A Realtor®’s Guide to Delray Beach FL Real Estate
Learn all there is to know about the Delray Beach FL Real Estate Market with Elyse Berman, PA of Best Connections Realty, Inc. If you are looking to buy a in pet-friendy gated community, 55+ community or condo, Elyse is your girl. Elyse works with people who have no pets, as well!
Not only is Elyse a dog owner and pet lover, she’s been selling real estate full time in Boca Raton for the past 14 years. She is fully aware of the difficulties and challenges you may encounter. Or, if you are looking to sell a home in Delray Beach, let Elyse’s 14 years and huge internet presence work for you!
All about Delray Beach
Delray Beach, Florida, well known and a hot commodity is in south Palm Beach County, Florida is midway between West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale. Delray Beach is known as the “Village by the Sea.”
Once a sleepy beach town, Delray is now a sophisticated beach town with an artsy feel. It still has that beachy feeling, but Atlantic Avenue, its main thoroughfare, has grown substantially over the past decade into a cosmopolitan city with tons of restaurants, art galleries, Pineapple Grove, Arts Garage, culture and shopping.
When you come to Delray Beach or Boca Raton, Florida, you aren’t moving to the the middle of nowhere, so to speak. You’re coming to a beachy, urban, semi-urban, gated communities, semi-suburbs and more, but still close to everything you would find in a big city back home.
Delray Beach is half an hour from the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach where they have some fabulous shows, We are approximately 45 minutes from Broward Center for the Performing Arts. We have local theatre, Arts Garage, Pineapple Grove, Mizner Park and more. So much more! It’s neighboring city to the south, Boca Raton FL, is a short drive nearby. There are a few convention centers nearby, which host shows from time to time, as well as local Green Markets on weekends.
Delray Beach Florida encompasses 5 zip codes! It’s quite a large area running east to west. There are a lot of different types of communities, both gated communities and non-gated, single family homes, condos, villas and townhouses to choose from.
Located in Palm Beach County, Florida, the City of Delray Beach and Town of Delray Beach merged to form City of Delray Beach back in 1927 after the first real estate boom and is home to nearly 67,000 residents today. Delray Beach is spread out from the ocean to newer communities out west. You can live within the city of Delray (as it’s commonly referred to by locals), central or in unincorporated Delray. They are all referred to as Delray Beach, FL.
Henry Flagler extended his Florida East Coast Railroad in 1896 southward from West Palm Beach to Miami with a stop at Linton. The history of Delray goes back to the Linton Settlers who established a post office and a store and began truck farming winter vegetables for the northern market. After a bad freeze in 1898, many settlers left. In an attempt to change the community’s respectability, the name was changed to Delray in 1901.
.
Settlers began arriving from The Bahamas and were joined in parades, movies and shopping by settlers from the Yamato farming colony. According to the Delray Beach Historical Society “Although small, Delray was a fully formed town interested in education and cultural pursuits. Dramatic performances, music clubs, and bands were popular from the beginning.” Seasonal visitors came to Delray. During the 1920s and for many years after, artists and authors came to Delray. This continues today and is reflected in Pineapple Square and Arts Garage, among other places.
Being a local resident who enjoys shopping, great food and entertainment, nearby is Atlantic Avenue, Delray Marketplace, Delray Square, Plaza at Delray and Town Center mall, all great shopping destinations with hair salons, food stores,Trader Joe’s, Fresh Market, health food stores, juice bars and, of course, the beach. The blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean are outstanding.
Atlantic Avenue is more mixed use, as there are condos and homes interspersed with stores that is directly by the Atlantic Ocean. Delray Marketplace, Shoppes at Delray, Plaza at Delray and Tuscany Shoppes are outdoor shopping plazas, but Town Center is the real deal as far as malls are concerned with anchor stores like Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale’s, Saks, Nordstrom and Macy’s, along with 200 or so other stores. You can get pretty much anything you want or need in Delray.
One of the most unique features is the city allows for street legal golf carts making travel around town easy. We even have a point-to-point golf cart free live service available. And don’t forget the Delivery Dudes, who will pick up food for you from almost any restaurant and deliver it to your door hot and with a smile!
