A sign of economic reform and opportunity?    According to that article the window is open for real estate purchases in Cuba  (although apparently  limited to  those  already residing within it’s boundaries). 

Foreigners  cannot purchase property in Cuba … at least not yet… 

And Cubans  wishing  to do so must pay in cash,  documenting that funding with a paper trail …  And with the country still under socialist regime …and Castro still in power …   investing in Cuba may  prove somewhat  problematic. 

Many are hesitant to invest in Cuba… given the current economic and political situation.   But not only that.   There’s also the fact that 

1) Government salaries pay about $20 a month in Cuba  and

2)  Home prices  range from 

      a)  $11,000 for a 2 bedroom apartment in Havana’s Nuevo Vedado District to 

      b)  Hundreds of thousands of dollars (&  upward of a million dollars)  in the Veradero area.

 I see  real estate opportunity in Cuba  as being a bit farther down the road still.   

MiamiRealEstateCafe.com  … Whether you are interested in investing in Cuba or Miami … or elsewhere internationally …  call Alexandra and Vicki Restivo at EWM Realtors 305 793-1365.   e-mail:  restivo.v@ewm.com     

Breathtaking …  magnificent …  historic …   Villa Paradiso in Tuscany … Private  and secluded  …  built in the 1700′s …. located in the heart of Toscana, Italy … between Florence and Pisa … This superb Villa is strategically positioned – with spectacular views of the Tuscan countryside, rolling hills, vineyards, olive groves, and wooded areas.  There are numerous terraces and patios each overlooking breathtaking scenery … and there’s a  rooftop loggia that offers a 360 degree panorama and views of the  leaning tower of Pisa off to one side.

Century-old cypress trees lead from the gated entrace to the one hectar property and up to Villa Paradiso.  The property is secluded , regal and private.  Inside the Villa are three levels  (along with an attic that is actually a huge expanse of loft space that includes a great room and eight additional rooms). 

Many of the main interior walls  throughout  the villa were magnificently afrescoed during the 1700′s  …  as were many of the ceilings …  And some of the frescoes were painted by Ademollo (Ademollo is the Italian artist reknowned for having adorned the walls of the Ducal Palace in Lucca as well as the Royal Palace in Pisa  with frescoes in the 18th Century).   

Villa Paradiso was passionately restored by it’s current owners… who fell in love with the property and it’s location.  It’s been renovated and meticulously maintained  by them.

Inside the villa are a number of arched entrances… along with terracotta and stone flooring.    Grandiose stairwells from the ground floor lead to the upper levels …  On the ground floor are the main kitchen and fireplace, the living room, dining room and a chapel  … along with an entirely independent section that consist of one bedroom and a bath, another kitchen and another dining area.

Soaring high ceilings portray dramatic frescoed scenes… giving the villa a rich warmth … as well as  significant historical value …   Impecably maintained it has a welcoming and pristine aura.  Villa Paradiso is stunning … replete with manicured grounds,  a stone pond,  decorative fountains.

There are  five bedrooms  on the second floor, along with two additional rooms (for use as studies/offices/or additional bedrooms) …  and 3 baths.    The  central upstairs hall has stunning frescoes (The downstairs does as well) … and the  magnificence of the painting is reminiscent of that of the Sistine Chapel… impecably well preserved and maintained….  There are expansive terraces on the second level, and a fabulous living room … with  endless views of the grounds.

Upstairs on the third level  are more than half a dozen additional rooms  …  each of which can be  interchangeable as bedrooms, sitting rooms,  offices and guest quarters.  Unique and utterly magnificent …

There is a spectacular rooftop  loggia with 360 panoramic views…   Villa is being sold (for the most part) furnished for 7 Million Euros …  Located 35 km from Pisa (and 33 km from the airport) … 77 km from Florence … and 30 km from the Tyrrenian Sea … in an antique, historic hamlet (village)  in Tuscany. 

12 (plus) bedrooms

10 baths

1229 square meters

And the grounds consist of approximately one hectar

Contact the Restivo Team at EWM Realtors for additional information.    Property is listed for sale at 7 million euros … furnished… and available anytime.   restivo.v@ewm.com   305 793-1365.   

No expense and no detail was spared in the restoration and preservation of the magnificent Villa Paradiso, located in the hills of Tuscany in Usigliano. 

