1)  NO  FOR SALE SIGN  ON THEIR PROPERTY 

                                      2)  NO OPEN-HOUSES     and

                                      3)  NO LISTING    IN THE MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE (MLS) …   

IN ORDER TO SELL, THE HOME-OWNER RELIES ON A  TRUSTED, LOCAL REALTOR  TO QUIETLY FIND A BUYER FOR THAT PROPERTY… WITHOUT ADVERTISING IT.  IT’S WHAT WE REFER TO IT AS …A POCKET LISTING. 

BUYERS LOOKING  TO BUY IN THE TYPICAL FASHION, WOULDN’T KNOW ABOUT  POCKET LISTINGS UNLESS THEY WERE WORKING DIRECTLY WITH THE REALTOR WHO HAD THEM  (OR CALLED TO ASK ONE WHO DID).   POCKET LISTINGS TYPICALLY ARE NOT PUBLICALLY ADVERTISED, DUE TO PRIVACY ISSUES … OR FOR PERSONAL REASONS…OR TO KEEP A JOB RELOCATION /TRANSFER QUIET FOR A WHILE.  OCCASIONALLY THERE ARE CONFIDENTIALITY FACTORS AND LETTERS TO BE SIGNED BEFORE  WE CAN SHOW A PROPERTY.   BUYERS TYPICALLY NEED TO  BE PRE-APPROVED.  FOR CASH PURCHASES (WHICH CONSTITUTE  52% OF  EWM  PROPERTY SALES)  A LETTER SHOWING  FUNDS TO CLOSE IS FINE.

IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO BUY PROPERTY IN MIAMI BEACH, PINECREST, CORAL GABLES, BRICKELL, PALMETTO BAY, SOUTH MIAMI OR COCONUT GROVE, WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU.  LET US KNOW WHAT IT IS THAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR.  WE MIGHT HAVE A PROPERTY THAT WOULD BE PERFECT FOR YOU.  

WHETHER A SINGLE FAMILY HOME, IN A PRIVATE GATED-COMMUNITY, INVESTMENT PROPERTY, VACATION HOME,  WATERFRONT CONDO, ESTATE OR  DISTRESS SALE, WE MAY KNOW OF A PARTICULAR PROPETY THAT MIGHT WORK FOR YOU … A POCKET LISTING.

REALTORS OR BROKERS, IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING ON BEHALF OF YOUR BUYERS, YOU ARE WELCOME TO CALL US AT 305 793-1365 OR LEAVE US A NOTE HERE.  THE RESTIVO TEAM – EWM REALTORS

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The class of 2010 produced 15 Silver Knight nominees, a Silver Knight winner and a Silver Knight Honorable mention. There were 4 National Merit Scholars, each of which scored in the top 2% nationally on their 11th grade PSAT. In addition, there were 2 Coca Cola Regional winners, 4 Ford Salute to Education recipients, 5 Pinecrest Rotary Winners, 5 Perrine/Cutler Ridge Rotary Scholars, 1 Metro PCS Award winner and one William Simon Award recipient.

Not only did the class excel in receiving awards, but 95% of the class is pursuing a post secondary education, 72% will be attending a 4 year college, 23% will be attending community colleges, 2% will attend Vocational/Technical schools. In addition, 2% will join the military and 1% will enter the workforce.

The 50th graduating glass received 365 scholarships which totaled more than $13 million. 26 student athletes are college bound and scholarship recipients. $4.3 million in Bright Futures Scholarships were given out. A total of $17 million in scholarships were offered to this class.

The class was accepted to 203 colleges and the graduates will be attending colleges in 38 states, while some students will study internationally in Italy, Chile, Holland, Argentina, Switzerland and Japan.

Not only did the class provide stellar academics, but they excelled in athletics as well. The Miami Hearld recognized the school, once again, as having the number 1 high school sports program in Miami-Dade County for the 09-10 school year. In addition, for the first time in 40 years, a public high school won the Boy’s Swimming championship…the winners were the boys of Palmetto’s swim team.

There were 3 students who did not miss one day of school in their 13 year education-2,340 consecutive days of attendance from K-12th grade!

What a class…Congratulations Class of 2010!

Closings that had to be put on hold in coastal areas of South Florida (and nationally) can now be rescheduled.  The United States Senate  just passed the National Flood Insurance Program Extension Act of 2010 (H.R. 5569) ,  extending the National Flood Insurance Program until September 30, 2010.   The bill  the Senate just passed is retroactive, covering the lapse period from June 1, 2010 to the date of enactment of the extension.

National Flood Insurance Program
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) provides flood insurance to homeowners in participating communities in flood-prone areas, who could not otherwise obtain coverage due to cost or ineligibility. Without insurance provided through NFIP, property owners in federally designated areas across +10,000 communities nationwide could not obtain mortgages.

