Miami Real Estate Blog

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 organized sports including intramural and travel teams starting at 3 years of age!  There's also gymnastics, Karate, aerobics, dance, etc in the community center.

Downtown Miami Shores in located on NE 2^nd Avenue from 95^th Street to 102 Street.  There's currently a plan to make this area more pedestrian friendly.  Businesses include a Starbucks Coffee, The Village Café, Norberto's Deli, local real estate and doctors' offices, Casa Chameleon, Park Shores Pharmacy and more.

As for Real Estate, there's different types of architecture and different price ranges starting in the high $300,000's up to $3 million bayfront homes.  From historic 20's construction to modern homes like Arquitectonica's Pink House.

Schools include Miami Shores Elementary, Saint Rose of Lima, Miami Country Day, Barry University, Doctor's Charter and a number of pre-schools.

  ENOUGH TALK - click her to see what we are talking about!

Please contact RICK & INES for more information on Miami Shores, FL.

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 all kinds of great stuff for sale, volunteers preparing food and manning booths with different games, 50/50 raffle, wine and beer tent, silent auction with items donated by families and local businesses, picnic area, and not to forget great carnival rides like The Ring of Fire, The Orbit and The Thunder Bolt. 

I am happy to announce, or should I say.... confess, that I shared fried dough with my 2-year old today and it was delicious!  Ride-tickets and bracelets can be purchased in advance or at the carnival.  If you are in the area....don't miss the fun! St. Rose of Lima is located at  415 NE 105^th Street in Miami Shores.

To the left you can see The principal and the vice-principal of St. Rose of Lima (Sister Nancy Kindelan and Mrs. Zigmont) with food court volunteers.  To the right, the RICK & INES sponsored ice-cream booth.

I love to watch the Merry-go-round and the funny faces some make.

For more information about this and other local events, please visithttp://www.yourpropertypros.com/ www.miamism.com

• The Superbowl XLI in Miami
• HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS 15th annual walking tour
• Miami Shores FL - 2006 Holiday Happenings
• Halloween Howl in Miami Shores

Jumping into home ownership when you have never done it before can be scary - scary for many reasons, because you don’t know what to expect, because it can be the single biggest investment of your life, because you don’t even know where to begin.

I decided to share an experience we had with a first time home buyer to try to encourage many to go out there and do some research. With the right guidance, the process should not be as bad. I was called by a young lady last year that saw an ad of ours in the paper (I have to say that it was the only business we got from a print ad). She was engaged to be married, had a steady job and had been renting for many years, like her parents did before her, and her grandparents before them. There was not a single example of home ownership in her family’s history.

She called with hesitation to see if we would be willing to help. This great lady had done a little homework and even went to her bank to see what she could afford, and even asked about first time buyer’s programs. There was not much to show her in her price range of $150,000. In Miami that can buy you a small condo, not even a starter home. I showed her several condos and found one condo-conversion project in Miami Lakes that was really well developed and fit her needs.

To make a very long story not as long, she closed on a town house yesterday. After almost 8 months of work, she received several local government grants, the loan officer, although not very efficient, not a good communicator, and having no experience with grants, came through at the end.

I am so proud of our customer. She is breaking the mold, she is beating the odds, and she is going against family tradition and has made the incredible move into home ownership. I cannot tell you it was easy, but can assure you that the pride of owning your own place is priceless.

Before I start this blog I have to tell you that I have a new found respect for everyone that has taken up this task of writing the weekly review here in Active Rain.   I read tons of great stuff and know this will sound like an old broken record, but I apologize for not being able to include many of the great posts from this week.  It is an incredibly difficult task and just because I did not pick yours, it does not mean it wasn't good.

 In case you missed some of the craziness around Active Rain this week, let me sum it up for you.  Barry began talking about etiquette and how difficult it is to keep a network like this without conflict (it's your fault Barry; you should have kept your mouth shut). Kristal let the witch out, Teresa Boardman went on strike, then Mary shocked us, then TLW shocked us all even more.  Someone ticked off Jay Merton, the nicest guy here, and Rich tried to establish Peace with non other than a Beatles song (couldn't you pick something different?)

