treasure coast weekend guide

Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens Mothers Day Plant Sale

Date: Friday May 6, 2022.

Time: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Location: Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens

Address: 2410 SE Westmoreland Blvd., Port St. Lucie

Category: Sale

www.pslbg.org

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Heathcote Mother’s Day Plant Sale Event

Date: Saturday May 7, 2022 through Sunday May 8, 2022.

Time: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Location: Heathcote Botanical Gardens

Address: 210 Savannah Rd

Price: Moms are Free all others adults $8 children 6-12 $ 3.00 under 3yrs old free

Category: Kids / Family

So much happening at Heathcote Mother’s Day weekend! Free plant for Mom while supplies last! Plants for sale! Indoor plants ready for their new home as well a huge variety of outdoor plants. On Saturday ONLY, May 7th, we will have crafts for the children in the children’s garden. Grab lunch while at the garden with Seas the Day Gourmet Grill food truck! They offer sandwiches, wraps, quesadillas, and many more tasty options! The welcome center/gift shop has a variety of locally crafted jewelry available for purchase as well the featured artist in residence art pieces for purchase. Make a day of it! Wander and shop Heathcote Botanical Gardens Mothers Day weekend for an afternoon of enjoyment! Dont forget to check out the used books for sale as well as a variety of other items.

Heathcote Mother’s Day Plant Sale Event

 

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Passport Series: Remember the AIs

Date: Saturday May 7, 2022

Time: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Location: Savannas Preserve State Park Main Entrance

Address: 2541 SE Walton Road, Port St Lucie, FL 34952

Price: $3/vehicle; $5 for Activities

Category: Educational

Did you know the Treasure Coast was once home to the Ais Indians, a Native American tribe? Take a stroll along the Glass Lizard Trail of the Savannas Preserve State Park to learn about the lifestyle and history of the Ais Indians. The self-guided trail will be open on Saturday, May 7, 2022, from 10 am to 2 pm. Participants can follow along the quarter mile trail to view drawings and read facts about the now extinct tribe. Enter this trail to the right of the Education Center; the trail is unpaved and could possibly be muddy. We encourage closed-toed shoes that can get wet!

Remember the Ais marks the third event of the Savannas Summer Passport Series! Each month, a new Chapter will be featured (May is Historical Resources!). Attending one event from each Chapter earns you a pin! Collect all the Savannas pins to show off to your friends and family! To participate in the Remember the Ais Passport Event, participants will need to purchase a Remember the Ais Activity Kit. Activities include making ink from berries and weaving a small basket. The kit also includes additional educational activities to complete along the self-guided trail. This Activity Bag is not included with event entry; it is available for pre-purchase at $5 a bag at friends-of-savannas.square.site. (Recommended for children ages 6 and up; please visit the purchasing website for additional information).

Park Admission Fee is required for event participation. You can purchase a one-day pass online by visiting the official Florida State Park website or you can purchase your pass at the park entrance with exact cash or via credit card using the posted QR Codes. The online purchased passes are only valid on the date purchased. Cost is $3 vehicle with up to 8 people or $2 person for anyone arriving at the park on foot or by bicycle.

The Savannas Preserve State Park Education Center is located at 2541 SE Walton Road in Port St. Lucie. For information about the Savannas and all of Floridas award-winning state parks, visit FloridaStateParks.org. To learn more about the Friends of Savannas, go to FriendsofSavannas.org.

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Yard sale at St. Luke’s

Date: Saturday May 7, 2022

Time: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

Location: St. Luke’s Episcopal Church

Address: 5150 SE Railway Ave., Cove Road at Dixie Highway

Price: Free admission

Category: Fund Raiser

St. Luke’s Red Door Thrift Shop will have a yard sale at the Episcopal church, 5150 S.E. Railway Ave., Cove Road at Dixie Highway, Stuart on Saturday, May 7, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Planned for sale are clothes, household items, children’s articles and more.

For more information, call 772-286-5455.

http://stlukesfl.org

 

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Port Saint Lucie Sports Cards & Collectibles Show

Date: Event occurs the second Sunday of every month.

Time: All Day Event

Location: St. Lucie Mets Convention Center

Address: 8555 Commerce Centre Dr. Port Saint Lucie, FL 34986

Price: Free Admission

Category: Expo

The Port Saint Lucie Baseball Card Show is held on the 2nd Sunday every month at the St. Lucie Mets Convention Center at Barons Real Estate. 8555 Commerce Centre Dr. Port Saint Lucie, Florida 34986.

Show Hours: 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Collectible Trading Cards & Memorabilia!

Baseball, Football, Other Sports, Comics & Non-Sports!

