Need more things to do in Davie? Ever wanted to skydive, but were too afraid to try it? If you feel that way, you’re in touch with this Davie REALTOR®! But, we’ve all got another shot at it while staying very close to the ground. A company called iFLY Indoor Skydiving recently opened a location here in Davie.
Indoor skydiving is made possible with the availability of 60-foot tall vertical wind tunnels. iFLY has been the leader in designing, building and operating vertical wind tunnels since 1997. In addition to the over 50 locations worldwide already in existence, the company has another 25 locations under construction.
Vertical wind tunnels are often used to train military paratroopers, and they’re now the basis of a new sport called Bodyflight. The instructors at iFLY can teach you how to fly, and they sponsor local competitions for those who truly love the sport.
For others, the company offers individual and group flight packages for first-timers that include a training session, flight gear, instruction from a certified flight guide and a flight certificate. If you’re a return flyer, the packages include everything but the training session and the flight certificate.
The activity is so safe that any healthy person from “3 to 103” years old can participate. Of course, there are some restrictions based on weight and physical condition. A parent or guardian must accompany flyers who are under 18, or supply a signed approval. You can check out the guidelines or talk to the iFLY staff for more information.
Most people love the experience, especially since iFLY has the whole process down to a science. First-time flyers attend “flight training” where instructors teach proper body position and the hand signals you will use during your flight. Once you’ve donned your helmet, suit and goggles, you go to the flight chamber where the instructor will stay with you as you soar.
During the flight, you’re actually flying. The wind comes from the bottom of the tunnel and as you enter the chamber, a smooth cushion of air lifts you up. You can float, turn, tumble, fly three feet off the ground or 40 feet in the air. It’s your choice. Take a look as Todd Tongen from Channel 10 News tries it out (sorry for the ad).
If you want your friends, family or coworkers to be blown away too, schedule an event at iFLY. They will host birthday parties or other personal celebrations, corporate and fundraising events and even bachelor or bachelorette parties.
iFLY has a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Education program that is tailored for elementary, middle school, high school and college groups. Students experience an exciting and relevant educational experience that includes presentation and lab activities followed by a flight in the vertical wind tunnel.
A place to go indoor skydiving is another reason why I love where I live – there are always more things to do in Davie. If you need assistance with a real estate transaction in the Davie area, the Teri Arbogast team consists of Davie REALTORS® who provide professional and knowledgeable assistance. Call us today at 954-242-8030 or contact us online.
Or, maybe I’ll see you over at iFLY. It looks like so much fun, I just might give it a try!
Planning to sell your home in Davie? It really doesn’t matter if you’ve lived in your home for five years or 25 years, when you look around, you probably see it – clutter.
If you’re like most people, you have clutter that needs to go before you start showing your Davie home for sale. Here are some helpful tips that you can use to remove disorderly assemblages without driving yourself crazy.
When you declutter, your goal is to remove the clutter you don’t need. When you organize, your goal is to find places to put everything that isn’t clutter. It’s a big mistake to try to do both things at once.
It’s a mistake because you’ll end up keeping things you don’t really need just because you have a place to put them. And, you’ll probably acquire more storage containers than you need because some of the clutter won’t need to be saved. Always declutter first, then organize!
Don’t try to work on an entire home at once – you’ll get distracted and overwhelmed. Focus on clearing the clutter from one room at a time.
One easy way to accomplish this is to create three sorting boxes or storage bins, labelled Keep, Let Go of It, and Storage.
As you declutter each room, sort the things you find into one of those three boxes as you review each item. The items in the Keep box need to be placed in the space in an organized fashion. For the items in the Let Go of It box, you can throw them away, recycle, donate, or have a garage sale to get rid of them. Put the items in the Storage box into a permanent storage container with a written inventory before putting the containers in your storage area.
This is a great idea, but it can be difficult to do. One decluttering expert suggests this test. Turn all your clothes hangars “backwards.” When you wear an item, return it to the closet with the hangar facing in the correct position. After a few months, take a look at all the clothes that are on hangars facing backward. The odds are you can give those clothes away.
