Miami Real Estate

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 Yourself

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I would love to help you buy or sell, so contact me here.

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Valentine’s Day is upon us once again, and there are many ways to celebrate. Here are some things to do around Miami on February 14!

For those who like to participate in good causes, the “V-Day 5K” is a great opportunity on Key Biscayne. The race benefits a cause that gets heart saving devices out around Miami. The race begins at 8 am at Crandon Park South. Awards will be given to the top 3 couples, the top three overall male and female and the top three male/female in each age division. Racers will also receive a commemorative t-shirt. Come run or walk to support this local cause.

The 11th Annual “Moonlight and Music” Valentine’s Day concert will be held at the Deering Estate at 7 pm. Johnny Rodgers will perform soft rock ballads, jazz arrangements and melodies to a packed crowd. Liza Minelli  discovered Johnny many years ago, and he’s even been a pianist and guest performer on her world tours. Johnny is a graduate of the University of Miami Frost School of Music. Tickets are $20 and parking is free. Bring blankets or chairs as well as picnic baskets and come relax under the stars, on the edge of Biscayne Bay.

There’s always a romantic dinner at some of Miami’s hot spot. “Casa Tua” on Miami Beach is a wonderful restaurant which has been featured on the Food Network with Giada De Laurentiis . It’s nestled in the Casa Tua  hotel on 1700 James Ave and features romantic candlelight and great Italian food. Another Miami gem is “Il Gabbiano” in Downtown Miami. This restaurant sits on Biscayne Bay, with spectacular views of the bay, Brickell and the cruise liners in the Port of Miami. The Italian food is delicious-they even walk around with a fresh tub of parmeggiano-reggiano and cut a piece tableside. The servers and staff are always friendly, the atmosphere is relaxing yet chic. It’s the perfect setting for a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner. There are also restaurants like Smith and Wollensky on Miami Beach, Rusty Pelican on Key Biscayne, Villagio and Houston’s in Coral Gables, Capital Grille in Brickell and Jake’s in South Miami to name some others.

For those of you who want to see a movie, the new movie “Valentine’s Day ” is out on February 12, 2010. It features actors like Jessica Alba, Patrick Dempsey, Jessica Biel, Bradley Cooper, Julia Roberts, Ashton Kitcher, Taylor Lautner and Taylor Swift, to name a few.

No matter how you celebrate Valentine’s Day, there are many fun ways to enjoy the holiday when you live in a place like Miami. Happy Valentine’s Day!

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Miami has long been stomping grounds for the affluent,  attracting international business moguls and enticing those who jet-in  or yacht-in for shopping sprees.   

From the looks of Coral Gables’ Village of Merrick Park,  Miami appears to now be dressing the part.   

Nieman Marcus showcased the upcoming season’s  designs by Italian designers at a private luncheon and fashion show in the Village of Merrick Park…  the guest list provided by the Italian Consul.

Trends for this season:  metallic, leopard print, opaque stockings.  I was impressed. 

Selling real estate though, and  traipsing through constuction sites and through rain-soaked gardens with sandy beach-access,  I won’t be dressing in opaque stockings and chic winter jackets all that often.  It was fun to see how much of the world will be dressing though… and to dream. Oh how I’m ready for a new wardrobe!

Miami continues to intrique the fashion world and is known for it’s mixture of styles… casual laid-back feel and scantily-clad  beach bodies… combined with classy  haute couture designs … and I expect that will continue.   

Considering moving to Miami?  I can help with that. Please give me a call, or contact me here.

