Palm Beach County’s gated enclaves feel like private resorts—guard posts, leafy boulevards, and five-star clubhouses. Yet every community enforces its own fees, pet limits, and even paint colors, so the agent you pick determines whether you breeze through the gate or idle at the kiosk.
Demand is scorching: the county’s 25 busiest Realtors closed $6.1 billion in gated sales last year, with one broker alone logging $636 million inside a single neighborhood, according to a March 2025 Real Deal ranking.
The market is vibrant, the rules are tricky, and you need a specialist who speaks fluent HOA. The seven pros below do exactly that—handing you the keys with confidence.
Quick-scan: which agent fits your gate?
We promised you specialists, not a phone-book pile of business cards. Before we dive into full profiles, here’s a rapid look at who works where and why that matters.
Each name below links to thousands of gated-community closings; one record even crosses the nine-figure mark. We trimmed the noise to five datapoints you actually care about: focus, experience, sales, reputation, and proof.
| Realtor / team | Gated-community specialty | Years in niche | 2021–2024 gated sales | Average review score |
| SquareFoot Homes (county-wide) | Family and luxury communities from Arden to Boca Bridges | 10+ (team) | about 50 closings across multiple neighborhoods | 4.9★ |
| David W. Roberts (Boca Raton) | Ultra-luxury Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club only | 40+ | $636 million in 2024 | 5.0★ |
| Eric Telchin Group (West Palm) | Ibis Golf & Country Club plus other 33412 golf communities | 15 | 200+ deals; more than 1,000 career sales in Ibis | 5.0★ |
| Jeffrey Katz Group (Boynton) | 55-plus Valencia active-adult communities | 20 | over $325 million sold | 5.0★ |
| Tricoli Team (KW) | Mid-market family HOAs county-wide | 20 | 300+ transactions | 5.0★ |
| Alex & Margot Platt (Compass) | New-build luxury (Lotus, Bridges) | 8 | 60+ high-end sales | 5.0★ |
| Martha Jolicoeur (Elliman) | Wellington equestrian estates | 15 | 80+ barn-ready estates | 5.0★ |
Browse the grid, match an agent to your lifestyle, and read on to see how each professional clears hurdles that keep average agents parked at the gate.
1. SquareFoot Homes Real Estate Group – your county-wide gatekeepers
SquareFoot Homes Real Estate Group website screenshot
1. SquareFoot Homes Real Estate Group – your county-wide gatekeepers
Picture a concierge desk that stretches from Boca Raton to Jupiter. That is SquareFoot Homes. The boutique team lives inside the communities they sell, with one agent in Boca Bridges and another in Arden, so they trade first-hand intel rather than recycled market reports.
Because they serve the whole county, they spot trends others miss: HOAs that quietly raised security dues last quarter, golf clubs cutting initiation fees, and neighborhoods where resale values surge after a clubhouse refresh. They feed that insight into a tech-smart portal that filters listings by lifestyle—golf, 55-plus, waterfront—and flags fee changes overnight.
Reach never dilutes results. The team closed about fifty gated transactions in the past three years, ranging from starter HOAs to eight-figure estates. Repeat clients echo the same praise: “They made three sales feel like one smooth ride.” If you want choices across the map without juggling multiple agents, start here.
2. David W. Roberts – king of Royal Palm
Step inside Royal Palm Yacht and Country Club and one name echoes louder than the hum of golf carts: David W. Roberts. He has walked these streets for more than forty years, first as a resident, then as the broker who reset local record prices.
Royal Palm Properties and David W. Roberts website screenshot
In 2024 alone he guided $636 million in on-market sales, every dollar inside this single guard-gated enclave. Clients say Roberts can quote lot elevations from memory; appraisers call him for comparable data. That mastery pays off. When a teardown sold for thirty-six million, he handled both sides and defended value no spreadsheet could capture.
Royal Palm follows bespoke rules—equity memberships, marina-slip lotteries, architectural reviews with surgical precision. Roberts knows every key holder and the nuance of each bylaw. Hire him and you tap a resident network that secures permits, tee times, and seawall inspections before most agents print brochures.
If your target is Boca’s most exclusive gate, skip the learning curve. Roberts already wrote the syllabus.
3. Eric Telchin Group – the Ibis insider
Drive through the gates of Ibis Golf and Country Club and odds are the listing you pass belongs to Eric Telchin. His signs may be common as palmettos, but his method is all precision. Telchin has logged more than 1,000 Ibis closings, a record built on meticulous data and neighborly follow-through.