• Community Etiquette- From Good to Bad  by Barry Hurd
• Plagiarism brings out the WITCH in me! ~ Updated w/Apology!   by  Kristal Kraft
• On Strike!  by Teresa Boardman
• When bloggers attack: fighting back by Mary McKnight
• TLW...Is Following In Mary McKnight's Foot Steps...ROAR...ROAR...ROAR!   by TLW
• One Very Angry Codger, a Rant by Jay Merton! by Jay Merton -The Codgers
• "Give Peace a Chance" - Changing the Mood of ActiveRain  by Rich Jacobson

Active Rain doers - let's all join in; it's something to be proud of

• The Power Of ActiveRain: An Idea Comes To Life by Jeff Turner

Martin Luther King Day

• A TRIBUTE to a KING by Diane Rice
• Martin Luther King, rest in peace my brother. by Bryant Tutas

Humor

• I'VE GOT TWO MONTHS TO LIVE! by Angus Woodburry AKA "Cow Master"
• We're Not Talking Their Language by Bonnie Erickson

 Real Estate

• Understanding the Realtor® Code of Ethics: Article 9 ~ Writing, Conveying and Maintaining a Contract by Mariana Wagner
• HEY! HEY! HO! HO! Relo Co.s have got to go!  by Erik Wecks

Mortgage

• Only We Can Do This Loan and Other Mortgage Pick Up Lines by Ken Cook
• Advertising A First Time Homebuyer Seminar. by George Souto

Staging

• Set Your Sites Low... to Raise Your Standards by Craig Schiller
• Staging 2.0: The Next Level by Jessica Hughes

Blogging - Promoting - Networking

• Creating and Maintaining Your BLOG - Review #3 - The WeBLOG Handbook by Rebecca Blood by Ann Cummings
• How do you promote your blog to your clients? By Ardell DellaLoggia
• What Makes A Web Site A Money Maker, Part I by Allen F. Hainge
• First Page Ranking Is No Joke... by Mark Eibner

Local Content

• Sad saga in Northwest Indiana - Bigger Questions by Steve Dalton
• Best Friend drops "M" Bomb. Cost of living in Florida is forcing them to move! By Scott Daniels

Off-topic (but we should all pick a hobby to clear our minds)

• Relaxation: What do you do?  By Gary and Mary Nelson

What category?  BB and BB

• Howlin' with Broker Bryant by Brian Brady

Active Rain News & highlights - these are the changes and happenings around THE RAIN!

• Top referrers, image uploaders, posters and more...
• Lots of site updates Tuesday morning...
• Posting To Localism
• Proposed ActiveRain changes

In case you missed last week's review by Colleen Kulikowski --->  Active Rain - Week in Review 01/08/07-01/14/07 (Modified)

Super Bowl XLI will take place in Miami on Sunday, February 4, 2007 in Dolphin Stadium.  This will be the 9^th time in Miami (4^th time at the Dolphin's Stadium and the other 5 at the Orange Bowl).

The Super Bowl is known for so many things.... the incredible commercials, the halftime shows (which by the way will be Prince this year), the beautiful Vince Lombardi Super Bowl trophy, designed by Tiffany & Co.,
and of course the actual game.  I personally had never known the impact this one game has on the host city.  Miami is a madhouse right now.  People are renting places at extravagant prices, coming from all over the nation.  Did you know that there are rental agents that specialize in the Superbowl?

The Super Bowl also has a Community Outreach program which brings much more than football to the Miami area.  There will be more than 50 charitable activities and community outreach programs designed to enrich and assist the community.  The NFL works with each host community to develop programs with local organizations which focus on youth outreach, health and wellness, and other community rebuilding projects.