FREE ADMISSION!

BRING THE KIDS!

https://cardshowpsl.com/

What Rebounding Birth Rates Mean for Housing

The beginning of the pandemic spawned a “baby bust,” with birth rates falling to 100-year lows. But economists say that is quickly reversing. Could a baby boom be next? Not necessarily, economists say, but the latest data still shows an increase.

Historically, birth rates tend to go down during recessions and uncertainty in hard times, like pandemics. Birth rates followed that trend early in the pandemic when the states with the largest COVID-19 cases saw the largest declines in births.

From January 2020 to May 2020, job cuts and business shutdowns led to 62,000 “missing births” in the U.S., according to a new paper published by the National Bureau of Economic Research.

Birth rates have an impact on future housing demand, Jessica Lautz, vice president of demographics and behavioral insights at the National Association of REALTORS®, noted on the association’s blog in 2021. Having a baby is often a leading housing decision, prompting new families to buy a home or desire a larger home, Lautz wrote. The decline in births means fewer home buyers with children in the home.

But the baby bust spurred by the pandemic appears to have been short-lived. The study’s authors note how unexpectedly quickly it has recovered. Later in 2020, the birth rate rebounded by 51,000 conceptions. Economists say it was due to fast growth in the labor market and to government relief programs that helped households weather the pandemic’s economic impact.

But Melissa Schettini Kearney, one of the paper’s authors, told MarketWatch that the rebound later in 2020 is “far less significant” compared with the general U.S. trend over the last 15 years, which has resulted in about a 20% decrease in births. The authors note there are no signs of that overall trend reversing, even with the recent uptick in birth rates.

“Births in the U.S. have now fallen well below replacement levels, a situation that has existed in other developed countries for the past few decades,” the authors note. “Such low levels of fertility will affect economic growth, the solvency of public retirement systems, and other economic and social outcomes going forward.”

An earlier paper by the authors reported that highly educated women in their late thirties and early forties were the most likely to delay contraception in the early days of the pandemic outbreak.

Also, other studies are showing a lasting trend: More adults don’t want children. Forty-four percent of adults younger than 50 who don’t have children said they either weren’t likely or were “not at all likely” to have children one day, according to a Pew Research Center survey from October 2021. That is up from 37% in 2018.

In 1985, 58% of home buyers had children under the age of 18. That percentage has since fallen to 33%, according to NAR data.

 

 

Source: “Working Paper: The U.S. COVID-19 Baby Bust and Rebound,” National Bureau of Economic Research (April 2022) and “The Decline in the U.S. Birth Rate Bounced Back From the Early Days of the Pandemic,” MarketWatch (May 3, 2022)

Great Resignation Leads to Real Estate Rush

Since the pandemic began, a “Great Resignation” has taken root as people left their jobs. Many of them apparently may be shifted careers to real estate.

From January 2021 to January 2022, the top trending career search entry was “how to become a real estate agent,” according to Google searches.

More people have entered a career in real estate between 2020 and 2021, recording a 60% increase compared to the two years prior, The New York Times reports. With the real estate market booming across the country, job hunters may be drawn to the profession and the opportunity to build their own businesses.

“I think many people have gone through the journey over the past number of years now of exploring, I’ll call it self employment, and perhaps the kind of role that is both flexible and knows no boundaries,” Ryan Gorman, CEO of Coldwell Banker Real Estate, told Fortune. “And there is no more boundaryless role than a real estate agent. So we literally have real estate agents—with the same license that anyone can obtain over the next few months—who enjoy an income of seven and even eight figures, because they’ve realized that they can get out of it what they put into it. There is no telling you what the limit is to your potential.”

While the sky may be the limit for a real estate professional’s salary, most agents don’t make six figures, however. The median annual earnings for a real estate sales agent were $48,340 in May 2021, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

People are being drawn to a career in real estate for better work/life balance, increased income potential, and gratitude for having a job, according to a new Coldwell Banker Real Estate survey of 1,405 licensed real estate agents and brokers.

The National Association of REALTORS®’ latest total membership count, reflecting April data, was at nearly 1.55 million members. The states with the most members are Florida, California, and Texas.

 

Source: “Great Resignation Quitters Are Rushing to Get Real Estate Licenses. Coldwell Banker’s CEO Explains Why That Is, and How He Keeps His Team Happy,” Fortune.com (May 2, 2022)

BEWARE OF TESTERS & KNOW FAIR HOUSING LAWS

There has been a recent wave of lawsuits filed against Realtors® by testers.