People don’t declutter successfully for a number of reasons, most of which are emotional. To fight the urge to backslide:
Getting ready to move is always a challenge. But, think of it this way: Your home will sell much faster and for a higher price once you’ve taken the time to declutter. If you need help, there are professionals who can assist you in getting your home ready to sell.
If you’re thinking of selling, you can also turn to the local experts on Teri’s Real Estate Team. Give us a call at 954-242-8030 or contact us online. We can help you ensure that your Davie home for sale is ready to show, and make sure that your Davie real estate transaction is a successful one.
I’ve always said that Davie, Florida has something for everyone, and higher education is only one of the draws that brings home buyers to seek out Davie homes for sale. Students, both young and old, have a choice of several colleges and universities located right here in Davie.
Broward College opened its doors on September 6, 1960 as the Junior College of Broward County. There were 701 students in the first class, and the Central campus opened in August of 1963. Over the intervening years, the College has continued to grow and continued its pursuit of excellence.
Today, Broward College offers a unique set of alternatives for students of all types: students can earn an associate’s degree, a bachelor’s degree, an associate’s degree from the College, then transfer to a university, or they can complete a technical program to get on a fast track to a career. The College has a unique relationship with Florida Atlantic University, since the University’s Davie campus is located on Broward College’s Central Campus.
The College’s Dual Enrollment, Early Admission and College Academy at BC programs tie the College even closer to the community.
Broward College now serves more than 63,000 students per year, who earn certificates, and associate and baccalaureate degrees.
The Florida Atlantic University (FAU) is designed for upper division students. It serves over 30,000 students in more than 180 degree programs and serves a six-county region in southeast Florida. FAU’s Davie Campus holds almost 5,500 students as the second-largest campus in the network. It offers courses in 30 degree programs, including Arts and Letters, Business, Design, Education, Nursing and many others.
The Teaching and Leadership Center works toward expanding the number of mid-career professionals and recent graduates who teach in Broward County’s Schools. It is a collaborative effort by FAU, Broward College and the School Board of Broward County.
The Center for Environmental Studies (CES) is a research center that coordinates efforts to understand and restore the Everglades and other water ecosystems.
Nova Southeastern University (NSU) was established in 1964, and has grown to be a traditional institution that is also young, bold and forward thinking. NSU serves approximately 24,000 students, and has a 314-acre campus at the main Fort Lauderdale-Davie location. The University also has a presence throughout Florida, the U.S. and nine other countries, and has established a reputation for academic excellence and innovation.
Students at NSU can earn undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees through a number of colleges including Business, Dental Medicine, Education, Engineering and Computing, Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Optometry, Pharmacy, Psychology, and Natural Sciences and Oceanography.
NSU is known for small class sizes and state-of-the-art facilities. In addition, professors, not Teaching Assistants, teach classes and students participate in the research conducted at NSU.
The Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center located in Davie is a remote campus for the University of Florida as well as a research center. The Center conducts research to develop sustainable management approaches to solve the unique problems south Florida faces in nurturing its tropical and subtropical landscape and reducing the impact of invasive animals and plants. The Center offers undergraduate and graduate degrees.
Whether you’re looking for educational opportunities for your children or yourself, you’ll want to explore Davie homes for sale. As top Davie REALTORS®, the professionals on Teri’s Real Estate Team are here to help you find the Davie home that’s right for you and your family. Just give us a call at 954-242-8030 or contact us online.
Save
Save
When you’re buying or selling Davie real estate, keep in mind that the real estate industry is full of myths. This happens because many people don’t fully understand how buying and selling real estate works. And, why should they?
For most people, it’s not something they do on a frequent basis. On the other hand, it’s one of the largest transactions they’ll probably ever complete. Take this opportunity to learn the truth about a number of common real estate myths.
Agents are hiding something if they refuse to tell you about crime rates, ethnic demographics, schools and neighborhood reputations.
The Truth: The truth is that it is illegal for a real estate agent to discuss those types of issues with you. The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination on a number of issues. An agent who tries to direct you to or away from a particular home is said to be “steering,” and it’s illegal.
An agent can talk to you about lifestyle choices. Here are some examples of lifestyle choices: you want a neighborhood that has a community pool, you commute and need to live close to a major highway, or you want to be able to walk to shops and restaurants. Your agent can help you find homes that meet those types of criteria. Most smart agents stay away from discussing anything that even remotely might be considered steering.