Downtown Delray Beach has a lot going on including outdoor concerts and Green Markets, Many events go on throughout the year among others Savor the Avenue, the Delray Affair, Holiday events, First Friday Art Walk among others. It is also home to the Colony Hotel, Delray Beach Tennis Center, Old School Square and the Morikami and Spady Museums.
With so much to offer, it’s no wonder Delray Beach, FL is a great place to live. To top it off, the weather is picture perfect!
DELRAY BEACH FL REAL ESTATE
If you’re looking to buy Real Estate in Delray Beach FL or thinking of relocating, or becoming a snowbird, or even a snowflake ( yes, we have those too!) you will find a wide variety of housing options to choose from.
Whether you’re looking for a condo in Highland Beach or Delray Beach, single family house, townhouse or gated community in Delray Beach, I can help. I am a Delray Beach REALTOR® that can find exactly what you’re looking for. I have a knack for matching people with houses.
Delray Beach is known for gated communities, many of them located in central Delray and west Delray. There are a variety of options to choose from – all age communities, gated communities and luxury upscale gated communities, country clubs and condos. Some people prefer quieter gated communities for everyday living while being just a short drive from the hustle and bustle of downtown Delray Beach. It’s a personal choice.
Others prefer living downtown Delray Beach or on the ocean. There are single family houses, many from the 1950s, waterfront condos, townhouses, lofts and multi-million dollar homes both on the ocean, Intracoastal Waterway and finger canals. Many are walking distance to Atlantic Avenue, an especially big draw. Some of the downtown areas are Seagate, Vista Del Mar, Marina District, Palm Trail, Historic District, Pineapple Grove and Lake Ida.
Low density is key in Delray Beach FL. There are very few hi-rise buildings, with newer ones topping out at about five stories. The city is very particular about its Historic District and preserving it.
When I say Delray Beach as far as housing, I am including the surrounding cities of Highland Beach, Boca Raton, Boynton Beach and Deerfield Beach – all a stone’s throw from each other. We are located on the east coast of Florida, on the Atlantic side, along the ocean and inland.
Delray Beach FL has a lot of waterfront houses with docks along the Intracoastal and on finger canals. These are single family homes on a street versus in a gated community, but have docks for boats in their backyards. This is a big plus for boaters looking for a single family house in Delray Beach FL who may not want to be in a gated community and may not want to pay monthly fees associated with docking their boat. If the dock comes with the house, there is no monthly charge for it!
There are also communities with boating where you can rent a dock if your house or condo is not on the water. You can buy a condo, townhouse or house and not be on the water yet still enjoy boating. This has advantages for some, as they tend to be less pricey than those directly on deep water.
Delray Beach is home to many condos, both on and off the water. Some are oceanfront; others are on the Intracoastal and some are inland. Several new buildings have gone up in the past few years within walking distance – think good walk score – of shopping downtown, nightlife, Starbucks and more.
Some people prefer townhouse communities and villas. We have those, too. There are new ones and old ones – 2-story and 3-story, with some having elevators. There are also lofts in Delray Beach. We definitely have a mixed bag of housing!
It’s easy to see there is no shortage to the type of housing one may find in Delray Beach, Florida. Most people love the area, as it is easily accessible to downtown Boca Raton in a matter of minutes, as well as Fort Lauderdale and Miami – half an hour and approximately an hour respectively.
If you live in Delray Beach, you have access to 4 airports – West Palm Beach International Airport, Fort Lauderdale International Airport, Miami International Airport and Boca Raton’s Private Airport.
HOUSING & POPULATION STATISTICS
The median price sales price in Delray FL was $ 225,000 while the median price of a condo, villa or townhouse was 211,000. Houses rose 2.3% in the past year while condos, villas and townhouses rose 2.0% from one year ago. According to the US Census for 2010, the population estimate for 2016 was 67,371. The median gross rent for 2016 was $ 1332 for a one bedroom apartment, and the average persons per household was 2.37. Population per square mile in 2016 was 3.838.3.
GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE
The climate in Delray Beach FL can vary. Despite the fact that Florida is the southernmost state in the United States, winters tend to be mild with an average of 76 to 85 from October through May. Summers are hot in Delray Beach with averages of 89 to 91 from June to September. We get approximately 27.31 inches of rain per year.
Living here 24 years, I can tell you the weather varies. The winter of 2018 was beautiful and sunny but a bit cool. We had temperatures down at 39 degrees some mornings and it was cooler than average during the day with temperatures in the 60s and 70s. The sun shines a bright blue about 231 days per year, and tropical foliage and flowers bloom all year. Florida is humid with an average of about 70%. Again, it varies. Some days tend to be more humid while others are not humid at all.
Hurricanes, yes, we get them. That being said, it’s my opinion, that pretty much wherever you live in the United States, you get something – blizzards, Nor’easters, earthquakes or tornadoes. The good part about a hurricane is they know in advance it’s coming to give you time to prepare or leave. I’ve lived in the Boca/Delray/Boynton area for 24 years and we’ve gone through two bad hurricane seasons.
LOCAL ECONOMY
The unemployment rate is 3.9% with 4800 jobs added in leisure and hospitality in January. The sales tax rate is 6.00% -7% and Florida has no state income tax. Income per capita in Boca Raton is $ 48,918. The median household income is $ 71,867.
POPULATION BY OCCUPATION
- Management, Business, Science and Arts, Professional 48%
- Service 15.9%
- Sales and Office 27.6%
- Production, Transportation and Materials Moving 4.1%
- Service 15.9%
- Natural Resources, Construction and Maintenance 4.4%
DELRAY BEACH, FL SCHOOLS
Delray Beach falls within Palm Beach County Schools. Palm Beach County Schools mission statement is: “The School District of Palm Beach County envisions a dynamic collaborative multicultural community where education and lifelong learning are valued and supported, and all learners reach their highest potential and succeed in the global economy.”
Delray Beach FL is home to 4 elementary schools, 1 middle school and 1 high school. There are also charter schools and private schools nearby.
According to the Palm Beach Post, Palm Beach County spent an average of $ 9179 per student, which stood above Florida’s 13 largest counties in 2012-2013 school year.
COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES NEAR DELRAY BEACH FL
Delray Beach FL is nearby to three universities:
- Florida Atlantic University
- Lynn University
- Palm Beach State College
EDUCATIONAL STATISTICS
- 85.9% High School Graduate or Higher 2012-2016
- 34.5% Bachelor’s Degree or Higher 2012-2016
DELRAY BEACH DEMOGRAPHICS COMPARED TO FLORIDA STATE AVERAGE
- Median household income is above the state average.
- Median house value is significantly above state average
- Renting percentage below home ownership
AREA PARKS & LAKES
- Atlantic Dunes Park
- Veterans Park
- Cornell Park
- Currie Commons Park
- Knowles Park
- Sandowy Park
- Delray Oaks Natural Area
- Merritt Park
- Del Ida Park
- Sarah Gleason Park
- Mangrove Park
- Robert P. Miller Mark
- Rosemont Park
- Leon M. Weekes Environmental Preserve
- Wakodahatchee Wetlands
- Delray Beach Children’s Garden
- West Delray Regional Park
Shake, Rattle N Roll- Plumosa Park
DELRAY BEACH DOG PARKS
- Lake Ida Dog Park
HOSPITALS/MEDICAL CENTERS IN BOCA RATON AND NEARBY
- Delray Medical Center
- Boca Regional Hospital
- West Delray Medical Center
- Bethesda Medical Center – 3 campuses
- University of Miami Sylvester Cancer Center
- Bascom Palmer Eye Center at University of Miami
TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUTE
Major highways in Delray Beach FL include Interstate 95 and the Florida Turnpike. There is rail service on Tril Rail and some bus service, but you really need a car to get around.