The NFIP  produces the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), which are critical for the transaction of properties located in, or adjacent to, a floodplain. Those maps must be updated regularly, to make certain that the information is correct and  buyers know whether their property is at an increased risk for flooding.

For up to date Real Estate Information:  MiamiRealEstateCafe.com  … the Restivo’s Real Estate Blog for South Florida.

Looking for an expert Realtor in Miami or elsewhere?  We invite you to contact us by phone or by email … We will be delighted to help.

FLORIDA REALTORS retracted statements extending the first-time homebuyers tax credit CLOSING DATE.

It appears that homebuyers will need to close by June 30, 2010 afterall.

Although Reuters reported an extension to closings by the Federal Government, allowing homebuyers who were under contract by the April 30th deadline, to close up until September 30, 2010 (past the original June 30th deadline) ….   You do need to close by June 30th to take advantage of the tax credit.  

THE REPORT of an extension HAS BEEN RETRACTED.  Check the FLORIDA REALTORS website for updates, but, as of today,  in order for first time homebuyers to take advantage of the tax credit, buyers will need to close by June 30th afterall. The tax credit allows for $8,000  to first time homebuyers and $6,500 for existing homeowners who are purchasing a new primary residence, provided that you were under contract by April 30, 2010.

If you are looking to buy or sell property in Miami, and would like the expertise of a top local Realtor, please give me a call today.

ELEGANT GABLES WATERWAY with MARINA and PRISTINE WATERFRONT POOL.  12TH FLOOR.  ONE BEDROOM 1.5 BATH CONDO.  YOU OVERLOOK WATER AND ENDLESS TREETOPS:

90 EDGEWATER DRIVE #1208  CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA

BRAND NEW RENOVATIONS THROUGHOUT … FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:  BATHROOMS, TRAVERTINE FLOORS, KITCHEN WITH GRANITE COUNTERS AND BACKSPLASH & STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES. WROUGHT IRON CHANDELIERS and LIGHTING.  

YOU WILL BE THE FIRST  TO CALL THIS HOME… (SINCE INTERIOR CONDO RENOVATIONS WERE COMPLETED IN THIS WELL-ESTABLISHED BUILDING).

IT’S LISTED FOR LEASE at $1,600/ MONTH.  THIS UNIT, #1208,  HAS GORGEOUS, WIDE OPEN VIEWS OF WATER, DOWNTOWN, BISCAYNE BAY & GABLES WATERWAY.  A BIG BALCONY.  ACCORDION SHUTTERS.  AND IT’S JUST MINUTES FROM THE BOHEMIAN HUB OF COCONUT GROVE AND THE QUAINT AND EVER-GROWING CENTER OF  SOUTH MIAMI. 

I HAVE YET TO SEE ANOTHER ONE BEDROOM CONDO ON EDGEWATER, ANYWHERE AS  REFINED IN IT’S REMODEL.  IF YOU’D LIKE TO SEE THIS UNIT (FOR IMMEDIATE LEASE)  OR OTHER CONDOS/ HOMES IN CORAL GABLES, SOUTH MIAMI, OR  COCONUT GROVE FOR PURCHASE OR LEASE CALL ME TODAY.  AND IF YOU OWN A UNIT IN 90 EDGEWATER DRIVE THAT YOU’D LIKE TO  SELL,  WE MAY ALREADY HAVE A BUYER FOR YOURS.

I wish I were a fly on the wall, and could have heard the whole conversation.  I got enough of a snippet … and I must say, it was rather typical of Real Estate agents who JUST DON’T GET IT!  

One Realtor was muttering about how much he hated working with buyers, because they were all looking for  DEALS.  Another Realtor dittoed, commenting that every buyer these days wants a STEAL … and wants to trample on someone’s short sale and foreclosure woes.

That’s as much as I heard. 

They got it WRONG!  Buyers are not looking for a STEAL.  They are looking for VALUE… the best value they can find.  No one wants to overpay in this (or any!) market.  But VALUE does not mean CHEAPEST … NOR does it mean that a buyer wants to trample on someone’s financial situation.

Buyers definitely don’t want the CHEAPEST HOUSE around.  They have criteria that is important… and it has everything to do with ”Value!”.   I can prove that to you in ten minutes.  I can take you to see a CHEAP house, that you wouldn’t want it even if it were free.  The house you will ultimately choose will be a house that has value…. value to you.  And value is definitely subjective … It has to do with location, ”potential”,  lay-out, design, feel, personal appeal … and how that VALUE relates to COST. 

