Every week, Realtors in Miami Beach can showcase their home to other realtors interested in Miami Beach Real Estate. This is a great way to get familiar with something new and preview homes for clients. I find this especially helpful with single family homes, because they vary so much in size, design, and age. On occasion, an opportunity to see a stunning property arises. Today, was one of those opportunities.

On my daily 5 minute commute to the office, I’ve witnessed the construction of 2040 North Bay Road. This home is just beautifully designed with an ultra modern clean finish. As you walk up the floating stone staircase to the front door, you’ll notice a Koi fish pond underneath.

Welcome to 2040 North Bay Road

Once inside, the wide living area is separated from the dining area by a beautiful fish tank with walls of glass between the home and the outside covered entertainment area. Natural light just pours in from the glass backsplash in the kitchen area, the rooftop glass over the wide stair case, and the numerous glass walls throughout the residence. As you tour through this home, it’s evident that it was built for the resident who enjoys entertaining. A fully equipped movie theater is found behind a expansive wet bar sitting on the wide landing leading to the 2nd floor with three bedrooms. The master suite is just divine with a spacious terrace overlooking the pool and water. There are so many details in this home, but just to name a few more, There are a total of six bedrooms, six full baths, two half baths, two kitchens plus a summer kitchen, a pizza oven, fireplace, four car garage, infinity pool, spa, and a roof top sunning lounge with 135 ft of waterfront and just steps to Sunset Harbour in South Beach.

For the buyer with a substantial budget, perfection is priced at $16,500,000.

Are you interested in unique homes that offer details not easily found in neighboring homes, and are affordably priced? Well then, we hope you’ll stop by and say hello at this Mid-Century Classic home this Sunday, February 12th, from 2:00pm to 4:00pm at 18320 NE 23rd Ct, near Aventura. Located along the Historic Oleta River, on over 10,000 square feet of land and 74 feet of Mangrove lined waterfront, we’re certain you won’t find a similar property in the county. Built in 1960, this Frank Lloyd Wright inspired home features three bedrooms and two baths, with an open living area overlooking the courtyard & surrounding greenery, beautiful wood floors throughout, a wood beamed ceiling, open kitchen, private master bedroom, a large covered patio, and walls of windows overlooking the exotic and tranquil vistas. It’s hard to believe this home is just minutes from Aventura Mall, and the Golden Glades. It’s like being in a remote location, but still conveniently located in town.

Besides it’s unique landscape, this home is also located on a natural river, and across from Greynolds Park. You’re sure to catch a manatee, schools of fish, and scores of birds just in your backyard. Wind down the river on your canoe or kayak after a tough day, and feel the stress just slide right off. This can really be home, and you’re invited to come take a look this Sunday, February 12th, 2012 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm.

See a virtual tour of this home.

I hope you’ll stop by and check it out!

Sunday, February 12th, 2012

18320 NE 23rd CT, North Miami Beach, FL  33160

$549,000

2:00PM – 4:00PM

The new year is here, and your top resolution is to buy a real estate property. Home ownership can be a wonderful experience and I love matching up a home with a buyer. It’s quite rewarding when we walk through a property and I get to see your face light up with the possibilities. But before we get to that gleeful moment, there are some important steps to conduct first. Here are some helpful tips for to you get started with the home buying process.

1)      What can you afford? Unless you’re paying cash, this is a question you’ll need an expert to assist answering. A good mortgage lender is one of the tools I utilize most when helping home buyers. They will review your financial situation and give you the best options available to you. There are several factors involved in financing, not just income, so having someone go through your financial options is the key to starting right. Your lender will provide you with a pre-approval letter which will come in handy later. Consider the down payment you’ll need with financing today:

a)      When purchasing a condo, a lender may require 20% to 30% down, with a few options now available with 3.5% to 10% down.

b)      When purchasing a single family home or duplex, your financing options range from 3.5% to 20% down.

