Enter a unique world of Japanese gardens and art without having to travel all of the way to Japan. Nestled in Northern Boca Raton is the Morikami Museum and Japanese Garden.

Morikami has a rich history dating back to over a century. In 1904, Jo Sakai, a young graduate of New York University, returned to his homeland of Miyazu, Japan, to organize a group of pioneering farmers and return to what is now northern Boca Raton to start a garden. With the help of the Model Land Company, a subsidiary of Henry Flagler’s East Coast Railroad, they formed a farming colony they named Yamato, an ancient name for Japan. Their crops and gardens were intended to revolutionize Floridian agriculture, but after a series of events the Japanese families eventually returned home.…

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Properties with "perks" have always been a stand out in the real estate market.  Architects have masterfully designed homes with al fresco kitchens, resort style pools and cascading waterfalls, wine cellars and unparalleled home theaters.  Sometimes amenities are just unusual think hydraulic lift transports in the garage to allow double level parking – exotic cars upper level and daily driving cars lower level or hi-tech home security and monitoring panels.  The luxurious amenities available are countless.  If you dream it, they can make it happen!  

Some of the most sought after homes listed feature guest cottages and outdoor living areas containing such open-air amenities as summer kitchens with sub-zero refrigerators and state of art appliances.…

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Voting closes January 25 for CoastalLiving.com and their annual “Happiest Seaside Town in 2016”.  From Hawaii to Alabama and Florida to California, they are considered based on their rank with the Gallup-Healthways Well Being Index.

The Gallup-Healthways Well Being Index methodology is “designed to be the Dow Jones of health, giving a daily measure of people's wellbeing at the close of every day. With a daily measure, determining the correlation between the places where people work and the communities in which they live, and how it impacts their wellbeing”.  It takes into account healthiness of the beaches, percentage of sunny and clear days, standard of living and financial demographics of the areas.

The editors of CoastalLiving.com then focus…

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Beach Front at Singer Island is a luxurious condominium built on 5.7 acres of oceanfront property.  It was built by Toll Brothers in 2007 on a sprawling 5.7 acres and feature all the amenities most condominium owners desire.

Residents have the unique opportunity to view both the sparkling waters of the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean.  Amenities include 24-hour manned security, heated Oceanside pool, extensively decorated lobby, social room, theater room, fitness center, and on-site concierge.

 The 20-story building includes 51 condominiums, with only 3 residences on each floor, along with 8 separate two-story building.  The condominiums consist of two, three, and four bedrooms that range in size from 2,439 to 4,088 square feet.…

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Every year AAA reviews more than 28,000 hotels, which include resorts, bed and breakfasts and historic inns.   Of the 118 hotels that received “Five Diamond” awards, 12 are in Florida!  AAA offers this coveted highest rating to hotels that consistently provide exceptional experiences for their guests.

Three local area hotels received the AAA “Five Diamond” rating.   Eau Palm Beach & Spa, Manalapan, The Breakers, Palm Beach and the Four Seasons Resort, Palm Beach. AAA gives hotels and resorts a thorough examination each year to determine “Five Diamond” status and “Four Diamond” status.

All three hotels take in the Atlantic Ocean vistas and jaw dropping scenery. The sun drenched South Florida climate allows for year round enjoyment to any of the…

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Purchasing a home is similar to looking for life partner.  You may go on many first dates and in the end, the one that has the most, but not all the characteristics that you desire, will win you heart. The same holds true when searching for your dream home.

However, first-time homebuyers and even the most experienced homebuyers can get frustrated and disappointed with how long the process can take.  Yet they may not understand how their expectations, views, and lack of action may be causing the delay in finding the right home.

One of the biggest hazards a buyer can fall into is not working with an expert buyer’s agent. Waterfront Properties and Club Communities buyer’s agents can assist buyers readily identify the best-suited properties in the…

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This weekend in Downtown Boca Raton is the celebrated Boca Raton Fine Arts Show. The Fine Arts Show will be in town Saturday, January 23rd and Sunday, January 24th from 10am until 5pm each day.

This fine arts show has been consistently ranked among the Top 100 Art Fairs in the nation year after year. There will be over 175 juried fine art and fine craft artists offering many of their original works for purchase. The famous Boca Raton Fine Arts Show features incredible works of art ranging from; paintings, sculptures, clay, glass, fiber, wood, jewelry, photography and the list goes on. This year there will be a “Budding Artist Competition” for young artists. The competition is open to artists in grades 6th through 12th or ages 9 years old to 19 years…

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Given the fact that most homebuyers use the Internet to aid them in their search for a home, using the Internet as part of your marketing strategy is an important step toward getting your home sold. After all, the more people who are able to see your home, the more likely you are to find an interested buyer quickly.

When it comes to listing your home online, there are many websites available. The most technologically perceptive real estate agents will have websites for their own business and will list homes on directly on their sites. There are also many websites that are dedicated to helping those who are trying to sell their homes on their own. Listing a home on these sites is not free. When hiring a real estate agent, on the other hand, listing…

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Investing in real estate is a great way to grow your wealth if done responsibly, with conservative financing, and with an understanding of the tax ramifications. Real estate investing is one of the oldest, most respected and profitable ways to earn passive income from your savings. Understanding the basics is important before you purchase your first property.

Asking the questions, “Which is a better investment – real estate or stocks?” is like asking whether vanilla ice cream is better than chocolate ice cream or if a Rolls Royce is superior to a Bentley. There is not a correct answer because a lot of it comes down to your disposition, preferences, and style. It comes down to the specifics of the individual investment. Very few stocks would have…

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With an average winter daytime temperature in Palm Beach County being 74 degrees,  now more than ever the Jupiter area has been attracting professional golfers and golfing enthusiasts for its exclusive golfing communities and secluded atmosphere.  Palm Beach County is known as the “Golf Capital of the World” with more than 150 public and private golf courses.  

Saltwater and freshwater enthusiasts enjoy some of the best fishing in North America.  Polo and equestrian events are also very popular in Palm Beach County.   Polo tournaments such such as the World Cup and Winter Equestrian Festival draw large crowds and international celebrities. Other outdoor sports are enjoyed year-round here in South Florida, making it the most desireable place in the…

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