There’s a reason that buying a home is one of the most important elements comprising the “American Dream” (even for people who live in other countries). For many people, this exciting event is a hallmark of having “arrived,” of reaching a major one of life’s cornerstone.
There’s nothing wrong with wanting to find the best house or condo for the best price, with the best possible mortgage rates. Since this is likely to be one of the single biggest purchases of your life, it’s important to arm yourself with as much information and know just what to look for, what to avoid, and how to find the most competitive mortgage.
Buying a home is an experience that everyone who wants to have really should be able to enjoy. See if these suggestions help.
Reasons to Buy
Savings: The money you were paying in rent is now building equity in your property. Owning a home allows you to deduct the interest from your mortgage, which can lower your tax bill when April 15 rolls around.
Wealth Accumulation: When your home appreciates in value, you have equity. This equity translates to profit when you sell your home (it’s the difference between what you originally paid and your selling price). In many markets, the value of real estate appreciates by as much as 4 percent each year, and often a lot more.
The ABCs of 123s
Although most homebuyers start by shopping for a home first, the truth is that the first thing you should get in line is your financing: In other words, how are you going to pay for your dream to become reality?
Although using a “canned” mortgage calculator—entering your monthly income and bills into a work sheet while ruminating about your general price range—can provide you with a basic understanding of what you may be looking out as you begin your search, these things don’t provide an in depth look at all the mortgage options that are available to you.
Getting pre-approval means you’re approved for a specific loan amount. At the end of the process, you are pre-approved for a home costing up to that purchase price. Pre-approval is win-win for the prospective homebuyer, because you know how much you can borrow, the real estate agent who knows precisely what price range homes for you to consider, and even more importantly, the seller who, if he has more than one offer, is likely to look with favor upon your preapproved offer versus one from a party who has not been preapproved.
]]>Make Quick and Easy Improvements
Here are recommendations that will help you sell your property, and will make great talking points for you with your Realtor. An experienced and qualified listing Realtor will welcome these topics and provide you thoughtful feedback.
Cleaning: Hiring a professional to clean before and while you’re selling may be your single best investment. If your property was immaculate, people will already have told you.
Depersonalizing: Buyers should not be able to tell your political or sexual orientations. Remove clutter, most personal photos (no matter how good you looked), and anything sexual.
Lighting: Mood lighting does not sell; we are not dating the buyers. Turn on the lights, and buy more lights if it is dark. For most people, the dark can be depressing, and darkness makes buyers worry about what they cannot see.
Staging: This can be done at many levels. Professional staging is excellent but can be expensive. Some simple things like making use of the color red (in candles, pillows, and other objects) or rearranging furniture to make better use of space can help a lot.
Landscaping: Curb appeal is critical. Look at the front of your home, and ask for a landscape recommendation if you are not good at it yourself. Your home’s lawn should be inviting and healthy.
Electrical and Plumbing: In disrepair, these two can be deal killers. If you know these will come up in the inspection, repair them before selling. Even if you decide not to sell, they will remain good investments.
Often Overlooked Techniques for Selling
These are not as obvious, but if you want an edge in selling your property (and have already taken care of cleaning, basic touch ups, and are ready to go), here are some ideas your Realtor can use to sell your property:
Survey: Buyers often like to see the property lines, especially if there is not a pool and they want to add one, or make additions. So, they will usually appreciate a survey, and if yours is a waterfront property this visual and the setback look great on paper.
Floor-plan: This can be a huge asset, since Realtors sometimes use questions about arranging furniture to assess how motivated buyers may be. Because room dimensions are rare, providing them will make you stand out.
Termite and Appliance Warranties: Buyers from colder temperature locations are usually very uneasy with the concept of bugs which thrive here because it does not freeze. Having your property treated and under warranty is a great way to stay ahead of a problem. Similarly, appliance warranties are helpful and surprisingly inexpensive. Purchasing one before selling is a great technique to keep the focus away from appliances. On the other hand, offering one with the sale can imply there are existing known problems, so don’t do this unless requested or unless there are problems.
Product Manuals and Service Providers: User manuals and an organized list of service providers will demonstrate your pride of ownership, and will let buyers’ minds be less worried about potential post-sale problems.
