Boca Raton, FL is one of the best places in South Florida to live for families. The year round subtropical temperatures, nautical lifestyle, rich culture, and endless supply of A rated schools and excellent medical resources are a few of the biggest reasons that families enjoy living in Boca Raton year round.

Many people pursue a home located within a gated community to live in a cohesive community and maximize safety and security. There are many gated communities in Boca Raton, with some of them offering manned gated entrances and 24 hour roving security. Other areas offer simple gates that serve as an added layer of protection for the neighborhood.

One of the first decisions that needs to be made when looking for the right gated neighborhoods in Boca Raton is your preferred location. There are many homes for sale in Boca Raton that are located within gated communities, but where will you spend most of your work time? Where would you like for your children to attend school? Do you prefer to live in East Boca Raton, Central Boca, or West Boca? Residents typically get more square footage for the dollar when living west, while East Boca home buyers often pay more for location, ocean breezes, and faster access to the beaches and Intracoastal waterway. After deciding which area is best for your needs, we can help you narrow down the gated communities based on amenities, level of security, and the home inventory available.

Short sales and foreclosures in Boca Raton are widely available in many different gated areas. If you wish to pursue a home this way, it can be an easier process than you may think.

Short sales can be a complicated process without the right guidance, and we are experienced professionals who can help you successfully navigate your way through the short sale process. If you are already familiar with that process, skip through the next paragraph where we explain a bit more.

Short sale homes in Boca Raton are widely available, but short sale prices are often misunderstood. The ultimate determinate of the short sale price is, of course, the bank. The owner may list the home at whatever price he or she wishes, and you may make an offer based on that price. The owner can accept your offer, but the bank has to approve the sale price before you can close your transaction. This may sound very simple, but many people don’t understand that short sale homes are often listed at prices the bank will not accept, leading to disappointment and frustration.

Approved short sale prices are those that have already been approved by the bank. Short sale listings usually specify whether or not the short sale price is approved, which takes much guesswork out of the process. It is typically in your best interest to find an approved short sale unless you are working with an experience

Lastly, short sale homes often have multiple offers that are submitted. This makes the short sale much more competitive than one might think, especially when the short sale price is so low. Often times, the approved short sale price is significantly higher than the listed price (in the case of not yet approved short sale listings). If you plan to make an offer on a short sale listing that is not approved, it is often a good idea to offer at least 5% higher than the listed price.

Short sale homes and short sale condos in Boca Raton are widely available, but it can be a competitive process. We have a great deal of experience with both short sales and foreclosures (both live and online auctions) and can help guide you through the process to successfully close your short sale homes in Boca Raton.

Mike Benton is a real estate professional specializing in short sale and foreclosure properties in Boca Raton, FL.