Miami Real Estate

The Restivo Team just listed a Breakstone-built, environmentally green home in Smathers Four Fillies Farm in Pinecrest. The 2 story Pinecrest home features 4 bedrooms and 4 ensuite baths and was built in 2007. The Gated Community features over 30 acres of property, brimming  with mango, avocado and lychee trees.  The bucolic, serene surroundings are maintained by Fairchild Tropical Gardens, nestled between Red Road and Old Cutler, near Pinecrest Gardens.

11370 Smathers Circle is listed for sale at $1.1   (or available for lease @ $5,200 a month). Contact the Restivo Team today to be part of this fabulous University of Miami Community… Gated  community with tennis court, swimming pool, playground… in the heart of Pinecrest .

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The Venetian Coral Gables is a project that was intentionally put on the back-burner when real estate slowed-down in Miami. 

The developer/builder opted to weather-out the downturn, rather than accept reservations on the Venetian Coral Gables. He  postponed the start of construction, opting to wait for the real estate market to bottom out.  I think it was wise to wait.  The idea was to have the Venetian be very high-end … with every upgrade and amenity possible.  Starting constuction as the domestic real estate market was feeling the pinch, seemed unwise. 

So many of the construction projects that were slated to be built in Miami  a couple of years back were ditched… or forced into using lower end finishes …  They sat empty…  or teetered on or fell into either foreclosure or short sale.    Read the rest of this entry »

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Despite a general consensus (at least throughout much of America) that bigger is better, I am finding that home-buyers who are buying  property in South Florida are actually leaning toward less space, cozier environments… more charm.

 What I’m finding that buyers ARE looking for is :

1) An extension to their indoor space … The overwhelming majority of buyers here in South Florida want utilizable, covered, outdoor living areas that are well-defined and elegantly pulled together.  They are looking for clean lines, and comfortably appointed outdoor sitting areas, with splashes of color, greenery… in other words, a blatant declaration that they are now living in the tropics. Since many are exchanging snow shovels for sunscreen and flip-flops, they are looking forward to residing somewhere with 365 days of sunshine (interspersed with occasional/ frequent  rain showers that allow Florida to stay GREEN)…. and wanting to revel in that outdoor life.   Buyers relocating to South Florida want functionally-elegant outdoor space.   They expect covered patios, pergolas, chickee huts, porches, over-sized umbrellas, retractable awnings … All of these lend themselves to SELLING A HOUSE.  Outdoor spaces resonate big-time with these buyers. Read the rest of this entry »

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On July 13, the City of Coral Gables approved an 11 member Green Task Force. The Task Force will advise City officials on matters that support sustainability and will make recommendations on the environmental sustainability of City services, programs, facilities and equipment. They will also help develop a plan to increase environmental awareness.

The group will promote the practice of green development, recycling, energy efficiency, water and energy conservation, green transportation alternatives, waste reduction and building design issues, among other things. The task force will be made up of 11 member, all Gables residents-including a historic preservationist, a landscape architect, a planner, an engineer, an architect, a member of the University of Miami, a member of the Coral Gables Chamber and another member from the Garden Club.

The Green Task Force will be effective October 1, 2010.

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Here are some easy ways to make a difference…

When you get coffee to go, B.Y.O.M. (bring your own mug). If we all used one less paper cup a week, we could save thousands of trees per year and much less would be dumped into landfills.

Boil water with a lid on the pan. It will boil up to 75% faster and will save energy because the heat won’t escape.

Run a full dishwasher rather than washing dishes by hand. It saves energy because hand washing can use as much as 26 gallons of water for 12 place settings, while a good dishwasher will use 4 gallons of water.

Filling your freezer makes it more energy efficient. You can store water in jugs and containers instead of food items.

Store and label leftover items with today’s date. This reduces the chance of it being thrown in the trash.

Computers, TCs and DVD players use stand-by power even when you think they’re off. Unplug them and save up to 10% on your electric bill. You could also plug a lot of items into one power strip and shut the power strip down.

About 70% of municipal waste comes from homes and accounts for almost 4% of the Earth’s greenhouse gases. Sorting out recyclables in the kitchen makes it easy to recycle paper, aluminum, glass and plastics.

The curtains in your home make a difference. Switch them out durinf the summer and winter months. In the summer, white curtains reflect heat, while dark heave curtains in the winter help warm rooms and allow you to lower the thermostat. For every degree you adjust the thermostat, you can save 3-5% on your energy bill (and reduce carbon emissions).

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Canyon Ranch Resort and Spa: 

Pamper yourself by staying at Canyon Ranch as a guest …  or buy or lease a condo  WITH  FULL SPA/RESORT MEMBERSHIP  … INCLUDED!  Live in style!

Canyon Ranch Resort and Spa is ranked among the world’s finest spa destination resorts.   Right on Miami Beach, it overlooks the oceanfront stretch of sand and sea known as Millionaire’s Row. Miami’s pristine white, sandy shoreline and crystaline water are at your doorstep… and you have the intoxicating luxury of everything this world reknown spa offers, at your fingertips.  Read the rest of this entry »

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As the summer heats up in Sunny South Florida,  a handful of TIPS can help save energy and money:

1) Open Up - Anytime we get a break from the tropical humidity and sweltering summer temperatures that can reach the high 90′s,  open  doors & windows & let fresh air circulate.  Fans will create a cross-breeze.  Open kitchen cabinets at night so they don’t store heat.

