florida: 1100 NE 108th Street - Miami Shores - MiMO architecture - SOLD - 02/10/09 07:34 AM
… (2 comments)

florida: Insider's Guide to great Hotel Deals for Florida Residents - 06/11/08 03:13 PM
Did you know that as a Florida resident you can get incredible hotel deals this Summer? I felt like a kid in a candy store while reading Jane Wooldridge's article in The Miami Herald: Why go far? 20 fabulous sleeps in our backyard.
Between coordinating the kids' Summer Camps, planning our annual Summer trip to Bimini and working really odd schedules, a weekend getaway to one of our very seldom visited beaches with spa treatments and major pampering sounds perfect.

Jane tells us,

Because big hotels have hundreds of rooms to fill, they slash rates dramatically -- this year … (27 comments)

florida: Florida Home Inspections - will they protect you? - 10/02/07 02:52 PM
Did you know that home inspection companies are not regulated in the state of Florida? This means that anyone can call themselves an inspector, no matter what their qualifications are.  Did you also know that there are a lot of home inspectors that make themselves look good by printing out  really pretty reports that do nothing to protect a real estate buyer?
As a home buyer, you want to protect yourself by hiring a good home inspection company that gives you a thorough report detailing the condition of the property.  The whole inspection process is designed so that you, as a buyer, … (22 comments)

florida: Real Estate Market Conditions for Miami Shores, Bay Harbor Islands, Surfside and El Portal - Florida - 08/05/07 05:43 AM
Real estate  market conditions for the month of July show a slight increase in inventory from the previous month which is normal since July is historically one of the slowest months of the year (December being the first).  From the graph it is evident which price ranges are moving the most. 
Miami Shores Real Estate - shows the most inventory in the $400k to $600K range, but it also shows the most sales for the same price range. The months of inventory has dropped to 22 which shows the market is slowly stabilizing. 
Bay Harbor Islands Real Estate - shows the most inventory … (13 comments)

florida: Florida Tax Reform for non-homesteaded properties - 06/22/07 04:08 AM
We are reading all kinds of articles about the proposed Florida Tax Reforms.  Because a lot of our customers are absentee owners, second home owners and commercial property owners they keep contacting us about how the proposed tax reform will impact them.
Rick and I decided to write a post only on the changes proposed for these owners, since they have called us and requested more information from our Miamism blog.  The post is called Property Tax reform for 2nd home owners and commercial properties.  These are the changes that will definitely take place and will give these owners a better idea in … (16 comments)

florida: Sales Tax Break for Hurricane preparation - updated - 05/30/07 02:21 AM
Hurricane Season is right around the corner.  Every time I even hear the word hurricane, by stomach turns and my breathing pattern changes (I'm not kidding).   So here's what I had in mind.  Instead of rushing out the last possible minute after getting a warning, wouldn't it make sense to get certain necessities now?
At the beginning of each Summer we stock up on water - we buy a number of cases of spring water and store it in our garage, this is the item that goes first when there's an emergency and then you see people buying expensive "designer water" because … (17 comments)

florida: My People are big on Permits - PART II - 03/13/07 06:19 AM

This post is a continuation of another blog I wrote a couple of weeks ago; My people are big on permits.  It may make no sense if you don't read the first one, so take a look.
Here's the summary - we are working with a buyer who likes a property that has been completely remodeled, we later find out that only some permits were pulled for the work and these were not finalized (no final inspections).  We explain all the repercussions involved in buying a property in which no permits have been pulled and the buyer agrees to do very thorough inspections to make sure all the … (45 comments)

florida: Downtown Miami Shores, Florida - 03/09/07 08:09 AM
Miami Shores is known mostly as a small residential area, but Downtown Miami Shores has great businesses to be proud of.  Located on Northeast 2nd Avenue From 94th Street to 101st Street, you will find all kinds of shops and places to eat as well as medical and real estate offices.   Through the years Downtown Miami Shores has gone through changes and we expect it to get better and better, especially with the redevelopment plans taking place. 
Here are some of the places you can visit in Downtown Miami Shores:
  