2)      Would you like a house or condo? Now that you know what you can afford, it’s time to decide whether you’re an urban dweller, or a homebody. There’s no right or wrong choice, it’s just what you like best.

a)      House – you can have your white picket fence, the backyard deck for BBQ’s, and, of course, a house full of whatever pets you desire. Plant yourself a butterfly garden or hang a swing under the avocado tree. You get to set your own house rules. You’re also responsible for your own utility bills and unless you want to do it yourself, you’re going to have a landscaper.

b)      Condo –You are centrally located and walking distance to shops & restaurants, enjoying amenities provided, and having someone else maintain them. You only need to concern yourself with the interior space of your condo, and abide by the condo rules & regulations. For the social butterfly that prefers to have minimal time spent around their residence, a condo may be ideal. Just remember, if you decide you want a pet, limit your choices to one dog or cat, 20 lbs max. Many condos do not allow pets, and those that do have strict rules on number of pets and weight.

3)      Call Miami Reconnect and give us your wish list. Now the fun begins!  We’ll take notes, make some suggestions, and get started with your search.  We take a funneling approach, from neighborhoods to layout.  Make sure you spend some time getting to know neighborhoods of interest. See what your morning or evening commute would feel like and check out the local coffee shop. We can give you a lot of information, but it really comes down to how you like the neighborhood. You’re going to see a lot of properties in the process; taking notes of what you like and don’t like about a particular home will really help in the home finding process.

4)      Let’s make an offer.  We’ve walked through your top choice – Excellent! We place an offer in writing that features price and terms. We will include the mortgage pre-approval you received earlier, which plays an important role in the negotiation, and signifies to the seller you’re a serious contender that’s committed to the purchase. Once there’s a mutual agreement in writing, we’re in escrow!

5)      Get a home inspection. Whether you’re buying a house or condo, a good home inspector will go through all of your appliances, electrical, plumbing, roof & crawl space. If you can, be present during your home inspection. You’ll have some time to go through your home, take measurements, and go through any items noted for repair with the inspector.

6)      Work closely with your mortgage lender. Although you’re already pre-approved, your lender may need further items in order to provide a final loan commitment.  This will include items from employment verification letter to the last pay stubs. It’s important to provide any information requested on a timely basis. Our goal is to obtain a loan commitment without conditions within 30 days.

7)      Choose your Closing agent. The closing agent is responsible for conducting all title & lien searches, and insures that the property is transferred correctly from seller to buyer. If you’re buying a condo, they confirm what’s owed to the condo association, and that any balances due are paid up at closing. We have excellent real estate attorneys that we can recommend that will assist in this process.

8)      Conduct a Walk-Thru. Once we confirm we’re ready to close, we schedule a final walk thru. This just insures that the property is vacant and is in the same condition it was during the inspection. In Miami, most sales include all appliances and fixtures, including window treatments, but the sales agreement will detail what stays & what goes.

9)      The Closing.  Now you’re ready for the big day! We’ve reviewed the settlement statement (HUD1) which provides a detail of all charges, and what is being paid. Any outstanding debts or payments are noted in the HUD1, which can include any unpaid maintenance fees, municipal liens and the cost of recording documents with the county. Since taxes & maintenance may be paid at the beginning or end of the year, each party receives a credit or debit for amounts due. Once you confirm the balance of the funds due for closing, you can send a wire transfer to the closing agent or bring a cashier’s check with you to the closing table. If you’re financing, the closing agent will have a mortgage package that details the terms of your loan for review and signature.

10)   Celebration Time!  You’ve just finished the process with the closing agent and you’ve been handed the keys. Congratulations –You are now a proud homeowner! Let’s celebrate!

Miami Reconnect can help you find the perfect home! We focus our real estate business  in the wonderful neighborhoods surrounding Biscayne Bay in what we lovingly refer to as Metropolitan Miami, like Surfside, Bal Harbour, Bay Harbor Islands, North Bay Village, Miami Shores, Biscayne Park, El Portal, Morningside, Belle Meade, Bayside, Buena Vista, Midtown, Brickell, Downtown Miami, The Roads, Shenandoah, Silver Bluff, Coral Gables, and Coconut Grove, with a specialty in Miami Beach from South Beach to North Beach. We’d love to share the distinctive characters that make each neighborhood special. Give us a call, and let’s get started!

