Enjoy the natural beauty of the Fort Lauderdale area (the "Venice of America") as well as close proximity to major employers and travel routes by choosing the community of Plantation for your next home.

"The city of Plantation is located in the heart of Broward County," explains Realtor Leanne Valdes. "Plantation shares its eastern border with Fort Lauderdale, its southern border with Davie, known for its annual "Westfair" event, and to the north and west is the city of Sunrise, home to the Sawgrass Mills Mall and the National Car Rental Center."

Family life is a priority in Plantation. "Several major employers including Motorola and American Express have called Plantation home for many years and we continue to attract more and new businesses every year. The shopping districts throughout Plantation are varied and each offers something for everyone. The quality of education is a priority to many residents in Plantation. As a family-friendly city, our educational offerings run the gamut from day care centers to both public and private elementary, junior and high schools. A residual benefit to Plantation's ideal location is that we are fortunate to be within a reasonable distance of much of what the tri-county area has to offer in the way of arts, entertainment, parks and recreation."

According to Valdes, the Plantation market continues to favor sellers, though there are signs that it is beginning to balance out. "If you're searching for a home and find one that fits your wants and needs but perhaps just needs a little work, don't hesitate too long before placing an offer, or someone else may beat you to it," suggests Valdes. "Properties that are in good condition and priced correctly from the day they are listed tend to go very quickly for full or near full price and in some cases even result in a higher-than-asked-for purchase price. While there is one high-end new construction community still selling, currently there are no other new home developments underway in Plantation as vacant land is becoming more scarce every year.

Realtor Ana Zitnick confirms the busy seller's market of Plantation. "It is springtime, and buyers are preparing to move as this is an ideal time to start looking for that new home," says Zitnick. "The current properties are still selling at a quick pace and very close to the listing price or actual full price. Springtime is traditionally a time for buyers to begin looking for a move in the early summer months.

Valdes also notes, "Throughout Broward County, vacant land is becoming more difficult to find for new developments. You can still find homes in the $140,000-$200,000 range though they are becoming more scarce."

Realtor Mark Roth says that Plantation area homes tend to hold or increase their value in most markets. "Trends differ depending on where you live -- in some markets prices are soft and affordability is up, while in other areas the market is fairly balanced between buyers and sellers. Moreover, low mortgage rates are making homes more affordable, a lure few buyers can ignore."