Bridge Clearances (*Elevation at M.L.W.):

Alhambra Circle               9.5′

Bird Road                          10′

Blue Road (East)             11′

Blue Road (West)            10′

Cocoplum Blvd.              12′

Granada Blvd                   10′

Granada                            18′

Hardee Road                   18′

Isla Dorarda Blvd           21′

Le Jeune Road                 12′

Lugo Ave                           10′

Matheson Hammock/Hammock Oaks  16′

Maynada                           18′

Old Cutler Road             13′

Pisano Avenue                7′

Ponce de Leon Blvd    10′

Prado Blvd                       7′

US1 / South Dixie Hwy   10′

Power boats that are equipped with  t-tops or arches that have folding mechanizms  enable  many large vessells to navigate through the Gables Waterways and access the open water - even given that there are bridges of varying clearance heights  (7′-18′).

Examples of vessels with folding t-tops that dock along the Gables Waterways and have access to the open water via 10′ and higher bridges: 32-40′ Intrepids , 35′ MarLago, 35′ Contender, 30′ Boston Whaler, 27 ‘ Donzi.

*Source: Map of Coral Gables, Florida

If you are wanting to buy or sell waterfront property and need an experienced real estate expert in the Coral Gables area to help you with either, we would be pleased to arrange a buyer or seller consultation with you at your convenience.   You’re welcome to contact us here, call anytime  on our direct line  305 793-1365 or drop us a note at restivo.v@ewm.com .

Vicki and Alexandra Restivo  -  EWM Realtors … Luxury Marketing Specialists

Who hasn’t dreamed of owning their own island? Now you can, and it’s in our backyard. East Sister Rock Island is up for sale in the Florida Keys. The 3 bedroom, 2 bath home is situated on 1.4 acres and about a quarter mile off the coast of Marathon in the Keys. It boasts over 5000 sq ft of living area, with about 2700 sq ft of veranda, helicopter pad, a pool and two docks.

The island, reachable only by boat or helicopter, is nestled amongst a coral reef, making it great for water sports and snorkeling and fishing. It’s located about 2 hours from Miami and about 45 minutes from Key West. The house has 19 sliding glass doors and also features a veranda which wraps around the entire house, providing views all the way around.

Klaus Meckler built the island by digging a moat from the coral rock and making a plateau that rises 15 feet. The house was concrete poured and rests on 75 pilings drilled into the coral rock. The current owners – the Willifords - who bought the island in 1995 from Meckler, made the island green by installing a wind turbine and solar panels. Water is taken from rainwater that is filtered and stored for use.

Imagine watching the sun rise from the veranda, snorkeling and fishing all day and winding down with a glass of wine and watching the sun set from the hammocks nestled among the trees. I have stayed here, and let me just say…it’s worth the hype!

The estate is listed for $12 million and available now. It is one of 9 private islands in the Keys.

Contact the Restivo Team to own your own piece of paradise.

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 rented out a beachfront condo to clients who were referred to us :  Two  young executives … a couple…  relocating from Texas … to Miami.   They’re driving across country …  arriving a day before starting their new jobs.  They haven’t seen their condo (other than online) … and they won’t … until they get here. 

They have access to  information online  …  information about  anything and everything imaginable on Miami Beach … about the building they’ll be leasing in … the amenities …  and about their neighborhood… restaurants … shopping… where to go and what to do… and about their commute to downtown  Miami where they’ll be working.  They have access to bird’s eye views of the areas… the beach … the  and they have access to visual tours.  

But they haven’t seen it, or Miami either,  firsthand.  

 And … they’re wondering if they’ll fit in … whether they’ll feel comfortable here … whether they’ll like the condo …   their apartment  (with it’s wide open views … the white sandy beaches and crystalline waters …  their oceanfront balconies… and their new lifestyle which will have them living smack in the middle of Millionaire’s Row).  It’s not Texas.  This is Miami.  It’s all new for them.

Will they like Miami?  Will they like living,  working,  playing here … in South Florida?  They’ve asked  that question.  And I can’t answer, because I really don’t know.   But  they’ll start off renting …   and take it a step at a time.  My guess is that they will like it … and that they will end up buying here too.

Florida has an incredibly diverse  population of people  …  and in Miami alone there are more than 106 other  languages spoken (besides English).  There’s a diversity of foods,  religions,  ethnicity and backgrounds, an array of opinions, and political persuasions …  If I were to guess,  I’d imagine that almost anyone can certainly  find friendship here, and carve out  the right niche for themselves… and feel at home  in Miami.

