This year the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Delray Beach will host celebrations in honor of the 52nd Delray Affair. Dubbed the "Greatest Show Under the Sun", this is the largest arts and crafts festival in the region. Set in a picturesque palm tree lined downtown, Delray Beach will allow 12 city blocks to be devoted to the Delray Affair this year.  Spanning from the Intracoastal to NW 2nd Avenue, plus the grounds of Delray Beach Center for the Arts and Old School Square Park, this year the event is expansive representing many artists and genres. The festival has received many awards for the variety and individuality of the fine arts. The previous year the event attracted artists from 30 states and 12 countries.  The festival attracts an eclectic mix of…

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Development on rental projects has made construction crews the stars of Boca Raton's  downtown skyline. This tourist season is fueled by new construction to meet the demand for space.

Archstone Downtown Boca Raton FLThe 261-unit Camden Boca Raton complex is still under construction, at 131 S. Federal Highway. The Mark at CityScape is also a work in progress, located just behind 120 E. Palmetto Park Road. When completed it will have 208 units. Advertisers are promoting the Camden will be ready for occupancy as soon as this summer. Though the 12-story Mark is projecting an opening early next year.

Construction cranes will remain a part of the skyline for now. Work is still progressing on the 350-unit Via Mizner, at Federal Highway and Camino Real. Developers say they will be ready…

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Toll Brothers recently announced that they plan to delay their sales launch for their newest community in Boca Raton, Royal Palm Polo.  The builder originally planned to begin selling homes to buyers this month.  They announced the launch would be pushed back until the fall so the company can complete the model homes for Royal Palm Polo, according to the Sun-Sentinel. The luxury home builders stated that "buyers will be better able to see the quality and luxury of a Toll Brothers home first-hand."

The Pennsylvania-based Toll Brothers began construction of the 223-home Royal Palm Polo earlier this month. Prices will range from $1.2 million to $2 million. The company has a list of at least 1,000 potential buyers from past communities and marketing.  Toll…

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Plans to rebuild the Seagate Yacht Club are drawing positive response from coastal residents south of Atlantic Avenue. The owners of the nearby Seagate Hotel and Spa want to build 10 luxury townhouses and a three-story clubhouse at the existing 44-slip marina on MacFarlane Drive.

The clubhouse got scrutiny at a March 17 meeting of the Planning and Zoning Board, where the developer agreed to a neighborhood request to close the clubhouse at 10 p.m. on weeknights and midnight on weekends. No music on the rooftop sunbathing terrace will be another restriction.

But the developer submitted favorable comments from 200 neighbors who say the new yacht club with its distinctive contemporary design will benefit their neighborhood. City commissioners must…

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2 NW 12th Street, Delray Beach, FLThis beautifully updated single family home in the Lake Ida area of Delray Beach, Florida was just sold yesterday by Brian Pearl of Lang Realty.  The property is located at 2 NW 12th Street in Delray Beach, just a few blocks north of Atlantic Avenue in Downtown Delray Beach.  The 3 bedroom home sits on the corner lot of a quiet, tree-lined street amidst multi-million dollar homes and mansions that are popping up along the roads off of Swinton Avenue.  This property features wood flooring, an oversized 2-car garage, authentic Chicago brick paved driveway, lush tropical landscaping, and a gourmet kitchen with granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and wood cabinetry!

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The number of existing homes on the market is in the millions. Annually the number of homes bought and sold within the US is staggering. Like their owners, each home transaction is unique. But owners and prospective buyers want the same thing in the end: the best deal that is right for them, with minimal stress.

Selling a home has evolved from a simple ‘ for sale by owner’ sign in the yard. Things like new seller disclosure statements, thick and elaborate form agreements, plus environmental studies and other concerns have all slowed the process over the span of ten years.

It is no mystery that home selling has changed. Buyer brokerage is a common practice across the US. Homeowners and prospective buyers depend on REALTORS® represent their…

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What Makes a Great "Downtown?"

The best downtowns foster creativity, inclusion and innovation. They showcase what is good about a community by offering a diverse array of local architecture, art, lifestyles and things to do. Great downtowns unite residents from all walks of life, even those in the suburbs, by providing places to connect. Above all, the top-performing downtowns must maintain a high level of energy and give all residents in a city a reason to come on down.

For the most part, our top 10 lists are data-driven – more science than art. The Top 10 Best Downtowns 2014 list, however, is a bit of an exception. Yes, we started with data including improvement in retail and office vacancy rates, population gains, income growth, unemployment, the…

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