Moving is a common practice in a real estate agent’s life. We’re seeing condos and single family properties on a regular basis, and often find an opportunity to purchase our next home. My last move was in 2004. It was the seventh in ten years. When I called up my moving company, the first thing they said was, “Laura, you’re moving again!?” Well, as it happened, this move was to the Sunset Harbour North Condominium. Given my track record, it’s hard to believe that I’ve been living here for seven years. But I do really feel at home in Sunset Harbour. Although there are certain amenities that have been present since day one, like the space age Publix on the Bay,  the Maurice Gibb Memorial Park and the Sunset Harbour Marina, the neighborhood is now teeming with new life. The Sunset Harbour North & South Condos were always very appealing to families as it’s one of the few towers that offer three and four bedroom waterfront condos in South Beach. The park features a wonderful playground and quite often, you’ll see families celebrating a birthday at the shaded picnic tables overlooking the bay. When I first moved in, dining options were limited to Joe Allen. But now, there’s a variety of wonderful eateries, like Sardinia, the B&B, A la Folie, Morgans  and of course, Pubbelly, which has opened up two other sister restaurants, Barceloneta and Pubbelly Sushi. New retail continues to move in, and a Fresh Market has just opened their doors.

Although Sunset Harbour has gradually improved over the years, there are two significant changes coming that will truly catapult the neighborhood into the radar of residents seeking luxury waterfront living in Miami Beach. The first is the new parking garage designed by Arquitectonica, replacing the old tow yard. With all the wonderful restaurants, salons, and the Green Monkey already calling Sunset Harbour home, this new parking garage will bring much needed spaces and new retail along Sunset Harbour Drive as well as Bay Road, which currently does not offer more than a low key car wash and barber shop to the average shopper.

The next significant change is the sale of Mark’s Cleaners which has been a staple at the northeast entrance of Sunset Harbour for several decades. This MiMo structure will be torn down along with the abandoned construction site behind it to make way for the development of a low rise building with ground level retail shops and luxury condominiums. Find out more in a recent article by The Miami Herald.

With all the new and exciting things happening in Sunset Harbour, one would think that prices of these luxury waterfront condos and townhomes in this Miami Beach enclave are above the average sale in South Beach. The truth is that while luxury waterfront condos in South Beach sell at an average of $788 per square foot, the highest most recent sale in Sunset Harbour fetched $501 per square foot, leaving plenty of pocket change for shopping and dining in the neighborhood. Prices start at $395,000 for a two bedroom, or $1,295,000 for a spacious three bedroom condo at Sunset Harbour North with amazing views over the marina and Biscayne Bay.

We’re always excited to showcase the neighborhood, and there’s so much more than just what we’ve discussed today. So if you think Sunset Harbour can be home for you, give us a ring! We’d love to give you a tour and welcome you home!

If you’ve been in Miami or Miami Beach recently, you’ve been one of the lucky individuals enjoying the extremely pleasant weather lately. Whether you’re just visiting or live here, it’s a great time to open up the windows, and enjoy that wonderful crisp air. In the past, our high season would start with the new year, after all the holidays. In fact, Art Basel organizers chose the beginning of December because it was not as busy, and the hotel occupancy level was low, ensuring that visitors would have plenty of options when booking their stay. However, when Art Basel Miami Beach began in 2002, we all started experiencing an earlier start of the season. With the huge success of Art Basel Miami Beach, satellite art fairs started popping up all over Miami and Miami Beach. Hotels are transformed into art galleries, with rooms set up as exhibit space for artists.  This year, we all anticipate the participation of our new jewel on Lincoln Rd, The New World Center, with Art Video projected along the Soundscape Wall.  Below are some of the other fairs open during Art Basel.

1. Design Miami
2. Pulse Art
3. Scope Miami
4. Art Miami
5. Aqua Art Miami
6. Art Asia Miami
7. NADA Art Fair
8. Red Dot Fair
9. Sculpt Miami
10. PooL Art Fair
    

Surely, there are  more exhibits than listed above. And if you have a favorite, please share it with us in the comments below. The beauty of experiencing Art Basel is that it not only gives everyone an opportunity to see some amazing art pieces, it also allows anyone to start collecting. It’s definitely a busy 4 days, but well worth a planned tour of the different fairs. The NY Times featured their take on Art Basel, and the Greater Miami’s Visitors Bureau created an insider’s guide to Art Basel, with wonderful tips worth a read. 