Return on Investment (ROI) Various Home Improvements to Sell
There’s always a possibility that each home improvement will increase focus on other weaknesses, causing the dreaded snowball effect of renovations. Sometimes sellers are inclined to make improvements that are more important to them than to the buyers, and fail to account for the long-term return on their investment (ROI) for these so-called improvements.
One good way to consider these improvements is to quantify the expected ROI from making improvements before selling. If you are considering making an improvement that you will enjoy and use for a period of time before selling, then you should take into account this enjoyment value, something which is completely subjective but still very important. If it lends to your quality of life while you own the property and increases the value for selling, then it could be a fantastic investment.
Every geographic area has different considerations. For instance, a fireplace addition in Florida would not appear to make sense but in Maine it could be a great investment. A swimming pool in Florida may be great for combined enjoyment and resale but is not recommended for resale value only.
Here’s a helpful chart that provides range estimates for how much you might expect in ROI when you sell. It is not a precise science, but it can be useful before you spend money on a property you are about to sell (unless you will also be enjoying the improvement before the time comes to sell):
Florida Improvement Considered Estimated Range/Return on Investment
Neutral Paint, Interior or Exterior: 150 to 300 percent
New Flooring (to replace carpet): 75 to 300 percent
Kitchen Renovation: 50 to 200 percent
Bathroom Renovation: 50 to 200 percent
Landscape Improvement: 50 to 200 percent
New Impact Windows/Doors 50 to 100 percent
New Roof 60 to 150 percent
Swimming Pool 25 to 60 percent
Garage Addition/Conversion: 35 to 50 percent
Central Air Conditioning: 75 to 100 percent
These recommendations are only for sellers who want to maximize price and involve themselves in the process of improvement. The current condition of the considered renovation (for instance, the bathroom, kitchen, or roof) should weigh heavily in your decision of whether or not it should be undertaken. If something isn’t in conspicuous or bad condition, don’t eat into your profits unnecessarily.
Rick Gibson is a Realtor and Team Leader with Re/Max Preferred. A Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) and Investment Agent Specialist (CIAS), he is Principal of Gibson Group Property Management, LLC., an appointee to Fort Lauderdale’s City CRA Advisory Board and a Board Member on the 13th Street Alliance. He has been inducted in the Re/Max Hall of Fame and has received the distinguished Coldwell Banker’s President’s Circle Award.
]]>The Tax Man Cometh
The first third of each year—the dreaded “tax time”—occupies the minds of nearly every adult American. If you didn’t already know that the deadline for filing your income taxes is April 15, the barrage of TV commercials offering “fast refund” services and other gimmicks to get your tax info in their hands should serve as both reminder and early warning.
The tax code is the same for everyone. Reputable tax professionals do not compete based on the amount of refund of a tax return; instead, they will help you get the maximum return allowed by law.
Don’t be fooled by tricks that are often foisted upon unsuspecting taxpayers. You can’t get your return any faster than the IRS refund cycle. Any place that offers to get your money faster is offering you a LOAN. These are highly-priced predatory products, the practice of which the IRS is trying hard to discourage. You waited all year for your refund, an extra 10-to-15 days longer is an acceptable time to wait—especially when weighed against the excessive fees associated with a loan.
When you are selecting a tax professional, it’s important to find one with the experience necessary to perform your return, and give you meaningful advice.
Expert, Advisor
Your accountant should perform for you as a trusted financial advisor, keeping a look out for potential risk and problems before they hit critical mass, and who can provide all the necessary information for you to navigate through your unique challenges and make smart, informed choices for your business.
No matter the size of your business (or personal and family situation, too), your accountant should function as your personal CFO, helping you to expand your businesses, and to save money.
A potential accountant should have knowledge about your particular industry. Does your business have an inventory, or is your service an information-based one? An accountant with experience in your field will help manage your finances in a way that fits your unique requirements.
The tax code is very complex, and there are many gray areas of law that require human assistance to determine which ones apply to you. Web-based tax programs and software can only calculate a tax return based on the information you provide it. A good tax professional will be able to look at a tax return and know if it was done correctly, ensuring that all your deductions and credits are included.
Your tax preparer should know every line of the return—and be able to explain it without computer aids. If they are not capable of doing a tax return with pencil and paper, they shouldn’t be preparing yours.