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Bayside Marina/Miamarina at Bayside: Bayside Marina, designed to accommodate large vessels for short or long term stays, sits literally next door to the scenic Bayside Marketplace, and the American Airlines Arena. Holding up to 130 slips, the marina offers exciting sightseeing tours and charter fishing excursions.
401 Biscayne Blvd
Miami, FL 33132

Dinner Key Marina
This 582 slip marina is Florida’s largest marine facility. Dinner Key Marina is located in bohemian Coconut Grove, near the historic Vizcaya villa, and a short distance from trendy CocoWalk.
3400 Pan American Drive   Miami, FL 33143

Stadium Marina
Located in picturesque Key Biscayne, Stadium Marina offers storage, refueling, repair and dry storage and a seafood restaurant.
3501 Rickenbacker Causeway
Miami, FL 33149

Miami Beach Marina
Located next to Government Cut, with easy access to the open ocean and with no fixed bridges, The Miami Beach Marina is in famous South Beach with its excellent shopping, dining and nightlife.
300 Alton Road
Miami Beach, FL 33149

SURROUNDED BY COASTAL WATER,  BOATING, YACHTING, SAILING, FISHING ( BOTH TOURNAMENT AND RECREATIONAL), MIAMI OFFERS A NUMBER OF BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE MARINE FACILITIES... including  private facilities in Deering Bay and Cocoplum (luxury gated communities).       

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PUT A VALUE ON THIS… if you can!  This is a house that makes real estate exciting!  Miami certainly has her share of  REMARKABLE properties… but I’ve yet to come across one that could even remotely hold a candle to this one!   Pricing it would unquestionably be an ART!  (… as opposed to a science!)

   Rhode Island, on Narragansett Bay.  Welcome to Clingstone!

This 103 year old mansion was bought  by Henry Wood in 1961, after two decades of literally sitting empty!

A summer house!  Unlike Miami, winter in Rhode Island can be rather harsh, and the  Jamestown boatyard has to haul (and store) the family’s boats and floating dock each winter (in exchange for a brief respite on the island in the summer, themselves!)

Henry Wood, a Boston architect, bought this incredible house in 1961.     Care to guess at what he bought it for?   He bought it for a mere $3,600.00.

Three stories.  10 bedrooms.   360 degrees of  WATERFRONT windows with indecently beautiful views … and…  a rather charming  sense of humor !   “No Entry After 3 Drinks or 86 Years of Age”  warns of potential peril at the base of a precariously-steep stairwell.

A rare ’deal of a lifetime’,  Clingstone  was completed in 1905. The total price for the original construction was $36,982.00.  Regardless of the condition of this house in 1961 when Henry Wood bought it, I think he got a steal of a deal!

A glimpse back in time… documenting history for all eternity. No lawn, no neighbors, no cars and no streets … and THAT has certainly not changed!  Who else can say that?

A friend, looking for waterfront property in Florida, eventually to retire to waterfront Miami, shared this house with me – and I fell in love!  This is the stuff dreams are made of!  To my knowledge, Clingstone is not for sale. If it were, I’d love a stab at pricing it (I would actually rather BUY it!).  Miami is breeding ground for dreams too, and of course,  I would be pleased to help find yours.  If you are interested in buying property in Miami, please call me at 305 793-1365, or send me a note here. If you would  like to receive my blog posts directly into you inbox, subscribe here, and stay updated on all the Miami real estate information… truth, insight, and some smiles.   Just for a moment though, this  island home in the middle of Narragansett Bay is absolutely foremost in my thoughts!  MiamiRealEstateCafe.com

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Columbus Day Regatta  has been a huge local event for many years. This year, the festivities continue the weekend of October 10-12, with the race starting at 10 am on Saturday the 11th. This year’s crest for the regatta flags was created by Astrid Dalins, and captures the history and meaning of Columbus Day.

The meaning of the Columbus Day crest goes back to 1960, when the Columbus Day Cruising Regatta Crew flew Cristobal Colon, the Duke of Verangua and a direct decendent of Christopher Columbus, from Spain to Miami with his Duchess to watch the annual regatta. During his stay,he gave the committe the go ahead to use the coat of arms of Columbus as the emblem for the club.

After Christopher Columbus’ journey of discovery, he was honored by the crown as the Admiral of the Ocean Seas and was given his own crest. The two bottom portions represent the Islands he discovered as well as the naval rank he received from the crown. In the top left corner, the castle represents the Kingdom of Castille, for Queen Isabella I, while the right corner is for the kingdom of Aragon for Ferdinand II, whose marriage unified Spain right before Columbus sailed.