He tracks every sale, price shift, and membership tweak in a private spreadsheet that dwarfs the MLS. Sellers lean on those numbers to capture extra value from upgraded kitchens; buyers use them to time offers around seasonal inventory bumps. That focus placed his team third in the county for transaction sides last year while keeping a perfect five-star rating intact.
Living inside the 33412 ZIP keeps Telchin ahead of rule changes. He knows which sub-HOA will repave roads or raise capital contributions and hands clients a cheat sheet before each tour, saving them from fee surprises. After closing, he is first to invite newcomers for a quick nine or a Friday clubhouse buffet. Service continues long after the ink dries, which is why families return when it is time to upsize or downsize inside the gates.
Shopping for a golf-centric lifestyle north of West Palm? Telchin already has the tee sheet ready.
4. Jeffrey Katz Group – the 55-plus matchmakers
Active-adult buyers want more than square footage. They want pickleball leagues, grand-kid rules, and an HOA that trims hedges while they travel. Jeffrey Katz has turned those wishes into more than $325 million in closed sales across the Valencia series and other 55-plus enclaves.
His website feels like a retirement concierge desk: side-by-side fee charts, amenity videos, and comparison grids of pet policies. New clients arrive having streamed every walkthrough, then rely on Katz to decode the fine print. He guides them through age-restriction affidavits, clubhouse equity options, and the lesser-known rule that some HOAs limit overnight guests under eighteen.
Patience is his edge. Reviews read like thank-you notes—snowbirds grateful for sunrise webcam screenshots, widowers thankful for lenders who understand fixed-income underwriting. Because Katz tracks resale velocity in each Valencia phase, he alerts sellers when a neighbor’s pending renovation might distort comps, guarding equity before the listing hits MLS.
If your next chapter includes sunshine without yard work, Katz turns red tape into a welcome-home ribbon.
5. Tricoli Team – review-backed hustle for growing families
Gated living is not always about chandeliers and marble. Sometimes it is a safe cul-de-sac where bikes roam and the PTA meets at the clubhouse. For that slice of suburbia, families trust Jeff Tricoli’s Keller Williams squad.
Two thousand five-star reviews tell the story: constant availability and data-driven pricing. Tricoli agents cover the county daily, moving from Canyon Trails to Nautica Lakes with clockwork efficiency. The effort pays off. They have logged more than three hundred gated closings across price points, spotting appraisal traps and HOA quirks that can derail FHA loans.
Speed is their edge. Internal numbers show their listings sell eight percent faster than the county average, thanks to focused staging advice and social ads that reach buyers within five miles of each gate. Yet the process never feels rushed. Clients recall late-night calls that walk through estoppel letters line by line, preventing fee surprises at closing.
Need a team that can open kid-friendly gates on short notice and still negotiate with precision? Tricoli already has the key fobs ready.
6. Alex & Margot Platt – social-savvy partners for new luxury
GL Homes keeps rolling out modern playgrounds like Lotus and Boca Bridges, and the Platts sell them almost as quickly as the slabs cure. This Compass duo landed on Palm Beach County’s forty-under-forty list by pairing scroll-stopping video tours with concierge-level service.
Margot’s design degree shows in every listing. She tweaks furniture angles, records a one-minute reel, and often tops five thousand views before sunset. Alex studies inventory velocity and nudges price bands so offers arrive within days. Together they have closed more than sixty gated deals, most north of one million dollars, while preserving a spotless five-star review streak.
Their edge is relatability. They juggle toddlers, know which HOAs host stroller parades, and recite school rezoning updates between showings. Remote buyers value live video walk-throughs that linger on cabinet hinges, gate call boxes, and cell-service dead zones.
If your wish list reads “brand-new, smart-home, resort amenities, zero maintenance,” the Platts will have a virtual key waiting before your plane lands.
7. Martha W. Jolicoeur – Wellington’s equestrian whisperer
Million-dollar horses fly into Wellington each winter, and Martha Jolicoeur welcomes their owners. A former Grand Prix rider, she sells gated estates the way trainers pick Olympic mounts: footing, flow, and flawless condition.