Do-It-Yourself-At-Your-Own-Risk
Commercially-bought tax software programs for business and individual filers are quite comprehensive, and can be a great asset in helping to prepare a tax return. The important thing to remember is that there is not a program out there that can take the place of education and experience.
I have been using numerous programs for years, but even so it is still very easy to enter the answer to a question wrong, input inaccurate data, or forget a deduction screen, with the results being that the return prepared by the program is based on faulty information.
There is nothing wrong with someone wanting to file their own taxes. If you file on your own, keep in mind a few things:
Jeff Sterling is the owner of Sterling Accounting LLC (2435 N Dixie Hwy, Wilton Manors), providing tax preparation, accounting, bookkeeping and assistance with IRS issues to individuals and small businesses, along with a high level of experience at affordable prices. To schedule an appointment, call (954) 667-9829.
]]>By CHRIS MANCINI
You may be familiar with something called an injunction against domestic violence, available to same-sex couples or any “family or household members.” But what do you do when you’ve dated someone and now he or she won’t leave you alone?
Erotomaniacs, Love Obsessionals, and Simple Obsessionals all share the delusion that you’re in love with them, and if you would only acknowledge that, you could both live happily ever after. When they engage in a campaign of unwelcome writing, cyber-stalking, telephoning, sending gifts, or other patterns of harassment without a legitimate purpose, an injunction against dating violence can help.
The name “dating violence injunction” is somewhat of a misnomer since it doesn’t require actual acts of violence to be issued, only a continuing pattern of harassment. Nor do dating violence injunctions require co-habitation, as is the case with domestic violence injunctions. Dating violence injunctions are granted so long as there was “a continuing and significant relationship of a romantic or intimate nature.”
Unfortunately, neither dating violence nor domestic violence injunctions are issued for only psychological abuse, nor are they granted for casual relationships involving people who only know each other in a business or social context. In those instances, there are other laws that may apply.
In deciding whether to grant an injunction for dating violence, a court considers if the dating relationship existed during the past six months, if it had the expectation of affection or sexual involvement, and the frequency and type of interaction between the parties. In addition to a pattern of harassment, a single act of assault, battery, or certain other crimes are grounds for the issuance of a dating or domestic violence injunction.
The court is also allowed to consider the respondent’s criminal history and the destruction of personal property (including the killing or injuring of a pet). To “prove up” your case for an injunction, it’s important to obtain photographs and witnesses to any incidents that have occurred.
Once a temporary injunction is issued, the respondent must then be served with a copy and a notice of hearing, to determine if a permanent injunction will be issued.
You cannot dissolve an injunction simply by deciding to get back together. You must ask the court to dissolve it or it remains in effect, and violations can be punished harshly. Among other restrictions, all injunctions prohibit intentionally coming within 100 feet of the petitioner’s vehicle, whether or not it is occupied.
Unlike a dating violence injunction, a domestic violence injunction can grant the petitioner the exclusive possession and use of the parties’ residence and personal property, including vehicles. Petitions for either injunction can be filed where you reside, where the respondent resides, or where the violence occurred. Even a tourist can seek either type of injunction, and injunctions issued in other states can be locally enforced. The clerk of the court will provide instructions, and no bond is required. Your address can be withheld and costs may be awarded to you. If you leave the state, there’s a nationwide injunction database for law enforcement use.
Finally, your consent as the victim is not required to prosecute violators and, in my experience, state attorneys and judges have adopted an aggressive “pro-prosecution” attitude toward such cases. For example, anyone arrested for violations of injunctions must be held without bond at least until his or her first appearance before a judge. If you decide to get back together with the violator, it will still require the prosecutor’s and the court’s belief that you’re acting freely and not being coerced or in any danger in order to have the criminal charges dropped.
It’s an arduous process, but well worth it to protect us from our own romantic mistakes. And who hasn’t had at least one of those?
Chris Mancini is a criminal defense attorney and former federal prosecutor with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, with extensive trial and litigating experience. He can be contacted at his office (330 SW 2nd St, Fort Lauderdale, Suite 214), or by phone at (954) 522-2744.
]]>Choosing the right pair of new glasses is more art than science, because even if you know what your face looks like when you are sporting eyewear, it can still be a challenge to know which frames fit perfectly on you and the look you want to pull off.