DELRAY BEACH FL RESTAURANTS
There is restaurant after restaurant up, down and all around Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach.. You can pretty much enjoy any type of food from sushi to Italian and more. If you like to cook, that’s great because we have a lot of grocery stores including Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, Fresh Market, as well as traditional grocery stores. In fact, Delray Beach Florida will be home to one of the first Whole Foods’ 365 stores.
But, if you like to eat out or have it delivered, you’ve come to the right city just the same! The “Delivery Dudes” will bring hot food and a smile to your door from just about anywhere. Now, that’s what I call service!
BOCA RATON FLORIDA REALTOR®
If you’re thinking of buying or selling a house, condominium or townhouse in Delray Beach or Boca Raton FL, please allow my years of experience to make the transaction as easy as possible for you. I like happy clients!
When you hire a REALTOR® today, whether to help buy a home or help sell your home, it’s an important decision. It’s one of the biggest purchases or sales you will likely ever make. Not all REALTORS® are created equal.
One of the biggest mistakes people make when looking to buy a home is to call the listing agent or go directly to a builder. Big mistake! Huge! Reason being is that the listing agent, or builder’s agent, has a contract with the seller or builder to get them the highest price possible.
Buyers do not save on the commission – that’s a myth. What happens, in reality, is that the seller’s agent will collect a double commission. So, do yourself a favor when looking for a resale or new construction in Boca Raton, hire a true Accredited Buyer’s Representative accredited through REBAC and the National Association of Realtors. It won’t cost you a penny!
I have an uncanny knack for matching people with properties. Once I’ve met them, I can easily find you your dream house whether you are here or not. Please read what others have said.
Considering selling your house in Delray Beach or Boca Raton FL, your home will be found in all the top places most buyers would be searching for because I have a huge internet presence. I make sure to dot all my i’s and cross all my t’s. I spend time on Social Media and search engine optimization. Facebook, Googe+, Linked In, Zillow, Trullia, MLS and Active Rain are just some of the places.
A little bit about me:
- Graduated with a degree in Court & Conference Reporting – worked as a Court Stenographer in New York City
- Full-time Realtor for the past 14 years servicing south Palm Beach County and north Broward County including Boca Raton FL
- Member of National Association of Realtors
- Member of Florida Association of Realtors
- Member of Realtors of the Palm Beaches + Greater Fort Lauderdale Realtors
- Member of Grievance Committee RAPB + GFLR – 2018
I have been helping people buy and sell homes in and around Boca Raton Florida for the last 14 years. Call/text or send me an email so we can discuss how I can best serve your Boca Raton Real Estate needs!
Thank you.
Elyse Berman, PA
REALTOR®, CRS, ABR, GRI, e-PRO
Best Connections Realty, Inc.
8177 Glades Rd, Suite 200
Boca Raton, FL 33434
(561) 716-7824
[email protected]
Connect with Elyse’s Real Estate profile on Facebook
See all Delray Beach Homes for Sale at this link.
Related articles for Boca Raton pet lovers:
- Pet friendly condos in Boca Raton and Highland Beach
- Pet friendly gated communities in Boca Raton
- Pet friendly 55+ Active Adult Communities in Delray Beach
Refine Search:
Two of the three miles of beachfront real estate is open to public access. Travel Holiday magazine named our public Valley municipal Beach is one of the top beaches in the southeastern United States. The heart of downtown known as the “Avenue” is noted for nightlife, fabulous dining, shopping, and also a destination for art fairs and street festivals throughout the year. One of the most unique features is the city allows for street legal golf carts, making travel from you next fairway to lunch offer easy. We even have a point-to-point golf cart free live service available. Downtown also has the Pineapple Growth Arts District just north of Atlantic Avenue. It has various galleries, performing arts and cultural facilities and several not-for-profit arts education organizations.
The wealth of performing arts activities and Delray Beach is practically endless. With a great school system, a wealth of academic and cultural diversity, fabulous beachfront property and a warm client year-round, why wouldn’t you want to live here full time?
If Delray Beach sounds like your type of relaxation browse all the latest listings on my website or simply pick up the phone and call me at any time for updated information, scheduling a showing, or if you just like to know a little bit more about one of my favorite South Florida cities.