People may say they’re looking for a DEAL…or a STEAL… but what they really want  is VALUE…. Maybe you should use the help of an expert top local Realtor who can help you find “it”…. (”IT” meaing ”VALUE”).

Real estate,  historically, has been a solid financial investment – especially long term.  Investing now, in this current market, if  you have liquidity to put down, stands to put you in good stead. Play with the numbers.

Renting -  That money goes out the window each and every month … benefiting your landlord, who acquires equity at your expense.

Owning – You’ll pay  maintenance and upkeep.  You’ll pay property tax, mortgage, insurance, and various and sundry other things.  Historically real estate increases in value…  given time … potentially doubling in value over a ten year span of time or so…. assuming you buy ‘right’.   Time your purchase so as to be  toward the bottom of the market swing (Notice that I didn’t say “at” the bottom!).  Look to buy in a decent area that holds it’s value… or an up and coming area with growth potential.   Your tax advisor will guide you as to how to take advantages of  tax write-offs.  Rely on an experienced local Realtor   Our expertise will help!    Buy right, and the money you put into your home or condo should in time equate to additional equity.

As you can see, the things residents like the most about Pinecrest is that it’s quiet and the security they feel living here. Location and schools (A-rated) followed closely. As far as improvements go, residents though lighting and more green spaces were important.

If you would like to move to Pinecrest or sell your home, I would be glad to help! You can reach me here.

Our buyer’s requests: a townhouse in a gated community, 5 bedrooms, new construction in Coral Gables, South Miami or Pinecrest. The Venetian Coral Gables was the first community that came to mind. The only problem is that it won’t be built in the timeframe he wants. The other options were Old Spanish Village, Oak Lane, Pine Manor and the Cloisters. After checking them out and weighing his options, our buyer chose Oak Lane.

Remember, the buyer wanted 5 bedrooms (Oak Lane has a max of 3 per unit), so we sat down with the developer and the architect, who were very helpful in coming up with a solution…combine 2 units and make them into one larger one! The architect drew up beautiful plans to accomodate the buyer’s requests, and voila! After negotiations with the developer and finalizing plans with the architect, the buyer ended up buying four units and combining two and two (to make 2 large units).

That’s the beauty with new construction-the developer can work with you to accomodate your needs. We have been a part of this process, step by step, and will be until the project is complete.

If you would like to buy your own townhouse in one of these communities or any other in community, or would like to look into the Venetian Coral Gables and what it has to offer, contact the Restivo Team today! We would love to help you find and create the perfect home for you!

For a variety of reasons, villas and townhouses are a plausible answer to ‘what’s next?’ Whether you want to lock-up and take-off for a well-deserved romp around the globe… or  eliminate  entirely the hassle of maintaining a large home ( and grounds!)…  a townhouse can offer  freedom, without catapulting you into  quarters of claustrophobically minimal dimensions.  If you want  independence and elbow room …  and a condo is just too confining…the answer COULD BE  a townhouse.   

In both Coral Gables & South Miami there are several in the works – some in the development stages (having already broken ground, or about to)…   others ready for occupancy.  They run the whole gamut, with some available for under $500,000.  

The cream of the crop may well run from $1.2 million to nearly $2 million.  Some are located in more commercial settings with easy access to shops, dining and transportation… Others are situated in  absolutely charming residential settings.  Elevators, private garages, butler pantries, fireplaces, and a summer kitchens … are among the selling points that many offer.   Many have abundant outdoor space:  terraces, balconies …   and elegant, simplified luxury. It’s a “home”,  without the concerns a “house” might pose. 

Townhouses and villas are NOT in abundance, by any means, but there’s a smattering of them in Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, South Miami & Pinecrest… all adding a lifestyle option to what was previously limited to single family homes and condo living.  

In Coral Gables you have:

Venetian Coral Gables,

Old Spanish Village   (both preconstruction);  Valencia Gardens (currently under construction); and  Almeria Row, Casa Valencia, Valencia Grande, Villa Alhambra, Bermuda Village, Riviera Town Villas and Deering Bay (already built) … 

In Coconut Grove you have:

 Cloisters on the Bay, &  Abitare in the Grove…

In Miami, near the University of Miami you have Bridgepoint  …

In South Miami you have Oaklane (under construction) and Pine Manor (already built). 

And in Pinecrest you have the French Village.  Contact us for further information on buying or selling real estate in Miami… townhomes, condos, or homes.    We will be more than happy to assist you.  Alexandra Restivo restivo.a@ewm.com  or Vicki Restivo restivo.v@ewm.com      -   www.MiamiRealEstateCafe.com  Cercasi CASA a MIAMI?  Agencia Immobiliare EWM Realtors, International  305-793-1365