New Starbucks Park Shore Drugs has been a family owned … (15 comments)

florida: My people are big on permits - 02/20/07 09:23 AM
This is a true story and I don't know whether to laugh or just shake my head back and forth in disbelief.  The intention of this story is not to point a finger and laugh, but to hopefully educate some agents into doing their due diligence and getting information about their listings.
I have been working with a buyer looking for a home near her place of work.  We have seen all kinds of properties within her price range, from the highly overpriced and meticulously maintained to the highly overpriced dumps waiting to fall apart.  Last week we walked into a really … (72 comments)

florida: Strongest Real Estate Markets - 02/17/07 01:50 PM
Finally some great news for Florida - Business 2.0 Magazine ranked the country's strongest real estate markets and 3 Florida cities made it to the list!  Woo Hoo!  Number one used to be my weekend stompping ground my first year of college at Florida State University, what beautiful beaches! 
Here's the list:
Panama City, FLVero Beach, FLBridgeport, CTLakeland, FLMcAllen, TXSan Luis Obispo, CAWilmington, NCManchester, NHFort Collins, COAtlanta, GAThe same article also lists the bottom 10 cities, the safest cities for investors, and the highest portion of households in foreclosure where Miami is number 3 and Fort Lauderdale is number 5.  Sorry Florida, it can't always … (54 comments)

florida: Biscayne Park, FL Market Conditions - 02/16/07 10:11 AM
Overview of the single family market in Biscayne Park, FL:
Currently on the market:  40Currently under contract:  5 Closed in the last 90 days: 4Lowest Priced Listing:  $264.900Highest Priced Listing:  $699,500Overview of the condo market in Biscayne Park, FL:
Currently on the market:  1Currently under contract:  1Closed in the last 90 days: 0 Lowest Priced Listing:  $169,900Highest Priced Listing:  $169,900Overview of income producing (residential) in Biscayne Park, FL:
Currently on the market:  18 Currently under contract:  2 Closed in the last 90 days: 3Lowest Priced Listing:  $329,900 Highest Priced Listing:  $550,000Compare with the last market report - prepared November 19th, 2006
Visit  http://www.yourpropertypros.com/ www.miamism.comfor more information … (11 comments)

florida: Super Bowl XLI in Miami…continued - 02/03/07 03:14 PM
 
This is the continuation of another blog called:  The Superbowl XLI in Miami .
Super Bowl XLI will take place in Miami on Sunday, February 4, 2007 in Dolphin Stadium.  This will be the 9th time in Miami (4th time at the Dolphin's Stadium and the other 5 at the Orange Bowl).
Hearsay around Miami is that you can still find Super Bowl tickets in the nose bleed section for $2000/person and $12,000 in the lower levels.  I truly cannot confirm this information, but for those not attending the game physically, it's just as good to plan the traditional Super Bowl Party at home.
Here are … (20 comments)

florida: Miami Shores, FL - market conditions - 02/01/07 02:39 AM
It is still a buyer's market here in South Florida but the market is surely picking up.  This can be evidenced by the amount of movement we are seeing with showings of our own listings and the amount of phone calls we are receiving with inquiries.   It's a new year and buyers that were holding off and waiting for a "market collapse" cannot wait any longer and are beginning to buy.
Certain price ranges are moving better than others, we grabbed all the sales in Miami Shores, Florida in the last 6 months and arranged them by price range to get an … (9 comments)

florida: Tour Miami Shores, Florida - 01/30/07 05:54 AM
You have heard us talk about Miami Shores, Florida a bunch of times and you are still wondering what the big deal is.   Rick and I live, work and play in Miami Shores.  It is our home and we would not change it for anything.
Miami Shores has something for everyone.  Its civic buildings include, Village Hall, Brockway Memorial Library, The Police Department, The Fire Department, The field house and community center.  
There are activities for all ages, including golf in the Miami Shores Country Club, 2 tennis centers, an Olympic pool, a water park (Shipwreck Cove), tot-lot, basketball courts, all kinds of … (29 comments)

florida: Saint Rose of Lima Carnival - 01/26/07 01:35 PM
Saint Rose of Lima Church's annual carnival is happening right now in Miami Shores.  Starting Friday,  January 26, 2007, to Sunday, January 28.
   