For more than 10 years at Chic Optique, we’ve made it our business to style you with the perfect eyewear, to make sure you look hot, see great, and feel good. You’ll find the largest selection of eyewear and sunglasses, a full-service lab on premises, and a friendly, knowledgeable staff (including three licensed opticians) who treat you like family and see to it that you can see.
With eyewear to fit every face and every budget (starting at two pairs for $99), even if you can never seem to find just the “right” pair, stop by and put our expertise and experience to work for you.
Let our staff custom fit you, utilizing the latest technology in the most advanced digital lenses. By unifying form and function, the customized lens experience is maximized to deliver outstanding vision by offering the wearer:
Reflection Free (no-glare) lenses provide the most complete UV protection available for everyday eyeglasses. Stops glare from office lighting, computer screens, and also helps with night driving. It cosmetically makes the eyewear look better also.
Living in South Florida, we try to educate out patients about the year ’round UVA and UVB rays from our sub-tropical sun. Polariod lenses are by far the best choice for sunglasses, whether prescription or non-prescription. These lenses are a filtering system that stops the glare and helps you see better.
Many of our fashion frames are available in more than one color, so multiple pairs are a great option for different occasions.
There’s no need to settle; we have the best selection from designer names like Prada, Ray Ban, Dolce & Gabbana, Serengeti, Ralph Lauren, and many others, and the largest selection of Polaroid sunglasses you’ve ever seen. Chic Optique has thousands of frames in stock, with a one-year warranty on all eyewear. Come in or call to schedule an appointment for an eye exam or contact lens fitting by our Independent Doctor of Optometry.
Get styled, look great, see great: You’ll freak at Chic!
Karen Carroll and Julie Slater are the owners of Chic Optique (2228 Wilton Dr., Wilton Manors), offering friendly, knowledgeable service and the largest selection of eyewear and sunglasses in town. Call for an appointment today at (954) 567-3837.
]]>When I was asked to put together an editorial piece for the Agenda “HOW-TO Issue,” my first thought, being a local full time Realtor, was to write about something related to real estate. Realizing how predictable this would be, and also the fact that “How-To” stories about buying and selling properties have been written and read into exhaustion, I decided instead to take a look at where I am today, and the reasons for how and why I came to be here.
I moved to Wilton Manors in 2003 and became a full time professional Realtor. I challenged myself to be the type of Realtor with whom I would want to do business: one who works hard, is ethical and trustworthy, and truly concerns himself with his client’s needs and their wants and requirements.
When I first got my license, my mentor told me that a real estate career is built on referrals: Do a good job for someone—really go that extra mile—and you may find that they refer their family, friends, and associates to you. On the other hand, do a bad job and they will not only never refer anyone to you, but they are also likely tell as many people as possible about the poor job you did on their behalf. Good tip.
With this knowledge in mind, I set off on what has been a wonderful professional, and yes personal, journey that has not only helped shape my career, but my life as well.
I decided that I would work to develop a referral mindset, but with a twist. Rather than always pushing for people to give me referrals, I felt my life would be better enhanced by referring business to others. Don’t get me wrong, getting a referral from someone is wonderful. It is both an honor and the means by which I have built my business and my circle of friends. But there is nothing that’s quite like the feeling of knowing that you have given a referral to someone else and helped to enhance a person’s life and business. Honestly, it’s a terribly selfish act for me when I refer, because at the end of the day, it makes me feel good.
The name of my real estate team is The Dale Russell Network. I specifically chose the word “Network” because of my desire to create just that, a network of referral partners who are, quite frankly, second to none. (How’s that for me adding ‘pride’ to being ‘selfish’?)
I make referrals only to people and companies that I know firsthand will help my clients maneuver through the purchasing or selling process as smoothly as possible, or to friends who are in need of something specific. Whether it’s a pool cleaner (Eric Fisher of Fisher Pools), home and condo cleaning (John Carrick), landscapers (several resources), or several highly respected real estate attorneys who have assisted me professionally (and personally, as when my partner Jan passed away), I feel honored to refer to them and to call them my friends.