Her card reads Douglas Elliman, but her real office is the bridle path. Buyers follow her golf cart through Palm Beach Point or the Aero Club while she explains which HOA bylaws set barn height, runway access, and manure pickup. That detail work seals deals before offers hit paper; no one wants a zoning surprise when a forty-stall barn is at stake.
Production matches reputation. Jolicoeur ranks among Elliman’s top Florida agents, recording single-estate sales above $15 million while still sponsoring the Great Charity Challenge at the Winter Equestrian Festival. Clients say she negotiates like a show jumper at the final fence: fast, fearless, and precise.
If your dream home includes a tack room and space for a Gulfstream, Jolicoeur already has the gate code.
How we chose the seven gatekeepers
You deserve more than a popularity contest, so we reviewed license records, MLS data, and thousands of verified reviews to find agents who excel inside gated walls, not just generic ZIP codes.
We began by mapping every Palm Beach sale from 2021 through 2024 that required an HOA gate code. Volume carried the most weight; one broker logged $636 million behind a single guardhouse, proving that niche experience matters.
Client satisfaction came next. We looked for hundreds of five-star reviews, a sign of consistent service rather than hand-picked praise.
Local expertise also counted. Board memberships, resident status, and years of blogging showed that a broker can explain pet limits, equity buy-ins, and flood-zone rules without outside help.
We finished with negotiation results: days on market, list-to-sale ratios, and record prices. Community involvement, such as sponsoring clubhouse charities or mentoring HOA boards, served as a bonus tie-breaker.
The result is a roster that covers luxury yachts, pickleball capitals, and bridle paths, so whatever your lifestyle, one of these seven already speaks your language.
What to expect when buying in a gated community
HOA fees and assessments, budget beyond the mortgage
Start with the number no one posts on the listing photos: monthly dues. In Palm Beach County, basic gated neighborhoods charge about three to four hundred dollars each month. Step into a country-club enclave and that figure can top one thousand before you add optional golf equity.
What do those dollars cover? Think of them as a bundled service plan. Dues usually pay for gate security, common-area landscaping, clubhouse upkeep, and reserves for large projects such as road resurfacing. In newer master-planned communities, the fee may also include fiber-optic internet or front-yard mowing.
The bigger shock often hides in capital contributions and special assessments. Many associations collect two or three months of dues at closing to build reserves. Others impose one-time “clubhouse refresh” fees when renovation funds run short. Savvy agents preview those costs early and, when possible, negotiate credits so the final statement does not surprise you.
Rule of thumb: request the association’s latest budget and reserve study as soon as you go under contract. A healthy reserve, typically at least seventy percent of projected needs, signals stable dues. A thin reserve paired with aging amenities hints at future increases. Your Realtor should translate those spreadsheets into plain language and an annual cost you can add to everyday expenses.
Treat the HOA interview like a financial audit. Clear numbers make the move from offer to welcome packet smoother.
HOA rules and everyday lifestyle, read the fine print before you sign
Security gates provide the first layer of order; the bylaws supply the rest. Some boards dictate roof colors, mailbox designs, and even the length of time a guest’s vehicle may remain in the driveway. Others focus only on speed limits and quiet hours after ten.
Rules shape daily living, so treat them like a second set of property specs. Dog lover? Check weight limits—many boards cap pups at forty pounds. Planning to rent seasonally? Some communities require twelve-month minimum leases or ban short-term rentals completely.
Retiree enclaves add another layer: age restrictions. A fifty-five-plus neighborhood requires at least one resident to meet that mark, and visits by minors may be limited to thirty days each year. Break the rule and you face fines or, worse, forced relocation.
Ask your agent for a bylaws cheat sheet during showings. Skilled gated specialists flag quirks that conflict with your lifestyle before you fall for the granite countertops, saving both heartache and hefty violation fees.
Access and privacy, why a Realtor is your golden ticket
Iron gates do more than impress visitors; they also keep casual shoppers out. Most communities need the listing agent to register your name, and many refuse entry to unescorted guests, even during open houses. Arrive without clearance and you may spend your visit at the guard kiosk instead of touring the kitchen.
The rule protects owners but blocks last-minute drive-bys. Top gated specialists turn that barrier into an advantage. They group several showings under one security clearance, submitting your identification twenty-four hours ahead so you glide through like a member.
Inside, privacy rules tighten further. Clubhouses often ban photography, streets carry twenty-five-mile speed limits, and “no solicitation” policies prevent door-knocking for neighbor intel. A well-connected agent fills that gap, sharing inside chatter on upcoming listings or pending assessments while you cruise the boulevard.
