Miami Real Estate

If you’re thinking of investing, it might be worth keeping an eye on the Grove.   Coconut Grove’s waterfront revitalization plan, and recent real estate developments have put Coconut Grove on our radar screen (again).

The Convention Center was demolished a few months ago,  with plans approved to transform Coconut Grove’s waterfront area…Dinner Key Marina and Sailboat Bay … into pedestrian-friendly public park areas with water-front promenades, new marinas, restaurants & shops.  The 3 new waterside restaurants are likely to include Don Shula’s … a revamped Scotty’s Landing … and a seafood spot.

2 mega-luxury spiraling-condo-towers (where the former Grand Bay Hotel stood, at 2675 South Bayshore Drive)  broke ground earlier in 2014.  What’s now under construction there will soon be The Grove at Grand Bay – a high end condo project with spectacular views and amenities.  It’s now in it’s early stages of construction  -  and although the units were priced from $3 million to $5 million per individual condo unit, The Grove at Grand Bay has already virtually sold out.  The handful of uber chic  condo units still available have price tags between $900 -$1,100 per square foot. Read the rest of this entry »

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Miami – along with New York and London – are “three of the most vibrant world cities currently attracting the globally affluent buyer”  according to Bonnie Stone Sellers, CEO of Christie’s International Real Estate, in Christie’s annual research report Luxury Defined.

As the exclusive affiliates of Christie’s in Miami,  EWM Realty International will be pleased to provide you with market insights, and expertise whether you are buying or selling.

“Buyers continue to view London, New York and Miami as strong markets to invest in and great places to live.  All three cities are unusual in offering what luxury buyers are looking for: economic stability, ease of doing business, transportation options, cultural and lifestyle services, and attractions that make them desirable places to buy homes.”

If you are considering buying a home or condo in Miami, we at the Restivo-Hechtman Group at EWM Realty International will be pleased to work with you.   305 793-1365  [email protected]

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“The median price of a single-family home in Miami-Dade increased 19% during 2013, while the median price of a condo in Miami-Dade increased 12%.  We have had double-digit annual median price increases for over 24 months for both single-family homes and condos in both Miami-Dade and Broward counties.  With the increasing inventories and new construction underway, median price increases will likely temper back in 2014 to single-digit levels.  With the large numbers of new condos being offered at pre-construction (primarily in Miami-Dade), the number of available units will be increasing fairly rapidly over the next 24 months; therefore we will be keeping a close watch on the number of newly constructed units, as well”  Managing Broker of EWM Realty International, Ron Shufffield  indicates in his “Focus on 2014 South Florida Market Report”.

Great time to buy or sell …  Call us today, but don’t wait.  Restivo/Hechtman Team at EWM Realty Int’l  305 793-1365  … 305 632-0164

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At a broker’s open house on E-Lake … I won a catered four-course / five-hour extravaganza …   that Lourdes Ruiz Toledo of Pamper Me Foods orchestrated and catered  at our house. 

Lourdes has no website … yet … but her food is amazing… so she’s now in my little black book.

I met her while Alexandra and I were previewing homes for our clients  … one of which was 13611 SW 97 Avenue …  $2,075,000 waterfront property listed for sale by Margie Shanti and Liede DeValdivielso of Coldwell Banker. Lourdes catered their broker’s open that day –  serving ’bites’  in elegant plastic stemmed glasses  …

She had similar presentations the evening she catered dinner at our house …  Two of the courses were served in mimosa glasses and champagne flutes.  Her creations each came with a story …  about her travels, what inspired each dish,  the people, places , and exotic ingredients  (and enough description to make me hope I could duplicate them).   Her stories and presentations were lovely. 

She is worth recommending : Pamper Me Foods … [email protected]  305 300-3549

I know she  hosts  girls nights out … kids cooking classes …  elegant dinner parties … cocktail receptions …

And… if you,  or someone you know,  are looking find a new home  to entertain in  …  please call me.  Alexandra and I would love to help make that happen … There are so  many wonderful homes on the market right now in Miami.  305 793-1365  Vicki Restivo [email protected]  … 305 632-0164 Alexandra Hechtman  [email protected]  Restivo/Hechtman  … Mother/Daughter Team at EWM Realty International.

We invite you to visit our website and Miami real estate blog:  www.MiamiRealEstateCafe.com

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According to the Associated Press, in an article from January 27, 2014, home sales in 2013 were the highest they’ve been in five years. It was the second year that sales were up since 2008. Analysts are predicting that the number of sold homes will continue to rise in 2014. In the summer of 2013, interest rates rose and prices were up on homes because of the limited amount of inventory available to consumers. These things combined, it made buying a home less affordable. We have also seen a rise in construction, up 18.3% since 2012.

What does this mean for you, the consumer? It’s still a good time to buy. Although interest rates are higher than they were last year, they are still historically low. Call, email, text us- but don’t wait! Let us help you find your dream home NOW!

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The Miami Herald reported November 5th that Coconut Grove is soon slated to have 3 snazzy new waterfront eateries (with soaring glass walls and views of Biscayne Bay …  in glass and steel bay front structures designed by Arquitectonica).  There are plans to create an pedestrian promenade as well as a new park…. turning the Grove into something Miami desperately needs:  waterfront land that the public can access and enjoy.

The Grove Bay Investment Group is apparently ready to sign a 50 year lease  with the city for the site just north of Miami City Hall all along the water, paying a minimum of $1.4 million a year for that …  and spending an additional $18 million to refurbish the marina,  add three new waterfront eateries, and create a pedestrian promenade extending from South Bayshore Drive all the way up to the new public pier over Biscayne Bay.  This, combined with creating a 3 story parking garage with retail shopping at ground level, and green open spaces for the public to enjoy, will transform the Grove and the historic village bay front. Read the rest of this entry »

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While the rest of the world is bundled up, stuck indoors, shivering, shovelling snow,  South Florida is enjoying t-shirt weather, deep sea fishing, golf, sailing, tennis … and this time of year is still prime outdoor cafe weather.  The Miami lifestyle is yours if you want it … We specialize in South Florida Real Estate, and we look forward to helping  you make Miami your home.   Call us today …  Alexandra Hechtman 305 632-0164 and Vicki Restivo 305 793-1365 …. The Restivo Hechtman Team at EWM Realty Int’l   [email protected]

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Tomorrow  (Wednesday  October 23, 2013)  a  multi agency training exercise  is scheduled  for in and around the Old Miami Herald Building. 

Emergency vehicles and officers from multiple police departments will be involved.  This is just a training exercise. 

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Bidding wars are back … and with property in Miami becoming scarce,  bidding wars can be tough to win.

There’s not much inventory to choose from,  and buyers  are finding themselves competing against one other  for the good stuff …

Offering full list price isn’t necessarily enough  …

More often than not,  I find that personal connections tend to sway decisions.   If you want the house be personable, and take whatever steps you can to connect with the seller.

We asked this family to write a note, that we’d submit along with their offer … and we asked that they Read the rest of this entry »

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