I have found that being a resource for others and having a great referral network has enhanced both my business and my life. By the act of referring I have gained new clients, increased business I otherwise would not have had (and met wonderful new clients in the process), and most importantly, gained some of the greatest friends a person can have.
A “pair” of referral partners in particular have been invaluable to me as business associates and, much more importantly, as friends: the team of Doug Tinklepaugh and Jim Rickert of Pinnacle Constructors, and Donn Rubin of Alterra Home Loans. I don’t believe you can find a better General Contractor than Pinnacle, and Donn does more than provide loans: he educates clients about financing, mortgages, and their options.
To be honest, there are just too many people and friends to name in this finite space, but I can say without reservation that I am a blessed individual who has been touched, befriended, and made a better person by those who are around me. I can also offer with pride the names of any of the talented and principled people in my network to you, should you require their assistance with improving your own life and those around you.
Refer a friend or a business associate tomorrow and see how much your life improves. More importantly, it will make you feel just plain good.
Dale Russell is the owner of The Dale Russell Network (TDRN) real estate team. A past President of the Pride Center at Equality Park, he can be reached at (954) 608-6909, or via email at dale@tdrnetwork.com.
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By PETER JACKSON
Men tend to bulge around the midsection as they age. Why it is so important to lose belly fat?
Excessive belly fat is as deadly as smoking a pack of cigarettes a day, according to the findings of a 14-year study by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Excessive visceral fat crowds organs, raises inflammatory factors and increases risk for disease, especially diabetes. The state of Florida, despite our great weather year-round, was recently ranked 34th in the nation for our health and fitness level. That’s just not good enough.
Why can’t I just lose body fat by dieting?
A program of proper nutrition, productive exercise, and positive motivation is the only valid technique to achieve long-term weight management. Without exercise supported by nutrition, you will lose muscle, not fat. Conventional diets have a 98 percent failure rate. They don’t work because they are faulty by design. They are based on weight-loss instead of fat-loss. You restrict yourself to a very low calorie diet or liquid diet and think you are reaching your goal because you are losing weight. The truth is, because the diet is not designed to lose fat, you are mainly losing muscle weight. Consequently, upon resuming normal eating habits, you gain the weight back! You can’t starve fat off your body.
What is the Push Fitness BodyBlast 2.0® program?
Bodyblast is a 12-week fitness program. It requires a commitment to attend two, three, or four weekly private training sessions, lasting either 30 or 45 minutes each. A fitness evaluation and your body fat and weight will be recorded using metabolic testing equipment (to give us baseline data for you). Your trainer will customize an exercise program which will comprise cardio and strength training, together with nutrition recommendations.
You will also receive the BodyBlast 2.0 workbook to track your progress and find nutrition tips, grocery shopping , and a comprehensive food calorie guide. As the 12-week fitness program progresses, your nutrition and exercise regimen will be closely monitored. We will hold you accountable to it—this is how radical and rapid results are produced! If you encounter obstacles, we will show you how to overcome them. Transformation is guaranteed with this high level of accountability and precise, personalized fitness and nutrition programming.
For whom exactly is the BodyBlast 2.0® program designed?
BodyBlast 2.0® is for men and women aged 18-65 who have at least 10 pounds of excess weight to lose and who want significant, measurable fitness results in just 12 weeks. If you want your best body, best performance and best health, this is the scientific system for achieving it.
Can I train with my partner or a friend?
Absolutely! We offer couples’ sessions to enable partners, friends, and co-workers to get fit together and share the cost of the training.
What kind of results can I expect in 12 weeks?
This will be based on your specific goals. We will spend a considerable amount of time in your first meeting determining exactly how aggressive you want to be, and we will create your program accordingly. With your commitment and our coaching, instruction, and accountability, you can expect substantial, dramatic, transformational results.
How can you make such a bold claim about the benefits of your Bodyblast 2.0® program?
Because we know the power of synergy—supportive nutrition combined with cardiovascular and resistance exercise. When these three elements are properly integrated (as we do for you), and there is real accountability (from the Push Fitness team) and social support (from your trainer, friends, and family)—watch out: Results come fast and furious.
How do I qualify for the BodyBlast® program?
As long as you are not at medical risk and are determined to make a positive change in your life, there is no reason you should not be accepted. At this time we are accepting 20 new clients for the program.
