Ellie Harovitz's Blog

Today........I am proud to be an American

Ellie Harovitz (Riviera Real Estate) — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 21:39:42 -0700

Today was a great day..........not in real estate.........but a great day in America. Today I stood in line for 4 hours waiting to vote at the Hollywood Library. My husband and I were in line with hundreds of people - of every race and color, religion and political belief, from countless countries, speaking an endless array of languages. They brought their children and family members, books, chairs, food and candy, water and soda -- and their hopes, dreams, frustrations and opinions. We all mingled and talked and learned about each other. It didn't matter who we are, where we came from, what we do, where we live and what kind of car we drive. We weren't looking at Louis Vuitton, Mercedes Benz, Gucci or Lexus - but at each other and who we are and what compelled us to form a 4 hour line and wait patiently. There was no pushing or shoving and no raised voices - only words or encouragement and expressions of concern and fear of the unknown -- and optimism about the future.

Today was a great day. I became a part of the history ot this country. I was not born American and chose to be American and today I am PROUD to be an American. Never has it been more important to vote - no matter how much of your time it takes. This country deserves your time and so does our future President.

BUY NOW OR WAIT UNTIL PRICES DROP MORE?

Ellie Harovitz (Riviera Real Estate) — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 09:53:20 -0700

Buyers keep asking that same question and the answer for one person is not necessarily the right answer for another.

Some people like to play the "waiting game" and like the risk. By waiting, the market could turn around, inventory can be reduced, prices can get stronger and there won't be the choice that there is today.

If you are a buyer and you find your "home" in the right place and at the right price and you are able to proceed and buy (either with financing or cash) - then what are you waiting for? If you're worrying about missing out on a "great buy" in the future -- there is also something bigger, better, less expensive -- but there may be different issues preventing you from buying, at that time.

We all want to feel that we're getting the best possible "deal"; however, no time is as right as the present time.

None of us know what tomorrow will bring so enjoy today.

www.SouthFloridaDreamTeam.net

FINALLY - some good news!

Ellie Harovitz (Riviera Real Estate) — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 15:17:24 -0700

The Florida Associaion of Realtors just reported that for the first time in almost three years, Florida's existing home sales rose in September, noting a 24 percent increase in activity in the year-to-year comparison. Sales of existing condos statewide increased 11 percent in the year-to-year comparison.

Statewide sales of homes was up 24 percent over the number of homes sold in September 2007, according to FAR.

"The September sales report from the Florida Association of Realtors shows a 24 percent increase in the sales of existing homes in the state; this represents the sixth month in a row that the sales figure has exceeded its 12-month moving average (average of the previous 12 months)," says Dr. Sean Snaith, economist and director of the University of Central Florida Institute for Economic Competitiveness. "This is a clear sign that the significant price declines that have occurred across the state are leading to a more rapid absorption of the housing inventory."

Snaith was quoted as saying that September 2007 was a volatile time for the housing industry. "The large percentage increase of sales this September versus September 2007 is inflated by the sharp decline in sales that took place in September 2007," he explained. "That was the month following the initial wave of global fallout precipitated by the subprime mortgage meltdown that roiled markets in August 2007."

The housing outlook stresses the importance of available credit to the mortgage market. We will not begin to see a stabilization of home prices until there is a freer flow of money.

Florida Consumer Confidence Rising

Ellie Harovitz (Riviera Real Estate) — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 09:19:16 -0700

A new University of Florida Study finds that consumer confidence among Floridians made huge gains in August, suggesting a turning point in the economic picture. Consumers in Florida have now absorbed most of the bad economic news and have adjusted to higher prices. There are also signs that housing prices are beginning to stabilize in Florida and the pace of declining prices has slowed down. The experts (me not being one of them) state that the stabilization of housing prices will ultimately lead to stability in the financial markets. At this time, anything positive is good news for us.

Read our Current Blog About WCI Communities

Ellie Harovitz (Riviera Real Estate) — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 14:09:06 -0700

http://www.southfloridadreamteam.net/script/blog/default.asp?view=plink&id=122

Connecting with old friends

Ellie Harovitz (Riviera Real Estate) — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 14:42:57 -0700

Well, it's July 4th and I'm celebrating Independence Day. I wasn't born American but chose to be an American so it's my "red, white and blue" day. What also makes today special is that I reconnected with an old friend (online, of course), which made me wonder - why do we lose touch with people we care about? I think I've decided to be philosophical today and come to the realization that we are so caught up in the minutia of day-to-day living, or simply put - we spend most of our time chasing our own tail. I'd like to think there's a lesson to be learned; however, I know that tomorrow will be back to work and doing everything I do every day. I guess it's just nice that I've had some time to myself today, to sit and think and reflect, and hopefully put some focus back into what is truly important. I hope all of you have a lovely July 4th.

