Andy Weiser Fort Lauderdale Realtor Blog

Fort Lauderdale Offers Support for Cypress Creek Development

Over the years the Cypress Creek Road area has been more or less a popular location for major commercial activity. Many companies have set up shop in the area only to leave within a relatively short time. Now, the city’s Planning and Zoning Board has offered its support behind changing code for the area that will help foster growth. According to proponents, these changes would open the door to an “Uptown Urban Village” that would cover over 350 acres.

The concept has been in the works for 5 years via a public-private partnership named Envision Uptown. This leverages transportation options including the Executive Airport, Cypress Creek Tri-Rail Station and I-95.

Currently there are numerous companies in the area such as Hotwire, Microsoft, and Citrix which employ thousands of people. With these businesses comes the challenge of nearly 70,000 cars filling up the corridor every business day. Part of the plan’s success for the area is going to be reliant on creating a progressive village where one can live, work and play with ease of commuting on foot, bike or public transit.

The city board has amended its land-use plan for the area that streamlines the process for change. Dana Pollitt, secretary of the executive board of Envision Uptown states “If one of the land owners owns an office building and they want to develop the parking lot into some type of mixed-use, they won’t have to go through the rigorous process that they typically would.”

The amendment will allow for the building of 2,500 more residences in the area. President of Envision Uptown, Cary Goldberg, states “there are projects in the hopper right now” that are positioned to take advantage of the new approach. One is a restaurant and hotel project on the northeast corner of Andrews Ave and Cypress Creek. It would be a Twin Peaks restaurant with outdoor seating along with a Fairfield Inn with a 230 space parking garage.

Although the new amendments will still need City Commission and Broward County approval, planners are seeking to agree on compromises with developers so that proposed projects at least will approach the look and designs that are within the scope of the revised plan.

The city has been working with inbound businesses already. Starbucks has recently opened in the area and Wawa’s plan for their location has been approved with some changes.

Home Improvement Projects for Going Green this Spring

It is not uncommon for homeowners to think that improving the environmental friendliness of their home is out of financial reach. However, the reality is that there are many things that you can do that save you money over time. Here are some things that you can do at various budgets.

Light bulbs – LED light bulbs have gone down in price in recent years. Although they are still more expensive, the energy cost savings over time can make these a smart investment. Also, the greenhouse emissions that are lowered make them an environmentally responsible option. Consider converting your home’s bulbs over even if by one bulb at a time.

HVAC Ducts – Cooling energy can be lost due to loose seals in your home’s duct work. Sealing the ducts can be pretty inexpensive and an easy thing to do on your own that can save you a lot of money annually in energy bills.

Replacing fixtures – Water heating is usually the 2nd largest energy expense so updating your fixtures can help you save. A low flow or energy savings option for a showerhead will save you on both heating the water and on your monthly water bill. Consider low flow faucets and toilets to increase efficiency and your savings.

Landscaping –  Seek alternate materials other than large grass areas that require less watering and are drought resistant or hold in moisture. In the end this will help reduce your water consumption and costs. Rock gardens can be great for lower care yet still provide drainage. Succulents are also great plantings that don’t require much watering.

Window replacement – It can be a costly improvement up front, but a very beneficial upgrade is to replace your windows with energy efficient models. Some estimates have indicated that double-paned windows can reduce energy costs by 15%. More efficient Low E coated windows can even pay for themselves in savings in just a few years.

Solar panels – Many will see a great return on adding solar panels to their home, but check with a local professional in the area to assess your home and if it may make sense for the investment. There can sometimes be options to even power some of your home’s systems like a water heater or pool heater with solar panels.

There are several options for all different budgets. Begin today with green improvements and feel good about the environment while you work towards saving money.

7 Bathroom Renovation Ideas

Our homes are our sanctuaries and we often want to make them as nice as possible. Making each room both functional and aesthetically pleasing increases our enjoyment and also can help prepare your home for a higher resale value should you choose to sell. Here are 7 great ideas to give your bathroom an update.

The sink – Is your sink old, cracked or just plain boring? Consider upgrading it to a modern looking basin or even replacing your vanity for a sleek unit or wall mounted option. This can add a nice look and also make the bathroom appear larger.

Paint until you are blue – Blue is said to lower one’s heart rate so it makes for a great bedroom or bathroom color. Pick a shade that goes well with your existing decor and you can give your bathroom a new look at a very reasonable cost.

The showerhead – A shower can be a great and relaxing experience, especially if you have the right ambiance. The right showerhead can help you achieve this. Many different finishes are available to match your scheme, but look to find a showerhead that can either spray in patterns or even provides a rain like effect.

Natural light – For more significant bathroom remodels, take advantage of being able to let some natural light in with some larger windows if possible. Allowing for natural light can add to an overall spa-like experience and connect you with the outdoors.

Wood floors – Wood floors can be added in whole, part or in design. While true natural wood can be more upkeep, there are other options these days that provide a similar look. Select laminates or even ceramic tiles have a wood-like appearance which can warm up your room. If flooring is not in your budget, consider even a large wood slat bath mat to add to the decor.

Open up the shower – For larger bathrooms, opening up your shower can be a great option. Ditch the curtain and provide an open and airy feel. Be sure to consider a splash area so that you don’t soak the whole bathroom. A glass partition and the right showerhead can help control this.

Wainscoting – Adding wainscoting on the lower half of your bathroom walls can be a nice blend of form and function. This can be created with either a traditional wood material or with tile for a more durable and practical substance.