How much does the program cost?
The package cost depends on the number of weekly sessions (two, three, or four) and the length of each session (30 or 45 minutes). Session rates are as low as $30—far below the average cost of a personal training session at a chain gym. You can pay for your sessions in monthly installments or buy all your sessions upfront to benefit from the lowest rates.
Where do the sessions take place?
At Push Fitness, a private, upscale 4,000 sq. ft. personal training gym in Oakland Park, located just south of Commercial Boulevard, off North Dixie Highway. Visit our web site at pushfitnessftl.com.
How do I sign up?
If you are ready to make the most powerful change in your life to date and get your best body and best health now, call me, Peter Jackson, to set up your free, no obligation consultation.
Peter Jackson is the owner of Push Fitness (1098 Floranada Rd., Oakland Park), Greater Fort Lauderdale’s premier private personal training gym, and Club One CrossFit, the ultimate group fitness experience. To set up an appointment for your personal BodyBlast® initial consultation, call (954) 530-4304.
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There are many causes for tooth discoloration, including drinking coffee, tea, many popular soft drinks, and red wine, as well as using nicotine products, like cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and even smokeless tobacco, all of which can stain your teeth.
Having the brighter, healthier smile you’ve always wanted is a lot easier, thanks to the benefits of the Philips Zoom Professional Whitening system, a bleaching process used across the U.S. and the world and the number one patient-requested treatment world to lighten discoloration in tooth enamel and dentin (the inner layer of the tooth structure, immediately under the surface enamel).
Your smile is your billboard to the world, communicating who you are long before your first words are spoken. A more beautiful smile leads to greater confidence and all the benefits that accrue to healthier, sexier-looking teeth.
When it comes to whitening your “pearlies,” your family dentist is still your best resource. Only your dentist and licensed dental professionals can provide the professional-strength whitening benefits of Zoom, to ensure your optimum safety.
More than 10 million patients have used the Zoom Professional Whitening system, gaining sexier, whiter, brighter, healthier smiles in the process. And Zoom is available in different treatment strengths and types, to fit your mouth’s sensitivity and your lifestyle.
The Zoom treatment is proven to whiten teeth up to eight shades, and it’s safe, providing protection for your enamel and giving you greater luster with the system’s Relief ACP. (Other treatment systems have been shown to harm teeth and damage gums.)
Before we determine if Zoom in-office teeth whitening is right for you, we will conduct a comprehensive examination of your teeth and gums to ensure their good health, and to learn about your oral hygiene and lifestyle habits so we’ll know if whitening is right for you. We will also take note of your existing dental work, such as crowns and veneers, which don’t respond to conventional whitening agents.
Tooth whitening may also be in order after the removal of braces, or if you are planning to undergo other cosmetic dental procedures, composite bonding or veneers (to ensure a better match between the restoration work and your natural dentition). Depending on the condition of your teeth and your goals for changing the look of your smile, tooth whitening may not be your best option.
The Zoom in-office tooth whitening procedure uses a 25 percent hydrogen peroxide gel that’s combined with tiny significant amounts of ultra-violet (UVB) light.
After the gel is applied to the teeth, the Zoom lamp helps quicken the bleaching process. As oxygen enters the enamel and dentin to bleach away staining substances, the structure of your teeth remains unchanged.
The complete Zoom in-office whitening procedure takes less than an hour (although a regular teeth cleaning might be recommended just prior to your teeth whitening session).
After a quick preparation to cover your lips and gums (leaving your teeth exposed), we will apply the Zoom hydrogen peroxide whitening gel, which will work in conjunction with the Zoom light to penetrate the teeth and break up stains and discoloration. Afterwards, we will use fluoride paste-gel on your teeth, to minimize your sensitivity.
When we finish your treatment, we will provide you with a Zoom home kit that contains custom-fitted whitening trays, along with instructions for when and how to use this touch-up kit.
We may also advise you to avoid certain foods and beverages, including coffee, tea, colas, red wine, or suggest that you consume them in moderation, to avoid future staining on your teeth. Remember, too, that tobacco products will stain teeth, even after having a whitening treatment.
