Parkland Parrot

What Is The Parkland Florida Lifestyle?

In today’s market, buyers are not buying a particular home anymore.  Instead, they are buying a lifestyle for their families.  If you are currently a Parkland resident, you know that Parkland has a different identity than other neighboring cities and communities.

When we work with a new Parkland real estate buyer, we are always asked why Parkland is so popular and to describe the lifestyle.  Below, please find just some of what comes to mind when we think about the lifestyle of Parkland Florida:

• Enjoying purchasing fresh vegetables, fruits, flowers, crafts, and homemade cookies and pies at Parkland Farmers Market
• Taking a spin class and staying fit at Parkland’s YMCA
• Sit back, relax, and listen to tribute bands at Parkland Concerts In The Park
• Enjoy a laugh at Parkland’s Comedy Showcase and see local comedians
• Relax with the family at any of the seven Parkland parks
• Learn how to ride a horse and enjoy horse shows at Parkland’s Equestrian Center
• Take your kids to the Parkland Library and enjoy the many activities and special events
• Watch your children get involved in the many sporting activities at Terramar or Pine Trails Park
• Enjoy the great restaurants that Parkland has to offer such as Bella Serra, Pizza Time, and more.
• Parkland has one of the best public school districts in the State of Florida  and is also located close to excellent private schools.  Many of the Parkland public schools are within walking distance to most communities.

These are just some of the many reasons to live the Parkland lifestyle and enjoy the small-town living with great parks, schools, and fellow neighbors.  Read a past article: Top 5 Reasons To Live In Parkland Florida

We know the numbers, we analyze the market, our clients make better decisions.  If you are interested in buying or selling real estate in Parkland or South Florida and are looking for experienced local Realtors, please do not hesitate to contact the Squawk at or send us a message here.

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Related Posts:
Parkland Parrot Real Estate Team Sponsors Concerts In The Park
City of Parkland Awarded Top Honor For Kids Fitness
No Rain At Parkland Play Day At Pine Trails Park

Affordable Parkland Townhomes and Coach Homes Starting At 185,000

The Parkland Parrot Real Estate Team receives many inquires from our real estate website of potential first time home buyers asking about purchasing smaller homes, especially townhomes or villas in the City of Parkland.

When you think of this amazing city, you envision the many mansions and equestrian style homes that encompass Parkland. But, there are some smaller home communities in both west and east Parkland, where buyers, especially first-time-home buyers, can call home.  These townhomes share all of the many features and benefits that the other communities have including 7 Parkland parks, recreational activities, and an excellent school district.

To view the 6 available homes in these communities, please click: Parkland Affordable Homes

Prices for townhomes, villas, and coach homes currently range in price from $184,499 to $269,900 in the The Mews, Fairways At Heron Bay, Parkland Terraces, and Mill Run Carriage Homes.

If you are looking to schedule a private showing of this property, please contact 954-609-0591.

To stay updated with all of the current Parkland real estate home information, receive our blog posts directly to your inbox by subscribing to the squawk.

If you are interested in buying or selling a real estate property in Parkland, please give us a call at 954-609-0591 or send a note to the squawk.

Buyer Demand For Renovation Financing?

I was reading Brian Brady’s blog Mortgage Rate Report, and he was discussing the new demand for renovation financing for buyers. Brady discussed the need for creative renovation financing, as mortgage rates will rise in the coming months.  As many distressed properties are on the market and coming on the market, perspective buyers are looking for ways to purchase these distressed properties at significantly discounted prices and finance the improvements needed in their loans.

Also, going green is also become extremely popular for homeowners.  Potential home buyers are looking for tax credits and special financing in order to make their homes more energy efficient.  The IRS is currently offering a partial tax credit for energy efficiency improvements.  Brady goes on to describe the 5 loan programs where buyers are financing over the purchase price for energy efficiency and other home improvements:

• VA Energy Efficient Mortgage permits the financing of energy efficiency improvements up to $6,000.
• FHA 203-K Renovation Mortgage allows the financing of larger renovation projects.
• FHA Streamline-K Home Improvement Loan allows homebuyers to finance their renovation project up to $35,000 over the purchase price.
• Fannie Mae Energy Efficient Mortgage permits the allowance of up to 115% of the purchase price of a resale property to be financed for energy efficiency. Newly built homes are permitted up to 105% of the purchase price for energy efficiency updates. 
  
• FHA Energy Efficient Mortgage, similar to Fannie Mae’s program, allows home buyers to finance up to 105% of the purchase price for energy efficiency improvements.

These loans will become even more popular as potential buyers continue to purchase bank foreclosures and short sales.  Many times, these distressed sales need many structural and cosmetic updating along with energy efficiency upgrades.  Remember, that financing over the purchase price means that the property must appraise for that price.  It is essential to work with a mortgage broker and Realtor that specialize in the above financing.  These are not the easiest loans to put together, so do your homework and work with true experts.

To stay updated with all of the current Parkland real estate home information, receive our blog posts directly to your inbox by subscribing to the squawk.

If you are interested in buying or selling a real estate property in Parkland, please give us a call at 954-609-0591 or send a note to the squawk.

First Time Home Buyer Credit Band-Aid?

The real estate market has shown signs of life in the past year as sales have picked up, and inventory has dropped nationally.  As a real estate agent, I know that many Realtors would be out of the business if this tax credit was not implemented for 2009.

I must speak the truth as a local expert real estate agent.  I think that the $8,000 tax credit is great for first time home buyers.  But, what is going to happen when eventually Uncle Sam stops writing checks?  Did you know that according to the National Association of Realtors that 45% of all buyers this year were first time-homebuyers?

As I ponder the thought of this statistic, I remember the same National Association of Realtors announcing that at the height of the real estate market that approximately 40% of all home purchases were investment properties or secondary homes. Are we leading down the same path?  Have we not yet learned from our mistakes?

Are first time home buyers ONLY purchasing properties before the November 30th deadline, so the government can put some much needed cash in their pockets? In luxury real estate markets, like Parkland, first time home buyers are not a strong driving force for an increase in sales.  Many Parkland sellers are not seeing the dramatic increase in sales like neighboring communities.

So, the moral of the story is that Parkland is not out of the wood work just yet.  Sellers should expect that prices will continue to decline and stabilize into 2010.  Inventory has dropped, but is that because more sales are occurring or because potential home sellers are seeing the real estate reality and just taking their homes off the market? Also, there are over 70 pending single family short sales in Parkland.  What percentage of these pending Parkland short sales will actually close or go back on the market, or worse become foreclosures?

These questions should be addressed in our local and national media, but of course only the popular news is getting attention.  Instead of learning from the past, the media is continuing to highlight whatever it thinks is newsworthy for today and not looking at the bigger picture.  Unfortunately, once again, misinformed buyers and sellers are not reading between the lines!

To stay updated with all of the current Parkland real estate information, receive our blog posts directly to your inbox by subscribing to the squawk.

If you are interested in buying or selling real estate in Parkland, please give us a call at 954-609-0591 or send a note to the squawk.