We hope you enjoy this year’s Art Basel.  If this year’s festivities inspires you to find a new home or condo in our beautiful neighborhoods surrounding Biscayne Bay, please give us a ring. We’re ready to find that perfect residence for your new art collection.

This last Saturday was a great night to be an insomniac in Miami Beach. Sleepless Night came on November 5th, 2011 and featured 138 performances throughout the city, all free and open to the public. From an Opera at the North Shore Bandshell, to Project Bandaloop dancing on the New World Symphony glass walls, there was a little something for everyone.

The night for us began easy on Ocean Drive, listening to the Florida Grand Opera Soloists, and then watching Sarruga’s Fishes riding down Ocean Drive to the sounds of some slamming Flamenco beats. Although there was some rain, the night was breezy & beautiful. Project Bandaloop and Intention Intervention at the New World Symphony were definitely highlights of the evening, but there were some great performances around Lincoln Rd, the Bass Museum, and along Ocean Drive. Our night ended with the Tiger Lillies thanks to the Bustelo Cool shots earlier. Next year, we’ll be packing Coladas to stay up through the Sunrise.

Below are some photos of the events we attended. If only we could be in several places at once… it was a hard choice to decide where to go at one time!

Catch more photos from Sleepless Night on Flickr or check out the event’s facebook page.

Until next year’s event, we’ll be sleeping nights in Miami Beach … and if you need a home to sleep soundly in, just give us a call. We know the best places to call home and catch some Z’s in the city.

Hope to see you Sleepless on November 3rd, 2012!

This northern community of Miami Beach is often overlooked due to the popularity of it’s sister neighbor, South Beach, which garners much international attention and dazzle. North Beach flies just under the radar to most visitors. But to those in the know, North Beach is where to live. Just a few facts to consider about this laid back seaside community. First, in an area of approximately two square miles, there are almost 16 miles of waterfront, making North Beach  your very own Venice. Second, there are 13 parks in North Beach in addition to the little pocket parks dotting the neighborhoods, and including the beautiful 32 acre beachfront North Shore Open Space Park. Over the last 5 years, the City of Miami Beach has renovated many of these parks so they include pavilions for resident use, new shaded playgrounds and even professionally graded soccer fields. Our focus today will be on three lovely residential neighborhoods to consider when searching for a home:

Normandy Isle: This neighborhood is located on the south end of North Beach and recently underwent a facelift. The city installed new lighting, streets, storm water drainage, and wonderful little pocket parks along the waterway so that all residents can enjoy those breathtaking views. Normandy Isle features a variety of architectural styles, from Mission to Modern. The waterfront homes are highly sought after for their view south towards Downtown Miami. For half the price of a modest waterfront home on Venetian Causeway, you can find a gated estate in Normandy Isle. The streets into this enclave are blocked to car traffic on the east and west side, providing an air of  tranquility. Residents can take a stroll over to the charming Fountain area on the south end filled with shops and restaurants, as well as the Saturday Farmers market. The Normandy Isle Park is located right in front of the main entrance to this neighborhood at Trouville Esplanade.

Normandy Shores: In the center of North Beach, you’ll find this wonderful gated neighborhood which features the Normandy Shores Golf Club at the heart. Recent improvements here include new streets, lighting, storm water drainage, landscaping, and a complete re-design of the golf course which also features a new clubhouse. Most of the homes on the  island were built in the 1950′s and still feature true MiMo Design. Homes here can be found with open bay views, along the Normandy Waterway, or facing the golf course. The newly renovated Fairway Park on the east end is a perfect spot to meet your neighbors, and schedule a brunch at the clubhouse.  There’s also six public tennis courts, four of which face the wide bay. Normandy Shores is quickly gaining attention with residents who want to create the fondest of memories, living in Miami Beach.

Biscayne Point: This lovely gated community lies in the north end and can be accessed from 77th Street. The diverse architecture along with it’s mature tree canopy and multiple bridges add so much to the curb appeal of Biscayne Point. Also, just about every home is on a waterway. If having water access from your backyard is on your home wish list, then your search would not be complete without looking in Biscayne Point. Almost four miles of waterfront in North Beach are located in this neighborhood. Also, access to the beach is a few blocks east as well as North Shore Open Space Park and the beachwalk. Also just steps from the entrance to Biscayne Point is Crespi Park.