The average cost for Zoom teeth whitening treatment is $500 (which includes the supplemental home touch-up trays, which maximize your results). Most cosmetic dentistry treatments are not covered by dental insurance, so the cost of your Zoom whitening treatments are unaffected by most insurance plans, but we are happy to work with you on payment options.
Dr. Don Nadel, D.D.S., practices family and cosmetic dentistry at 21st Century Dental (2517 NE 9th Ave., Wilton Manors). To schedule an appointment, call him at (954) 564-4746.
]]>Landscaping is more than just plants, flowers, shrubs, and trees. It can actually reflect your life and personality in many ways.
Our wonderful South Florida climate affords us an opportunity to enjoy outdoor living and entertaining nearly 365 days a year, so why not take advantage of your outdoor space to do just that?
Start by asking yourself a few simple questions; once you have the answers, you can begin. There are many things to consider but most importantly, what is the intended use for the space, and what is the overall “look” you are hoping for when the job is complete?
Consider your home’s existing architectural features. Is it Contemporary? Mediterranean? Old Florida? Is there a particular color scheme where landscaping will further extend and detail the look you are hoping to achieve?
Landscaping is a wonderful way to create style or set a mood: It can incorporate your favorite colors. It can be bright and flowery. It can be serene, calm and cool, crisp and formal, or overflowing with tropical beauty.
Are you the busy type of person who is interested in low maintenance foliage, or do you enjoy some time tending to and reaping the rewards of our tropical climate? If you prefer to do your gardening dressed au natural, you may want to consider privacy screening, which not only protects your privacy and modesty, but also enhances the look of a shrub, flowering tree, palm, or bamboo much better than a view that takes in the ‘beauty’ of your neighbor’s shed, roof, or pool party.
Take inventory of whatever natural features already exist. Where are the views? Trees and shrubs? Also take note of any eyesores you wish to conceal.
When starting, I prefer to save much of the original landscape. Existing landscape may not be in quite the right place, but often times with a little help it may become a surprisingly pleasant feature that adds to the beauty of your new garden.
It is also important to note certain conditions, such as soil type, which direction your house faces, where the sun shines, and where shadows fall.
Selecting planting material is an enjoyable experience. You may have already seen some things you’d like, but remember that there is a huge pallet from which to choose, and this is where your keen sense of style will shine through.
Unfortunately, most people will pick up their things from a chain store where the selection is limited and the cashier knows ‘petunias’ about petunias. Do you really want your cherished house to look like it came from a home improvement warehouse, or do you want to live in one that looks like it’s been professionally landscaped and reflects the beauty of the property and your tastes? The choice is yours.
Gardening is a combination of art and science that creates beautiful results. There is a lot to know in horticulture, but mostly it’s easy when someone shows you how it’s done. At Jesse Durko Nursery, we host a series of outdoor classes in which we discuss garden and landscape design. Students learn hands on correct pruning techniques, how and when to fertilize, and techniques for propagation and general garden care.
We also cover several plants and conditions that are unique to South Florida gardens, and discuss solutions for problem areas, as well as topics of specific gardening interest each student may have.
Classes are held Sunday mornings from 10:30 a.m. until noon in the garden, and are limited to eight students. The cost is $25.
At Jesse Durko Nursery, you’ll find 10 acres offering a huge selection, hundreds of varieties, and thousands of landscape and garden plants. We specialize in rare and exotic plants from around the world. You’ll find some of the world’s most exotic specimens, as well as a broad range of Florida native plants. Our selection includes desert and jungle growers that will make your home stand apart from the pack.
When you visit our nursery, you will see plants in all stages, from seedlings to full growth specimens, as plants being grown “for sale” are featured in the extensive gardens surrounding the nursery. Please note, too, that all of our plants are grown here, in South Florida; none are shipped from greenhouses in California.
Come speak to me or one of our friendly staff, who know how to listen and offer friendly personalized service. Let us suggest options and show multiple possibilities to help you to make your selection. We do it all from design to complete installations, and we know you’ll be happy with the results.
Jesse Durko has traveled the world in search of rare and exotic plants, and has been featured in numerous media, including print, news, and television. For more information, call (954) 792-2297, stop by in person at 5151 SW 70 Ave., Davie, or visit online at jessedurkogardensnursery.com.
