Original owner! This extended Capri model is a 2-bed/2-bath villa with a formal den, a large patio with a landscaped backyard, a two-car garage, a newer metal roof, and 1525/s.f. of living space. Call 772-678-1600 for info. Learn More

About The Meadows

The Meadows is a guard-gated subdivision of 832 single and multi-family homes located in the Martin Downs section of Palm City, Florida. This community by Divosta Homes comprises townhomes, attached villas, and single-family homes surrounded by shade trees, lakes, and wide sidewalks to create a park-like setting.

Get in Touch. Contact us today for all Treasure Coast area homes for sale. Then, call 772-678-1600 to learn more about Treasure Coast living.

Downsizing Your Home can be an Exciting Time.

Scaling down doesn't mean taking a step back. On the contrary, it opens a world of new possibilities. Downsizing your home can be an exciting and overwhelming time. Many feel liberated as they get rid of the possessions they no longer need, while others feel increasingly anxious. 

For those downsizing a home, they have lived in for many years—decades, even—the downsizing process can be particularly daunting. Below are four tips for easing the downsize.

4 Tips for Easing Your Downsize

1. Hold an estate sale—partner with an estate sales group to facilitate the auction or sale of belongings at the house.
2. Contact an auction house. Consider letting an auction house take over the sale of high-end valuables such as antique furniture, artwork, or collectibles.
3. Donate to a charity. Are you thinking about passing some possessions to those in need? Call the charity (for example, Salvation Army or Goodwill) to give them a list of the items to be donated.
4. Hire a paper-shredding service. Because financial, bank, and private documents can contain confidential information, Gunderson says it is vital to practice caution when removing them from the house.

Source: http://www.mysilverage.com/seniorhousingguide.

Post by Eric Slifkin, a REALTOR® serving South Florida's Treasure Coast. You can reach us at 772-678-1600 or visit our Web site. As your resource for information on new or resale homes throughout the Treasure Coast, please be sure to contact me about any home you may find on the Web, yard, sign, or ad, and I will research the property and arrange showings and handle all the details.

Become a Rental Insider

Working Your Way Through the Rental Process

There are various steps to selecting the right rental home or finding a property that meets your needs and budget. The rules can be daunting if you are new to renting or haven't rented.

Find a Rental | List a Rental

Here are some tips to help you determine what's most important to you and help you work your way through the rental process.

Assessing Your Needs

Carefully assessing your needs and knowing what to look for and avoid is the key to finding a rental home. Your Real Estate Agent can provide detailed information on target areas before your home-finding trip, helping you maximize your time and efforts. One of the essential steps in finding your new home is knowing exactly how much rent you can afford. Your rent should be no more than 30 percent of your gross monthly income (although there are exceptions to this rule).

Advance Deposits And Fees

It is also important to remember that renters are typically required to pay a security deposit (usually one month's rent) in addition to the first month's rent before move-in. Additionally, some renters must pay their last month's rent in advance, which is often the case when renting a home from a private owner. A rental application fee, which can cost between $35 to $100, is also usually required. For example, suppose there is a homeowners association. You can expect to pay an application fee ranging from $50 to $200. Pet owners will also have to contend with additional security deposits or non-refundable pet fees in the neighborhood of $250 or more for each dog or cat.

Inspecting The Property

When you have found a property that meets your needs, scrutinize it before signing a lease.

• Windows should open, lock properly, and have screens.
• Sliding glass doors should open cleanly. Screens should be operable and intact.
• Check the roof for missing or curled shingles, ceilings, and walls for watermarks and other signs of leaks.
• Check plumbing and water pressure by flushing the toilet and running the faucets.
• Ensure any included kitchen appliances work properly (range, refrigerator, dishwasher, garbage disposal, etc.)

Before Signing The Lease

Once you've decided on a property, the landlord will probably ask you to fill out a rental application. This information allows the landlord to check your credit history (usually through a credit bureau) and your relationships with former landlords. The form will request information such as:

• Previous and current employers and landlords
• Salary history
• Banking information
• Credit card information
• Social security number
• Personal (non-work related) references

The Rental Agreement or Lease

You must sign either a rental agreement or a lease before occupancy. A lease specifies the length, terms, and rent payments. Rental agreements are sometimes known as "month-to-month" arrangements. Either you or the landlord may end the contract at any time with proper notice. Similarly, the landlord can adjust the rent with reasonable notice as laws and regulations permit. A lease is usually the more favorable option, as it guarantees a fixed rent for an extended period. Nevertheless, a rental agreement offers more flexibility if you are uncertain about how long you will be renting.

A lease is a binding legal document stating that a tenant can occupy property owned by the landlord under specified conditions. Although leases vary, they usually specify the following:

• The lease must have a complete description of the rental property.
• The rent payment amount, due date, late charges, and grace period
• The amount of the security deposit and the conditions under which the landlord might retain it
• Landlord and tenant responsibilities (landscaping, repairs, etc.)
• Rules and regulations while renting the property
• Available amenities or services (trash removal, swimming pool, laundry facilities)

Clauses Requiring Your Attention

• A termination clause that describes what happens at the end of your lease
• Automatic rent escalation on a lease renewal or other circumstances
• The transfer of repair duty from the landlord to the tenant
• No smoking clauses, which are standard and strictly enforced

Eric Slifkin, Broker Associate

Are you seeking a rental home that suits your lifestyle, community, and neighborhood needs? With his team of experienced agents, Eric offers clients a turnkey approach to purchasing, renting, or selling real estate along the Treasure Coast and beyond.

