Waterfront Properties | Real Estate Blog - Community Features

THE AMERICAN DREAM OF HOMEOWNERSHIP – THE GREEN LAWN

To some, a lawn is the crowning glory of their property. Yet to others it is a tremendous hit on their checkbook. How do you feel?

When I grew up, Saturday entailed us mowing and weeding.  Not quite my American dream, or that of my brothers as young teens, but we had a lush green lawn and it was every suburbanites dream.

Today, I still love the look of an impeccable lawn.  I enjoy the smell of fresh cut grass and the feel of it under my bare feet.  Not always so happy with the cost to maintain it, the noise to mow it, the weed eaters, the mowers, aerators, chemicals and fertilizers, etc.  All of this to keep the turf looking great. Nevertheless, we love the look!

Studies show that well maintained landscaping can add 15% to the value of a home.  The studies…

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Abacoa Golf Pro Named President of South Florida PGA Section

Warren Bottke is the PGA Master Professional at Abacoa Golf Club in Jupiter and now he is also the president of the South Florida PGA.

Bottke, who has been a member of the PGA since 1994, has been recognized over the years for his ability to use golf buzzwords favored by the PGA of America through lessons and clinics he conducts for golfers of all skill levels. In 2005, he received the national Horton Smith Award for his dedication to developing and improving education opportunities for PGA professionals.

The Abacoa golf pro is also one of several club professionals who serve as an adjunct faculty member for the PGA’s Professional Golf Management program at several universities throughout the country. He can now add South Florida PGA president to…

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Local Coach Helps Send Girls to College

In a five year period, basketball coach Mike Larkin and his Hoops City program has sent countless high school seniors to college on basketball scholorships. Larkin has coached and trained players in the United States, Europe, and the Bahamas, so it's no wonder the Jupiter resident has players from all over Palm Beach County coming to play for him.

Since he started his Hoops City program five years ago, the Jupiter resident has coached local girls ranging from fifth to 12th grade. This year, five more of his players recieved scholorships to play college basketball. Kiandra Bowers, Ayanna Holmes, Samantha Goldis, Elizabeth Bolchoz, and Lauren Janka all signed letters of intent to play college basketball at schools throughout the country.

Larkin was a…

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FLORIDA WILL BE THE 41st STATE TO BAN TEXTING & DRIVING

Texting while driving is viewed by most people to be dangerous and in 40 states, it is illegal.  Florida will be the 41st state to ban texting and driving.  Governor Rick Scott is set to ban the act.  In a statement, the Governor said that texting while driving concerns him as a father and grandfather.  He also said state officials must do everything they can do to keep the roads safe, particularly during the 100 days summer between Memorial Day and Labor Day.  Those days are the deadliest days for teenagers on the road.

Florida’s Governor signed the ban Tuesday afternoon on texting while driving. The restriction takes effect October 1 and is a secondary offense.  A secondary offense means offenders can only be ticketed if stopped for another violation.  A…

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Memorial To Feature Star Studded Field

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Jack Nicklaus is largely responsible for South Florida becoming a golf mecca. The North Palm Beach resident was the first major golfer to call the area home and set up roots. He built the Bears Club in his back yard and attracted some of the best golfers in the history of the sport to come join him. While Nicklaus has become synonymous with South Florida, he still keeps his connection with Ohio strong.

Before moving to Florida in the winter of 1970, Nicklaus spent his early years in Ohio. Born in the town of Upper Arlington, he attended Ohio State. Ohio has always held a special place in his heart and in 1974 he opened Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin. Then in 1976, he started his own tournament at the club, the…

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MEMORIAL DAY 2013

This Memorial Day please take a moment to commemorate all the men and women who have died while in military service for the United States of America.

This noble holiday started as an event to honor Union and Confederate soldiers who had died during the Civil War. After World War I, it was extended to include all men and women, who had died in any war or military action.  It was originally known as “Decoration Day” and fell on May 30, regardless of the day of the week on which it fell.  In 1968, a bill, known as the Uniform Holidays Bill passed, and Memorial Day became officially observed on the last Monday in May as a national holiday.

Memorial Day is not to be confused with Veteran’s Day.  Memorial Day is a day of remembering those who died while serving in…

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PROPOSED BILL…CANADIANS TWO EXTRA MONTHS IN U.S.

Canadian snowbirds may soon be able to spend two extra months nesting in their favorite spot, the sunshine state!  Each year Canadian snowbirds find their way to sunny south Florida. Currently, Canadians, aged 55 and older have a 182 day annual limit to stay in the U.S. without a visa. Winding its way through Congress is a provision that would extend that limit to 240 days – about eight months total.

Canadians represent a major boost to the economy in the U.S., particularly southern states such as Florida.  Florida recently dropped the requirement of an international drivers permit after strong objections from the Canadian Lobby.  Canadians are flocking to the sugary sand beaches of the Jupiter and Tequesta areas.   The surrounding areas are well known for…

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Ernie Els To Open Charter School in Jupiter

Ernie Els and his wife Liezl have been big proponents of autism research for several years. Since their son Ben was diagnosed with autism in 2008, Els has been doing all he can for autism research with his Els for Autism foundation.

The Jupiter resident got a major boost on Thursday, the same day he teed it up at the BMW PGA Championship in England. Palm Beach County commissioners unanimously approved plans for the Els Center for Excellence to be built on 25 acres of land in the Limestone Creek area in Jupiter.

The Els Center for Excellence will cater to about 300 students and is expected to become the "epicenter" for autism research. The $30 million charter school will include four buildings, a swimming pool, a small golfing area, and a running…

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NOTHING BETTER THAN A DAY AT THE BEACH…ENSURE A SAFE SUMMER WITH THESE SAFETY TIPS

There is nothing better than a day at the beach!  Fresh air, sun and the surf.  The ocean is powerful and unpredictable, and without proper safety precautions and lifeguards, our local Jupiter, Juno, and Singer Island area beaches can be uncertain. With summer and beach season approaching it is important to refresh the basic safety tips to ensure a safe and enjoyable day at the beach.

Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation use a colored flag system to identify beach warnings.  Green Flag: Low hazard. Conditions are calm; normal care and caution should be exercised. Yellow Flag: Medium hazard. Moderate surf currents present. (i.e.: rip current,dropofff,rocks) Red Flag: High hazard. Very hazardous rough surf and/or strong currents; swimming for experienced…

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MARTIN COUNTY SCHOOLS RANKED TOP IN NATION !

Did you know that there are over 21,000 public high schools in America? All three traditional high schools in Martin County ranked among “Newsweek Magazine’s America’s Best High Schools of 2013” list.   These high schools have proven to be the most effective in preparing high school graduates for college with quality education, teachers, administrators, and staff.  Congratulations to Jensen Beach High School (#969) in Jensen Beach, and  Martin County High School (#1,273), and South Fork High School (#1,322) in Stuart!

Martin County is a school district where it is not uncommon to take your child out of private school or charter school and enroll them into the local public high school.  Some advantages to the Martin County public high school system: …

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