 

There has been a recent wave of lawsuits filed against Realtors® by “testers,” which are groups that call Realtors® just to see if the Realtor® will violate a provision of the Fair Housing Act (FHA), even though the tester has no relationship with the Realtor® and is not interested in buying or renting the listed property. Courts have found that these testers have standing to sue as they have suffered injury.

Recent attention has been placed on the Housing Choice Voucher Program or “Section 8” vouchers. Several municipalities in Florida, including Broward County, have adopted laws prohibiting housing discrimination based on source of income. This means that it is illegal for a housing provider to keep a person out simply because that person is paying for housing with a subsidy or assistance like Section 8, or other benefits programs. If you receive an inquiry from a consumer asking about Section 8 vouchers or any Fair Housing provisions – a best practice response is to inform that caller that they are free to submit an application to lease/offer to purchase the property and that the landlord/seller makes all decisions regarding the lease/purchase of the property. Check your local ordinance for additional details and any relevant exemptions.

This is an evolving issue. Realtors® must be aware of and stay up to date on Fair Housing laws, in addition to the Florida Civil Rights Act, so they don’t face lawsuits.

Source: Florida Realtors®, Broward County, Florida Code of Ordinances, Chapter 16½.

National ‘Agents in Action’ Image Bank to Represent You

The Center for REALTOR® Development (CRD), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the National Association of REALTORS®, has partnered with Getty Images’ Custom Content photographers and videographers to create “Agents in Action,” an image gallery authentically capturing the real estate experience in America.

“We hope that real estate professionals worldwide will look at this image gallery and feel represented,” says Michelle Collins, marketing and communications manager for CRD. “April is Fair Housing Month, which is extremely important to NAR and its 1.5 million members, which is why we launched this now. Engaging imagery is requisite for real estate professionals. As visuals within the industry advance and become more inclusive, our hope is that agents, brokerages, and others will be able to benefit and use the content in their own marketing materials.”

CRD will continue to add content over the next few months, highlighting the exceptional service home buyers and sellers receive when they work with a qualified real estate professional.

“Getty Images brings a wealth of expertise and resources to promote diverse representation across sectors,” says Claudia Marks, senior manager of New Creator Strategy at Getty Images. “We are happy to support CRD on their journey to create authentic imagery that can be shared across the real estate industry.”

“Agents in Action” personifies four CRD credentials: the Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®) designation, the Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) designation, NAR’s GREEN designation, and the Seniors Real Estate Specialist® (SRES®) designation. CRD is devoted to the career advancement and professional development of real estate professionals. NAR members can seek specialized education and credentials, which can help them stand out in today’s extremely competitive market and create a customized experience for their clients.

 

Weekend Happenings

Farmers Market and Craft Show at the Fort Pierce Marina

St. Lucie County

Date: Event occurs every Saturday of every month.

Time: 8:00 am – 12:00 pm

Location: Downtown Fort Pierce

Address: 1 Avenue A – Fort Pierce

Category: Other

Come enjoy the extraordinary Downtown Fort Pierce Farmers’ Market where there are over 70 friendly vendors that offer a wonderful and diverse selection of delicious foods, exotic plants, savory spices, and much much more!

For More Information

 

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YMCA Healthy Kids Day

 

Date: Saturday April 30, 2022

Time: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Location: YMCA of the Treasure Coast

Address: 1700 SE Monterey Road

Price: FREE

Category: Kids / Family

Join us for the 30th Annual Healthy Kids Day®, the Ys national initiative to improve the health and well-being of kids and families, happening on Saturday, April 30,

2022! YMCAs across the country host free community events aimed to inspire kids to keep their minds and bodies active throughout the summer months. The day will feature summer camp, fitness, and first responder demonstrations, concessions, and an interactive community mural! All activities are designed to inspire kids to get active while simultaneously teaching families how to develop routines that support mental and physical health at home. At the Y, we believe kids can do anything with the right support. Thats why we are committed to helping kids get on, and stay on, a healthy youth development journey that includes physical, cognitive, and social-emotional growth.

YMCA Healthy Kids Day Info

 

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Invasive Plant Identification Hike

Date: Saturday April 30, 2022

Time: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Location: Savannas Preserve State Park Main Entrance

Address: 2541 SE Walton Road, Port St Lucie, FL 34952

Price: $3/vehicle

Category: Educational

On April 30, 2022, enjoy a self-paced Invasive Plant Identification hike suitable for all ages! The quarter-mile long Glass Lizard Trail will be transformed into an educational experience from 10 am to 2 pm with pictures of the most common invasive and exotic plant species of South Florida. Enter the trail to the right of the Education Center. AmeriCorps members from Savannas Preserve State Park will be available to answer questions about invasive plant removal and volunteer opportunities!