Two Fort Lauderdale Developments hit Milestones

More and more housing developments are afoot in our beloved city of Fort Lauderdale. Coveted locations such as down by the beach or the bustling downtown area are in high demand as the city affords much in the way of a lifestyle that caters to live, work and play. With few empty parcels left available, some developments are being erected in prime locations as they replace older and obsolete structures. Here is a closer look at a couple of the current developments making strides.

Las Olas Walk
This development named, Las Olas Walk, is an apartment development offered by Zom Living that is now breaking ground for some 456 apartments downtown. Ideally located near SE First Street and SE Second Court, this prime location will offer all the best of downtown living.

Twin, eight-story buildings will be located near Las Olas Boulevard, the proposed Wave Streetcar stop and Brightline’s new Fort Lauderdale station. The design will also include a deck and floating dock that will sit above the canal where residents can kayak or paddle board. What is even better is on top of the courtyard by the canal, the development will also boast outdoor space with a 20,000 square foot roof deck with sweeping views of downtown, the New River and gorgeous beaches. First units are slated to be available in early 2020.

Paramount Fort Lauderdale Beach
For anyone who is looking to buy in the near future, it is not too late to grab one of the few remaining units at Paramount Fort Lauderdale Beach. This development is now open with 92 out of the 95 units having been sold. Paramount is one of the first true luxury condo projects to be built ground-up on the beach in roughly 10 years. Remaining units include a 3rd floor condo as well as two rooftop penthouses. Penthouses span over two stories with a terrace, plunge pool and summer kitchen listed at $9.9 million.

All condos within were designed to feel spacious with thoughtful layouts including walk-in closets and oversized master suites. All units benefit from amenities including a poolside cabanas, club room, gym and guest suites for visitors.

Contact me today for more information on these developments or any of your real estate needs.

4 Tips on buying a home this year

Navigating the purchase of a home has historically involved many things as it is one of the largest purchases that one will typically make. This year some things have changed so even if you have bought a property before, you may need to double check a few things. Here are some tips if you are looking to purchase real estate this year.

Check if new tax codes affect you
With the new year came a new tax code. Even though the buzz has stirred up some concern by buyers, the reality is it won’t affect nearly as many as we had thought. For example, this year homeowners can deduct mortgage interest on home loans up to $750,000. That is down from $1million from before. Before you get discouraged, consider all of the facts first.

Prepare for competition
Prices have been rising, but inventory has not been increasing. The landscape for buyers is one that is most certainly competitive. However, in some areas and in some price points things are a bit more normal in terms of level of activity. For those in a high demand market, there are some things you can consider to give yourself an edge.

For example, some buyers are doing things like offering cash when possible while others are including personal notes about themselves with offers to make them more emotionally appealing. Additionally, questioning sellers about their goals are can be another option. Should having a flexible closing date be of interest to them, that can be a way to be the perfect buyer in their eyes.

Consider a fixer-upper
There is usually a strong demand and more competition for the homes that are renovated and move-in ready. Consider making this your advantage and look to buy a fixer upper or a home that is in need of some key renovations. Just be smart about these options and make sure you purchase the home a good enough price that the cost of renovations doesn’t exceed the current market value when the work is completed. Bringing your contractor to view the home in consideration is a wise idea so that you can make the best offer.

Don’t fall for staging
Staging homes has become more and more popular recently. Whether it is adding in some core pieces of furniture, hanging wall art, storing clutter or removing personal items, it all can make a home appear more accommodating or even larger. In a recent survey by NAR, nearly one third of buyers were more willing to overlook property faults in a staged home.

While a staged home can help you visualize yourself living in it better, don’t forget the basics. For example, beautifully hung wall art may make a room look really nice, but don’t forget to check for wall cracks that may need some attention.

7 Tips For Designing a Chef’s Kitchen

The kitchen is the core of a home in many ways. When entertaining, we all know that most often everyone congregates in the kitchen. When investing money into your home for a renovation, remodeling the kitchen is one of the top rooms to focus on as so much value comes from it. So even if you aren’t necessarily cooking regular gourmet meals yourself, consider these tips for creating the perfect kitchen that will help pay off when it comes time to sell.

The Triangle – When you plan out your kitchen, consider the work triangle of the cooking area, sink and fridge as the three points. Not every kitchen has or can have this layout, but it is a good concept to keep in mind when you consider the flow.

Two Sinks – Having a double sink function can really come in handy. Wash dishes in one sink and let them dry in the other. Or let pots and pans dry while you use the other for food prep.

Durable work surfaces – When you want to maximize your space and efficiency, picking counters that are durable will expand your space to work. Counters like quartz or solid surfaces are great for durability and their anti-staining properties.

Built-in Appliances – Free up space and have a clean look by having integrated appliances. Dishwashers, coffee machine and microwaves will free up counter space and make your kitchen look more streamlined, tidy and inviting.

Lighting – Having good lighting in your kitchen has many benefits. It is better for your eyes, it allows you to see better for meal prep and it can put you in a better mood. Of course try to take advantage of as much natural light as possible, but also choose light fixtures that offer ambient light, task lighting and accent lighting.

Storage – Having storage that is easily accessible can really make a difference when preparing larger meals. Some storage options exist that hold all of your kitchen basics in an armoire like cabinet that is both neat and aesthetically pleasing.

Wine storage – Along with good food comes good wine. Consider making additional bottle storage part of your design. Some wine coolers come with LED lighting to keep your best wine in optimal condition.