The SB memories are priceless - remember when Janet Jackson mistakenly flashed a body part during a past SB?  Our son Diego was 6 years old at the time and was watching in a 52" big screen TV.  After Janet's performance he turned to us and said, very matter of fact, "Mom, was that her boob?"....I will never forget that.

So mark your calendars, block off the day, plan your Super Bowl party and we will promise to be gracious hosts here in Miami and will make your visit (whether in person or by satellite) a very pleasant one.

Presented by RICK & INES, http://www.yourpropertypros.com/ www.miamism.com

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 approximately 770 square feet of good distribution, a front balcony/patio as well as a second back door entrance.  This unit also includes 2 deeded  parking spaces. "A" rated school district.

Please follow this LINK for additional information and photographs of this property.

This picture was taken from Broad Causeway which in one of the entrances to Bay Harbor Islands.

PROPERTY INFORMATION:

• 1 bedroom / 1 bathroom
• 770 square feet
• $214/ month - maintenance fee
• updated
• new appliances
• new a/c units
• 2 parking spaces
• lots of closet space
• crown molding

For more information about this property, please visit our website at http://www.yourpropertypros.com/ www.miamism.com

So this is my 100^th post and I have been tossing and turning trying to come up with something special to share with you.  The standards have been set extremely high.

• "My 100th Blog on ActiveRain"    by Rich Jacobson
• The Lovely Wife's 100th Post...Flavored With Synchronicity...ROAR!  by TLW
• BTW, this is my 100th post! So please read! By Bryant Tutas
• The gift of tears by Craig Schiller
• Celebrating 100th Blog on January 1, 2007 by Gena Riede
• My 100th Post...... trying to pull a Rabbit ouf of the Hat...   by Jeff Belonger

Today I had one of those AMAZING days where a customer made me feel so good and made me glad to be in this business.  We have had a listing that has been particularly difficult to sell, not because the house is ugly, or because the house needs work, or because the house is vacant, but because customers have not been able to recognize the potential.  

Finally under contract, today we had inspections and to my surprise, the buyer's agent did not show up - ( It was the inspectors, the buyer and I).  An hour into the inspections, the buyer turned to me and said, "Ines, I want you to know that the reason we are buying this house is because of you, you were instrumental in us seeing the potential of this home, and it was you that ultimately made the sale, thank you."

Could this get any better??? Needless to say, my head could not fit through the door when we left.  I feel so good about what I do, and it was so rewarding to hear this from the actual buyer.  So I decided to share with you some of my work.  I have a passion for architecture and do miss my profession, but can admit that I could not deal with the schedule of an architect.  Real Estate has given me a way to be creative and share my passion with customers, and the mere fact of being recognized, really makes me feel great.

---------------------------------------

Here's some bridge concepts I did for DOT here in Miami - the idea was that bridges do not need to be ugly and that aesthetics and design can co-exist.

This is an on-going abstract study that I am doing - the theme:  portraits of RICK

And lastly - I'm going to share a poem I wrote years ago about Miami and Architecture.

MIAMI DETACHED

Miami is the shadows formed on a young girl's face one Summer afternoon

It's the wrinkles on the hands of an old black man

It's looking through a magnigying glass at darkness

At its shore I can discern a "Miami Detached"

As the crew ships try to Merge themselves

once again with reality

Reality means turning into a sail

highstrung to its mast,

feeling the strength and the near ending effort to survive,

or a coral rock trying not to disintegrate while it knows

the more salt water that flows,

the more porous it will become

Why does the blind look at the sun?

How can you touch hate?

Taste Love?

Smell apathy?

The petals of a rose out of bloom

Still give you a fascinating scent,

just as that which cannot feel will eventually rot.

Life means morphosis, close scrutiny and pain

We can discuss this when architects

become a thing of the past

I thank all my friends here in Active Rain for encouranging me and others.  I am glad to be part of this network and look forward to reading all of your 100th posts.