Contact us today to schedule a free consultation. Whether buying or selling a home on the Treasure Coast, we are always happy to meet with you to discuss your wants and needs with no obligation.

Coming Soon! Be among the first to see this 2-bed/2.5-bath townhouse with a huge screened patio, an en-suite master, and assigned parking for two cars. Amenities include a heated community pool, tennis courts, Pickleball, and more. Investor inquiries are welcome. Learn More

Get in Touch. Contact us today for all Treasure Coast area homes for sale. Then, call 772-678-1600 to learn more about Treasure Coast living.

Check out these great luxury homes and high-end properties for sale in Stuart, Palm City, Jensen Beach, and Hobe Sound Contact me when you’re ready to start your home search.

High-End Homes for Sale Near Stuart, Florida

Contact us today to schedule a free consultation. Whether buying or selling a home on the Treasure Coast, we are always happy to meet with you to discuss your wants and needs, with no obligation.

Selling Your Home Without an Agent

Want to sell your home For Sale By Owner?

Selling your home is a huge decision. However, after researching the market and the actual process of listing and selling your home with a Realtor, you may feel compelled to do it yourself.

A For Sale By Owner (FSBO) transaction entails selling your home without enlisting the help of a licensed real estate professional.

The 3 Market Types

There are three types of overall market conditions when selling your home:

Seller's Market - This is when the inventory in a specific area is low. Correctly priced homes generally sell within 14 days to 21 days maximum. If your property has not received an offer within this period, it is priced too high. 

Balanced Market - This is when there is no real perceived advantage to buyers or sellers. Correctly priced homes should sell within 30 to 45 days.  

Buyer's Market - This is when you have lots of homes for sale in every price range and area. If you price your home just below the other similar homes on the market, a deal should result within 60-90 days. Usually, homes decline in value in this type of market. Therefore, the sooner you sell, the better it is for you.  

Revealing Research

The National Association of Realtors researched the history of homes that sold in all three types of markets, and they discovered two critical pieces of information:  

95% of all homes that closed escrow sold within 30 days after the listing price (seller's asking price) when set at the correct market price.  

Homes correctly priced sold within approximately 3-4% of the seller's asking price. 

If a property has not received an offer within 15-30  days, it is over-priced by at least 5% to 10% and possibly more. 

Time is of the Essence

Most buyer activity on a new listing occurs in the first two to three weeks of the initial marketing period. For this reason, you must have your home in the BEST CONDITION, offered at the RIGHT PRICE, From the FIRST EXPOSURE to the market. 

Ready to Sell But Unsure Where to Start?

We created a step-by-step guide on how (or whether) to FSBO. Find out more

Discover the Basque Vineyard, a Canadian Winery & Hemp Farm

Overview

Welcome to Basque Vineyard BC Inc., a Canadian corporation licensed to grow and manufacture Hemp, Cannabis, and wine products in Ashcroft, British Columbia. The Vineyard has been completely upgraded, including a new drip irrigation system. The Basque Vineyard, Inc. is currently for sale and has an in-hand Canadian license for the cultivation of Cannabis. Contact us today for more information about this rare opportunity to live and work in western Canada's beautiful Basque region.

The Property

Located 20 minutes south of Ashcroft, The Basque Vineyard BC is a stunning 12.23-acre property with an adjacent sub-divisible 31.01 acres. It is situated on a beautiful sloping hillside overlooking the majestic Thompson river.

The region's southern exposure, sunny arid climate, and gently sloping hills offer a fertile environment for grape and hemp cultivation that rivals the wine country in Spain and France.

Improvements

The well-draining sandy loam soil and south-facing windswept slopes now feature a newer irrigation system and a distribution center with a purification system for drinking and domestic consumption; these are the perfect accompaniments to establishing a successful vineyard or grow facility. The potential of this business is limitless.

The Residence

In addition to the magnificent landscape and Thompson river views is a 1,200 square foot 2-bedr/1-bath rancher with Italian ceramic tile floors, an open floor plan, laundry room, sunroom, Jacuzzi, and fireplace.

Developing Your Winery, Vineyard, or Cannabis Cultivation

The current owner has numerous studies from soil suitability to establishing a drip irrigation system and consulted with experts to determine which strains of grapes would work best with the properties conditions.

Expansion Opportunities

The ability to expand your Vineyard is possible as the adjacent 31.01-acre property is divisible into 10+ acres each. In addition, Basque Vineyard BC Inc., with a license to grow hemp (the managing company of both properties), is also up for sale if the buyer needs to acquire it for immigration purposes.

Let your imagination run and create the winery, Vineyard, and Hemp farm of your dreams!

 Download the Basque Vineyard Site Plan

Eric Slifkin, a Broker Associate, is the founder of the Slifkin Team at Keller Williams Realty. Eric and his experienced agents serve South Florida and the Treasure Coast, including  Stuart, Port Saint Lucie, and the Palm Beaches.

Find a Home Near the Beach in Stuart, Florida

The greater Stuart area offers some of the finest beaches on the East Coast. Beach access ranges from individual strips that allow for more private spots to enjoy the surf and sand to larger, guard-protected areas, such as Stuart Beach, Bathtub Beach, and Jensen Beach.

Stuart, Florida, sits on the banks of the Saint Lucie River, boasting a remarkable amount of shoreline for its size. The ocean is about 5 miles east of town, offering visitors and residents a host of recreational options, including deep-sea fishing, swimming, and kayaking. Homes Near the Beach →

There is a wide variety of communities and neighborhoods in Stuart, Florida, within minutes of Stuart area beaches and recreation. Housing options include everything from modest condos and townhomes to villas and estate homes in gated subdivisions.