Archive for June, 2009
La Rural Argentinian Market and Steak House in Weston Florida
June 28th, 2009 categories: Eating Out, Living in Weston
One of the beauties of Weston and that we have the opportunity to travel around the world without leaving town. 
The market offers a variety of Argentinian goodies and meat cuts. At La Rural we can find the best steak for our Grill or if we don’t feel like cooking let them do it for you and stay in the Restaurant. The tables are in the Terrace overlooking a little lake in an extraordinary ambiance.The food is very good and the prices unbeatable. If you go don’t miss as appetizer the grilled provolone cheese with herbs along with a cup of red wine.
The owner is always there helping you find exactly what you are looking for and making sure the service is excellent.
On Friday and Saturday live music by Paul Stewart in the guitar allows you to enjoy a variety of melodies taking you to far away places.
Location: 2346 Weston Rd, Weston, FL – (954) 389-5009
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CineBistro at Dolphin Mall-Miami, Fl
June 26th, 2009 categories: Entertainment
Fun and Affordable Night Out
Enjoy a newly released movie while having dinner and drinks. Is this the only one in South Florida?…I haven’t heard of any other. The “high back leather rocking chairs” are very comfortable, the theaters are small and very well designed. On-line reservations available!
It is located in the second floor of Dolphin Mall next to Strike the bowling alley. Complimentary Valet Parking with ticket purchase. Tickets are $ 12.50 weekdays, $ 14.50 on weekends and $10.00 for showings before 4:00 PM. I haven’t heard much about it but it is probably because we are in Broward but the drive from Weston is less than 30 minutes.
To be able to order food you need to arrive 30 minutes before the movie starts. Except for certain movies like Ice Age 3 that opens this July no one under 21 years old is allowed.
If you haven’t been at cinebistro don’t wait any longer!
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Forget About Quick Closings? When Will the Closing Take Place?
June 23rd, 2009 categories: General RE Info, Mortgage, Tips For Buyers, Tips for Sellers
The New Government Regulations May Impact Closing Dates, for a transaction to close in less than 30 days we need “the perfect world being in motion and the starts lighting our way”.
What is HVCC?
Effective May 1st, 2009 the Home Valuation Code of Conduct (HVCC) was created to reinforce appraiser’s independence, protect lenders from unethical practices and to improve the overall integrity of the valuation process.
As a way to protect consumers it makes sense because it shields appraisers from being influenced by lenders; but from a practical point of view is curb-some and more expensive to borrowers because it forces them to lock in the mortgage rate. In the past the principle of independence was violated too often and it was one of the reasons the prices could keep increasing at an unrealistic pace but the impact in closings dates and disputes is yet to be determined.
How it Impacts the Closing Timeline?
-The earliest a transaction can take place is 7 business days after the borrower is issued his mortgage disclosures from the lender.
-Upfront fees can not be collected by the lender until disclosures are received by all the borrowers. Starting July 30, 2009 the fees can be collected only when the application is taken in person and the home-buyers receive the initial disclosures
-The Lender does not order the appraisal directly; it can cause a delay in the process and the appraiser might not be the most qualified for an specific area.
-The borrower must receive a copy of the appraisal at least 3 days prior to closing date; the buyer has the option to waive this requirement.
-Any increase of more than 1/8th percent in the APR from the initial Truth in Lending Disclosure must be disclosed to the borrower and it must be received at least 3 days prior to closing. This requirement implies that the rate should be locked or it may change during the course of the transaction creating potential delays in the closing date.
As good as it is to protect consumer, as a real Estate Agent I find the process complicated and an additional potential source of conflict between the Buyer and the Seller. There are enough things that can go wrong in the course of a real estate transaction and each an everyone of them can delay closing dates.
Why Closing Dates are so Important?
Because there is a lot of stress involved in moving! The truck is already loaded, I have to leave my place by certain date, I have no place to go, delaying the closing will cost me X amount of dollars per day… you name it! If you have been there you will understand it better. Let’s say the closing is scheduled on June 30th.; the Buyer received the commitment letter on June 15th, there mortgage rate increases 1/4% by June 29th and the Buyer didn’t lock in his rate. What happens? New Disclosures must be sent to the Buyer and the closing can’t take place until August the 2nd. With such a short notice can you imagine how Buyer’s and Seller’s life is disrupted.
