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Sunshine Guru

Robert Darrow, Broker Associate

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Fort Lauderdale Homes $600,000 to $1-million

Writing about living in Fort Lauderdale is a bit overwhelming because the area offers so much diversity in its residents, in its housing, and in its amenities.

Of course no story about Fort Lauderdale would be complete without beginning on the beach. Along highway A1A you will find the beautiful beaches stretching for miles – nearly un-ending from towns north like Pompano Beach and down to Hollywood. The only break is at the Port Everglades where cruise ships dock and an inlet affords access to the Intracoastal Waterway.

A popular Spring Break destination in the 1950’s and again in the 1980’s, Fort Lauderdale managed to minimize the “youthful exuberance” of young Spring Breakers with careful planning and development, which coincided with the rise in popularity of new destinations for the younger set in Daytona Beach plus other locations in Texas and in Mexico. Today, Spring Break is Fort Lauderdale’s busiest season but the visitors are diverse in home locale and income level which makes the season very enjoyable and laid-back.

Fort Lauderdale also owes its popularity to the Port Everglades which is deep enough to allow the largest cruise ships to dock. There are a myriad of marinas affording boat owners of every type and size every amenity they could need. The port also gives access to the Intracoastal Waterway which is a boating paradise stretching for hundreds of miles.

When folks first arrive in Fort Lauderdale, their first instinct is to search “East of I-95.” A few of the neighborhoods near down-town have housing that dates back to the 1930’s and 1940’s (like Victoria Park and Poinsettia Heights) however most single family home inventory was constructed in the 1950’s and 1960’s. Charitably described as “Ranch Living” these homes can be viewed as concrete bunkers depending on the level of decoration!

Of course along the beachfront roadways like A1A, Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard, and the famous Galt Ocean Mile, high rise condominiums are the most common.   Pockets of newer 2-story homes, townhomes, and condos can be found in all neighborhoods if something more modern is to your liking.

As you travel west, neighborhoods resemble suburban sprawl nearly identical to what you’d find in outlying regions anywhere in the US. Benefits for traveling to these areas include larger homes, gated subdivisions, neighborhoods clustered around amenities such as golf courses and pools, and easier access to major expressways. Schools are typically far better in the newer neighborhoods as well, so there can be a distinct opinion of what area folks who have kids consider “Family Friendly.”

Fort Lauderdale also sprawls around and encompasses the two towns of Wilton Manors and Oakland Park. Each can be thought of as a neighborhood within Fort Lauderdale as there’s no way to tell when you drive into one from the other, and each offers a unique neighborhood character.

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Posted in: Fort Lauderdale, Listings, Live The Dream

Fort Lauderdale Homes $250,000 to $600,000

Writing about living in Fort Lauderdale is a bit overwhelming because the area offers so much diversity in its residents, in its housing, and in its amenities.

Of course no story about Fort Lauderdale would be complete without beginning on the beach. Along highway A1A you will find the beautiful beaches stretching for miles – nearly un-ending from towns north like Pompano Beach and down to Hollywood. The only break is at the Port Everglades where cruise ships dock and an inlet affords access to the Intracoastal Waterway.

A popular Spring Break destination in the 1950’s and again in the 1980’s, Fort Lauderdale managed to minimize the “youthful exuberance” of young Spring Breakers with careful planning and development, which coincided with the rise in popularity of new destinations for the younger set in Daytona Beach plus other locations in Texas and in Mexico. Today, Spring Break is Fort Lauderdale’s busiest season but the visitors are diverse in home locale and income level which makes the season very enjoyable and laid-back.

Fort Lauderdale also owes its popularity to the Port Everglades which is deep enough to allow the largest cruise ships to dock. There are a myriad of marinas affording boat owners of every type and size every amenity they could need. The port also gives access to the Intracoastal Waterway which is a boating paradise stretching for hundreds of miles.

When folks first arrive in Fort Lauderdale, their first instinct is to search “East of I-95.” A few of the neighborhoods near down-town have housing that dates back to the 1930’s and 1940’s (like Victoria Park and Poinsettia Heights) however most single family home inventory was constructed in the 1950’s and 1960’s. Charitably described as “Ranch Living” these homes can be viewed as concrete bunkers depending on the level of decoration!

Of course along the beachfront roadways like A1A, Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard, and the famous Galt Ocean Mile, high rise condominiums are the most common.  Pockets of newer 2-story homes, townhomes, and condos can be found in all neighborhoods if something more modern is to your liking.

As you travel west, neighborhoods resemble suburban sprawl nearly identical to what you’d find in outlying regions anywhere in the US. Benefits for traveling to these areas include larger homes, gated subdivisions, neighborhoods clustered around amenities such as golf courses and pools, and easier access to major expressways. Schools are typically far better in the newer neighborhoods as well, so there can be a distinct opinion of what area folks who have kids consider “Family Friendly.”