You don’t need to schedule an inspection for a new construction home or one that has been recently renovated.
The Truth: If you want a new construction home, you will certainly be careful to choose a reputable builder. However, even the best company can make mistakes.
If you watch the Property Brothers on television, you already know that homeowners botch renovations on a regular basis. Just because everything looks great on the outside doesn’t mean there are no problems behind the walls.
Always schedule an inspection before you buy any type of Davie real estate. It does cost some money, but it can save you even more time, frustration and money if you find problems after the close.
When you sell, always price your home high or leave a bit of room for negotiations.
The Truth: Oddly enough, houses that are overpriced when they’re first put on the market typically end up selling for less than true market value. The problem is that an overpriced house will stay on the market a long time, and it will undergo a series of price reductions. At that point, buyers assume that there is something wrong with the house and stay away.
My house is immaculate; it doesn’t need to be staged.
The Truth: This myth is more common when people think of luxury Davie real estate. And, it’s true, a luxury home is often well-maintained and well-decorated. But, staging a house doesn’t mean that there’s something wrong with it. The objective is to let buyers imagine themselves living in the home. Therefore, anything that makes it more difficult for the buyers to do that needs to be addressed.
These types of things make it difficult for buyers to imagine themselves living in your home:
Keep in mind that once you make a decision to move, your home is no longer your home. It’s the product you’re selling. You’ll have plenty of opportunity to put your own mark on the home you’re moving into.
These are only a few of the real estate myths that you need to dispel. Do you have any questions about things you’ve always heard about buying and selling real estate? If so, let us know! As local Davie real estate experts, the Teri Arboast Team can help you get the most return from the sale of your home. And, if you’re buying Davie real estate, we have all the information you need to make a wise choice. Just give us a call at 954-242-8030 or contact us online.
Save
Save
Save
Davie real estate is attractive to home buyers and sellers for many reasons, including the location, the beauty, the amenities, the shopping, the community vibe and more. If you love everything about Davie, and you’re a golfer, you’re in luck. From outstanding public courses to upscale country club environments, there are plenty of golfing opportunities close to home.
If you’re looking for a private golf club in Davie, Grande Oaks may be for you. The club offers a Raymond Floyd-designed 18-hole Championship course, a 40-acre practice area and a newly renovated clubhouse.
If you’re a fan of the film Caddyshack, you might recognize some of the grounds since the movie was filmed here. The movie was made at a time when Grande Oaks was known as Rolling Hills Country Club, one of South Florida’s first, best and most notable golf courses.
Today the club is owned by Nova Southeastern University. The University is dedicated to preserving the charming legacy handed down from Rolling Hills, while maintaining the close-knit golfing community and uncompromising quality.
Davie Golf and Country Club is the only public course in Davie, and is in fact, owned by the Town of Davie. Many improvements were made during 2016, including re-sodding the fairways, tee boxes and the practice range. The staff is called Ambassadors of Fun, and they work hard to create entertaining and friendly experiences for all golfers. You’ll find rolling fairways and tiered greens that give players at all levels a challenge. The design eliminates the boredom of a flat landscape.
Another innovation is the Quick Golf service, which lets golfers fit a few holes into their busy schedules. Using a smartphone app, you can sign up and pay for only as many holes as you have time to play.
The Jacaranda Golf Club is a semi-private golf facility that has hosted many PGA, USGA and FSGA Championship events. Public golfers love the luxury, and you can join the community with a variety of memberships.
You’ll have the choice of two courses. The East Course is designed with evenly placed tee boxes to accommodate all levels of players, and generous fairways. The West Course is a championship layout with plenty of opportunity for exercising your mental and physical game.
The city of Plantation owns the semi-private Plantation Preserve Golf Course & Club. The Championship golf course offers challenges for beginners and seasoned pros. The facility is located where the Plantation Golf Club established its reputation, and the grounds are as beautiful as ever.
The clubhouse offers amazing views with a dining room that serves lunch daily, and an outside terrace where you can relax at the end of a round or two. With a fully-stocked pro shop, you’ll find everything you need to prepare you for adult golf lessons or junior clinics.
