FloridaRealtordvivar

FloridaRealtordvivar I'm a South Florida real estate agent who works with home buyers, sellers, and renters. HABLO ESPANOL

09/18/2026

🍌 Why are banana trees growing on $33 million worth of downtown Fort Lauderdale real estate?

I saw this and had to look into it.

The Benjamin Companies purchased this 2.44-acre downtown property for $33 million in 2022.

Earlier this year, the owner applied to have the property classified as agricultural.

Why does that matter?

Under Florida law, qualifying agricultural land can be assessed based on its agricultural use rather than simply its market or development value.

But Broward Property Appraiser Marty Kiar's office denied the application, saying it did not believe the property was being used for a bona fide agricultural purpose.

The owner has appealed that decision to Broward's Value Adjustment Board.

And here's the part we shouldn't pretend to know:

The owner hasn't publicly explained why the banana trees are there.

So yes, the agricultural-classification application is real.

The bananas are definitely real. 🍌

But the owner's motivation? That's still not confirmed.

Sometimes knowing where the facts stop is just as important as knowing the facts.












09/15/2026

🌴 West Palm Beach is attracting more than finance.

Silicon Valley venture-capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, also known as a16z, plans to open a regional headquarters for its $1.176 billion American Dynamism fund at CityPlace Tower in downtown West Palm Beach.

The office is expected to open in early 2027.

The American Dynamism practice invests in companies working in areas including:

🚀 Aerospace
🛡️ Defense
🏭 Manufacturing and industrials
🚔 Public safety
📦 Supply chains
🏠 Housing
🎓 Education

And that's what makes this interesting.

West Palm Beach has already attracted major financial companies, but we're now seeing more investment tied to technology, aerospace and defense.

One company opening an office doesn't transform an economy by itself. But when you look at what's been happening across South Florida, it's another development worth watching.

Daniel M. Vivar | Realtor®
Weichert Realtors® – True Quality Service













09/13/2026

🚐 West Palm Beach has a new way to get around.

It's called West Palm Move, a new all-electric transportation network that replaces the former RideWPB pilot program.

Here's how it works:

📍 Fixed Route — $1

The north-south route connects the Norton Museum of Art area with Northwood Village, with vehicles scheduled approximately every 8–10 minutes.

📱 On-Demand — $2

Starting September 15, you'll also be able to request an on-demand ride using the West Palm Move app, online or by phone.

🔄 Need both?

Transfers between the fixed route and on-demand service are included in the combined $2 fare.

💳 One thing to know: It's cashless. Fixed-route riders can tap a credit/debit card, phone or smartwatch when boarding. On-demand rides can be paid through the app using a card, Apple Pay or Google Pay.

For people who spend time around downtown West Palm Beach, this could be a pretty inexpensive alternative to driving around looking for parking.

And for $1 or $2, it's definitely something worth knowing about.

Daniel M. Vivar | Realtor®
Weichert Realtors® – True Quality Service

Official West Palm Move information













09/12/2026

🚆 Brightline just changed its fare options for Orlando trips.

As of September 9, travelers now have different levels of flexibility depending on the fare they choose.

💰 SMART SAVER
The lowest-priced option, but the most restrictive. Trip modifications aren't permitted, and you don't receive the normal Brightline credit if you cancel.

🔄 SMART SELECT
Gives you more flexibility. You can make eligible changes, although fees and fare differences may apply. If you cancel within the applicable rules, you can receive 75% of the fare as Brightline credit.

🎟️ SMART FLEX
The newest and most flexible option. Eligible cancellations receive a full refund to the original payment method, and the fare provides greater flexibility for trip changes. It also includes additional baggage and a one-way airport shuttle connection at Miami or Fort Lauderdale.

The takeaway?

Don't automatically choose the cheapest ticket.

If your plans are completely locked in, Saver might make sense.

If there's a chance your plans could change, compare what Select and Flex give you before booking.

Sometimes the cheapest option isn't necessarily the best value.

See Brightline's official FLEX fare comparison












09/11/2026

💳 Your credit score may not tell the whole story when you're applying for a mortgage.

There's been an important change in mortgage lending.

On September 9, Fannie Mae expanded VantageScore 4.0 to all Fannie Mae-approved lenders, following an earlier limited rollout. Fannie Mae's Loan Delivery system was also updated to accept eligible loans containing VantageScore 4.0 through Desktop Underwriter 12.1.

Why does that matter?

For decades, mortgages sold to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac generally relied on Classic FICO when a credit score was available. FHFA is now allowing approved lenders, during this interim phase, to choose between Classic FICO and VantageScore 4.0 for loans sold to the Enterprises.

The models aren't identical. VantageScore 4.0 incorporates additional information, including rent-payment history, in assessing credit risk.

But this is important:

⚠️ A different credit-score model does NOT mean automatic mortgage approval.

Your income, debt, credit profile, loan program, property and other underwriting requirements still matter.

The takeaway?

If you're thinking about buying a home, don't assume the credit score you see on an app tells you everything about your mortgage options.

Talk to a qualified lender and ask what credit-score model they're using.

Daniel M. Vivar | Realtor®
Weichert Realtors® – True Quality Service












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Hypoluxo, FL
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