South Florida’s rental market has long been less-than-ideal for non-homeowners.

Landlords operated happily within the free market, raising their rates and easily finding plenty of takers ready to bask in the temperate weather and vibrant culture that our region offers. Those whose bank accounts couldn’t keep up were hastily left behind.

The past year seems to have accelerated the trend even more as too few new apartments have been built, and affordable housing has become even more scarce. Renters seemingly have little to no control of the market, making Florida one of the worst locations in the country to rent in. This reality has re-started the conversation over rent control—a proposal that has always failed in the past; but with examples set

In the wake of the tragic collapse of the Champlain Towers South in Surfside, more questions and concerns regarding the safety of buildings throughout South Florida have emerged seemingly every day. Now, a coalition under Palm Beach County’s League of Cities has proposed an inspection of many condos, apartment buildings, hotels, and offices both east and west of I-95.

The proposal targets buildings a minimum of 25 years old east of the highway, and 35 years old on the western side, regardless of height. This surpasses the standard of 40 years of age in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. While one and two-family homes, government buildings, and schools are excluded, this would result in a massive undertaking, as 90% of the condominiums stretching from

Overlooking Lake Boca from Mizner Grand condominium's coveted center stack, this modern masterpiece creates the feel of a luxury estate home with the services of a five-star resort.  Commanding majestic views of the bright blue waters, this 5th floor residence offers both east and west facing balconies which look onto Lake Boca, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Boca Resort's golf course.  Tastefully designed, this spacious residence totals 4,878 square feet with three bedrooms, four full and one-half bath, a state-of-the-art home theater with commercial-quality Bang and Olufsen surround sound, and two parking spaces.

Mizner Grand condominium's double gate-manned entry leads to a Porte Cochere where you will be greeted by the valet who escorts

Upscale condos could be headed to Delray Beach's up-and-coming SOFA district — if the city bends some of its downtown development rules. On Tuesday, commissioners will consider approving plans for a 48-unit condo called The Metropolitan, which would include shops, office space and a public plaza. The 5-story building would be built on the northeast corner of Southeast Third Avenue and Southeast First Street in an area marketed by the nickname SOFA, for its location south of the city's bustling Atlantic Avenue. City officials are branding SOFA as the city's newest urban neighborhood. The Metropolitan would join several other developments aimed at attracting young professionals who want to live just off Atlantic and close to the beach.

"I am excited

An affiliate of Siemens Group paid $13.5 million to acquire the site of the Akoya condominium project at the Boca West Country Club.

BW-PC LLC, an affiliate of the country club, sold the 6.8-acre site along Boca West Drive to BW-INV LLC, an affiliate of Boca Raton-based Siemens Group led by veteran developer Richard Siemens. The site last traded for $2.35 million in 2007, when Walt Disney World sold it to the club.

Akoya features 140 units with reduced prices now ranging from the $800,000s to over $2 million.  Original pricing started at $1.2 million for decorator-ready units, meaning no finishes, flooring, or fixtures.  Akoya condos will now be delivered with luxury appointments and features including gourmet kitchens with Wolf and Sub-Zero

The Downtown Boca Raton new construction craze continues with the latest project being Tower One Fifty Five. This condominium building, by Compson Associates Inc., is a twelve story building to be located on a 1.2 acre site on the 100 block of East Boca Raton Road.  These 1, 2, and 3 bedroom condos will vary in size from 743 to 2,475 square feet, and are predicted to be moderately to luxury priced between $450,000 and $2,000,000, averaging at around 500 per square foot.  There will be four (4) duplex-style 2-story penthouse units with soaring ceilings and expansive terraces offering views of the Atlantic Ocean, Downtown Boca, and the Boca Resort & Club golf course.  In addition, several townhomes will line the exterior on the south side of the building,

A downtown Boca Raton residential complex that languished for 10 years in the planning stages has been revived -- now with bigger proportions.

Royal Palm Place was approved in 2003 as a 149-unit, downtown apartment complex, part of the mixed-use development on Federal Highway. It received several extensions on its approval until time ran out in March.

But now, one of Boca's biggest landowners, Investments Limited, is bringing Royal Palm Place back to life. And now it's 200 units, instead of 149, and 13 stories high, instead of 10. It will also reach at least 40 feet higher the city's official 100-foot limit.

"The Royal Palm proposal is a sign of the times as there is robust demand for downtown units," said Glenn Gromann, chairman of the Downtown