You’ve got a new job offer across the country and you are planning to pack your things, buy a home and make the big move.   However, when you tell your 17 year old daughter your plans, she lets out a mournful wail and cries that it is not fair. How can you possibly take her away from all of her friends, her favorite hangout spots and the cute boy she just started seeing?   Moving is a difficult transition and it is often even more traumatic for teenagers. The teenage years are an important stage where young adults establish their individuality and independence and during this time their social circle is extremely important to them.   Being removed from that against their will can make any teen feel sad, confused, angry and resentful. Also, fitting into a new social scene in a differen... 07/09/2013

  Parkland Homes For Sale In Heron Heights Elementary School District 11010 Nob Hill Rd. Parkland  754 322-9150  Kenneth J. King, Principal  Jennifer Glancy, Assistant Principal One of Parklands newest schools with an excellent staff and programs. Parkland believes in investing in it’s children. Public Schools represent a unique and diverse population with students and faculty of many backgrounds. Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) is the sixth largest public school system in the United States, the second largest in the state of Florida and the largest fully accredited K-12 and adult school district in the nation.   Parkland Homes For Sale In The Heron Heights Elementary School District   Terri Poehler -Parkland, FL Real Estate Expert – Making it Happen for Home Buyers & Sellers Inte... 07/01/2013

  With spring just around the corner, now is a good time to begin decorating your home for the upcoming season.   Whether you enjoy chic decorations that are budget-friendly or easy changes to create a fresh look, below are five quick ideas to brighten up your home for the season.   Add a Pop of Color   Spring is a good time to add color to your décor. Switch your tablecloth in the dining room for one with lighter colors.   Cover decorative pillows with pastel pillowcases to lighten a room.   Adding decorative centerpieces to tables that contain a pop of spring colors is also a simple way to get your home ready for spring.   Find A Spring Wreath   Wreaths are usually hung during the Christmas holiday, but other seasonal wreaths are becoming a popular trend.   You can purchase a floral w... 05/30/2013

Memorial Day weekend is widely regarded as the beginning of summer and many people kick off their summer plans this weekend.   We take this time to remember the brave men and women who have given their lives to protect and defend our liberty and freedom. But even while giving thanks for their sacrifice, we also celebrate the beginning of our summer with fun and (hopefully) sun!   As many people are more budget-conscious these days, holiday travel out of town may not be the best option for everyone. There are so many ways to enjoy the first long weekend of the summer, and since it is one of the busiest travel times of the year, maybe you should just plan to stay at home this Memorial Day.   Not only do you get to skip packing suitcases and spending hours in the car, you’ll also save some... 05/23/2013

Homes For Sale in Westglades Middle School District 11000 Holmberg Rd, Coral Springs, FL 33076 Phone: (754) 322-4800 Web: www.westgladesmiddle.com District: Broward County Public Schools Westglades Middle School is a public school for grades 6 through 8 with over 1800 students. The student teacher ratio is 21.3. The school has always made A grade every year since it opened in 2004. Parkland Florida has some of the best schools in Broward County Florida. If you are raising a family and want your children to receive a good education, Parkland Florida is the right place to buy a home. Does it really matter what high school you go to? As long as you hold up your GPA, you can apply at any ivy league college, right? Well, the fact of the matter is, schools get grades too. And parents flock f... 05/18/2013

  Going green is not just a new trend; it is a way of life that benefits not only the environment, but also your health — and your pocketbook.   Green living cuts down on carbon emissions and creates a healthier environment both inside and outside of a home. While green structures sometimes cost more initially, the money (and environment) saved in the long run is well worth the investment.   Health Benefits   Owning a green Parkland home has significant health benefits. Many conventional buildings are not properly ventilated and indoor air quality is often more polluted than the air outside.   Poor air quality is bad for your health and can aggravate asthma and allergies. Certified green properties tend to have excellent airflow and ventilation. They also use toxin-free materials in bui... 05/17/2013

Standing watch over verdant, plush lawns and shaded by the fronds of palm trees, luxury real estate in Parkland, Florida balances sophistication with the warmth and comfort of Small Town, U.S.A.    Imagine coming home to your dream house, whether it be reserved, stately white-columned affair, or rustic Spanish villa with elegantly scalloped shingles, and stepping through your back door to a breathtaking view of the vibrant sunset or, perhaps, a sparkling pool framed by lush greenery. Birds sing their last songs as the sun dips below the horizon, taking with it brilliant golds and scarlet reds, but otherwise, it is quiet.    Minutes away, the Parkland Country Club beckons with its offers of golf, tennis,dining, and even children's activities. Equipped with its own spa and fitness center,... 05/15/2013

