The Florida sun is melting real estate negativity. “After all of the doom and gloom, the sun is shining in South Florida, and the ultra-luxury market is drawing buyers,” says Julie Jones of Premier Estate Properties in Fort Lauderdale. Named the top broker in Fort Lauderdale as well as the top broker for all five of Premier Estate Properties’ offices, Jones knows pushing the Florida lifestyle is a key component in selling Florida real estate. “We are selling a lifestyle,” Jones explains. “We are taking people away from the cold and rain.”

Fortunately for Fort Lauderdale, all it takes is mentioning an average of 249 days of sunshine a year, 23 miles of magnificent beaches, and being the yachting capital of the world for affluent buyers to come running. If that doesn’t do it, throw in the fact that Fort Lauderdale is ranked fifth in the United States for the percentage of homes that cost in excess of $1 million. This idyllic, cosmopolitan area boasts fine boutiques, art galleries, exceptional restaurants and sidewalk cafes down the length of Las Olas Boulevard as well as a flourishing arts and entertainment district along Riverwalk.
This year is off to a good start for the Fort Lauderdale ultra-luxury market with many buyers from Russia, Europe and Canada. “Last year was educating the buyers, and this year people are coming, looking and buying,” Jones says. “They are making low offers because everyone is still cautious, but they are making offers and going into contract on the properties.” Thus far in 2010, Jones has already closed two properties worth a total of $8 million, with an additional $9 million in business pending.
Prime oceanfront and waterfront properties are the focus of buyers in Fort Lauderdale. Moreover as the Venice of America, Fort Lauderdale has many ocean and waterfront properties for buyers to choose from. An exclusive of Julie Jones at Premier Estate Properties is a $10.995 million, Mediterranean-inspired estate situated on the south east point of beautiful Solar Isle in the prestigious and gated community of Riviera Isles. This 11,000-square-foot home offers the essentials for luxury entertaining with a gourmet kitchen connected to the intimate dining room and wine room through the butler’s pantry, the family room and wet bar area adjoining the formal living room, and the entire third level club room with a billiard table, media area, wet bar, and covered loggia and expansive balcony.
Premier Estate Properties also has listed a $7.495 million villa directly on the sand with terraces that have unobstructed views of the rising sun and captures the breezes coming off of the beautiful Atlantic Ocean.
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