This is the second review of a series, of a book called WeBLOG, by Rebecca Blood.  The first review, written by Mariana Wagner will give you some history of blogs including who started, how, and when.    I will focus on WHY and WHO.

If you are reading this, there's a good chance that you not only are reading blogs, but you are writing them.  A lot of us got into it to get more business, some others because it was fun.   There are others that are letting that inner writing monster out for the first time and are enjoying it!  Well....Rebecca tells us in this chapter that there are 3 reasons for keeping a blog:

1. information sharing (it doesn't matter the subject - you are putting information out there for people to read)
2. reputation building (the more you research a subject, the more you write about it, the better you become - you become an expert - and BINGO! Great reputation - That's why it is key for all of us to take full advantage of LOCALISM.com)
3. personal expression (the way you write, the types of links you share, you acquire a style, a voice people look for)

Rebecca also says that "although any one of these may be the primary reason for a weblog, no one maintains a weblog for any length of time without eventually doing all three."  (Make sure you go back to REVIEW #1 to understand how the word blog was a shortened version of weblog).

This chapter hits home because it says that blogging creates better writers.  There's been a lot of discussion here in Active Rain about good and bad blogs.  Personally, I think it's just a matter of time before we get better at it.  It's like playing the piano, or any sport.  Practice makes perfect.  So I tell new bloggers (like me) to not get discouraged, keep at it, we will get better, we will find our voice, and we will become  good writers. (I hope).

Can you believe that blogs can be subconscious therapy?  That's right - "blogging builds self-awareness".  By writing down your thoughts and problems you are not only creating a record of your daily life, but you are creating a place to work out your thinking. (NOTE:  blogging should not replace your therapy sessions, please consult your mental professional before suspending treatment).

The book also points out how we become critical thinkers because of the research that goes into writing a blog, the inclusion of certain links as opposed to others to help build our reputation and style.  

You may have noticed by now that blogging is time-consuming (hmmmm-really?) - most of us come to Active Rain a couple of hours per day.  "A weblog will reward you in direct proportion to the effort you expend...up to a point.  The happiness you derive from your weblog will depend on your interest, your ability to devote sufficient time to the project, and your commitment to keeping the rest of your life in balance".

                                                   BLOGGING + TIME = HAPPINESS

So if you already spend hours online everyday, you are a good candidate for maintaining a blog.  If you sit down at the computer only to check emails, blog could disrupt your daily life.  I know Rick has called this network ACID RAIN, but at least he understands the importance of blogging, what it can do for our business, and the information sharing that has taught us both so much! BLOG ON!

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 SHORES, FLORIDA

3 bedroom / 2 bathroom single-family home.  Approximately 2,000 square feet on 12,800 sq. ft. lot.

1939 Ageless Beauty!  Features include Pecky Cypress beamed ceilings, archways, French doors, wrought iron pass through, new bathrooms, spacious Family Room overlooking covered patio, Double fireplace with beautiful Deco Mantle on one side and brick on the other....and much more.                                             $550,000  **SOLD**

821 NE 99 STREET - MIAMI SHORES, FLORIDA

4 bedrrom / 2 bathroom single-family home.  2,327 square feet on 8,850 sq. ft. lot.

Charming home in private area of Miami Shores within walking distance to Country Club, Golf Course and Tennis Center.   Features include hardwood floors throughout, large bedrooms with lots of closet space, split bedroom plan, large 4^th bedroom  over the 2-car garage is perfect for an office or playroom.  Large eat-in kitchen, Family room with wood beamed ceilings overlooks beautiful heated pool and fenced in backyard.            $650,000