  Everyone knows that first impressions are important. By carefully staging your home, you can positively influence the feelings your potential buyers have when they are viewing your property.   Staging is the art of decorating and arranging the spaces within your house to make it more appealing to buyers. If you can adapt the rooms to create an attractive and welcoming zone that home buyers can see themselves in, they will be more likely to buy your property.   One of the most important rooms to stage is the family room, because it is such a central part of the house. This is where a lot of the social activity occurs, so it should appear comfortable and welcoming.   Here are some tips to keep in mind when staging your family room before the next showing of your home:   Clear out the cl... 05/14/2013

    When deciding to sell a piece of Parkland real estate, there are certain things you must disclose about the property to the buyer before the sale can go through.   Disclosure laws are put in place to protect the buyer from unknowingly purchasing defective property. Not disclosing certain information about the property can jeopardize the sale, or worse, invite a lawsuit.   This has become more of an issue lately as some sellers are tempted to gloss over deficiencies in the home they are selling in order to try to get a higher sales price.  In fact, a recent poll of real estate agents showed that 75% of agents ranked non-disclosure among the “top three current and future issues.”   What You May Need To Disclose   The main items that need to be disclosed are any defects with the home. ... 05/14/2013

Mortgage rates rose last week with average rates for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage rising from last week’s 3.35 percent to 3.42 percent with buyers paying all closing costs and 0.7 percent in discount points. Average rates for a 15-year fixed rate mortgage rose from 2.56 percent to 2.61 percent with buyers paying their closing costs and 0.7 percent in discount points. Freddie Mac also reports that average rates for a 5/1 adjustable rate mortgage rose from 2.56 percent last week to 2.58 percent with buyers paying their closing costs and 0.5 percent in discount points. Here are noteworthy points from last week’s economic news: Monday: In spite of improving economic conditions, a majority of participants in the Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey on Bank Lending Practices indicated that th... 05/12/2013

  RealtyTrac recently reported that national foreclosure filings are down while foreclosure filings are seeing marked increases in some states.   There are two systems for foreclosing residential real estate in the United States; judicial and non-judicial foreclosure. The states individually decide which foreclosure process will be followed in their state.   Click Here To Download An Overview Of The Foreclosure Process   Judicial foreclosure requires action by the courts because the mortgage is not written including a “power of sale clause”. Judicial foreclosure proceedings generally take longer than non-judicial processes due to this court involvement.   A log-jam of delayed judicial foreclosures are beginning to move through backlogged courts with the result of higher numbers of forec... 05/10/2013

Whether you're looking to buy a new house this month or do a little remodeling, take advantage of the opportunity to give the mom in your life a present she'll appreciate every day. Below are a few ideas for housing priorities and renovation projects that typically rate high on women's wish lists for their homes. Open Living Areas The open floor plan is usually a big plus for any mother. They want to be able to cook dinner in the kitchen while monitoring their children's schoolwork at the dining table. So look for a house that affords this visual luxury or consider the generous gift of getting dirty and knocking down some walls. Large Closets What woman doesn't need more room for her clothes, shoes and purses? If you're looking at houses, keep in mind how much closet space will work for... 05/09/2013

In almost every Parkland home, there are awkward spaces that are difficult to utilize. So before you try to cover up or fill the spaces with junk, take a look at the smart solutions below to see how you can revitalize those problematic spaces and turn them into something useful. The Space Under The Stairs While this is likely to be more of a hiding spot for dust-bunnies than teenage wizards, it is valuable space that you don't have to board up. Use it for storage! Create custom storage cabinets, or if it's near the kitchen, build in a wine refrigerator or display shelves for china. You could also build in a coat or shoe closet if the stairs are in the front entryway. The Bedroom Too Small For A Bed You might have an office that sometimes needs to be used as a bedroom or a bedroom that c... 05/07/2013

