Carolyn Burns, Broker-assoc., Realtor in Ft. Lauderdale, FL

03/16/2026

Your house is one of your most valuable financial assets. That’s why homeowners without enough insurance can face financial ruin when disaster strikes and they find themselves suddenly homeless and unable to rebuild.

“People are surprised to find out that what they’ve been paying for isn’t enough to rebuild their home after a major loss.”

For example, a stunning 74% of those who filed insurance claims after the Marshall Fire, a costly wildfire that swept through the Boulder suburbs in December 2021, didn’t have enough homeowners insurance to fully replace their home. In fact, researchers at the University of Colorado found these homeowners were under-insured by an average of $139,000. ...many homeowners buy the amount of coverage their insurer suggests, which often isn’t enough. With rebuilding costs on the rise, most people who lost their homes in the Marshall Fire had not begun to rebuild more than a year later. While building materials and labor are the foundation of rebuilding costs, those prices fluctuate for a few reasons.

Inflation is always nipping at our financial heels. Price indexes from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics show building materials were up 3.5% in 2025. Rebuilding costs also aren’t identical to what you’d spend to build a brand-new home. Reconstructing a damaged house often includes some extra steps like cleanup, demolition, site preparation and dealing with hazardous materials.

The median cost to rebuild a home in the U.S. is about $280 per square foot, according to NerdWallet’s analysis of 2025 data provided by First Street, a climate risk financial modeling firm.

Read more:

news shared by Carolyn Burns, Broker-assoc., Realtor in Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Knowing how much it would cost to rebuild your home is crucial.

03/15/2026

When you are considered as a reliable source for a quote on real estate development it is an honor. Thank you for including my quote in your article!

Carolyn Burns, Broker-assoc., Realtor in Ft. Lauderdale, FL

The small town named for a tiny game fish has more of a high-class swagger now after luring upscale projects like the Ritz Residences, Waldorf Astoria and W Pompano.

03/12/2026

Welcome to this stunning one-story home in the desirable Preserve at Chapel Trail community in West Pembroke Pines, FL. ! This beautifully remodeled residence offers 4 spacious bedrooms and 2½ bathrooms, open layout designed for every-day living and entertaining. Home features elegant large tile floors in main living areas; Luxury Vinyl Plank "wood" flooring in bedrooms - no carpet anywhere.

The newer kitchen is a true centerpiece with gorgeous white granite countertops, a large eat-in area, Samsung stainless steel appliances, wine cooler. Major upgrades: a newer 2018 roof, fabulous solar panels to dramatically reduce electric bills, and no popcorn ceilings throughout. Hurricane Impact front door, accordian hurricane shutters for windows. Enjoy the convenience of a two-car garage and a fully fenced backyard with serene garden views—perfect for relaxing or entertaining.

Low HOA fees and rental flexibility, this property offers both lifestyle and investment appeal. add to the appeal. HOA with community pool and clubhouse. Ideally located near I-75 & US 27 with easy access to amazing parks, shopping, casual to upscale dining, top-rated schools, this home delivers comfort, efficiency, and exceptional value in a prime location. *Check w/HOA on rentals.

03/12/2026

Welcome to this stunning one-story home in the desirable Preserve at Chapel Trail community!

This beautifully remodeled residence offers 4 spacious bedrooms and 2½ bathrooms, open layout designed for every-day living and entertaining. Home features elegant tile floors in main living areas, Luxury Vinyl Plank "wood" flooring in bedrooms - no carpet anywhere.

The newer kitchen is a true centerpiece with gorgeous white granite countertops, a large eat-in area, Samsung stainless steel appliances, wine cooler.

Major upgrades: a newer 2018 roof, fabulous solar panels to dramatically reduce electric bills, and no popcorn ceilings throughout. Hurricane Impact front door, accordion hurricane shutters for windows. Enjoy the convenience of a two-car garage and a fully fenced backyard with serene garden views—perfect for relaxing or entertaining.

Low HOA fees and rental flexibility add to the appeal. HOA with community pool and clubhouse. Ideally located near I-75 and US 27, with easy access to amazing parks, recreation, shopping, dining- casual to upscale, close to golf courses and other forms of entertainment. For families: close to top-rated A schools, this home offers comfort, efficiency, and exceptional value in one of the area’s most sought-after neighborhoods. Priced right for this amazing home, features, amenities and an exceptional value in a prime location. *Check w/HOA on rentals.

Single Family Residential Home, HOA - The Preserve at Chapel Trail
935 NW 203rd Ave
PEMBROKE PINES, FL 33029-3440
ML #: A11965620 List Price: $829,000
Appointment only - call Listing Broker: Carolyn Burns, Broker-assoc., Realtor in Ft. Lauderdale, FL


https://www.propertypanorama.com/instaview-elite/mia/A11965620

03/09/2026

A company led by Ben Koppenhoefer, who owns several marine industry companies, paid $42.65 million for a waterfront home vacant lot at the point facing the Intracoastal Waterway in the Rio Vista neighborhood - 1.4‑acre point lot at 1818 SE 10th Street, Fort Lauderdale. The property has 840 feet of water frontage.

