Moving a family is stressful, but Boca Raton’s A-rated schools, safe streets, and year-round sunshine keep it on relocation shortlists.
As of January 2026, homes stay on the market for about 85 days, and active listings have edged past 2,400—roughly a 4 percent year-over-year jump, according to data from Realtor.com.
That breathing room lets you zero in on what counts: choosing a Realtor who understands school boundaries, HOA fine print, and the kid-friendly pockets of every neighborhood.
In the pages ahead, we’ll spotlight six proven, family-focused agents and show you how to pick the perfect match.
Why a family-focused realtor matters in Boca’s shifting market
A real estate purchase is always emotional, but layer in school calendars, bedtime routines, and a car full of toys, and the stakes rise fast. Parents can’t afford surprises—finding out that the playground down the street closes at dusk or that an HOA blocks trampolines. That is where a family-centric agent steps in.
These specialists track zoning changes, flag HOA fine print, and even know which cul-de-sacs double as neighborhood bike tracks at 4 p.m. They translate acreage and floor-plan jargon into one question: “Will your kids be happy here?”
Timing helps, too. As of January 2026, homes stay on the market for about 85 days, and active listings hover near 2,400, both higher than a year earlier, according to the Realtor.com Boca Raton market overview. The cooler pace gives families time to compare school zones instead of rushing the first offer.
Yet choice alone can overwhelm. According to a 2025 Clever Real Estate agent study that examined 662 Boca agents, you have options—but also face the risk of picking at random. A family-focused shortlist cuts through that noise, matching your needs with pros who already speak parent.
In the next section, we’ll show you how we trimmed hundreds of names to six relocation-friendly stars.
How We Narrowed 3,600 Boca Agents Down To Six Relocation Stand-Outs
We started with the big picture. Public records for 2025 show that roughly 3,600 Realtors hold an active license in greater Boca Raton. Sifting that crowd into a parent-friendly shortlist required firm filters.
First, we leaned on third-party performance data from the same 2025 Clever Real Estate study, which evaluated 662 Boca agents for transaction volume, list-to-sale ratios, and verified reviews. Anyone outside the top quartile for sales or customer satisfaction missed our first cut.
Next, we overlaid family-specific signals:
- Deals closed in school-zoned neighborhoods during the past 12 months.
- Review language that mentioned kids, school advice, or help with HOAs.
- Response-time tests; we wanted agents who reply before a toddler’s nap ends.
Finally, we interviewed finalists, probing for school-boundary knowledge, HOA rule awareness, and a willingness to schedule showings around bedtime routines. The six pros you’ll meet next aced every metric.
- Squarefoot Homes Team
Think of SquareFoot Homes as the Swiss Army knife for relocating parents. The team closed 45 Boca Raton transactions in 2025, from starter ranches to seven-figure estates. That range matters because families often stretch their budget once they realize how much backyard and school quality they can gain.
Lead agent and Florida native Jenna Morales checks school boundaries before she books a showing. Her color-coded iPad map confirms in seconds whether a listing feeds Waters Edge Elementary or Loggers’ Run Middle, sparing you late-night searches.
Virtual support is another plus. Their portal spotlights Boca’s 46 public parks, five miles of beaches, and year-round family events, then filters three-plus-bedroom listings by playground distance and grocery access. Parents tour on FaceTime during lunch, kids wave at the screen, and decisions land without burning PTO.
Former New Yorkers, the Thompson family, call the experience “shockingly easy.” SquareFoot found their home, arranged school tours, and even booked a handyman to install bunk beds before move-in. For busy parents, service like that is gold.
- Steve Gabay – Florida’s Best Realty Services
If negotiating were an Olympic sport, Steve Gabay would take home multiple gold medals. His small-but-mighty team closed 102 Boca Raton transactions in 2025, ranging from bargain condos to beachfront estates. Parents value that range because Steve can juggle a first-home purchase and the sale of a grandparent’s villa without missing a beat.
A former FAU marketing grad, Steve grew up playing Little League in East Boca. That local experience now powers hyper-specific advice: which streets flood after heavy rain, the quickest back route to Calusa Elementary, and even which youth soccer fields serve the tastiest empanadas.
His second license as a general contractor is another plus. During showings he eyeballs walls for nursery expansions and quotes a remodel cost on the spot. The Ramirez family credits that foresight with saving them $25,000 in future renovations, and the gesture earned Steve the affectionate nickname “Uncle Steve.”
- Larry Mastropieri – The Mastropieri Group
Larry runs his office like an air-traffic tower: nothing circles, everything lands on time. His team helped 167 Boca Raton families in 2025, and every message still earns a rapid reply. Parents juggling lunch boxes appreciate answers that arrive before the school bell rings.
Speed meets concierge depth. Larry reviews HOA bylaws as soon as a listing hits your inbox and highlights kid-related rules, even trampoline restrictions. His side-by-side spreadsheets compare school grades, commute times, and resale forecasts so you can weigh Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club luxury against the big-yard ease of Mission Bay.
As a dad, Larry shares lived wisdom: which playgrounds offer shade, which after-school programs still have openings, and who sells the city’s best pizza by the slice after soccer practice. The Choi family, who relocated from Seoul, credit that full-spectrum guidance with turning an overseas leap into a soft landing.
- Alex & Margot Platt – Platt Team at Compass
Millennial parents helping millennial parents sums up the Platt formula. Alex runs Compass’s AI match tool to surface homes filtered by stroller-friendly sidewalks and nearby playgrounds. Margot balances the tech with printed welcome packets that list pediatricians, swim schools, and the closest latte drive-through for sleep-deprived moms.