When it comes to selling your home in Parkland , you've probably thought of the most common staging tricks, such as clearing out the clutter to make your rooms look bigger and bringing in more light to brighten things up. However, have you considered that the colors in your house might affect whether buyers are interested? First impressions are everything when you are selling a house, so think about how the colors you choose will likely influence your potential buyers. A new coat of paint could be a simple and effective way to make your house more appealing. Here are a few tips: Choose Mellow, Neutral Shades When a potential buyer is looking at your house, they want to be able to imagine themselves living there. If your walls are painted in lime green or hot pink, it can be difficult fo... 05/03/2013

Housing markets continue to improve according to the S&P Case Shiller Home Price Indices released April 30 for February's data. The Indices consist of a 10-City Composite Index and a 20-City Composite Index with housing markets for each city reported based on a three-month rolling average of home prices. Case Shiller Posts Highest Growth Rates Since 2006 The data released yesterday comprised the Indices' highest growth rates since May 2006. For the 12 months between February 2012 and February 2013, the 10-City Composite Index reports that average home prices posted a gain of 8.6 percent and average home prices for the 20-City Composite Index grew by 9.3 percent on a non-seasonally adjusted basis. All 20 cities posted a year-over-year gain for at least two consecutive months. The 10-City... 05/02/2013

The latest Foreclosure Inventory Analysis showed nearly 1.5 million properties were currently in the foreclosure process or being held by banks as Real Estate Owned. This was up 9 percent from the first quarter of 2012, but down significantly from the apex of foreclosure activity -- 2.2 million units -- in December 2010. What Is a Distressed Property? "Distressed property" is a blanket term for homes in foreclosure, short sale or that are REO (Real Estate Owned). Below are definitions of different types of distressed real estate, so that you can be familiar with the terms. Foreclosure: When a homeowner has defaulted on their mortgage for a specified period of time, the bank takes possession of the real estate. Short Sale: A homeowner facing foreclosure may request a short sale from thei... 05/01/2013

Parkland Florida Homes For Sale Near Park Trails Elementary Every week I am approached about homes for sale in specific school districts. Buyers searching for only the best schools in the county for their little darlings. And for good reason. Broward County Schools work hard for their good grades and are proud to be ranked well. Park Trails Elementary is one of those schools that shines in gaining that achievement. Read more about the scores here. Homes Available In The Park Trails Elementary School District Park Trails Elementary is located at the southeast corner of Trails End and Pine Island Road in Parkland. 10700 Trails End Parkland, FL 33076 (754) 322-7800   Parkland Florida has some of the best schools in Broward County Florida. If you are raising a family and want your children... 05/01/2013

Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School is one of the leaders in Broward County High Schools and in the state of Florida. It is due to the commitment to excellence on the part of the teachers and staff. There are Advanced Placement and Honors classes for students to reach their highest potential. The schools test scores came in at Reading 73%, Writing 95% and Math 87%. Read more about the scores here. Here are available properties in Stoneman Douglas District Families seek out Homes For Sale in Stoneman Douglas High School District because of it's academic measures. As well as the music and fine arts classes and clubs, the school serves the needs of students for a well-rounded education to prepare them to succeed in their future endeavors.  Terri Poehler -Parkland, FL Real Estate Expert ... 04/28/2013

A clean, uncluttered home is very likely the single most important thing to get your home sold quickly and for top dollar. In fact, a recent survey by HomeGain showed a whopping 568% return on investment for money put toward cleaning and organizing a home for sale! And other experts say that a well-put-together home can shorten the time on market drastically as well. Before your real estate agent lists your Parkland home, it's essential for it to look its best. 7 Tips To Get Your Home In Tip Top Selling Condition Examine your living space and see it as a buyer would — then double check this list of staging tips to make sure you haven't overlooked these important details. Clear out the clutter. Tidy up counter tops, bookcases, garages and closets. Pack up your sentimental items. Personal... 04/26/2013

It's getting close to that time of year again — time to have a garage sale at your home! Here are a few tips to help you have your most successful garage sale ever. Advertise Your Sale In Local Newspapers And Online Many of the habitual Saturday morning garage sale patrons around Parkland and Coral Springs use the paper to plan their treasure hunts. They do this to make sure they hit all of the sales in certain neighborhoods. In the ad, mention your home address, date and time of your garage sale and any big or popular items you'll be selling. Open Your Sale Early It's best to open early, such as around seven in the morning as sales tend to taper off in the afternoon. Don't disappoint early shoppers who are typically your best buyers. They have a busy schedule and a lot of stops to hit.... 04/25/2013