I always say to my clients: the closing date is a target date…be prepared for last minute changes and have your plan B ready. We all work very hard to close on time but many things can happen at the last minute. Having expectations set up upfront eases the frustration but does not avoid it. It easier said than done!
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Free Wi-Fi in Weston at the Regional Park
June 20th, 2009 categories: Living in Weston, Parks
On May 22 nd. 2009 the City of Weston activated Wi-Fi providing park visitors free Internet access.
Weston Regional Park comprises 102 acres it is the home of the Weston Community Center, the Sheinberg YMCA and the following Sports Facilities:
Around the park you will find 5 concession stands with restrooms, Picnic Shelters with tables and grills, an exercise trail and water fountains. The park has 1,300 parking spaces.
The Community Center organizes activities for all ages thoughout the year and Room rentals are available on Saturdays. For additional information call 954-389-4321
The YMCA offers a full gym, pool, indoors Basketball courts, plenty of exercise classes and what I find very unique… unlimited Spinning classes (something that must be paid separately in most clubs)
Shelter rentals/reservations are available for the Weston Regional Park by calling the Weston Community Center at 954-389-4321.
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How West Broward Real Estate Markets Compare?
June 18th, 2009 categories: General RE Info, Tips For Buyers, Tips for Sellers
West Broward Real Estate Market Comparison
The Real Estate Market in West Broward is definitely leaning towards being a balanced market. The long term trend is still uncertain. The summer is the most active time of the year for these neighborhoods but the performance year-to date sets a very positive trend. Compared to many other neighborhoods West Broward is doing very well.
Interestingly in Pembroke Pines West Months of Inventory based on the last 30 days Closed sales shows signs of being a Buyer’s Market. I know it sounds an overstatement but the numbers don’t lie. The percentage of Short sales Listings in all the area is still very high running from 34% to 50%. In most areas, except Weston, Short Sales represent more than 50% of the active inventory. Challenging as Short Sales are, whoever is looking to buy specially in the Lower prices will have to seriously consider going through the pains of a Short Sale Process.
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Cypress Bay High School Enrollment Cap will be Removed on July 1st. 2009
June 18th, 2009 categories: Living in Weston, Schools
Good News for Weston Residents!
New students can enroll in Cypress Bay and CBHS among the Newsweek’s Top 1,500 High Schools in USA
Located at 18600 Vista Park Boulevard in Weston, Fl 33332. (Southeast area of Weston) Cypress Bay has been an “A” School since it’s opening; even though during 2007-2008 was the most populous High School in USA with an enrollment of more than 5,500 students. At that time the school board decided to cap the enrollment but fortunately it was finally lifted.
Weston’s students living within Cypress Bay boundaries that were required to enroll in Western High School are not do not need to switch to Cypress Bay. For more information on the uncapping click here.
Actual Enrollment:
Total Enrollment Count: 3,750 as of 6/17/09
Girls: 1,835
Boys: 1,945
45% White Non Hispanic
45% Hispanic
10% Other
One on the most amazing facts about Cypress Bay is how well the school is run by it’s Principal Charles Neely and his team. Little we hear about major problems… Two years ago Mr. Neely received one of the most amazing demonstrations of support from his students who didn’t want to loose their principal. Having a happy crowd of thousands of teenagers is not an easy job … Mr. Neely has done it and keeps doing it!
School Hours: 7:30 AM - 2:40 PM
Phone: 754-323-0550
To Report:
Absences 754-232-0352
Tardies 754-323-0387
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New Law Allows Partial Payment of Property Taxes in Florida
June 16th, 2009 categories: General RE Info, Tips For Buyers
Good News for Florida Homeowners
The Florida Senate passed a bill authorizing tax collectors to receive partial tax payments under certain circumstances. At his/her discretion, each tax assessor has the right to determine the qualifiers. Until now that option didn’t exists, state law prevented property owners to give a partial payment to property tax collectors unless they have agreed to a payment plan ahead of time. If there is a portion of the taxes still owed by May 1st that balance will be treated as delinquent taxes.
