Carole Smith, CRS, Cyberstar's Blog

The Original

Carole Smith, CRS, Cyberstar (EWM Realtors) — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 14:06:40 -0700

Modern Nature

My readers (thanks Mom!) can tell I'm on a kick to blog about my listings. I feel most connected to my listings when I'm showing them or writing about them - so I felt compelled to squeeze in a few blogs about my very special homes.

In reviewing my present listings, I realized I have something for everyone (who wants to live in the best of Miami's neighborhoods and enjoys luxurious abodes - I am, afterall, a Realtor for the people J).

I have a waterview condo in the Ritz Carlton in Coconut Grove, a chateau-inspired residence in Ponce/Davis, a Key West-style home in Pinecrest and a modern property set amidst a tropical Florida setting - just to name a few...

The latter is my most popular listing presently. Located at 9740 SW 60 Court in Pinecrest this 4 bedroom, 3.5 bathroom home embodies modern sophistication with unique architectural features while being situated in a park-like setting. Great living spaces. style and sophistication, a terrific master with sitting room and a patio and garden which are beyond compare set this apart from a typical ranch or Mediterranean Pinecrest home.

Prospective buyers and Realtors alike, often comment that this home is "different", "there's nothing like it." When I originally described it I felt it was a home for an individualist who shuns cookie-cutter, common architecture. All agree!

This Pinecrest home boasts a terrific family-centric location surrounded by first-rate schools and a host of convenient restaurants, shops and more.

If you crave originals and one-of-a-kind things, 9740 SW 60^th Court should be at the top of your list while it's still available.

I'm Impressed

Carole Smith, CRS, Cyberstar (EWM Realtors) — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 13:52:00 -0700

People often ask me how I spot "the perfect home." Perfect is subjective, of course, but I can tell you what helps is when the builder of a home resides in it. Such is the case with my 5 bedroom, 6 bath listing in one of Miami's best neighborhoods, Ponce/Davis.

This stately jewel's attention to detail is extraordinary - you can tell the builder designed it for himself! The interior rooms are beautifully proportioned with fine moldings, custom cabinetry, ceiling treatments, and impact-resistant glass. (Take that Hurricane Ike!)

The grand staircase sweeps to the second floor and seems to be a favorite of prospective buyers. The handsome mahogany library also inspires ooohs and ahhhs. The large kitchen and family room exudes charm and comfort with a farmhouse sink and a Viking Professional gas range. The sumptuous master bedroom does not disappoint - it has a sitting room, huge bath with his/hers vanities and onyx floor. The details are so plentiful-I'm impressed, can you tell?

This luxury home is not perfect for everyone but it is beyond ideal for most with its prime location in 5150 SW 77 Street in Ponce/Davis and its exquisite attention to detail - schedule a private showing and let me know if you are impressed too.

Village Idiot

Carole Smith, CRS, Cyberstar (EWM Realtors) — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:08:06 -0700

When prospective buyers call looking for family-friendly neighborhoods, I always mention Village of Pinecrest. But is it a village? No one outside the real estate industry refers to it as the Village of Pinecrest.

I employ the phrase Village of Pinecrest to denote its community appeal. With its top-rated public schools and involved residents, it resembles a small town amidst Miami's metropolis, I think. But recently, when measuring how consumers search for real estate on search engines, Village of Pinecrest did not appear once.

For this reason, I will remove the heading Village of Pinecrest from my website but I doubt that I can remove it completely from my vocabulary as it personifies this highly coveted area so very well.

New Level of Intensity

Carole Smith, CRS, Cyberstar (EWM Realtors) — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 11:55:16 -0700

I know. I know. I've been delinquent with my blogging duties.
It's caused me stress, actually. I apologize in advance to my throngs of readers :)

I hate to say it but - I've been busy! Yes - a Realtor who is busy! Not 2006 busy - but busy.
Luckily, I've listed premier properties in Coral Gables, Coconut Grove and other great pockets
that maintain their allure.

Showings are steady but where I can tell things have changed in Miami's real estate market
and beyond, I suspect, is the amount of time, expertise and finesse it takes to get a
deal to close.

That's nothing new, you say? This level of intensity and sheperding is new. It's reached an
all time high. Recently, I've focused an inordinate amount of time to make certain offers are fair to all parties. Lowball offers are expected but my neighborhoods of expertise, luckily, still demand a premium.

It's my job to communicate that to both my buyers and sellers.
Inspections and securing financing is also critical. I find myself pushing that along more as well.
In this time of economic uneasiness though, I'm fortunate to have secured top notch resources
ranging from lawyers to inspectors to everything in between who assist me in closing the deal.

http://southfloridarealestatemarketupdate.blogspot.com/

Carole Smith, CRS, Cyberstar (EWM Realtors) — Wed, 12 Jul 2006 14:19:48 -0700