These are just some of the wonderful neighborhoods that add to the flavor of North Beach. Considering a home buyer can get 40% more house for their green in here than in other parts of Miami Beach, its no wonder more residents are thinking North Beach can be home. Call us today, and let us give you a tour of what North Beach can offer you.

Since the Real Estate market decline in 2008, REO (real estate owned) or Bank Owned properties started popping up in Miami and Miami Beach. We quickly started working with banks by conducting BPO’s (broker price opinions), then listing these properties for sale. Although most REO agents will agree the inventory level is down the last 2 years, we still get product in Miami & Miami Beach . And buyer appetite for Miami Real Estate listed as REO is definitely high.

In an effort to keep our readers ahead of the pack, below are a few properties we’ll be listing soon.

Miami Beach Ocean View

Oceanfront Condo in Miami Beach – This is a direct oceanfront 2/2 on a high floor with Caribbean blue marble floors throughout, and spacious split floor plan. We’re currently getting this condo at the Akoya Miami Beach freshly painted and cleaned up so it’s as stunning as the view. This full service modern building features pool, valet, 24 hour security, private tennis court, putting green, indoor racquetball, and a gym with direct ocean view. Talk about a great motivation to get up and work out! Wake up to beautiful sunrises over the ocean or take a stroll  on the beachwalk stretching two miles along the sand dunes and through North Shore Open Space Park. Comparable units in the same line are available starting at $720,000. Given the seller’s objective, this REO will surely be listed  in the mid to low $600′s to insure it’s sold quickly. This is a perfect buy for a primary or vacation home resident, looking for breathtaking views in a  full service community.

Biscayne Park Duplex

Biscayne Park Duplex – Besides being a charming village near Miami Shores, Biscayne Park is also a bird sanctuary, with lots of wonderful shade trees and grassy medians, offering affordable living within close proximity to Downtown Miami, Brickell, and the Airport. This duplex is just getting a little polish prior to listing for sale. Each unit is a 2/1 and can rent for $900/month, generating an annual rental revenue of almost $22,000. This income property will be listed in the range of $110,000 & $125,000, and can generate an incredible return between 15-18%. This is a great opportunity for a primary resident to use and generate income, or for a first time or seasoned investor alike. The  chance to make a great return are definitely here.

North Miami Beach Fourplex

North Miami Beach Fouplex – This money making fourplex just steps from West Dixie Highway in North Miami Beach features two 2/1 units and two 1/1 units. From the  photo, we can all agree it is NOT as appealing as the beachfront condo, but when just analyzing the numbers, this investment generates almost $36,000 in Annual Gross Rent, which will leave you with enough green to pay for a weekend stay in South Beach whenever your heart desires.  We’re clearing up a few minor repairs before listing for sale in the range of $150,000. The lucky buyer of this investment property can expect over a 20% return. Turn this ugly duck into your golden goose!

With these type of choices, you can see why REO listings attract a large audience. If you’re interested in properties like these or any other kind of real estate in Miami, you know Miami Reconnect is ready to serve. Give us a call today, and let’s get started!

Fall is coming to Miami… For many residents, this means the coming of cooler crisper weather, the anticipation of our  “season”  to start as we prepare for events like Halloween on Lincoln Rd, Sleepless Night, Art Basel Miami Beach, and of course, getting ready for family gatherings during the holidays, such as Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, Yule, or Kwanzaa. Whatever the holiday, our perfect weather during this time of year almost always means you’re getting visitors. And why wouldn’t they want to come to Miami? There are few places in the US where your morning can start with a refreshing swim in the ocean this time of the year. I just love getting out early and seeing the water look like a reflection pool, where the smallest of waves coming up to shore sing along with the winged wildlife. Look out at the horizon and you’ll surely think you saw a dolphin (you probably did). Ships seen way in the distance add to the sparkling water. Take a stroll along the elevated boardwalk that runs from 23rd St to 47th St in Miami Beach. One of the many treasures you’ll find here.

With all the fun events and holidays to prepare for, why should you think about buying at this time?