Invasive Plant Identification marks the second event of the Savannas Summer Passport Series! Each month, a new Chapter will be featured (April is Resource Management!). Attending one event from each Chapter earns you a pin! Collect all the Savannas pins to show off to your friends and family! The Passport Series is recommended for ages 6 and up.

The Glass Lizard Trail is unpaved and could possibly be muddy. We encourage closed toed shoes that can get wet! Park Admission Fee is required to walk the trail. You can purchase a one day pass online by visiting the official Florida State Park Page or you can purchase your pass at the park entrance with exact cash or via credit card using the posted QR Codes. The online purchased passes are only valid on the date purchased. Cost is $3 vehicle with up to 8 people or $2 person for anyone arriving to the park on foot or by bicycle.

The Savannas Preserve State Park Education Center is located at 2541 SE Walton Road in Port St. Lucie. For information about the Savannas and all of Floridas award-winning state parks, visit FloridaStateParks.org. To learn more about the Friends of Savannas, go to FriendsofSavannas.org.

 

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Salute our Troops Classic Car Show & Collection Drive for Forgotten Soldiers Outreach

Date: Saturday April 30, 2022

Time: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Location: B & A Flea Market

Address: 2885 US-1, Stuart, FL 34994

Price: FREE

Category: Auto / Motorsports

Classic Car Show and Oldies By Lew

Collecting Much Needed Care Package Items for Forgotten Soldiers Outreach to be included in monthly “We Care” packages!

Please stop by and enjoy your day at B&A Flea Market and check out the amazing classic cars, and drop off care package items to any of the vendors or at the office!

Help us let our troops know they are not forgotten!

https://www.forgottensoldiers.org/evrplus_registration/?action=evrplusegister&event_id=72

 

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Indian River Marine Flea Market

Date: Saturday April 30, 2022 through Sunday May 1, 2022.

Time: All Day Event

Location: Indian River Fairgrounds

Address: 7858 58th Ave

Price: $7.00

Category: Festival

One of the highlights to this years event is the Fishing Show featuring seminars and interactive attractions. Fishing displays and commercial marine vendors will fill the 17,600 sq ft air-conditioned expo center and open-air pavilion. They will be on hand to demonstrate and answer any of your fishing related and boating lifestyle questions. Many of the exhibitors will have the latest rods, reels and lures on hand for sale. A wide variety of salt and freshwater fishing tackle will be on display for anglers looking for great buys. New, used, antique, custom fishing and boating items will be available to all. 95% of boats in the water in the United States are less than 26 ft long, boats that can be pulled by vehicles to local waterways and there are many choices for buyers. Local boat dealers with fishing boats will be on hand to assist the visitors with information about the right boat for them.

https://flnauticalfleamarket.com/vero-bch-marine-flea-mkt

US pending home sales suffer fifth straight month of decline

Home sales based on contract signings fell to a two-year low in March, suggesting a slower pace of housing activity as interest rates and home prices surge to record highs.

Pending home sales dipped 1.2% month over month to 103.7 – marking the fifth consecutive monthly decline and the lowest level since May 2020, according to the National Association of Realtors. Year over year, contract signings sank 8.2%.

“The falling contract signings are implying that multiple offers will soon dissipate and be replaced by much calmer and normalized market conditions,” said NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun. “As it stands, the sudden large gains in mortgage rates have reduced the pool of eligible homebuyers, and that has consequently lowered buying activity. The aspiration to purchase a home remains, but the financial capacity has become a major limiting factor.”

According to Yun’s projections, the 30-year fixed mortgage rate will likely hit 5.3% by the fourth quarter before reaching 5.4% by 2023. He expects inflation to average 8.2% in 2022 but start moderating to 5.5% in the second half of this year. Unemployment rates will average 3.7%, Yun estimated, and GDP growth to accelerate by 2.8%.

As of March, higher mortgage rates and persistent price growth have driven an annual increase of 31% in mortgage payments.

“Overall existing-home sales this year look to be down 9% from the heated pace of last year,” Yun said. “Home prices are in no danger of decline on a nationwide basis, but the price gains will steadily decelerate such that the median home price in 2022 will likely be up 8% from last year.”

Costs have also pushed monthly rental payments up. Yun predicts this will lead to more renters exploring homeownership.

“Fast-rising rents will encourage renters to consider buying a home, though higher mortgage rates will present challenges,” Yun said. “Strong rent growth nonetheless will lead to a boom in multifamily housing starts, with more than 20% growth this year. I expect that to result in a boost to construction of less than 5%.”

 

By Candyd Mendoza – 28 Apr 2022