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It’s All about the Kitchen, Kitchen, Kitchen
There’s an old axiom in the real estate business that when it comes time to put your home on the market, you aren’t actually going to be selling your house—you will be selling your kitchen. That says a great deal about the central importance we place on the kitchen as a center of everyday living (yes, even more than your favorite spot on the living room sofa).
The 1800s Eastern European ideal of Kinder, Kirche, Küche (“Children, Church, and Kitchen”) goes back even farther to the medieval and ancient concepts of ‘hearth and home’. Take a look in the world’s premier magazines, and you will find advertising campaigns that are essentially a hommage to the miracle of the stainless steel faucet or sink.
Clearly there is an ideal of what it means to have the “perfect” kitchen. What’s your ideal, your vision of your dream kitchen?
It should certainly include cabinetry that is constructed from the best materials, including solid wood that is strongly built and backed by over 30 years of design engineering experience and an international reputation that includes prestigious awards.
The first step in planning your dream kitchen is to finding a professional design architect who can capture your concept and translate it into a finished product of the finest and most durable construction, made with an eye to your own unique style. For some people, this is a no-brainer. But for the vast majority, it’s important to trust your vision with an award-winning professional who takes the time to listen to you and conceptualize your ideas into the sturdiest granite countertops and the highest quality cabinets.
As well as using quality materials, it’s important to take into account other considerations, such as the use of color—or its absence—as well as the synergy between tiles, appliances, and cabinets, and the accents, backsplash, and subtle textures and softness that add both warmth and depth to your kitchen, a truly intimate place that is the heart of your home. It’s a place where family, neighbors, and loved ones gather to share meals and memories.
Your kitchen should be functional, yet pleasant and inviting. An experienced designer can give you advice about such things as creating a kitchen focal point using a beautiful backsplash, or capturing beautiful and unique designs created from tile, brick, glass, beaded board, recycled materials, and other elements that will enhance your kitchen and home.
(Let’s also not forget that among the benefits of remodeling your kitchen, one of the best parts is that you’re likely to get up to 85 percent of your money back if you decide to someday sell. It may cost a few thousand dollars to replace countertops, but compare that to the money you will save by not having a buyer knock $10,000 off the asking price if your kitchen appears to be dated.)
Odyssey Kitchen Design provides pre-fabricated and custom built kitchen cabinets, as well as bathroom upgrades and new design, with installation available from the Florida Panhandle to the Florida Keys, shipping throughout the U.S. and anywhere in the world.
Whatever your dream: the clean lines of a modern kitchen, the warmth of a traditional setting, or a relaxed motif that evokes the look of the country, we have an award-winning design team that has made design magic since 1980, at some of South Florida’s most beautiful and luxurious homes.
Traditional to transitional, classic to contemporary, our cabinetry has a look and finish that will satisfy your every decorating taste.
Cost-conscious consumers will appreciate our attention to detail, solid craftsmanship, and the exceptional value you will find in cabinetry that is manufactured utilizing all-wood construction, not particleboard or wood substitute.
Our extensive selection of cabinetry in the most up-to-date styles, designs, and materials makes it easy to create a custom looking kitchen at prices that will leave you that “extra” you may need to complete your new room makeover.
Our work at Odyssey Kitchen centers around two concepts: the kitchen’s need for a modern work station area, and creating attractive, functional storage space, which create kitchens that are a pleasure to work in. (The work stations ensure your culinary endeavors can be completed within a single space, and the unique storage options keep everything easily within reach.)
We believe that new technologies should be applied to make life simpler and better, and that style should cater to one’s needs. We can help you create practical kitchens that are versatile and an enduring investment, rather than a short-lived fad.
Abey Alfasi is an award-winning designer and the owner of Odyssey Kitchen Design and Design Odyssey, offering a dedicated level of commitment, since 1980, to providing exceptional design, outstanding personal service, value engineering, and client satisfaction. He provides personalized architectural services to meet the specific needs of clients in an efficient and cost effective manner, providing creative and functional designs, experienced project management, open communication, and consultation, and can be reached at (954) 547-4441.
Michael Colman is a graduate of the M.E. Rinker School of Building Construction at University of Florida, and the founder of Bastion Construction, overseeing the building of residential and commercial projects across South Florida. He can be reached at (954) 650-2384.