The law in not retroactive for 2008 property tax bills and will be in effect on July 1st, 2009 for this year’s property tax payment.
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Weston Real Estate Market Trends May 2009
June 8th, 2009 categories: General RE Info, Market Update, Tips For Buyers, Tips for Sellers
Is Weston’s Real Estate in a Balanced Market?
In the month of May 2009, 59 single family homes sold in Weston, Fl. By the beginning of June there were 492 active SFH listings in Weston. That means we had 8.3 months of inventory based on Closed Sales. On April we had 8.6 months of inventory based on Closed Sales. Granted we are in the “Hot Season”, not only for the temperatures, and the begining of the Summer are the months of more sales activity in the city. As a refence of how much the market has improved last year in April we had 12.5 and in May we had 11.9 months of inventory based on Closed Sales. A balanced or healthy market is one where we have 6 to 9 months of Inventory based on Closed Sales.
In the Month of May the breakdown by price was a follows:
Under $ 199,999.00 : 4 Homes
Between $ 200,000.00 and $ 399,999.00 : 32 Homes
Between $ 400,000.00 and $ 599,999.00 : 18 Homes
Between $ 600,000.00 and $ 999,999.00 : 3 Homes
Over $ 1,000,000.00 : 2 Homes
Weston,Fl May 2009 Sales SFH
Where are the Bargains?
Of the 59 sales in May 2009 in Weston,Fl 11 were Short Sales and 5 Foreclosures. The Myth that only Short-Sales and Foreclosures are selling seems to have no basis. Two of the Bank Owned Properties sold above the Asking Price (not much though) and the other 3 very close to the asking price. Four of the 11 Short Slaes also sold slightly over the asking price. in the regular sales the list to price ratio was 94% (not including the sales over 1,000.000.00 since they would throw out the averages).
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Affordable Summer Camp at $75.00 a Week
June 5th, 2009 categories: Community Information, Entertainment, Living in Weston, Services
Keep your Children entertained during the Summer!
With Pembroke Pines, Miramar, Cooper City, Davie, Margate and Ft Lauderdale Locations.
Sunshine has been serving Broward County since 1992 as a family operated non-for-profit child care programs. All the programs are licensed and insured and under the policies and directives of the Division of Children and Family and the Broward County School Board.
Sunshine is a family operated not-for-profit child care provider that has been providing superior school-age child care programs in Broward County since 1992. All of our programs are licensed and insured, and operate under the policies and directives of the Division of Children & Family Services and the Broward County School Board. Their after school care programs have earned the “Gold Seal” Award from the Child Care Licensing Department.
Ages: 5 – 13 years old
Times: 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Information: (954) 236-8850
7900 Peters Rd Bldg B, Suite 200 Plantation Fl. 33324
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Stay Green… Environmental Friendly Hotels Around Weston Fl.
June 4th, 2009 categories: Services
Green Lodging Designation Program
When attending a Miramar Chamber of Commerce Networking event at the Hampton Inn Hotel in Pembroke Pines, the General Manger Christian Riofrio mentioned that the Hotel earned the Green Lodging Program Designation. Curious, as I am, I researched what other Hotels were part of the program to fin out that as of June 1st there are 498 “Green Hotels” in the State of Florida and new applications are received every day.
There are five hotels in the Southwest Broward Area with the designation:
-Hyatt Regency Bonaventure in Weston
250 Racket Club Rd Weston,Fl 33326
(954) 616-1234
-Weston Courtyard
2000 N Commerce Pkwy Weston,FL 33326
(954) 343-2225
-Hampton Inn Pembroke Pines
1900 NW 150 Av Pembroke Pines,Fl 33328
(954) 441-4242
Special Discount for Miramar Chamber of Commerce Members
-Miramar Courtyard
14500 Hotel Rd Miramar,Fl 33027
(954) 450-1801
-Miramar Residence Inn
14700 Hotel Rd Miramar,Fl 33027
(954) 450-2717
Lodge Green!!!
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