2) Alternate - As temperatures and humidity climb, close the windows and doors to you home.  Shuting the blinds and drapes will block out  sun.  Enter and exit quickly … and quickly close the doors behind you. Read the rest of this entry »

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University of Miami Provost Tom Le Blanc,  and University of Miami President Donna Shalala welcomed new faculty, deans and coaches to Smathers Four Fillies Farm in Pinecrest the week before Labor Day … ushering in the fall with a UM get-together!    The University of Miami hosted a catered picnic and pool party for incoming faculty and their  families.  “A Warm Welcome to Miami!”  If this didn’t utterly hook the new UM recruits, a single winter in Miami most likely will!   Over 200 accepted UM’s  invite to come unwind, swim and get acquainted. The University showed it’s colors… family friendly and open-armed hospitality … in orange and green!

At the picnic, Smathers Four Fillies showcased the half dozen remaining  Breakstone Homes for faculty use…   lease or purchase.  Four Fillies is a deed restricted  GREEN CERTIFIED gated community for University of Miami  (full time, volunteer, adjunct professors, medical and research faculty) , situated on 11511 SW 57th Avenue in Pinecrest…   A very lively, well attended OPEN HOUSE! Anyone wishing to the preview Four Fillies is invited to call  Alexandra Restivo at 305 632-0164  or Vicki Restivo at 305 793-1365.

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Located in the heart of the Village of Pinecrest, this South Florida model of environmental Green Living feels something akin to living in a National Park!  Beyond bucolic, Smathers Four Fillies Farm is a rare community offering a unique concept, and an even rarer opportunity to live in a sustainably eco-friendly environment!   The link to an article in e-Veritas is below:

Smathers Four Fillies Farm  is among the three finalists for this year’s Urban Land Institute’s top awards recognizing sustainable developments and GREEN living.  Lowering home operating costs by $1,000.00 a year,   Four Fillies far and away exceeds Florida Energy Efficiency Code standards… by  20 to 30 percent… and offers a unique quality of life. 

ULI’s  GREEN AWARD recognizes projects that offer sustainable values,  have  minimal environmental impact,  improve quality of life, comfort, and health… and incorporate regenerative site development strategies, energy and water conservation, use of sustainable or renewable materials, and improved  air quality.

As one the “Florida Green Building Coalition” (FGBC) certified developments, Four Fillies includes abundant  healthy insulation, special air filtration, energy star appliances,  and continuous water conservation (through landscaping choices and choices of appliances and fixtures).  Impact glass aids in energy conservation,  facilitates hurricane preparation and adds an intrinsic safety feature. Paints have low levels of volatile organic compounds. Interior wall studs are steel. The homes are termite and mold-resistant.

Dual concentric horseshoes consisting of  30 homes on a portion of 32 acres of lush tropical foliage, were created in and around existing plant life, mature trees, and tropical foliage… minimizing impact on the natural fauna,  hammocks and spectacular surrounding grounds maintained and protected by Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens.

The  32 acre property, donated to the UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI  16 years ago, was a gift from long-time philanthropist and UM trustee Frank Smathers.  31 homes will grace the grounds including a residence that will be home to the President of the University of Miami.  21 acres will remain pristine … (apart from the natural hammocks, which are stunningly wild and utterly beautiful!) and preserve the history of the original Smathers stables, as seen here to the right. 

 A brilliant concept, with ingenious architectural finess and design, Four Fillies offers residents a unique opportunity to live and be a part of this eco-friendly community built by Breakstone, under the wing of MAMCO ’s (Miami Asset Management Company)  Michael Katz and Patrick Burbank…  with  environmentally friendly urban design concepts from Donna Shalala , and backing and support from Evelyn Greer.

Only a handful of homes remain available in Four Fillies for purchase. Deed restrictions apply, as the property is affiliated with the University of Miami. Professors (adjunct, part-time, volunteer), deans, in addition to medical, research and recruits qualify under the deed restricted status.  Pricing ranges from $1.1  to $1.4  (11411 Smathers Circle and 11414 Smathers Circle) , and the gated communityis located is between Red Road and Old Cutler: with the entrance to Four Fillies on 11511 Red Road, Pinecrest, Florida.  For further information, call Vicki Restivo at 305 793 1365 or Alexandra Restivo at 305 632 0164.

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THE  most frequently asked Real Estate Question always asks for a  magic CRYSTAL BALL.  Who has it?  What does the future hold?   The Wall Street Journal offers a sneak peek  into the future, and a glimpse into how  top architects envision  the Green House of the Future . You might be surprised.

Four architects came up with specific plans for energy-sustaining homes, and some of their ideas are downright intriguing. William McDonough forsees creating a treelike effect, with a photosynthetic layer on the surface of the house, mimicking a leaf capturing sunlight. The solar panels would be interwoven into the exterior and would heat water and generate electricity for the home (also creating oxygen for the atmosphere).

Another hot item in GREEN buildings is the ”living roof” …. sodded, planted green space in the sky, with drainage and irrigation, and a safe haven for bugs and birds … and a ready supply of oxygen.  Returning green space, taken away by the construction itself,  makes sense.  We already have roof top pools,  so why not living roofs?

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