The Fort Lauderdale Country Club has the distinction of being the oldest private country club in Broward County, having been established in 1926. The Club offers 36 holes of Championship Golf in a park-like setting where the fairways are lined with trees and flowerbeds.
The clubhouse sponsors regular social events, and offers formal dining and casual dining both inside and outside. It’s also an excellent place to host your own event with expert catering.
The Club at Emerald Hills is a semi-private golf course and club that offers award-winning championship play. The practice facilities at the Club feature two well-maintained putting greens, chipping and pitching area and a full-length driving range. In addition, you’ll find the best brand name equipment in the Pro Shop. The clubhouse includes fitness equipment, locker rooms and an excellent place for a meal after a day of golf.
If you’re thinking about buying or selling Davie real estate, the top Davie REALTORS® on the Teri Arbogast Team can provide you with all the local real estate market information you need to make informed choices. Just give us a call at 954-242-8030 or contact us online. And, if golf isn’t your passion, we can help you find the right home for your lifestyle!
Save
Save
Everyone knows that interest rates have been creeping higher. The question is whether you need to change your home buying plans because of it. There are a variety of factors to consider when you’re looking at the Davie real estate market, as you will see below.
All of the coverage in the media about interest rate increases – whether they have increased, or might increase, or will increase – can tend to make you feel as if buying at a higher interest rate will break your budget. You need to do some math to determine what the impact of increased interest rates will be.
Here’s an example. Let’s say you’re financing $200,000. Your monthly payment for the mortgage itself would increase by approximately $60 per month for every half-point increase.
At 4.5 percent, you’d pay around $60 per month more than at 4 percent. At 5 percent, you’d be paying $60 more per month than at 4.5 percent. If a difference of $60 per month makes it impossible for you to purchase, you’re probably overextending yourself in the first place.
Also, keep in mind that interest rates don’t typically increase in half-point increments. For example, in December, mortgage interest rates went from 4.13 percent to 4.16 percent during one change. In addition, rates have stayed under 5 percent for the past 10 years. We have a long way to go before we get close to an average rate.
The possibility also exists that homes will appreciate at a slower pace than we saw last year. While we’re currently in a seller’s market, the supply of homes on the market is low, and rising interest rates will scare some buyers out of the market.
Buying in a seller’s market has a strategy all its own. It isn’t necessarily more difficult to buy, but you need to use the right strategy. In a seller’s market, sellers can be more particular about the buyers they deal with. Sellers want buyers who can prove their ability to close a deal. Sellers can also be less likely to negotiate on price because buyers are plentiful.
If you’re buying in a seller’s market, make yourself a prime catch for any seller.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a first-time Davie real estate buyer or looking to buy a Davie luxury home, you’ll get the best outcome if you work with a top Davie REALTOR®. The agents on Teri’s real estate team are local real estate experts and can help you navigate the ins and outs of the Davie real estate market. Call us at 954-242-8030 or contact us online.
It’s true that Davie real estate offers homes that range from lovely to breathtaking. The schools are top-rated and the natural beauty is second to none. Taking advantage of the Florida sunshine is easy with miles of walking and horse trails. But that’s not all. Davie also offers something a dedicated shopper will stay up nights dreaming about: Sawgrass Mills Outlet Mall.
Sawgrass Mills is so large that it is divided into three sections: Fashion Avenue, The Oasis and the Colonnade. It truly has something for everyone. It’s a shopper’s dream, whether you’re looking for upscale clothing stores or great deals on electronics. However, make sure to wear your most comfortable shoes. The mall covers over 2 million square feet.
Fashion Avenue boasts over 350 stores in an enclosed, air-conditioned and climate controlled facility. Stores range from Forever 21 to Nine West to the Vera Bradley Outlet. You’ll also find anchor stores, including Brandsmart USA, Target, Burlington, Marshall’s, Neiman Marcus Last Call and Dick’s Sporting Goods.
he Oasis – Streetscape ShoppingThe Oasis is an outdoor shopping area at Sawgrass Mills that has undergone a recent renovation. The updated design gives you the feeling of strolling down the streets of a small town. There are gathering spaces, places to sit and people watch and a valet drop-off area.
