Artesia’s Clubhouse and Recreational Activities Are Like No Other!

If you like to lead a social lifestyle, it’s hard to beat what owning a condo or townhome at Artesia in west Sunrise has to offer.  ‘Villa Artesia’… the magnificent new clubhouse at Artesia, officially opened it’s doors in late June 2007 by hosting an open house for real estate brokers in the Sunrise, Florida area.  The event was well worth attending as we were amazed at the range of fitness, recreational and social activities the palatial clubhouse and outdoor amenities have to offer the residents of Artesia.

Artesia truly brings the resort lifestyle to West Broward. This new home community features a vast plaza with shimmering pools and fountains… including a Grand Canal. Stroll along the brick-paved walkways and enjoy the lush landscaping throughout. Take a dip in one of three pools! Sip a drink by the tropical poolside tiki bar or have a bite to eat in the charming Fountain Cafe. Try your hand at pool in the ultimate billiard club room (complete with sports bar and flat screen TV) or take a class in the Art Room. Get in shape in the state-of-the art Exercise Center, or play a game of basketball or tennis, then get a massage at the spa. The Sunrise Room is available for hosting social gatherings.  There’s even a tot lot and waterworks area for kids! All this and much more is available for you at Artesia… South Florida living at it’s best!

::  View a Virtual Tour of Artesia’s Clubhouse & Amenities!  ::

This new home community is located in the Sawgrass area of Sunrise, Florida.  It’s an area that has seen a great deal of activity in recent years not only because of the new construction of condos (including Tao) but also because of new local shopping areas (IKEA’s Sunrise store & Sawgrass Landings, where you’ll find LA Fitness, Starbucks, Panera Bread, Quizno’s, Kinko’s & more).  Let’s not forget the additions to the Sawgrass Mills Mall (the Colonnade Outlets at Sawgrass, Grand Lux Cafe & PF Chang’s to name a few).

If you haven’t visited any of the models at Artesia yet, but are thinking of going, be sure to call me first to find out how you can qualify for a $1,000 rebate at closing (one of the conditions is that I must register you as my customer).  By the way… I don’t bite.  Really!  If you’d like to view Artesia condos for sale on the South Florida MLS, click here then choose “Broward County” and enter “Artesia” next to “Complex Name” and click on the search button.  At the time this post was published, there were 23 Artesia condos for sale varying in price from $293,000-$549,000.  I’m offering the rebate on resale condos in Artesia as well as new construction units (call 954-846-1600 for details).

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South Florida Teardowns and McMansions

According to the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Florida is among the states they identified in 2002 that is experiencing teardowns in historic neighborhoods where McMansions are becoming more and more commonplace.  In 2002 they identified 100 communities in 20 states and, unfortunately, just about four years later that number soared to more than 300 communities in 33 states that are being impacted by teardowns.  The photo on the left is an example of what a typical neighborhood in South Florida looked like before some of the smaller, single-story older homes were replaced with newer, larger homes (as shown in the photo below).

There were 21 Florida cities identified (13 of which are in Broward, Palm Beach, and Miami-Dade Counties): Boca Raton, Bradenton Beach, Coral Gables, Delray Beach, Fort Lauderdale (Rio Vista), Gulf Stream, Hollywood (Lakes), Juno Beach, Jupiter Island, Lighthouse Point, Marco Island, Miami (Coconut Grove, West Grove), Naples, North Miami Beach, Ocean Ridge, Old Marco, Palm Beach, Sarasota, St. Petersburg, Tallahassee, and Tampa.

The term “McMansions” is a slang architectural term and is often used to describe the house built to replace the teardown.  In Florida, McMansions are typically much bigger than the original house on the site and they tend to stand out in a neighborhood that mostly consists of older and smaller, one-story homes with roomy front and back yards. Sometimes this new construction is not welcomed by neighbors because it destroys the original character of the neighborhood. Immediate neighbors sometimes complain of the negative impact it has on their property with regards to restricted views, reduced sunlight to their house or yard, as well as property values.  Local leaders are often either not able or willing to prevent these teardowns that forever change the landscape of historic neighborhoods.

Most of the McMansions around South Florida are located in neighborhoods where homes are either on, or have access to, the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW).  The land is often much more valuable than the original home that’s on the property and some of the teardowns are done by owners who have lived on the property for several years and love the location but simply want a newer, larger home.  In some cases, it’s luxury home developers who are buying the older homes, tearing them down and if the lot is large enough to allow it, they build more than one new home which makes for a very nice return on their investment.  These newer custom homes are typically full of luxurious details and features not found in older homes.

Among other terms that you may hear used in place of “McMansions” are: “monster home,” “faux chateaux,” and “starter castle.”

Additional information:

• Florida Trust for Historic Preservation
• Teardowns / McMansions in the News (PDF format)
• Glossary of Teardown Terms (PDF format)

Laguna Isles Homes in Pembroke Pines, Florida

Laguna Isles… a great place to live!  This luxury guard-gated community in popular western Pembroke Pines, Florida, offers superb recreational amenities including a lakeside resort style zero-entry swimming pool, in-ground spa, and a large sun deck as well as a covered patio area with several tables and chairs.  There are also two tennis courts, a children’s playground, and a clubhouse that includes a fully equipped exercise room and even an indoor racquetball court!

There are several lakes throughout Laguna Isles and a nice walking trail and lakeside gazebo where residents can sit and enjoy the view for a while as they stroll through the community.  The entrance to Laguna Isles is located on the north side of Sheridan Street just west of NW 184th Avenue in west Pembroke Pines, FL (approximately 3 miles west of I-75).  This luxury single-family community is one of the most sought-after subdivisions in southwest Broward County, Florida.  One of the benefits of this community is that children who reside here go to the Weston schools which are known for their excellence!

The monthly maintenance fee at Laguna Isles includes cable, monitored security system, lawn/hedge trimming service in both the front and back yards of your home as well as any needed sprinkler system repairs.  Gables Property Management (954-349-9244) is the company handling maintenance issues at this community.

:: View a Virtual Tour of Laguna Isles ::

Find out which Laguna Isles homes are for sale by searching the Southeast Florida MLS or contact Leanne Paynter at 954-846-1600.  I’m currently offering a $1,000 rebate* at closing if you purchase a home in this community through me (*I must be the one to show you the home and write the sales contract for the rebate to be valid).

Thinking of selling your Laguna Isles home?  Hire us and we’ll market your home like no one else!

Willow Grove Townhomes in Davie, Florida

Willow Grove is a luxury townhome community built in 2005.  Located in Davie, Florida, Willow Grove is an enclave of 42 spacious two-to-three level townhouses with 1-car garages.  You can choose either the 2 or 3 bedroom/2.5-bathroom floorplan and prices start in the mid-$200’s.

These townhomes are located just down the road from Tree Tops Park and Davie’s Pine Island Park which offers various activities.  Golfers can take in a round of golf at the Grande Oaks Golf Club.

Residents of Willow Grove townhomes that commute to Fort Lauderdale or Miami will love the convenience of being only a few blocks east of University Drive on the south side of Griffin Road, placing them less than five minutes from an entrance to the Florida Turnpike and about 10 minutes from I-595.  Willow Grove townhouses are also five minutes from the South Florida Education Center.

Read additional details about these Davie FL townhouses and find out which ones are currently for sale.  Of course, if you own one of these townhomes and are considering selling, we’d love to hear from you, too.  Remember… we market homes like no one else!