Solita Italian Restaurant New Year’s Eve Dinner- Guests enjoy a gourmet Italian dinner followed by a New Year’s Eve party on Las Olas Boulevard, call for reservations!

It is with pleasure that I introduce Residence 17F in The Berkley South for $399,000. This Fort Lauderdale beach area condo has direct ocean views from nearly every window. In addition, 17F is one of the most sought after condos in the building, on a high floor in the northeast corner of the Berkley South. 17F is a completely remodeled 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom condominium within 1,450 square feet of perfection. This residence is the epitome of move in ready.

The kitchen has been updated to feature custom cherry wood cabinetry, granite countertops, high end stainless steel appliances, and while you are cooking a masterpiece you have a direct ocean views above the new kitchen sink. For your convenience, across the hall from the kitchen is a wine cooler and liquor closet with pantry, making entertaining seamless. Further updates include, smooth ceilings, eucalyptus wood and 24 inch porcelain flooring, hurricane impact glass on all opening, and french door entryway into the guest bedroom, which features a built in murphy bed with custom cabinetry behind a mirrored wall. The master suite is fit for the most discriminating tastes with a frameless walk in shower including dual rain heads, deep Jacuzzi tub, dual vessel bowl sinks, and custom vanities. Completing this home are custom closets and plenty of storage.

The location of this residence in the Berkley South condo could not be more convenient. It is two short blocks to the beach and is in between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway. Its’ neighborhood is the Central Beach Alliance in The Venice of America, Fort Lauderdale. The Berkley South is a fiscally sound building in Fort Lauderdale, and has undergone extensive building renovations recently. Renovations include balcony and parking lot restoration, a pristine new lobby, new elevators, and a remodeled clubroom kitchen. AMENITIES include a heated freshwater pool on a 40,000 square foot deck, tennis court, fitness facilities, BBQ, billiards room, extra storage, 24 hour security and covered, secure parking under the building for residents as well as Bike and Kayak storage. Motorcycles are OK. For more information on this fabulous high floor corner residence, contact me today for a private showing. 954-770-8525

Mortgage rates have remained low throughout 2012, making it an excellent time to invest in a condominium, especially in Fort Lauderdale. If you are planning to obtain a loan there are a number of items lenders consider that may not immediately come to mind. The fiscal health of a condominium can be a detriment to obtaining a loan even with perfect credit and employment history. A number of factors determine the fiscal health of a building in a lender’s eyes, including percentage of units that are owner occupied versus rentals, annual funding of at least 10% reserves, and percentage of units behind on maintenance. In Fort Lauderdale there are a number of buildings that are fiscally sound including the waterfront properties I specialize in such as The Corinthian, and Le Club. Before you apply for a condominium loan and begin your property search, here are some points to consider.

1.Down payments: For a primary residence you can expect to put 25% down and for a second home, you will need to put at least 30% down. If the maximum loan to value exceeds 75% for a primary residence or 70% for a secondary residence, the lender requires a full condo questionnaire, which presents difficulties in financing condos. If purchasing as an investor, it is always best to offer cash due to the very stringent mortgage requirements.

2.Size of Building: A middle to large building with mostly owner occupied units is more likely to be approved than a smaller building because of the risk of delinquencies being passed on to paying unit owners.

Located directly on the Fort Lauderdale Intracoastal Waterway, Sunrise East is a quiet condominium that places a premium on privacy and comfort amidst bustling Fort Lauderdale. It is located close to the beach, Birch State Park, the Galleria Shopping mall, Publix Supermarket, and Starbucks. Once you enter the guarded gates to Sunrise East, you will find a serene 93 residence, 20 floor condominium with floor plans of one, two, and three bedrooms, along with luxury penthouses on the top floor, and a wealth of amenities. Sunrise East is a pet friendly building, and allows rentals the first year of occupancy. A heated rooftop pool with 360 degree panoramic views, community Clubhouse with kitchen facilities, fitness center, semi-private elevators and foyer, 24 hour parking attendants, and proximity to the Ocean, are just some of the reasons this property is desirable in today’s market. Sunrise East offers resort style living, perfect for those looking to enjoy the Florida sunshine year round, or in the winter months and is a prime location for the Annual Air & Sea Show and Winterfest Boat Parade.

Residence 10D in Sunrise East is a tastefully renovated one bedroom and one half bathroom condominium with a West to East flow through floor plan within 1,250 square feet. Some of the renovations include updated baths, 16 inch tiles throughout the condo, high quality hurricane impact glass in all openings, and refinished wood flooring in the semi-private foyer. The kitchen has been remodeled to include a washer dryer and private concealed trash chute. The views in this residence are incredible and include views of the Atlantic Ocean and Birch State Park from the spacious master bedroom, and the breakfast area has incredible views of the Intracoastal, Fort Lauderdale Yacht Club, and the city. If you are interested in docking a boat, you are in luck since the Fort Lauderdale Yacht Club and Marina is in eyesight from Sunrise East. There is also guest dockage for the day on the south side of the building. Maintenance is paid quarterly and is a modest $1580 per quarter and if you are looking to invest in a rental, Sunrise East allows rentals in the first year of occupancy. For more information on this listing and to schedule a showing, please contact me today.