, below is a list of restaurants that offer dining along the waterfront in Hollywood Florida. If you are planning a trip to Hollywood you might want to check out local events and things to do to in the area.

Being a boater myself I love the ability to experience South Florida from a different perspective as well as waterfront dining. I have personally been to all of these restaurants and really enjoy the ambiance and relaxation waterfront dining offers.

Hollywood Restaurants Along The Intracoastal Waterway

Billy’s Stone Crab
400 N. Ocean Drive
Hollywood, FL 33019
P: 954-923-2300

Capone’s Flicker-Lite
1014 N. Ocean Drive
Hollywood, FL 33019
P: 954-922-4232

Giorgio’s Bakery Market
800 N. Ocean Drive
Hollywood, FL 33019
P: 954-929-5550

Giorgio’s Grill
606 N. Ocean Drive
Hollywood, FL 33019
P: 954-929-7030

Las Palmas Tropical Grille & Sushi
1318 N. Ocean Drive
Hollywood, FL 33019
P: 954-929-0550

Scott Patterson

Hollywood Florida Real Estate

Le Tub Saloon
1100 N. Ocean Drive
Hollywood, FL 33019
P: 954-925-4840

Nikki Marina at the Diplomat Landing
3660 S. Ocean Drive
Hollywood, FL 33019
P: 954-602-8750

Rivals Waterfront Sports Grille at the Diplomat Landing
3460 S. Ocean Drive
Hollywood, FL 33019
P: 954-602-8760

Taverna Opa
404 N. Ocean Drive
Hollywood, FL 33019
P: 954-929-4010

Premier Waterfront Communities In Aventura, Golden Beach, Sunny Isles, Hollywood and Hallandale

access_timeAugust 1, 2008personScott Patterson

South Florida has much to offer from cultural diversity, fine dining, beautiful beaches, vibrant nightlife, great weather and the best boating in the US. We are surrounded by water and there is no better way to take advantage of Sunny Florida than owning a piece of premier South Florida waterfront real estate. The Intracoastal waterway shaped South Florida and made it the boating capital of the world “America’s Venice” and navigating the waterway offers the best way to see South Florida from a different perspective.

Waterfront Communities In Hollywood, Hallandale, Sunny Isles, Golden Beach and Aventura!

Hollywood: Harbor Islands & Hollywood Lakes

Hallandale: Golden Isles

Sunny Isles: Golden Shores & Golden Gate

Aventura: Island Estates, Porto Vita & Williams Island

Golden Beach

Thinking of Buying a South Florida Waterfront Property?

What you should consider when thinking about buying a home in South Florida?

1. Are you a boater or are you considering purchasing a vessel in the near future?

2. What is the water depth at the property? The deeper the better and easier it will be for larger vessels to navigate since they usually draw more water. I recommend a minimum of 5 feet low-mean tide. Be sure you know – “What’s the draft of your vessel or future vessel?”

3. Are there any fixed bridges in your area you will be navigating? If so, what is the clearance/height at high tide? Many times fixed bridges are tall enough for about any vessel to get by.

4. Location to the ocean cut, in other words how far will it take you if you have a vessel to get out to the ocean via the inlet.

5. How wide is your dock and the canal, will the length of your dock meet your vessels overall length? Also, typically the wider the canal the more privacy you will have.

6. Is the property located in a wake zone or no wake zone?

7. For the most part, South Florida properties offering open water views have the steepest price tags for obvious reasons like the alluring views and privacy but are not always great in terms of docking your vessel at the property due to the rough seas & wakes from other vessels.

8. Does it have a dock with the correct services: 30, 50 or 100 amp service, water, cable and telephone?

9. Most importantly, is your seawall and dock deeded to your South Florida property?

Owning a Piece of South Florida Paradise Can be Yours!

All and all you almost can’t go wrong buying waterfront properties in the South Florida communities of Aventura, Golden Beach, Hallandale, Hollywood and Sunny Isles. It is one of South Florida’s biggest draw and with no more land being created, it is truly owning a piece of paradise. Money goes to Water!

Are You an Avid South Florida Boater?

What other features or characteristics would you add to this list?

Thanks for the feedback!

Scott

Hollywood Florida Twin Lakes “Northlake” and “Southlake”

access_timeJuly 29, 2008personScott Patterson

Hollywood Lakes is a large residential section with twin man made lakes known as “Northlake” and “Southlake” flanking Hollywood Boulevard as focal points for beauty, symmetry, and aquatic activities. Southlake is designated as a wake zone and is one of the only areas that offers water skiing and Jet Skiing directly from your property with close proximity to Hollywood Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Aventura and Miami.

Northlake and Southlake Offering Great Views

The lakes draw a lot of attention not just for their size but for the open spaces, unobstructed lake views, cool breezes and natural ventilation that comes from living along either lake. One of South Florida’s hidden waterfront communities.

Big Brother Is Watching Us in Aventura

access_timeJuly 14, 2008personScott Patterson

A Friendly Tip from Scott Patterson – Your Aventura Real Estate Agent!

Aventura, Hallandale, Hollywood, Golden Beach and all South Florida drivers driving through Aventura should be aware that new “unmanned cameras” have been installed to promote compliance with red light traffic signals. I actually discovered the traffic cameras the other day as I was on my way with a client to show him a couple of Aventura real estate listings.

Where to Find those Sneaky South Florida Red Light Cameras

The cameras will photograph and automatically send a notice of violation to South Florida motorists who run red lights on the corner of Biscayne Boulevard & Aventura Boulevard as well as Country Club Drive & Aventura Boulevard.

Your Grace Period Will Soon Be Up!

During the first 90 days the system is activated, violators will receive a warning in the mail. These two intersections are just the beginning. More South Florida intersections have been targeted for traffic cameras, so take heed.

This is a helpful reminder to all – please drive carefully in our South Florida neighborhoods!

Until my next post,