Who said 440 was the right number?

Sometimes in life it's hard to understand things.  Like what is the difference between something being a commodity and something being imaginative?  Simple, commodities are taken for granted and imaginative things become icons or classics or set trends.  Now what does all this mean?

Let's take rock n roll for example.  During the early 1950's, nobody saw the rising youth market for music as it started to swell up.  Before and during the war swing bands were the thing.  Sure there were some small offshoots here and there and there was "black music".  Then suddenly from Memphis, a swivel hipped young man showed up, then sang and danced his way into history.  Imagination made Elvis...Elvis.  Being good looking didn't hurt though.  Then what happened.  Madison Avenue and Hollywood commoditized him and we got Frankie Avalon, Bobbie Vinton, Fabian and anybody else they could throw against the wall to see if they would stick.

Then, the same thing happened with The Beatles.  Imagination morphed into The British Invasion and lastly, and ghastly, The Monkees.

So who decided that 440 was the right number?  George Carlin once said that while he wasn't looking and without being asked, someone changed toilet paper into bathroom tissue.  My question is who set 440 as the de facto standard for the number of sheets on a roll?  Who spread the word?   Why did every company do the same thing then try to redefine themselves with a cute campaign like, "Please don't squeeze the Charmin".  It is so much easier to be identified as unique by being unique.  Now Charmin even has a website called enjoy the go to try and be different yet they still sell 440 sheets on a roll.  Only Scott offers 1,000 sheets on a roll.  Yesterday, when in the grocery store, I did not find any other sizes available.  Isn't that odd?  Some companies are trying the "green routine" to sell more TP but nobody wants to change the number of sheets.

How about real estate?  I would ask the same questions?  Who decided that all landscaping is described a s lush?  Who decided that every view is spectacular?  Who decided that all open houses are Sunday, 1-4?  Once you become a commodity the only thing you have going for you is price.  Period.  This gives way to the discount agent.  And I could show you 100 examples of how taking this path leads to a smaller final check when selling.  Statistics will certainly bear this out.

When I started in real estate 8 years ago, I joined a company that sells many very large homes and was given a listing that had been in the company inventory for 2 years.  During that time, 2 very experienced agents handled it without selling before turning it over to me.  A quick analysis of the situation determined we had to do some things different and with only 1% effort I sold the house in one month for a million dollars.  The owner of the company called to say nobody sells a million dollar home as their first one.  Well, obviously experience wasn't on my side.  It was, as GE now says, Imagination at Work.

I guess I'm blessed (or cursed) with looking at things a little differently but I too would like to say Imagination at Work.  In 2010, GE sold about $ 150 billion so there's the proof.  So if you are trying to sell your home be a leader not a follower.  Sometime I'll tell you the story about another creative tool I used to sell a property when others weren't able.

Caloosa, horse country near PB Gardens

When most people think of Palm Beach Gardens, they think of golf.  And for good reason.  Palm Beach Gardens is the golf capital of the world.  And the Honda Classic will be played here in just a few days.

Palm Beach Gardens has many exquisite courses like Mirasol and Old Palm.  But just west of Mirasol on Hwy. 710 is Caloosa.  It's not really thought of as PB Gardens, but that is the closest city.

Here you will find an intimate equestrian community of larger properties.  Most of the homes in Caloosa are on 5 acres.  Caloosa faces Hwy. 710, also known as the Beeline Highway, and the back side faces Jupiter Farms.  Those that like to fly will find the North County Airport just a short drive away.

Caloosa is also surrounded by the Loxahatchee Slough which wraps from Riverbend Park down to PB Gardens and it thousands of acres of land set aside as a natural preserve.  It is open to hiking, biking and horses but not motorized vehicles.

You can also use the Beeline to access the Palm Beach International Airport which would be about 20 minutes away.  And the Florida Turnpike has an exit onto the Beeline as well.

Other communities close to Caloosa would be Ibis Golf and Country Club, Steeplechase, Ironhorse, BallenIsles and PGA National.

You can see all homes for sale in Caloosa by visiting Coastal Florida Real Estate where you will find the fastest MLS search results available.  If you need a little personal guidance I have lived here 22 years and can show you the best locations.  Contact me at coastalflrealestate@gmail.com.

Intracoastal homes view Jupiter Island

Here in Jupiter and Tequesta we are blessed with water on all sides.  Of course, the sparkling Atlantic ocean runs along the eastern side of us and makes this a true beach lovers paradise.  Tequesta, Jupiter and Juno Beach all have miles of free, clean beaches and County parks such as Carlin and Coral Cove where you can go to enjoy them.

Waterfront homes in Jupiter and Tequesta includes oceanfront mansions on Jupiter Island like Alan Jackson's home, private club homes like those in Admirals Cove and Jonathan's Landing as well as riverfront homes along the 3 forks of the Loxahatchee River.  We also have some "finger canals" off these main bodies of  water that provide ocean access and protected dockage at a more reasonable price (under $1,000,000).

However one more area that doesn't get as much exposure are the waterfront homes along the Intracoastal Waterway, technically the Indian River.  Some of the homes on Jupiter Island face this calm body of water and those close to the Jupiter Inlet have clear, blue ocean water come in twice a day on high tide.  Those that are further up the ICW don't see this change in water color.