Their own toddlers often tag along on showings, proving a space is truly child-safe. First-time buyers praise the duo’s calm coaching: Margot explains escrow in plain English while Alex reviews comps in real time so you never overpay.
Digital speed sets them apart. Need a late-night DocuSign while warming a bottle? You’ll have it before the milk cools. The Singhal family credits that 24-hour accessibility with turning “total relocation panic” into excitement, plus new play-date friends in the neighbors the Platts introduced on closing day.
- The Pam & Toni Team – Compass
More than 40 years in Boca Raton real estate give Pam Polimeno a trove of local stories. Her daughter, Toni Kosowski, adds fresh marketing savvy, creating a two-generation team that speaks to empty-nesters and first-graders alike.
Their edge is connection. Need an orthodontist with evening hours, a mover who shrink-wraps Lego castles, or a swim coach with Saturday slots? Pam knows each one by first name. That network keeps transactions and post-closing life running smoothly.
Pricing strategy is another hallmark. The duo listed the Mendelsons’ central-Boca ranch on a Thursday, staged it with kid-friendly scenes, and accepted an above-ask offer by Sunday dinner while two toddlers slept upstairs. Experience paired with empathy delivers results.
- Elyse Berman, PA – LoKation Real Estate
Dogs in the car and kids in the back seat? Elyse Berman plans for every passenger. Her specialty is pet-friendly real estate, perfect for families who refuse to choose between a new address and their Labradoodle. Before any tour she checks HOA bylaws for breed limits, fence rules, and curb-leash requirements, sparing parents last-minute heartbreak.
With 18 years of local experience, Elyse knows the school map as well as the zoning chart. She pairs each listing with district scorecards and highlights campuses that offer strong special-needs programs. The Caldwell family recalls her steering them away from a stylish home after discovering the street lacked children. “Your daughters need playmates,” she said, then found a block buzzing with scooters.
Her empathy shines in small touches: booking kennel stays during inspection day, slipping a chew toy into the welcome basket, and mapping evening jogging routes that leave everyone, two-legged and four-legged, happily tired by bedtime.
Which of these six feels like your family’s perfect fit?
Still deciding? Match each agent to your biggest pain point.
If a sudden job transfer leaves no time for scouting trips, SquareFoot Homes Team delivers virtual tours and rapid-fire texting.
Need a sharp negotiator who can also estimate a nursery knock-out? Steve Gabay is your budget-smart pick.
Aiming for gated luxury or planning an international move? Larry Mastropieri handles complex logistics with ease.
First-time buyers who want coaching plus high-tech tools click quickly with Alex and Margot Platt.
Upsizing, downsizing, or simply looking for an agent who knows every Boca vendor by name? Pam and Toni feel like hometown family.
And if the dog’s happiness tops your list, Elyse Berman is already confirming HOA pet clauses on your behalf.
Key Questions Parents Should Ask A Boca Realtor
Smart buyers don’t just quiz an agent on price; they dig into family logistics. Start with “Which school zone is this home in, and are any boundary shifts on the horizon?” Great agents track proposals such as the 2025 plan to rezone 300 students from crowded Calusa Elementary, a change that unsettled parents across the city, according to WPTV.
Next, ask “What do the HOA rules mean for kids and pets?” A swing-set ban or a two-dog limit can derail the dream backyard faster than a summer thunderstorm. A family-centric agent will have HOA documents ready and translate legal language into plain English before you fall in love with a house.
Finally, pose “Describe the day-to-day kid activity on this street.” You want specifics: bikes after dinner, sidewalks to the park, the bus stop’s exact corner. When an agent paints that picture without hesitation, you know they sell lifestyles, not just square footage.
Next Steps For A Stress-Free Boca Move
Pick your favorite agent, then lock in financing right away. A quick pre-approval letter shows sellers you mean business and sets a clear “do not exceed” budget before wish lists run wild.
Share that budget plus a short list of non-negotiables such as school rating, bedroom count, and a fenced yard with your agent on day one. Clear guardrails reduce endless weekend showings and keep kids from touring homes they’ll never live in.
While your agent schedules viewings, browse current listings on the SquareFoot family-size home portal to study layouts and price trends. It’s window-shopping in pajamas.
Finally, block off decision hours on the calendar. Treat house hunting like a project: deadlines, snack breaks, and a reward when you click “submit offer.” With the right pro guiding the process, you’ll be unpacking boxes and setting up the swing set before the next report card arrives.
FAQ for busy Boca-bound parents
What commission do Boca Realtors charge?
Most full-service agents quote 5 to 6 percent, split between listing and buyer sides. On a $600,000 sale that equals roughly $30,000 to $36,000, paid from the seller’s proceeds. The amount is sizeable, yet often negotiable, especially on higher-value homes or when the same pro lists and then helps you buy.
When should we list to attract family buyers?
Aim for late spring. Showings climb from March through June as parents plan a summer move and new school year. Listing then taps the widest audience and often the strongest offers. Need speed over price? Early fall works, when inventory dips and serious buyers remain.
How strong are Boca’s public schools?
They belong to the A-rated School District of Palm Beach County. From bilingual magnet programs to nationally ranked high schools, options run deep. Use the district’s “Find My School” tool or rely on your agent’s map to verify every address before you submit an offer.
Do we really need flood insurance this far south?
Check the FEMA map street by street. East-side homes near the Intracoastal usually fall inside mandatory zones, while many west-side suburbs sit high and dry. Your lender makes the final call, but buying a policy often beats replacing a soaked sofa.
What hidden cost do families overlook?
HOA approval fees. Some Boca communities charge application fees per adult and pet deposits per animal. Plan for an extra $300 to $800 at closing, and ask your agent to confirm early.