Stores in the Oasis include Nordstrom Rack, Old Navy Outlet, Rockport Outlet and many more. If you’re looking for dinner and a movie, you could stop into the California Pizza Kitchen or the Cheesecake Factory, and then it’s just a short walk to the Sawgrass 23 Stadium and IMAX Theater.
Right beside the main enclosed portion of mall, you’ll find the open-air promenade known as the Colonnade Outlets at Sawgrass Mills. With more than 60 shops, you’ll be surrounded by virtually any brand you can name. These are just a few of the shops you can explore: Burberry, Tory Burch, Jjimmy Choo, Saint Laurent, Michael Kors, Marc Jacobs, Kate Space, Brunello Cucinelli, Mont Blanc, Versace and Roberto Cavalli.
Getting to the Colonnade is even easier with the addition of a parking deck. Valet parking will let you save your energy for finding that perfect pair of shoes or a suit or gown, or all three! When it’s time to refresh and refuel, stop by the Grand Lux Café, Paul Maison de Qualite or one of the other delightful dining options the Colonnade has in store.
For more information about Sawgrass, review the Sawgrass Mills Mall map or search for your favorite store. And, if you’re looking for an amazing deal, stay up-to-date with the list of “deals and steals.”
Shopping is just one more thing that makes Davie real estate so popular. Whether you’re looking at Davie FL homes for sale, or you’re planning to sell your Davie home, make sure you work with a top Davie REALTOR®. Contact us at 954-242-8030 or online.
Top Davie REALTORS
® will tell you that selling luxury homes is a bit different than selling mid-range homes. The homes are larger, the prices are higher and the number of potential buyers is smaller. Make sure your luxury home sells in the shortest possible time at the right market value price using the tips below.
Selling a luxury home takes time, so plan on being patient. Not only are there fewer buyers in the luxury range, but the buyers are often more particular. When a Davie homebuyer is making the kind of investment required to buy a luxury home, they are more likely to wait until they find the perfect one.
Luxury homes are all about lifestyle; it’s not a matter of whether there are one or two bathrooms. Luxury homebuyers are looking for the location and amenities that fit their lifestyle. Therefore, start your marketing by thinking about the type of buyer who would love your home.
Certainly, your perfect buyer needs to have the financial resources to purchase your home. After that, however, what’s different about your home that would attract a specific type of buyer?
Do you have a large theater room that would attract someone who loves movies or who has children that do? Are you in an outlying neighborhood where you can walk to fine restaurants and shopping? Perhaps your home will attract those who want to live in a walkable neighborhood without being in an urban setting.
Once you’ve identified the type of buyer you’re looking for, your marketing campaign can focus on highlighting the features of your home that will be most in demand and set you apart from your competition.
You may think that your home is perfect, but the odds are you still need to do some things to make your home show at its best. You want buyers to walk through your home and imagine themselves living there. If you have wallpaper that you love, but might be considered too colorful for many people’s taste, replace it with neutral paint. If you have photos of five generations of your family in a collage in the family room, replace them with family-neutral wall decorations.
Sometimes, it’s difficult for homeowners to make the kind of changes that will bring them top dollar. Just keep remembering that you won’t be living in the home. It doesn’t matter if it looks a bit too sterile for your taste.
Luxury home marketing is usually very targeted. Mass marketing tools such as open houses may not be the approach you want to take for a number of reasons.
Before you jump into holding open houses, decide what your objective is and determine how effective the open house will be at helping you meet it.
As with all homes, setting the right sales price when your home first hits the market is crucial. Some people think you should set your price high at the beginning because they don’t want to leave any money on the table, and because they know they can always reduce the price over time.
The truth is that homes that are overpriced at the beginning usually sell below market value. Obtain a home valuation from a respected Davie REALTOR®. Armed with that information, you can set your sales price at a fair market value and realize a higher profit on the sale.
Marketing a luxury home requires attention to detail. For example, hire a professional to take the photographs of the home, and have videos produced professionally.
Internet marketing is an important part of selling real estate. In addition to listing your home on the MLS, it should be visible on social media sites and websites that specialize in showing homes for sale.
Networking is another critical part of a marketing plan, especially for a luxury home. Since there is a smaller pool of potential homebuyers, the odds are that Davie REALTORS® know people who are looking in the luxury range, or they know other REALTORS® who do. Don’t underestimate the Davie area’s “hidden real estate market.”