This is a very special community event because parishioners and school families volunteer their weekend to put the carnival together.  People attend not only from Miami Shores, but also from other schools and other areas in Miami.  The funds raised in the carnival go towards a school and parish fund used to maintain and refurbish the St. Rose of Lima facilities.    Community spirit is visible everywhere, booth sponsorship banners are placed all over the carnival, bazaar with … (27 comments)

florida: 9281 W Bay Harbor Drive, #6 - Bay Harbor Islands, Florida 33154 - SOLD - 01/18/07 04:55 AM

9281 W. Bay Harbor Drive #6 - Bay Harbor Islands, Florida 33154
SALE PRICE $ 215,000  **SOLD**
Ground floor unit in sought after Bay Harbor Island.  This spacious 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom unit has been updated and has a beautiful kitchen with butcher block counter tops, mosaic-tile backsplash and chrome hanging rail system.  Features include:  crown molding, new appliances, tankless water heater, new air conditioning units, renovated bathroom with Kohler faucets and Restoration Hardware fixtures and lots of closets.
    
Perfect for a picky buyer looking to be centrally located, in Bay Harbor Islands, just steps from Bal Harbour Shops, restaurants, and the beach.  It has … (33 comments)

florida: MIAMI LISTINGS: El Portal, Miami Shores, Surfside, Bay Harbor Islands, Florida - 01/13/07 06:08 AM
312 NE 90 STREET - EL PORTAL, FLORIDA
3 bedroom / 2 bathroom main house with 1 bedroom / 1 bathroom in-law quarters.  Approximately 2,500 square feet on 14,177 sq. ft. lot.
This corner house has incredible charm and is in need of work. It has separate 1bedroom/1 bath in-law quarters and a big lot with plenty of room for pool. Original bathrooms are in great condition, Hardwood floors throughout have been protected with carpeting, great Florida Room with quarry tile floors, original kitchen with lacquered cabinets. Needs new roof as well as new electrical.                                              $514,900        **SOLD**
 
                      
 70 NE 94 STREET - MIAMI … (9 comments)

florida: El Portal FL Market Conditions - 01/05/07 03:18 PM
Overview of the single family market in El Portal, FL:
Currently on the market:  44Currently under contract:  4Closed in the last 90 days:  5 Lowest price listed:  $ 330,000Highest price listed:  $ 975,000Visit http://www.yourpropertypros.com/ www.miamism.com for more information about El Portal, Florida Real Estate.
 
This is a photo of one of our listings in EL PORTAL, Florida.  It's a handyman's special on a 14, 177 sq. ft. lot, where the main house  has 3 bedrooms/2 bathrooms and a 1/1 in-law quarters.  Please visit our website athttp://www.yourpropertypros.com/ www.miamism.com for additional information on this and other listings.
… (7 comments)

florida: Surfside, Florida - Market Conditions - 01/02/07 03:14 PM
Overview of the single family market in Surfside, FL:
Currently on the market:  66 Currently under contract:  9Closed in the last 90 days:  9Lowest price listed:  $ 525,000 Highest price listed:  $ 8,000,000Overview of the condo market in Surfside, FL:
Currently on the market:  181Currently under contract:  13 Closed in the last 90 days:  21 Lowest price listed:  $169,000 Highest price listed:  $2,650,000Visit http://www.yourpropertypros.com/ www.miamism.com for more information about Surfside Real Estate.
The photo was taken from the balcony of one of our listings at The Waverly at Surfside Beach - located at 9201 Collins Avenuer, PH 1225. - Surfside Beach is one of the best beaches in "MID-BEACH" … (8 comments)

florida: Winter Boating in Miami - 12/27/06 02:27 PM
For all you Northerners, you may think that Miami has no winter, but I want to explain to you that although it is not cold, locals, for the most part, do not swim here during Winter.  If you go to the beach during winter and see people swimming or water skiing, most of those will be tourists enjoying the non-freezing waters of South Florida.
Today we decided to go boating to take a visitor friend of ours around the tourist attractions inside Biscayne Bay.  The temperature started in the 50's and went up to the high 60's, the day was beautiful, but the breeze was … (39 comments)