top of page


Maintenance portals vs. texting: building a defensible paper trail across the three cities
In Florida’s coastal housing markets — from Boca Raton and Deerfield Beach to Palm Coast — communication between property managers and residents has evolved. Maintenance requests that once flowed through paper forms and text threads now move into structured digital systems. Yet, questions remain: which methods best protect both residents and associations when disputes arise? This article compares maintenance portals and text messaging across these three cities, focusing
Maria V.
Nov 8, 202514 min read


Parking, towing & guest passes: condo rules east of US-1 in Boca/Deerfield vs. driveway/HOA rules in Palm Coast letter sections
Parking, towing & guest passes: condo rules east of US-1 in Boca/Deerfield vs. driveway/HOA rules in Palm Coast letter sections Parking, Towing & Guest Passes: Condo Rules East of US-1 vs. HOA Driveway Policies in Palm Coast A. Quick Synopsis — What Differs, in One Line: Condominiums east of US-1 in Boca Raton and Deerfield Beach typically treat parking as a common-element management function (decals, assigned stalls, guest passes, posted tow notices, and board enforcement),
Maria V.
Nov 7, 202524 min read


AI tenant-screening errors: how to dispute denials with Boca/Deerfield property managers and Palm Coast brokerages
Artificial intelligence (AI) and algorithmic screening tools are increasingly used by landlords and property managers to evaluate prospective tenants. While these tools promise efficiency, they also carry risks of error, bias, and non-transparency—especially when used for tenant selection in rental housing. For managers and brokers in Boca/Deerfield and Palm Coast, understanding these risks and how to respond to disputes is important. 1. What is happening: AI screening tools
Maria V.
Nov 6, 202526 min read


ESA vs. service animals: tenant rights in Palm Beach/Broward/Flagler—what property managers can/can’t ask
What property managers can — and can’t — ask, and how to handle requests correctly Housing providers in Florida must navigate two overlapping bodies of law when tenants say they need an animal for a disability: federal disability law (the Fair Housing Act and ADA) and Florida law. The rules differ depending on whether the animal is a service animal (trained to perform tasks) or an assistance animal such as an emotional support animal (ESA) (provides therapeutic emotional s
Maria V.
Nov 4, 202524 min read


Early-termination math in practice: Boca condo vs. Deerfield HOA vs. Palm Coast single-family lease clauses
Ending a lease early can get expensive—but the how much depends heavily on location and property type. In Florida, the difference between a Boca Raton condo, a Deerfield Beach townhouse under an HOA, and a Palm Coast single-family home can mean hundreds of dollars in variance once the fine print kicks in. Boca Raton Condo: Association Rules Add Layers In Boca Raton, most condominium rentals operate under the oversight of active condo associations—entities that can significan
Maria V.
Nov 1, 20255 min read


Rate caps without multi-year lock-ins: negotiation scripts tuned for each city’s vacancy dynamics
When renewal season rolls around, tenants and landlords often face a familiar standoff: how to manage rent increases fairly while keeping flexibility. One practical middle ground is a rate cap without a multi-year lock-in —an agreement that limits future rent hikes but keeps the lease term itself at one year (or even month-to-month). This approach is especially useful in markets where vacancy rates fluctuate differently across cities . Below are negotiation strategies tailore
Maria V.
Oct 31, 20255 min read


Renewal strategy: seasonality patterns in Boca/Deerfield coastal markets vs. Palm Coast inland—how to time your ask
Timing a lease-renewal ask in Florida isn’t just bookkeeping — it’s strategy. Coastal Broward & Palm Beach submarkets (think Boca Raton and Deerfield Beach) swing strongly with the “snowbird” season, while inland / quieter northeast-coast markets such as Palm Coast show gentler seasonality and different demand windows. Below I break down the patterns, explain the implications for landlords and tenants, and give a clear, calendar-ready playbook for when — and how — to make you
Maria V.
Oct 29, 202522 min read