For additional information please contact the Restivo Team here or on our direct lines 305 793-1365  or 305 632-0164 

We just listed a great home … Villa Paradiso, in Tuscany, Italy- between Florence and Pisa. The home features 12+ bedrooms and 10 baths sitting on an almost 2.5 acre lot. There are 360 degree views of the Tuscan hills, vineyards, olive groves and even the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Among the 13,228 square feet are beautiful affrescos on walls and ceilings, painted by Ademollo. The Villa was built in the 1600s and has been given a historical designation by the “Belle Arte” in Italy. It has been restored and is absolutely stunning with gardens and a beautiful pool. Contact the Restivo Team for more information.

That’s interesting because international buyers tend to pay cash and they certainly rely far less on conventional financing  than domestic buyers do ….  with fewer than 15% of foreign investors getting a mortgage.  

Interesting too is that the number of acquisitions by international buyers  (whether vacation property,  or for  investment purposes, or as a primary residence) continues to increase, especially in resort destinations like Miami… which bodes well the real estate market in much of South Florida for the remainder of 2011 and throughout 2012.

If you are considering buying or selling  property in South Florida, top local Realtors Vicki and Alexandra Restivo,  who specialize in the local South Florida/Miami Real Estate Market, would love to work with you. 

The Restivo Team at EWM Realtors will help you from the start, through to closing, and after …   from finding just the right house or condo for your needs,  negotiating the purchase,  recommending reputable and reliable service providers -  mortgage lenders, architects, attorneys, home inspectors, title and closing agents….  overseeing the process … and being there for you even after you close and move in!    Please contact us anytime by email at restivo.v@ewm.com  or on our direct line 305 793-1365 (You can call or text). Vicki and Alexandra Restivo  … EWM Realtors … Miami, Florida

Whether you want investment property (a condo or a single family home)  to buy (and rent out as income producing property), or  whether you’re looking for vacation property for your own enjoyment,  there are several things to keep in mind … 

1) Pick a neighborhood that has the right amount of infrastructure for your needs (supermarkets, drycleaners, gas stations) ….  Some areas have good potential for the long term investor (depending on expectations) … and others already have an infrastructure in place:

(The top four areas that investors are eyeing right now are Miami Beach, Brickell, the Design District, and Downtown Miami.)  

 The Downtown area of Miami, (which is just to the  north of the American Airlines Arena) is still an area in transition …  waiting still for much of the planned developement that will be needed to make it a viable and independent community.  That infrastructure will definitely  come …  but for now you’ll have somewhat of a trek to get to restaurants and bookstores.   Prices in that area of Miami reflect the fact that it’s still an area with a future…. which also makes it attractive to many an investor.

The Wynwood area (also referred to as the Design District) is another neighborhood that is not only up and coming …  but morphing into one of the trendier new spots:  and an area of  top restaurants and bars.  There are lofts and converted warehouse space … condos.   You still won’t find local drugstores or movie theaters in abundance in the Wynwood area though … but again, Wynwood is well on it’s way … and it is an area that many commercial investors are buying and leasing in.

2) Pick an area you’ll be comfortable living in … or where tenants will want to rent in. 

You may think you want South Beach  (the tip of the island up until about 20th Street)…  and that’s fine … but ask yourself why.   Do you want to be right smack in the middle of all the Miami  nightlife (clubs, restaurants, husle and bustle that is 24/7)  … or are you wanting more quiet evenings and mornings … strolling on empty beaches …  that you can get by going just a few blocks north?   Both are options … and each has it’s advantages.

The reason I’m asking is because Indian Creek and Millionaire’s Row (from 40th Street to 70th Street) is not more than a five to ten minute drive north from South Beach by cab.  And both have  an entirely different vibe from SoBe of SoFi.    You can still have dinner on Ocean Drive or go shopping on South Beach if you live five minutes north… and you can still mingle with the others who are out and about  till the middle of the night .   Millionaire’s Row and Indian Creek don’t  have the myriad of restaurants and shops that the South Beach area  has … but those are two areas of Miami Beach (just to the immediate north of South Beach)  …  elegant and quiet … literally just five minutes north of South Beach … and you will still have supermarkets that are close enought to NOT require that you have a car.   

Some areas of Miami are better than others for investment purposes.   But it will really boil down to what your prefences are (and what your investment goals are).  It will definitely make a difference whether  yours are long or short term investment goals.

I’m mentioning this because so many of our international clients come to Miami, wanting to buy in South Beach … because that’s an area they’ve heard about.    Many of them mention  the Brickell area as well,  when it comes to investment property.  And Alexandra and I sell both of those areas (as well as so many others)!