Fort Lauderdale also sprawls around and encompasses the two towns of Wilton Manors and Oakland Park. Each can be thought of as a neighborhood within Fort Lauderdale as there’s no way to tell when you drive into one from the other, and each offers a unique neighborhood character.

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Posted in: Fort Lauderdale, Listings, Live The Dream

Fort Lauderdale Homes $100,000-$250,000

Writing about living in Fort Lauderdale is a bit overwhelming because the area offers so much diversity in its residents, in its housing, and in its amenities.

Of course no story about Fort Lauderdale would be complete without beginning on the beach. Along highway A1A you will find the beautiful beaches stretching for miles – nearly un-ending from towns north like Pompano Beach and down to Hollywood. The only break is at the Port Everglades where cruise ships dock and an inlet affords access to the Intracoastal Waterway.

A popular Spring Break destination in the 1950’s and again in the 1980’s, Fort Lauderdale managed to minimize the “youthful exuberance” of young Spring Breakers with careful planning and development, which coincided with the rise in popularity of new destinations for the younger set in Daytona Beach plus other locations in Texas and in Mexico. Today, Spring Break is Fort Lauderdale’s busiest season but the visitors are diverse in home locale and income level which makes the season very enjoyable and laid-back.

Fort Lauderdale also owes its popularity to the Port Everglades which is deep enough to allow the largest cruise ships to dock. There are a myriad of marinas affording boat owners of every type and size every amenity they could need. The port also gives access to the Intracoastal Waterway which is a boating paradise stretching for hundreds of miles.

When folks first arrive in Fort Lauderdale, their first instinct is to search “East of I-95.” A few of the neighborhoods near down-town have housing that dates back to the 1930’s and 1940’s (like Victoria Park and Poinsettia Heights) however most single family home inventory was constructed in the 1950’s and 1960’s. Charitably described as “Ranch Living” these homes can be viewed as concrete bunkers depending on the level of decoration!

Of course along the beachfront roadways like A1A, Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard, and the famous Galt Ocean Mile, high rise condominiums are the most common.   Pockets of newer 2-story homes, townhomes, and condos can be found in all neighborhoods if something more modern is to your liking.

As you travel west, neighborhoods resemble suburban sprawl nearly identical to what you’d find in outlying regions anywhere in the US. Benefits for traveling to these areas include larger homes, gated subdivisions, neighborhoods clustered around amenities such as golf courses and pools, and easier access to major expressways. Schools are typically far better in the newer neighborhoods as well, so there can be a distinct opinion of what area folks who have kids consider “Family Friendly.”

Fort Lauderdale also sprawls around and encompasses the two towns of Wilton Manors and Oakland Park. Each can be thought of as a neighborhood within Fort Lauderdale as there’s no way to tell when you drive into one from the other, and each offers a unique neighborhood character.

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Posted in: Fort Lauderdale, Listings, Live The Dream

Fort Lauderdale’s old Howard Johnsons demolished this week to make way for new Luxury condo’s

howard_johnson

This week brought the end of an era with the demolition of the former Howard Johnsons hotel that had been abandoned since Hurricane Wilma in 2007.    The old hotel was severely damaged and then with the economic downturn no developer could put together a plan and the necessary resources for any sort of development. HoJo Demo2

Breaking ground later this year will be the new Paramount Residences which is being promoted as the first true Ultra Luxury property directly on Fort Lauderdale’s beach in a decade.    The Paramount will be an 18 story building with 95 condominium homes.    Developers are hoping that the first residents will be moving in mid-year 2016.    Prices start at $1-million and go up from there.

HoJo Demo1

Posted in: Beach, Construction, Development, Fort Lauderdale, Oceanfront

Listing: 1160 N Federal Highway, unit 624

1160 Federal Hwy_624 005 (Large)

 

Sold and closed!

Two Bedrooms

Two Baths

Parking space included

List Price $235,000

Available furnished $255,000

Assessments: $574

2012 Taxes: $1,723

 

 

Amazingly well located condo just off Federal Highway and Sunrise in Fort Lauderdale.   Building is located directly on the Intra-Coastal Waterway.   6th floor unit features spacious balcony overlooking the Ft Lauderdale skyline.  Inside the decor is impeccable with tile floors in the living areas and carpeted bedrooms.   The baths and kitchen are partially renovated.  Impact windows have been installed.   This unit is available furnished for turn key vacation enjoyment for $20,000.   This location is across the street from the Gateway Theater, within walking distance of the Galleria Mall, and less than 1 mile to the beach.

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

Posted in: Condominiums, Fort Lauderdale, Old Listings

What a year in the car biz has taught me

 

After moving to South Florida from Chicago just about two years ago, I of course jumped both feet into the real estate business in Fort Lauderdale.

But whether I was uncomfortable with the local customs, or my unfamiliarity with the marketplace, or even perhaps just because entering a new marketplace was a daunting task, I got cold feet.

It was just about 13 months ago that a friend of mine recruited me into the car biz and I found myself selling for Toyota in Fort Lauderdale.

