The kitchen has a dining nook with room for a sizeable table and chairs, new granite counter tops, wood cabinets and a large pantry.  This 2 bedroom/2 bath split plan provides privacy for all occupants.  The master bedroom has an extra large walk in closet, large vanity with two sinks and a walk in shower.  This home is offered at $289,000.

Living Room, Dining Room and Den

Oak Grove is a small neighborhood within Forest Ridge in Davie, Florida.  Forest Ridge is best know for its gorgeous paved brick entry lined with 200 year old oak trees.  The history of the land where Forest Ridge is built goes back to the Tequesta Indians.  Forest Ridge is located on the highest point in South Florida, which is 29 feet above sea level.  Amenities include various swimming pools, tennis courts (6 are lit for night time play) and walking trails to  Tree Tops Park.  Forest Ridge is surrounded by a nature preserve and is minutes from Nova Southeastern University and Broward College.  Restaurants, shopping and all major highways are easily accessible.  Bamford Sports Park is a bike ride away, as well as Silver Ridge Elementary, an “A” school. 

Forest Ridge is located just south of I-595 on Pine Island Road on the west side of the road, across from Grand Oaks Golf Course.  It is not a gated community; take a Sunday drive and enjoy one of the most unique developments in Broward County.

The real estate market is definitely heating up.  I just got off the phone with a fellow Realtor who told me she has double booked buyers for the past two weeks.  I’ve had a similar experience recently and it feels good to be working with sincere, motivated and qualified  buyers again. 

Last week I  had three good, decent offers on one of my Forest Ridge listings so I know that there’s activity going on out there.  Now I’m wishing that I had even more inventory to sell.

Here’s a breakdown of what’s going on in Forest Ridge right now.  There are 21 active listings priced from $599,000 to $240,000.  There are 12 Pending sales and there are 7 homes that have sold in the past 60 days.  Not bad considering what the past 12 months has been like.

The average price has definitely dropped and if you’ve read my other blogs you will know that the most popular price range is somewhere around $300,000.  That will get you a lot of house these days.  With the exception of two homes priced over $450,000 the rest of the pending sales in Forest Ridge are listed at $350,000 and under. 

This is not the time for sellers to be speculating if they want to move before the hot and sticky summer heat is upon us.  The reality is that price moves the property, regardless of the condition or upgrades in the home. 

The most recent sales in Forest Ridge are 3077 Perriwinkle Cr., located in Old Orchard East. 4 beds/3 baths with a pool and waterfront.   It was a foreclosure listed at $324,900 and sold for $331,500 on 4/2/2009.  It is difficult to determine the Days on the Market, as this property had been for sale for quite sometime before the foreclosure but it did go under contract in only 10 days once the foreclosure took place and the price was reduced to $324,900.   This home was in need of  interior cosmetic work but a good value .equity;

9607 Sugar Pines Court, located in Old Orchard West, 4 beds/2 baths/with full accordion shutters, no pool or water.  A well maintained home on a 10,000 sq. ft. lot.  There are no cosmetic upgrades in the home but it does have a nice roofed, screened patio and lots of potential.  Listed at $349,000 and sold for $329,500 on 4/1/2009 after 91 days on the market.

2776 Oak Grove Road, located in Oak Grove, 4 beds (3 beds plus a loft with closet) 2.5 baths, no pool or water.  Listed for $299,000 and sold for $257,500.  This home had been vacant for a while and needed some interior loving care.  Great potential for the lucky home buyer.  It closed on 4/1/2009 after 401 days on the market.   There are lots of wonderful homes to purchase in Forest Ridge and in the next few months I expect to see more activity as a result of motivated sellers and qualified buyers. 

 If there is one word of advice I can pass along to you today, its  that not all homes have to be in perfect, move in condition.  The days of putting in sweat equity have returned.  What’s better than buying a home that you can transform into your own to enjoy?  The homes in Forest Ridge have proven to be solidly built even if they didn’t come with granite kitchen counter tops and marble flooring.  Nothing makes a house a home more than your own personal touch.

Tom Truex, Mayor of Davie, Florida

Duncan Bossle, President of the Master Association for Forest Ridge, has invited Mayor Tom Truex to speak to the residents prior to the meeting of the Master Association on January 29th, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. in the Town Hall Community Room on Orange Drive.  Town Hall is located at 6591 Orange Drive, east of University Drive and West of Davie Road.  The Community Room is located in the back, near the parking lot.

Mayor Truex will discuss issues affecting Forest Ridge residents including the plans for the Fort Lauderdale airport expansion, budget cuts, crime and other items of interest.  This is a wonderful opportunity to hear, first hand, how Forest Ridge residents will be affected.