Keep in mind that from Miami Beach and Brickell it’s really only a 15 minute ride to Miami International Airport… and it’s about the same travel time from Coral Gables to the airport  as well. 

Distances are very short here here in Miami.  Within a matter of minutes you can drive from neighborhood to another.  Unlike in many parts of the country, it doesn’t take an hour to go from one town to another. 

(In twenty minutes you can drive from the University of Miami in Coral Gables all the way to Palmetto Bay… and in that time you’ll pass from Coral Gables to South Miami, Pinecrest, and into Palmetto Bay.)

Every investment should be a matter of personal preference …  and whether it’s a long or short term investment on your part will undoubtedly influence the area you choose to buy in.  And we will be happy to guide you through the process.  Whatever your investment objectives are, we will be delighted to work with you.  Call  Vicki and Alexandra anytime … 305-793-1365 or email the Restivo Team at restivo.v@ewm.com

I just got back from a beautiful three week family vacation in Italy …  renewed & inspired…. and motivated to work doubly hard!  On the flight back all I could think about was renovating & decorating our  house… making our Miami home feel more European…. and focused on selling a ton of property in Miami (and elsewhere)!

Alexandra stayed to hold down the fort, and hold down the office.  I’m SO proud of her … and of  the amazing person and business woman she has become! 

We are working on our marketing plans for 2012 … ready to rachet up our real estate sales even more  (after having surpassed our last year’s sales already… and having sold almost every one of our listings!)…   We are determined to continue expanding and developing our business, and surpass last year … and this year … selling Miami… so we can get over to  Europe (again) next summer… (and to Napa!)

Most of our vacation this August we spent in the tranquil, rocky coastal Italian village of Castiglioncello  on the Mediterranean … It’s a town where our kids spent many a summer growing up…  We took day trips from there and drove into  Florence several times.  

We did something  this summer that we’ve wanted to do for decades:  trek through the Cinque Terre (five towns nestled along the cliffs of Liguria, accessible by foot, train or boat – no cars –  in an area reknown for it’s pesto)…   My husband and I walked the trails  with our two sons (breathtaking scenery!)  two days before wild fires engulfed part of the hills and trails that we’d hiked …  hillsides green with olive trees and lemons  … but stick dry because of the summer daughts.  Italy was paradise … from day one … till the very last day.  It was the absolute perfect vacation!

Landing in Miami, everything is SO green …  after all the summer rain…

Our European buyers… and friends and familiy abroad … seem to ALL be aching for a  piece of Miami (the tropics!) as second homes, vacation or investment property … Why is the grass always greener elsewhere?  Renewed and inspired …  I’m ready to work really hard … sell lots of real estate…  We are thinking long and hard about the next vacations  (and eventually … just  maybe) retiring to Tuscany?

AGENCIA IMMOBILIARE A MIAMI -  CHIAMARE VICKI RESTIVO (305) 793-1365 …

ALESSANDRA RESTIVO (305) 632-0164 …  OPPURE  QUA’  … TRAMITE INTERNET

www.MiamiRealEstateCafe.com

Investire ora a Miami potrebb’essere l’opportunita’ che cercate. Se volete esplorare le possibilita’ di investire a Miami(casa/ appartamento), ora che il cambio Euro-Dollaro e’ talmente favorevole, chiamateci…

 Vicki Restivo: 001-305-793-1365

Alessandra Restivo: 001-305-632-0164

Agenzia Immobiliare a Miami.

Trovate casa a Miami tramite www.MiamiRealEstateCafe.com oppure chiamateci direttamente. Siamo qui per aiutarvi.

The ITALIAN COOKING SHOW IV

A journey through the regional culinary traditions

Chef Luca Taretto from TIRAMESU
AND
Chef Pietro Vardeu from SARDINIA

Featuring

VENETO VS SARDINIA

Thursday, May 20, 2010 – from 6:30 to 8:00 PM
Mia Cucina Showroom- 105 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables, FL 33134

After the show, enjoy traditional Italian food and wine tasting until 9:30 PM

Costs:

Cooking Class & Festival:
$45 general admission
$30 IACC Members

Italian Food & Wine Festival (only):
$10 general admission
Free for IACC Members

Registration and payment by May 19, 2010
RSVP to tanti@iacc-miami.com

SE CERCATE CASA A MIAMI, RIVORGERSI A VICKI ed ALEXANDRA RESTIVO, AGENTI IMMOBILIARI A MIAMI: 305 793-1365  restivo.v@ewm.com

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