Well I’ve worked my ass off for a year, and put in a boat-load of hours on the sales floor.    But just last week I resigned and have jumped back into real estate with both feet.

I have a myriad of take-away experiences from selling cars.

First of all the work ethic is strong.    The minimum day is around ten hours, and many days stretched to 13 or more.

The work WEEK is also long – with six days as the minimum and often seven days of selling.

The car business also makes you brutally efficient on the phones.    Days with over 100 phone calls were not uncommon at all.    We worked the telephones from early to late.    If there was a hot prospect we could not reach, we would often call as many as five times a day.

(As an aside here, it’s likely I’ll be calling YOU one day soon!)

But coming back to Real Estate, and to my home at Keller Williams in Fort Lauderdale, I have found myself feeling like I’m back at home.

I’m paraphrasing from author Dave Ramsey, but I’ve found FIVE THINGS here that were either missing or lacking from my experience in the car business.

  • People Matter – Everyone has a story and I enjoy sharing mine just as much as catching up on my colleagues, and my clients.
  • An incredible team and a culture of excellence matters – You would think that working for such a respected brand as Toyota would instill the culture of excellence, and I truly believe this is what Toyota strives for.    But the message gets lost at the store level and the drive for production on a daily basis sometimes buries this message.
  • Slow and steady matters – the sales cycle in the car business was often only a few hours from beginning to end, and the opportunities to cut corners were rampant.
  • Financial principles of discipline matter – I really had not complaints here as the rewards could be great in the car business.
  • A higher calling matters – this one really resonated with me.    My personal beliefs and the Keller Williams organization really instill a value system that is more than just trying to accomplish one transaction after the next.    This seemed to be lost on my mentors in the car business as each week the pitch at the sales meeting to the sales force focused entirely on how much money would be made if we only put in the extra hours and devoted the extra effort to this next sales cycle.

All in all, I think I’ve learned a lot.     And I’ve fulfilled a fantasy.    I had always wondered how much fun it would be to sell cars for a living.     And now the dream is satisfied!   

I’m very glad to be back where I belong and am looking forward to making your dreams of a home in the Sunny South Florida a reality.

Posted in: Commentary, Fort Lauderdale, Rant

Ah–Florida Problems

Sandy

I know- I am singing “OH SANDY” from Grease every time that I hear the name and the fact of the matter is that TS Sandy has been upgraded to a hurricane.

 

What does this mean? A Tropical Storm watch was issued for South Dade. Whenever there is a watch or warning in the state of Florida insurance companies stop binding coverage. Citizens suspended new business yesterday. Other companies will most likely follow suit particularly now that Sandy has been upgraded. IF YOU HAVE A CLOSING SCHEDULED THIS WEEK – Or even by the end of the month, Please ensure that the buyers have obtained their insurance.

And the closings start to cascade….

Posted in: Fort Lauderdale, Photographs, Weather

Live the dream: Waterfront Living at Intracoastal 31

Your Guru had the pleasure of jumping in the car this afternoon with a colleague to pick up a set of keys for his listing located on the Intracoastal Waterway here in Fort Lauderdale.

This stunning condominium is the ultimate South Florida condo residence.  It’s a sprawling and spacious home with over 500 square feet of outdoor space making it ideal for entertaining!

There’s three bedrooms and two & 1/2 baths plus a second balcony off the bedrooms.  Updates include a granite kitchen, newer appliances, and a fireplace (in Florida!)  You’d love some of the other features like the private elevator to your garage, two parking spaces, dual-zone a/c and in-home laundry.  Dogs are even permitted in this building.

Check out the views – and give me a call if this is your idea of Living The Dream!

Intracoastal 31 unit 401 001

Intracoastal 31 unit 401 009

Intracoastal 31 unit 401 004

Intracoastal 31 unit 401 008

Posted in: Fort Lauderdale, Intracoastal, Live The Dream, Photographs

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Robert Darrow

Robert Darrow your Sunshine Guru

Keller Williams Realty
3696 N. Federal Highway
Ft. Lauderdale, FL, 33308
(954) 446-9001

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Single Family Homes in:

  • Fort Lauderdale $1-million & up
  • Fort Lauderdale $100,000-$250,000
  • Fort Lauderdale $250,000 to $600,000
  • Fort Lauderdale $600,000 to $1-million
  • Oakland Park
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  • Victoria Park up to $1-million
  • Weston $1.2-million & up
  • Weston $300,000-$700,000
  • Weston $700,000-$1.2-million
  • Wilton Manors

Townhomes & Condo's in:

  • Fort Lauderdale $1-million & up
  • Fort Lauderdale $100,000-$250,000
  • Fort Lauderdale $250,000-$600,000
  • Fort Lauderdale $600,000-$1-million
  • Oakland Park
  • Victoria Park over $1-million
  • Victoria Park up to $1-million
  • Weston
  • Wilton Manors
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