Reason #1 -  Homestead Exemption for 2012: If you close by December 31st, 2011, you’ll be eligible to file for homestead exemption. This provides for up to a $50,000 reduction in assessed value and  a cap on future increases as well. The assessed value for tax purposes is used to calculate the property taxes you’ll pay. Simply put, having a low assessed value is  the goal. And with the value today significantly less than what it was at the height of the real estate market, property taxes are lower than they’ve been in years. Also, filing for homestead exemption will cap the yearly increases into the future, so your taxes won’t change much year to year. The rate of reduction in 2011 was much less than in 2010. We’ve also experienced an influx of  real estate purchases, which are causing prices to increase in some neighborhoods. Although no one can guarantee whether real estate taxes will continue to decrease in 2012, given the activity and huge gap  between assessed and market value in the county, filing for homestead exemption sooner than later seems like a simple reason to buy this year.

Reason #2 – Seller Motivation: The end of the year is a marker for many of us. We think about goals we want to set for the new year, and those that we wanted to accomplish in the ending year. If a seller has been trying to sell for some time, they generally are more motivated than when they first listed the property for sale. Add the fact the year is coming to a close, and their motivation to get out with the old and into the new gives the buyer an edge. The motivational conditions will surely be in the buyer’s favor, and you’ll be negotiating an agreement for that new home with ease.

Reason #3 – Competition: Because there really is so much going on during this time of year, i.e. holiday parties, family visits, shopping, many people don’t add the purchase of a home to their to-do list. With a smaller audience paying attention to those motivated sellers, your efforts to pack in a purchase this year can really pay off. Need I say more?

There are plenty of other reasons to buy now, like toasting the new year with the accomplishment of a very important goal, enjoying the rest of our wonderful weather in your new home, and generally beating the rush of seasonal buyers we start to welcome in January. Whatever your reason, we’re happy to assist  you in your effort to make a purchase now. Give us a call today, and let’s get started!

Thank you for checking out our new Real Estate site, Miamireconnect.com. We’re dedicated to Real Estate sales & leasing from Coconut Grove to Bal Harbour, specializing in Miami Beach. Our site is focused on providing our readers with information about the wonderful neighborhoods that border Biscayne Bay. Just like a youngster, our vibrant city is ever changing. Consider Miami Reconnect as your own personal connection to this diverse  community. Our site aims to provide you with timely information on events occurring throughout the year, as well as valuable insight on market trends, and tips for buyers and sellers to keep in mind.

With over 15 years in the Real Estate profession, we understand that there’s more to a home than just price and the space between the walls. Your lifestyle, the things that interest you most in your day to day living, plays a key role in how we find your future residence. Because no purchase or sale is ever exactly the same and due to our experience handling thousands of transactions, being present at numerous property inspections, we can give you a variety of viewpoints when just touring a neighborhood or viewing a property, that will guide you in making a choice. Our blog will include topics that highlight some of the key components we feel is important to consider in real estate. This is most likely your single most important purchase and we strive in guiding you to make the best most informed decision in choosing a home.

In addition to finding the perfect residence, we also have extensive knowledge in real estate investments. Opportunities exist today that have been nonexistent in our market. An investor can truly start generating income or a return on a purchase in the first year of ownership. Condo investments are a great way to start building your real estate portfolio, as they are easy to manage, can be rented quickly, and generate a healthy return for a minimum investment. Consider them as a way to build future nest eggs, a stepping stone towards future purchases, and perfect for getting your feet wet.  Stay tuned for posts that will include insight from our partners as to the advantage of real estate investments. Take a good look at your co-workers, your neighbors, those around you at your favorite restaurant or store. Miami is an international gateway, the de facto capital of the Americas, and home to many individuals from a variety of cultures. Miami is still only an infant as it continues to grow as a first class international city. Investing in today’s market in the neighborhoods bordering Biscayne Bay is one of the smartest investment decisions one can make as Miami continues to welcome new residents for years to come.

As we continue to add features to Miamireconnect.com, we encourage you to check in from time to time for new information. We also would love to hear from you with any topics that interest you, our readers.  Our site is created to be dynamic and ever growing with the needs of Miami residents. A resource for anyone interested in our beautiful city. And we hope that you will find it interesting and helpful. After all, we created it with you in mind.

Stay tuned!