On the mainland side near Tequesta and Hobe Sound, estate homes with tremendous views and ocean access dot the landscape.  Typically, these houses are not in gated communities so if you are looking for a guardhouse, you won't find them here.  But what you will find are views like the one below taken from the balcony of a master bedroom on a home listed for sale at close to $4,000,000.

Picture yourself having coffee out here in the morning and looking across to Jupiter Island.  There are few places anywhere in the world that are more beautiful than this.

If you are looking for a waterfront property anywhere between Tequesta and Singer Island, you can see them all at Coastal Florida Real Estate where the fastest MLS search results are available.  Every home and every picture is there in real time and no other site has any more or more current information.  If you would like some guidance when starting your search, unlike many agents I have lived here 22 years and can show you the best locations and some great opportunities.  You can reach me at 561-762-4073 or email at coastalflrealestate@gmail.com.

All eyes on sports around here

Jupiter and Palm Beach Gardens are coming alive with sports!  With the perfect spring weather we are having, there is no better place to be when it's time for outdoor activities.

On the south side of Jupiter is the planned community of Abacoa featuring many different neighborhoods all designed with the live, work, play idea in mind.  Abacoa was built around the Town Center and several important institutions.  Scripps, FAU Honors College, Wackenhut now known as G4S and the Max Planck Institute are all located here as is the Abacoa Golf Club and the Roger Dean Stadium.  The stadium is home to spring training for the Florida Marlins and the St. Louis Cardinals.  And right now every baseball fan is geared up for spring training.

Of course the thrill of seeing Albert Pujols is gone but the weather is tremendous, the field is in great shape and there are plenty of foul balls for the kids to chase.  I know this field was designed by very famous architects, but foul balls exit the field and if they don't land on an unlucky spectator can be found in front of the stands.

Over in Palm Beach Gardens, preparations are underway for the Honda Classic in a few weeks and many of the top touring pros live within a 15 mile radius.  Of course, the big news last year was the addition of areas where you could make cell phone calls.  The big news this year is that Jupiter Island resident Tiger Woods will be playing.  In the past, we was beneath him.  Now he hopes to rekindle the fire that characterized his early years and the Honda is turning into quite an event.

If you are looking for a great place to see pro sports, Palm Beach Gardens and Jupiter are the spots this time of year.

Just sold in The Bluffs

The Bluffs is a seaside community of single family homes near the ocean on the south side of Jupiter.  These large collection of homes is perched on the sand bluff ridge that runs inland from Juno Beach to Tequesta.  The increased elevation means the community is always bathed in warm, tropical breezes.

All of the homes in the different subdivisions, like The Ridge, are the same in term of floor plans and size which is about 1,900 square feet.  They all have three bedrooms and two baths and although there is a community pool, some have private pools.

All of the homes for sale in The Bluffs are within biking distance of both Juno Beach and the dog-friendly beaches of Jupiter.

This home just sold for $ 380,000 after 101 days on the market.

If you are looking for a community where there is pride in ownership and you like being close to the beach, you might want to consider homes in The Bluffs.  They were built by Divosta Homes of solid, poured concrete construction.

You can see all homes for sale in The Bluffs by visiting Coastal Florida Real Estate or if you would like some guidance before starting your home search, I have lived in Jupiter for 22 years and can show you the best locations and values.  You can also reach me at 561-762-4073 or coastalflrealestate.@gmail.com



Auction in the Bear's Club

Jack Nicklaus had eyed the choice piece of property just south of Admirals Cove for a long time as the ideal place to finally build his private club.  After building courses everywhere for others he was looking for that perfect location and close to his home.  So when he was able to acquire it he established The Bear's Club and the Ritz-Carlton chose to occupy one half of the property.

With careful attention to the existing flora and fauna, he created two courses, one for each development.  In fact, the Ritz is home to a nesting pair of bald eagles.

On the eastern side, he created a very exclusive club and still makes adjustments to the course on a continuing basis.  Homes in The Bear's Club are some of the biggest estate homes in the area.  In fact, Michael Jordan paid around $ 4 million for two lots where he is now building a house, if you can call it a house, that looks more like a resort.



Next week, an 18,000 square foot home is going to auction.  Typically auctions have the connotation of nasty bankers taking the family farm while the family weeps on the sidelines.  But auctions have long been used to move "one of a kind" items quickly.  And an 18,000 foot house qualifies as one of a kind.

Originally listed at nearly $12 million, the auction will start around $ 5 million but unlike absolute auctions where the highest price, whatever that is, takes the property there will be a reserve price that will have to be met in order to take ownership.

A couple of years back I attended the auction of two penthouses on Singer Island in The Oasis condos.  They had been listed at between $ 4-$6 million but never sold so they were auctioned and as I recall they went for around $ 2 million each.

If you are looking at homes for sale in Jupiter you can see them all using the fastest MLS search available at Coastal Florida Real Estate.  Every home and every pictures is there in real time.  No other site has more or more current information.  If you need a little guidance, I have lived here 22 years and can show you the best locations and some great opportunities.  You can reach me at 561-762-4073 or if you prefer email use coastalflrealestate@gmail.com.