Although the races embody the meaning of Christopher Columbus’ voyage to the New World, many locals head out to Elliot Key and spend the day (or the weekend) on the water, enjoying a typical Fall day in Miami.

If I can help you buy or sell real estate, please send me a note.

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Our Mango and Avocado trees were FULL this year.  Seems like everyone in Miami had a bumper crop this summer.   So many people ‘top’ their mango and avocado trees annually to keep the fruit within reach.  How the fruit grows, once  those trees are topped, is beyond me.   Each time we’ve done it, the trees suffered  and wouldn’t  produce any fruit for a couple of years, at least!  Fortunately we abstained…  so our trees were brimming with fruit all summer.  The fruit was just up so high they were tough to get for anyone but the squirrels! 

Ready for a back yard with tropical fruit trees?  Wanting to live Sunny South Florida?    Contact The Restivo Team.

Healthy tidbit of information: Avocados contain close to 20 vitamins and minerals and are high in the ‘good’ cholestorol, ’healthy fat’ HDL. They’re  high in potassium, rich in antioxidants, are excellent for the skin, and soothing on the nervous system. 

Waiting for the fruit to fall is a dismal proposition!  Thank goodness for the long ’picking’ poles (with basket contraptions attached).  Home Depot is a life savor!

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After two straight wins against ranked ACC opponents, Miami is ranked number 9 in the Associated Press Poll. The last time they were ranked in the Top 10 was in 2005. The team beat rival Florida State 38-34 in the season opener and won 33-17 Georgia Tech in the first home game of the season.

The Hurricanes travel to Blacksburg, VA this weekend to play against Virginia Tech. Kick off is set for 3:30 and will be broadcast on ABC regionally. ESPN will mirror the game for areas outside the region. The Canes have generated alot of buzz this season, and ESPN has called them “the team to beat.”

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Drop by the Coconut Grove Art Stroll on the first Saturday of the month (7pm-11pm)!  Enjoy a bohemian vibe and artsy street feel that put Coconut Grove on the map!  The Promenade in the Shoppes at Mayfair in the Grove hosts a free art festival and exhibit for the public  September 5th (and on the first Saturday of each month!)… reminiscent of when Coconut Grove was home to a vibrant artistic community, and known more for it’s art and culture than for anything else. 

The Coconut Grove Art Stroll: Live music, local and international artists, local restaurants.  An eclectic array of paintings, crafts, photographs, musicians and dancers … free food tasting by local restaurants (Pollo Tropical and Chili’s Restaurant at CocoWalk) … free drink samplings (Kilo Kai Rum, Alchemia Vodka, Don Eduardo Tequila, Presidente Imported Beer will offer samples). … art for you to take in, or take home  (paintings, mixed media, craft items, photos) …  and art you can create yourself!   

“The Grove has been an art Mecca and we want to bring people an event that provides a great night of entertainment and culture,”  according to Johnny Valdes,  Director of the Coconut Grove Art Stroll.  “It’s free and fun for everyone!”

This weekend, among the 40  artists showcased, will be Johnny Valdes, Proman Garcia, Arien Lopez, Javier Martinez, Juan Vilacoba, Santa Olaya, Jose Romero, Daisy Rodriguez, Arturo Palomino, Jessica Alvares and German Molina.

3 Sheets to the Wind andEtnia Fusion will perform… music and dance. 

Admission is FREE and open to the public!      Art Festival: FIRST SATURDAY OF EACH MONTH!   Add this to your list of FREE  cultural events in Miami!

Coconut Grove Art Stroll: September 5, 2009  (7pm – 11pm)  Shoppes at Mayfair 2911 Grand Avenue in Coconut Grove.