(This vacant lot once was part of the estate once of the well-known home known as "The White House" facing the Intracoastal Waterway.)
News by South Florida Business Journal

Marine industry exec buys Fort Lauderdale waterfront home lot for $43M >> See the full article below ⬇️

03/09/2026

03/07/2026

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan are purchasing a $170 million mansion on Miami's ultra-exclusive Indian Creek Island, known as the "Billionaire Bunker". The ~30,000-square-foot, under-construction property is expected to be finished in 2026, setting a record for Miami-Dade County. The move comes amid a wave of tech billionaires relocating from California to Florida.
Location: Indian Creek Island, a private, 300-acre municipality in Biscayne Bay with about 30 homes.
Property Details: A 1.84-acre lot with a 30,000-square-foot, 9-bedroom, 11.5-bathroom mansion. The home is expected to feature a 1,500-gallon aquarium, a gym, a hair salon, and a massage room
.
Price: The deal closed for $170 million on March 2, 2026, making it one of the most expensive home purchases in the U.S..
Timeline: While neighbor Irma Braman noted a potential April 2026 move-in date, other reports suggest the home may be 18 months from completion.
The move is part of a trend of tech elites relocating to Florida to avoid California's proposed 5% "billionaire tax" on residents with over $1 billion in assets.
Neighbors: The area, often called "Billionaire Bunker," is home to Jeff Bezos, Tom Brady, Ivanka Trump, and Jared Kushner.

It will be some time before the billionaire and his wife, Priscilla Chan, can move into the home, however, with construction on the opulent abode still ongoing. (See photos)



news shared by Carolyn Burns, Broker-assoc., Realtor in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
news source:

Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, are said to have closed on an under-construction mansion on Indian Creek Island.

03/06/2026

"The Florida House has overwhelmingly approved a major HOA reform bill designed to give residents new tools:

✅ Sue your HOA in a dedicated community court ✅ Criminal charges for board members hiding records ✅ Tighter conflict-of-interest rules for board members ✅ Vote to dissolve your HOA — a first in Florida history.

It now goes to the Senate, where a similar proposal has stalled as the legislative session enters its final days.

What do you think about this legislation?" news story from WPBT5


news shared by Carolyn Burns, Broker-assoc., Realtor in Ft. Lauderdale, FL

The Florida House has overwhelmingly approved a major reform bill designed to give residents new tools to fight fines, challenge board decisions, and potentially dissolve their homeowners association.

03/03/2026

Happy 181st Birthday, Florida! ☀️🌴

181 years young and still showing off like a spring break freshman. From gators to gated communities, we don’t age… we just add more sunshine and a little more humidity! 😎

On this day in 1845, the great state of Florida became the 27th state in the United States — and let’s be honest, we’ve been fabulous (and slightly unpredictable) ever since.

02/25/2026

This is why we love where we live!! Fort Lauderdale, FL morning at the beach, a day to enjoy sunshine and clear weather with an expected high today of 73 degrees! Snow storms in other areas of our country, but we are shining!! Photo taken by a Ft. Lauderdale resident Feb. 25, 2026 from his beach condo view!

02/23/2026

A new Redfin report lists the West Palm Beach, Miami, and Fort Lauderdale metropolitan areas among those with the highest rates of all-cash property sales.

02/23/2026

For a growing number of homeowners, retirement isn’t some distant idea anymore. It’s starting to feel very real.

According to Realtor.com and the Census, nearly 12,000 people will turn 65 every day for the next two years. And the latest data shows as many as 15% of those older Americans are planning to retire in 2026. And another 23% will do the same in 2027.

If you’re considering retiring soon too, here’s what you should be thinking about.

Why Downsize?

Now’s the perfect time to reflect on what you want your life to look like in retirement. Because even though your finances will be going through a big change, you don’t necessarily want to feel like you’re living with less.

But odds are, what you do want is for life to feel easier.
Easier to enjoy.
Easier to manage.
Easier to maintain day-to-day.

The Top Reasons People Over 60 Move

You can see these benefits show up in the data when you look at why people over 60 are moving. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) finds the top 4 reasons aren’t about timing the market or chasing top dollar. They’re about lifestyle:

Being closer to children, grandchildren, or long-time friends so it’s easier to spend more time with the people who matter most
Wanting a smaller, more functional home with fewer stairs and easier upkeep
Retiring and no longer needing to live near the office, so it’s easier to move wherever you want
Opting for something smaller to reduce monthly expenses tied to utilities, insurance, and maintenance.

No matter the reason, the theme is the same: downsizing isn’t about giving something up. It’s about gaining control and choosing simplicity. And it brings peace of mind to know your home fits the years ahead, not the years behind.

And the best part? It’s more financially feasible now than many homeowners would expect.

The #1 Thing Helping So Many Homeowners Downsize
Here’s the part that makes it possible. Thanks to how much home values have grown over the years, many longtime homeowners are realizing they’re in a stronger position than they thought to make that move.

According to Cotality, the average homeowner today has about $299,000 in home equity. And for older Americans, that number is often even higher – simply because they’ve lived in their homes longer.

When you stay in one place for years (or even decades), two things happen at the same time: Your home value has time to grow. Your mortgage balance shrinks or disappears altogether.

That combination creates more options than you’d expect, even in today’s market.

So, whether you just retired, or you’re about to, it’s not too soon to start thinking about what comes next. Sure, it can be hard to leave the house you made so many years of memories in, but maybe it’s time to close one chapter to open a new one that’s just as exciting.

Bottom Line

Downsizing is about setting yourself up for what comes next – on your terms. If retirement is on the horizon and you’ve started wondering what your current house (and your equity) could make possible, the first step isn’t selling. It’s understanding your options.

It may be time to talk to a professional and experienced real estate agent as Carolyn Burns, Broker-assoc., Realtor in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2026/01/29/why-so-many-homeowners-are-downsizing-right-now/

For a growing number of homeowners, retirement isn’t some distant idea anymore. It’s starting to feel very real.