9281 W BAY HARBOR DRIVE #6 - BAY HARBOR ISLANDS, FLORIDA   (HARBOR POINT CONDO)

1 bedroom / 1 bathroom condo.  700 sq ft - Condo maint. = $214/m

Ground floor garden unit in sought after Bay Harbour Island.  Features updated kitchen with butcher block counter tops & mosaic-tile backsplash, crown molding, new appliances, tankless water heater, new air conditioning units, renovated bathroom, lots of closets and 2 deeded parking spaces.                                            $215,000   **SOLD**

click HERE for virtual tours and additional photos

800 NE 195 STREET #112 - MIAMI, FLORIDA (CANONGATE CONDO)

2 bedroom / 2 bathroom condo.  1470 sq. ft. - condo maint = 355/m

Ground floor unit overlooking pool, meticulously cared for and has parquet floors throughout.  It's close to Aventura Mall, I-95 and schools and building amenities include 24-HR security, valet parking, party room, pool, sauna and more.                            $205,000  **SOLD**

click HERE for virtual tours and additional photos

11111 BISCAYNE BOULEVARD #3F - MIAMI, FLORIDA (THE JOCKEY CLUB)

2 bedroom / 2 bathroom condo.  1353 sq ft - condo maint = $880/m

This unit overlooks the treetops of the beautiful garden and pool of the Jockey.  Split bedroom with lots of light and absolute tranquility.  Full service building on Biscayne Bay offers 10 tennis courts, 3 pools, playgrounds, club house and marina.  Second bedroom has separate entrance and can be leased once per year.                $215,000 

758 NE 90TH STREET #514 - MIAMI, FLORIDA (THE PRESERVE)

2 bedroom / 2 bathroom condo.  1300 sq ft - condo main = $155/m

Upscale,quiet gated community within walking distance to bank and shopping.  Bright and airy w/ open kitchen.  Sliding doors from living area open to a quiet yard.  Master bedroom has excellet closet space and fabulous bath.  Private one-car garage.  Centrally located for access to Miami Beach, both airports and Coconut Grove.  Washer and Dryer inside unit, community pool and 24 hr. security.                   $298,000  **RENTED**

9201 COLLINS AVENUE #226 - SURFSIDE, FLORIDA (THE WAVERLY)

1 bedroom / 1 bathroom condo.  642 sq ft - condo maint - $256/m

Beachfront condo, just steps from Bal Harbour Shops and restaurants.  Feel relaxing ocean breeze from private balcony while looking at the waves.  This spacious unit has washer and dryer inside, walk-in closet, and steps right unto the Waverly's Beach Club. Building amenities include heated pool, gym, club/billiards room, beach volleyball, and more.  Lowest priced unit in the building.                                                           $399,000 **RENTED**

click HERE for virtual tours and additional photos

For more information about these and other listings in the MIAMI AREA including Miami Shores, Biscayne Park, El Portal, Surfside, Bay Harbor Islands, Belle Meade, and North Miami, please contact RICK & INES and visit our website at www.Miamism.com

I had a very disturbing conversation with an agent this morning.  We have the lowest priced listing in a condo and although not priced bellow the closed sales in the last 6 months; it's priced bellow the average of the closed sales.  We received a low-ball offer (80% bellow the lowest sale in the building) and the sellers countered bellow the lowest closed sale and were still willing to negotiate a bit, within reason.

Just to prep you:  This is not a short sale; this is not a desperation sale.  The sellers already moved, and would like to sell this unit, but don't need to give it away.  They are reasonable, they are flexible and they are very straight forward.

The agent that submitted the offer (will call her Leslie), not only knows the building and the comps well, but has other listings in the building. (priced well above closed sale averages).

Leslie called us this morning to see how the movement for that unit has been and if we received any offers.  She also explained that my seller should seriously accept the low ball offer, her buyer is not willing to go any higher, that it is my job to explain to the seller how property values are still decreasing and should think about  selling now because we could expect a 10% decrease in the next six months.  She also told me that she knew how I felt about the offer, but didn't think it reflected the seller's perspective.

Needless to say, Leslie was not pleased with my answers.  I am very curious to hear how a lot of you would have handled this call and then I'll tell you what I said to her.

Would you mind humoring me to see if I was wrong and irrational?