Utility setup, by city: FPL everywhere; water/sewer—Boca Raton Utility Services, Deerfield Beach Water, Palm Coast Utility Department
When moving into a Florida home—whether in Boca Raton, Deerfield Beach, or Palm Coast—setting up utilities is one of the first practical steps to ensure a smooth transition. While electric service in all three areas is handled by Florida Power & Light (FPL), water and sewer services differ depending on the city. 1. Electricity: Florida Power & Light (FPL) Florida Power & Light (FPL) is the primary electricity provider for a large portion of Florida, including cities such as B
Maria V.
Oct 24, 20259 min read


Hurricane & force-majeure clauses: who installs shutters in Boca/Deerfield condos vs. Palm Coast SFHs
When it comes to Florida’s storm season, the difference between coastal South Florida and the quieter northeast coast often shows up in the fine print of leases and condominium documents — especially in hurricane and force-majeure clauses. These provisions determine who is responsible for installing shutters, securing property, and handling delays or damage caused by major storms. 1. Understanding Force-Majeure Clauses A force-majeure clause is a key provision in Florida
Maria V.
Oct 23, 202514 min read


Flood-zone & storm-surge checks: step-by-step for Boca/Deerfield (barrier island/Intracoastal) vs. Palm Coast (ICW + freshwater canals)
Planning, buying, insuring, or managing coastal property in Southeast Florida means answering two related questions: (1) Is the property in a FEMA flood zone (and what’s the Base Flood Elevation)? and (2) How exposed is it to storm surge? The places in this short guide differ in how those questions are answered: Boca Raton and Deerfield Beach include barrier-island / Intracoastal neighborhoods where ocean surge and wave action are key risks, while Palm Coast’s risk picture
Maria V.
Oct 21, 202525 min read


“Junk fees” in leases: what’s typical in Boca/Deerfield condos vs. Palm Coast single-family homes
Renters who move around South Florida quickly learn that the headline rent is only part of the math. “Junk fees” — non-rent charges added at application, move-in, or during tenancy — can tack hundreds (or even thousands) onto the first month’s outlay. Below I compare the patterns you’re likely to see in Boca Raton / Deerfield Beach condo rentals versus single-family homes in Palm Coast, explain why the differences exist, and offer practical steps to avoid surprises. Boca Rato
Maria V.
Oct 15, 202512 min read


Live Local Act updates: what annual-lease renters should expect in Boca, Deerfield & Palm Coast
What Is the Live Local Act? The Live Local Act , enacted on July 1, 2023 , is one of Florida’s most significant housing initiatives in recent decades. Designed to expand access to affordable and workforce housing , the law aims to encourage private developers to build and maintain rental units that are attainable for middle-income workers—such as teachers, nurses, and first responders—who often earn too much to qualify for traditional affordable housing yet still struggle wit
Maria V.
Oct 14, 20259 min read


2025 rental-law watch for tenants in Palm Beach, Broward & Flagler (what’s changing locally)
As Florida continues to refine its landlord-tenant laws, renters in Palm Beach, Broward, and Flagler counties should pay attention to several changes and proposed amendments that may affect their rights, notice periods, deposits, disclosures, and protections. While Florida law largely preempts local ordinances in the residential rental sphere, local implementation and county/city practices can cause variation in how changes play out on the ground. Below are key developments i
Maria V.
Oct 13, 202513 min read


From Snowbirds to Sunbirds: How Seasonal Migration is Changing in the 21st Century
For decades, the term “snowbirds” has referred to retirees from colder northern states and Canada who flock to warmer southern...
Maria V.
Sep 15, 20257 min read


Rental Price Trends in Palm Coast, Boca Raton & Deerfield Beach (Mid-2025 Update)
Palm Coast, FL Rental Market Update – Mid-2025 Palm Coast, Florida, continues to show signs of stability in its rental housing market...
Maria V.
Sep 8, 20257 min read


A Day in the Life of an Oasis Rentals Property Manager
6:30 AM – Rise and Review For an Oasis Rentals property manager, the day starts bright and early at 6:30 AM with a ritual known as “Rise...
Maria V.
Sep 1, 20257 min read


Local News Impacting Our Community
Mike Norris and Cornelia Manfre, leading to a runoff in November in Palm Coast. These candidates bring new perspectives to the table.
Maria V.
Aug 30, 20241 min read
bottom of page