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Private Lakefront Property:  SWIM.  JETSKI. BOAT. FISH.  Wake up to waterviews and direct LAKE ACCESS.   Your own private dock  and your own white sandy beach. Resort-style recreational living in Miami: 9200 SW 140 St, Miami Florida.   Sunset Daquiris as you gaze out over the water. Two Chickee Huts (one lakefront and another in the backyard by the Koi Pond and waterfall). Richly landscaped 1/2 acre of grounds… with a backyard that will TAKE YOUR BREATH AWAY!  Brick pavers … paths … a sparkling pool and a covered terrace. And… YOU CAN LIVE HERE!                        

9200 SW 140 St, Miami, Florida… on E-Lake!

This property is really ALL ABOUT THE OUTDOORS, and the LIFESTYLE OF LIVING on E-LAKE! 

The ONLY thing hard about living on E-Lake would be leaving  for work in the morning!   Fortunately the location is central and  just minutes to Coral Gables, South Miami, Coconut Grove, Miami International Airport and the expressway.

Wild horses couldn’t  tear me away!                                                            May I invite you to see it?

Perhaps you’d like to know a little something about the inside the house at 9200 SW 140 St?     Beautifully UPDATED 4 bdrm/ 2 bath home with rich amber-colored travertine flooring and  Brazilian cherrywood floors throughout…   a comfortable flow. 

Spacious and elegant kitchen design,    perfect for entertaining…  granite counters,  warming drawer, wine fridge, self-closing drawers, exquisite cabintry work, and stainless steel appliances. 

There’s a charming breakfast room … with glass  doors overlooking the garden and pool.   This E-lake house is available now, listed for sale  by Alexandra and Vicki Restivo at $1,195,000.00  ( 9200 SW 140 St – Miami – Florida 33176 ).

The interior of the home is light and open… the family room framed by a massive fireplace  that just begs to be lit (…even if you might have to crank up the airconditioner first!).  Glass doors overlook  the grounds. There’s a separate, formal,  comfortable dining room for entertaining.

Gardens are tasefully and lavishly landscaped… and … the backyard will   absolutely TAKE YOUR BREATH AWAY!  9200 SW 140 Street.  E-Lake is a totally RECREATIONAL lake in  Miami, Florida.

The setting and the ambiance give this  home a somewhat secluded feel (in the very best sense of the word)… E-lake, and this particular house at 9200 SW 140 Street, are a world apart from the hustle-bustle of Miami. What sets it apart most is the magnificence of the lake, the superb backyard and grounds, and the subtle elegance of the home itself.

Sun, shade, nooks and crannies  … You can      curl up under the palms and tree canopy with a good book … or wander   off to savor your   morning ‘caffe’ on a    shady terrace…. relax       in the backyard …  or stroll barefoot  along      the waterfront  …  burrowing  your toes in the sand. 

Start the day out right, go for a swim… take the boat for a spin…then unwind in paradise after a day out in the ‘real world’.   Just come home… Living on E-Lake is unique … offering you an utterly enviable lifestyle … and this home offers  a rare chance to have that!

In the back there’s a spacious chickee hut surrounded by a moat/pond…a beautiful Koi pond with sounds of the waterfall that feeds into it. Property on E-Lake is not often available.  This home at 9200 SW 140th Street  is situated on a corner lot. It’s one of the most sought-after  locations on E-Lake… and the home itself  is beautifully re-done!  Waterfront with understated beauty and a lifestyle you won’t find anywhere else.

The outdoor allure of E-Lake is unique…        simultaneously offering you an active lifestyle                    along with a  tranquil twist.

Shady nooks and  crannies to curl up with a book … savor your morning ‘caffe’ …. or unwind after a day in the ’real world’. 

Come home to paradise, to pampering… and to utter relaxation.   

One of the most sought-after waterfront locations           on E-Lake!   

Come home.   The REST is ALL ABOUT YOU!  

Call the Restivo’s … and take a peak a what E-Lake is all about.  MiamiRealEstateCafe.com

OPEN HOUSE: SUNDAY August 23  (noon-2pm)

BROKERS OPEN: WEDNESDAY August  26 (noon-3)

… or … contact Vicki Restivo (305)793-1365  and  Alexandra Restivo (305)632-0164 for a private viewing.

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