New Technology

Ellie Harovitz (Riviera Real Estate) — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 15:00:45 -0700

I attended a business meeting this morning that was most enlightening - and furthered my knowledge about how little I know about technology. Now that I finally learned how to do a few things on the computer, they are changing it all again and everything I know is obsolete. The problem is that it took me years to learn what I do know and I don't know if I'll be alive long enough to learn everything I now need to know. It seems to be getting more and more confusing instead of becoming clearer. Am I the only "non techy" person who is struggling with all this new stuff? First we were supposed to put our pictures out there, brag about our accomplishments, be visible, etc. Now, from what I'm hearing, no one cares what we look like (get rid of the pictures), no one cares what we've accomplished (get rid of the brag book) and everyone just wants information. So, it seems to me that I now have to spend the better part of my day working on a computer, then go home and spend the better part of my evening working on the computer. I'm thinking there is something wrong with this picture and I am now reduced to having absolutely NO LIFE, in this day and age of computers making things easier and more efficient for me.

Change the clocks

Ellie Harovitz (Riviera Real Estate) — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 15:34:26 -0800

Why do I have visions of waking up Sunday morning and not knowing what time it is? That's only outdone by walking around the house on Saturday and not knowing what time it is. My husband, Skippy, likes to change the clocks in advance, so that he doesn't forget. Only problem is that he only changes some of them. So, it's 3 p.m. in the living room and only 2 p.m. in the kitchen and the timer for the front lights is now totally out of whack! We go through this twice a year, spring forward and fall back, and people still can't seem to get it right. I know that I will get a call from my friend, telling me that she got all messed up with the clocks again (she always does) and showed up somewhere at the wrong time. Oh well, the fun continues......

Miami Gardens Drive Extension

Ellie Harovitz (Riviera Real Estate) — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 10:30:08 -0700

Well, the street is finally open and its fabulous - if you don't get stopped by the Aventura police. It seems this has become their new favorite spot to ticket people. For those of you familiar with the area, you can no longer go straight from the Walgreens back lot onto 27th avenue, nor can you make a left hand turn onto 185th street. Seeing that our office is positioned on the corner of 185th St. and 27th avenue, in a lovely building - it's easier for me to walk to Wachovia bank than to figure out how to drive there. Guess this will all eventually get straightened out!

Surprise

Ellie Harovitz (Riviera Real Estate) — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 10:38:59 -0700

It seems that nice things really do happen through Activerain. I received an email last night from a lovely realtor in Toronto who needs some assistance in my area. This site is becoming a "lost and found" for me and it's always so exciting to receive an email through Activerain. This is a great place to network and make new contacts and hopefully, I will one day have to reach out to another realtor in another area -- and now know that this is the best way to do it!

Lost and Found

Ellie Harovitz (Riviera Real Estate) — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 14:40:55 -0700

Imagine my surprise when I received an email from a person from my past, who found me through Active Rain. We have now reconnected, emailed each other. spoken on the phone and exchanged family pictures. I know we are living in a world of "full disclosure" and have few secrets anymore; however, this is one time I'm so glad that I was so easy to contact. I hope everyone will have such warm and wonderful moments.

Trump Hollywood-Hollywood Beach, Fl

Ellie Harovitz (Riviera Real Estate) — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 09:00:01 -0700

The Related Group and Donald Trump announced a $226.5 million construction loan with Lehman Brothers for Trump Hollywood, which will be the new definition of luxury for Hollywood Beach. Trump Hollywood is a joint venture between Donald Trump and Jorge Perez and is designed by architect Robert Swedroe with interiors by the renowned firm of Yabu Pushelberg. This gleaming 40 story glass tower is expected to be completed by the Summer of 2009 and will be set on 240 feet of pristine sandy beaches on the Atlantic Ocean. Trump Hollywood will offer 200 three - to- six bedroom residences, all with private elevators and breathtaking unobstructed ocean, Intracoastal and city views. These speacious residences star at $1.6 million and will range from over 2,000 to almost 9,000 square feet of living space, including several hundred feet of expansive sunrise and sunset terraces.

Miami Gardens Drive Extension

Ellie Harovitz (Riviera Real Estate) — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 18:33:38 -0700

The construction of the important extension of Miami Gardens Drive east to NE 185th Street is underway and scheduled for completion in September 2007. This roadway will facilitate traffic flow improvements and facilitate access to the residences and condominiums along 183rd Street, as well as Williams Island, The Peninsula and surrounding areas.