Treat your Realtor as both tour guide and passport. The smoother they manage gate access, the faster you move from visitor log to resident roster.
Be aware of 2024–2026 rule changes
Buyer-agent commissions just flipped
For decades sellers quietly included the buyer-agent fee in the list price. A landmark 2024 settlement ended that habit. Sellers no longer must pre-pay your agent, and you must sign a written agreement that spells out how your representative is paid.
What changes on the ground? During showings you will now see a blank or variable field where “buyer commission” once appeared. Some sellers still offer a full fee to widen the pool, others offer half, and a few offer none. Before your first tour, your agent should explain three funding options:
- Negotiate the fee into the purchase price when inventory is plentiful.
- Request a closing credit from the seller earmarked for your agent.
- Pay the commission yourself; many lenders now allow it to roll into the mortgage if the appraisal supports the higher figure.
Clear math at the start avoids awkward haggling later. Experienced gated specialists already have lender scripts to keep deals moving under the new model.
Florida’s new HOA law reins in heavy-handed boards
Good news for owners tired of constant violation letters: Tallahassee narrowed association powers in late 2025. The reform caps excessive fines, demands transparent budgeting, and requires boards to open more records to members. An association that once charged fifty dollars a day for a visible trash can must now justify the penalty.
Why does this matter when you buy? Financial clarity. Sellers must disclose unpaid fines, and boards must explain fee hikes with documented needs. Your agent should pull the latest budget minutes and any pending special-assessment votes. If the numbers look weak, negotiate a price concession or keep shopping.
The law also shortens the record-request timeline, so you can review reserve health in days, not weeks. A sharp Realtor will use the statute to secure documents early, shrinking both risk and stress.
Insurance and storm-hardening, budget for wind before it blows
Florida premiums climbed faster than sea-level projections, and gated homes feel the pinch. Carriers reward impact windows, reinforced garage doors, and wind-mitigated roofs with sizable discounts, while dated features can spike quotes or force owners into the high-risk pool.
The state revived the My Safe Florida Home grant in 2025, offering up to ten thousand dollars for storm upgrades. Sellers who already used the program often advertise “grant complete” as a selling perk; buyers still have funds available if the property lacks shutters or a fortified roof deck.
Ask your agent for a recent wind-mitigation report and roof age before you sign. A ten-year-old tile roof with clips and a secondary water barrier can shave thousands off annual premiums compared with a fifteen-year-old roof missing that paperwork. Savvy Realtors line up quotes during inspection week so you can weigh true carrying costs beside the mortgage.
The cheapest time to think about hurricanes is before closing. Lock in the right coverage and improvements now, then follow the next storm update with more confidence and a smaller deductible.
Tips for touring and choosing gated community homes
Schedule first, stroll later
Call it the golden rule of gated shopping: plan before you drive. Guards need your name in the log a day ahead, and residents value quiet streets. Work with your agent to bundle three or four homes under one security clearance so you spend more time in foyers and less time at kiosks.
Evaluate the community, not just the kitchen
Granite counters impress, but shared spaces protect value. During the tour, linger in the clubhouse, test gym machines, and note whether tennis courts show cracks or fresh paint. Well-kept amenities signal healthy reserves and boards that spend dues wisely.
Read the fee sheet line by line
Ask for the HOA disclosure summary; Florida law requires sellers to provide it. Scan for hidden costs such as capital contributions, transfer fees, and golf-equity buy-ins that dwarf monthly dues. A sharp Realtor will translate the jargon and estimate your annual true cost.
Ask about future assessments
That resort-style pool may be due for resurfacing. Boards often discuss big projects years in advance. Request minutes from the last two board meetings; they reveal looming expenses that could trigger assessments soon after you unpack.
Bring the right ID and a phone charger
Many gates scan driver’s licenses and photograph tags. Forget yours and the tour stalls. Inside, cell service can dip, so carry a charger or portable hotspot if you plan to video chat a spouse or inspector.
Tap your agent’s vendor list
Once you fall for a home, you will need HOA-approved painters, landscapers, and pool services. Seasoned gated specialists keep a vetted roster that meets insurance rules, saving you trial and error.
Conclusion
Choose carefully, lean on expert guidance, and the right gated address will feel like a permanent holiday with your name on the resident list at the front gate.