Selling a luxury home in Davie can be a very rewarding experience, especially when you have a top Davie REALTOR® working with you. Choose a REALTOR® who knows the luxury market, someone who is good at setting a fair market price the first time. It’s also helpful if the agent is well known and has a large network they can access to promote your home.
If you’re thinking of selling in Davie or any of the surrounding areas, consider the experts on Teri’s Real Estate Team for personal, professional and effective assistance. Contact us at 954-242-8030 or online.
The end of February has been an important time in Davie for 80 years. The Orange Blossom Festival is often consider the star of the festivals that are held each year in South Florida. This year’s celebration will build on that reputation.
The Festival is a celebration of the rich heritage of Davie and Broward County. Florida’s governor, Napoleon Broward, convinced the legislature to drain some of the Everglades in the early 1900s. Settlers flocked to the area to take advantage of the fertile soil, and established homesteads where they grew vegetables, raised cattle and planted orange groves.
There aren’t as many orange groves today as there were when the land was first settled, but the celebration continues. In fact, the festival has come a long way. In 1937, local farmers set up a picnic area with fruit stands, and invited all their neighbors to join them in honoring a bountiful harvest. A rodeo was added to the festival in the 1940s in recognition of the growth in cattle ranches.
Davie continues to honor its historic roots by organizing a weekend of free fun that attracts kids of all ages from far and near. Mark your calendars for the last weekend in February, starting on Friday, the 24th.
The Golf Classic is held in honor of James B. Pirtle, Sr. who founded the Pirtle Construction Company. He was committed to giving back to his community and supported a variety of local charities. He and his company also built approximately 100 schools in Broward County.
The Golf Classic kicks-off the Festival on Friday, February 24, 2017. Players of all skill levels and handicaps are invited to participate to compete for prizes and trophies in a 4-player scramble format.
The Old Davie School Historical Museum on Griffin Road will host a classic rock concert starting at 6 p.m. on Friday, February 24th. Bring a chair or blanket to enjoy an evening that offers music, arts and crafts, a petting zoo and more.
The Festival will be located on Orange Drive, and the portion of the road devoted to the Festival will be closed off for the two days. There’s a long list of attractions, some of which include over 250 displays, concerts, a Native American display, “Cowboy Town,” and a place with games and activities for the kids.
The arts and crafts show and fine art show are always great places to find unique gifts for birthdays or even Christmas, if you can plan that far ahead! The Davie Pro Rodeo has won numerous awards and it’s an opportunity to see rodeo professionals at work. The rodeos are scheduled on Saturday and Sunday, and there is an entrance fee.
Local residents and groups are invited to participate in the parade in a number of categories. Awards will be presented at the end of the parade for floats, performances, marching (musical and non-musical), animal and more. If you want to do your own judging, be sure to arrive at the parade route before the 10 a.m. start time!
For additional information on Festival activities, visit the Davie, Florida website.
Davie, Florida is a wonderful place to live and raise a family. Whether you’re just starting to look at Davie homes for sale, or you’re planning to sell your Davie home to move up or scale down, make sure you work with a top Davie REALTOR®. Contact us at 954-242-8030 or online.
As the year draws to close, it’s a good time to take a look at where Davie real estate is heading for 2017. There are some good indicators for the coming year.
According to the Sun Sentinel, there was good news in many south Florida counties, Broward County being one of them:
Growth is always good for the real estate market. In the Broward County real estate market, growth can be seen in new construction neighborhoods like Raintree in Pembroke Pines and Sterling Ranch in Davie.
In addition, Florida’s Office of Economic & Demographic Research is projecting steady population growth for Broward County through the year 2024.
Davie, Florida is a great place to live, and a growing local economy will continue to make Davie real estate a good investment!
Take a short drive to Tradewinds Park in Coconut Creek to enjoy the Holiday Fantasy of Lights. The three-mile drive is open every night until January 1, 2017. It’s good to see the tradition continue this year, as families revel in the spectacular lighting event that includes a wonderland of animated displays and illuminated landscapes.
Please fill out the form below and we will be contacting you shortly
with information about your home.