Miami is definitely a cultural melting pot … smack, dab in the middle of the tropics…. and surrounded by water and palm trees.  

 Those who call Miami ‘home’   were born in 171  different countries.

Whenever you are in the  market to buy, sell or lease real estate in Miami, we would love to help you move here or relocate elsewhere.  Call us anytime …   We are available to you, whenever you are ready …  the Restivo Team at EWM Realtors … Vicki Restivo 305 793-1365  …  Alexandra Restivo  305 632-0164.  We are local real estate agents and would love to work with you!

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.

How does a BUYER choose  YOUR PROPERTY?  How do they decide YOURS  is  right   for them?

It can happen in the  blink of an eye… in literally seconds …  

Your first opportunity to make a sale is online … with your photos and marketing…. so make the photos captivating .  Keep them scrolling through your listing rather clicking to another property.

Your second opportunity is  the when your potential BUYER  sees or actually enters the property.

IF your place has anything in the way of a view:   Whether it’s those online photos, or that fist impact as the buyer initially steps foot inside   …  capitalize on the view … DON’T HAVE THEM WALK INTO A BLOCKED VIEW!   

Choose photos that will entice  buyers  to linger on online (on YOUR listings) for long enough to ‘get interested’.   (Blurry shots and dark or miniscule photos  deter buyers - and  buyer’s agents!)

I showed a slew of  luxury ocean-front condos on Miami Beach to buyers this past weekend.  And  the #1 resounding mistake  I noted were just how many were ‘caves’ … with blinds that were closed tight … and lights that were off … and shutters that were sealed tight.   

If your prime selling point is the view, keeping the drapes closed or the windows shuttered is a mistake!  If there’s a water view, that’s worth showing off!   Most people looking for waterfront property want to see the view  …  

Open the blinds or drapes … Capitalize on that  fist impact.  Your home can literally sell itself within seconds of the  buyer stepping foot inside … if not sooner.  

If you’re thinking of buying or selling  propery in Miami (or anywhere else!), the Restivo Team would love to work with you (and/or recommend a really top local agent in the area you’re moving to).    Contact Alexandra or Vicki at 305 793-1363 or at restivo.v@ewm.com – anytime.  We’d love to work with you !  Look forward to helping you buy, sell, or lease  … and making your next move the best one!

The property was listed back in April by Alain Pinel Realtors, and so far this year, this is the highest priced closed sale  in Atherton, California.  Link here to view the property photos.

The Tudor-style estate sold - 11% below list price -  within just a few months of going on the market.    According to the Wall Street Journal the previous sellers owned the estate for nearly a century…  using it primarily as their summer retreat.

Some day perhaps,  Miami too will have century-old-homes with pricetags that rival that.  In the meantime,  wherever it is that you are looking to buy,  sell  or relocate to,  Alexandra and Vicki Restivo of EWM Realtors International will be pleased to  assist you,  and refer you to other top realtors in most parts of the world … as part of  the relocation services The Restivo Team offers.   Call us at 305 793-1365 or contact us through our real estate website and blog MiamiRealEstateCafe.com  by sending us a note here.

The Restivo Team  restivo.v@ewm.com

Gorgeous waterfront unit available for sale for $419,000 in Oceantfront Plaza, on Miami Beach. Located at 2625 Collins Ave #205, the 1 bedroom 2 bath unit has been completely renovated with limestone floors, granite and stainless steel in the kitchen and new bathrooms. Pool and ocean views from the apartment…ready for you! Contact the Restivo Team for showings.

Prime example … There is a three bedroom waterfront condo  currently listed for sale in Deering Bay’s Venice building, an estate sale.   It was just recently listed for $900,000.00  and  had prospective parties lined up and hoping for a chance to  make an offer on it, whether to buy or lease.   Yes, you had to be able to see past the walls colorfully plastered with printed wall-paper!   But the location and that wraparound balcony with views over the water to the east and north, and that bonus room (additional den/study)  off of the master suite (and the 3140 square feet of living space)  increase  the appeal  and  the value.   13645 Deering Bay Drive #144 is listed by Sonia Weisz of Coldwell Banker.   

Property sales  in many parts of Miami-Dade are skyrocketing.  Leases are not really any different.   Our advice:  Be ready to make an offer fast when you find what you’re looking for, because real estate is moving quickly …    Have a trusted real estate agent on your side …  because the competition is fierce.   Properties (whether for lease or for sale) are going under contract almost before they are even listed.  And the supply of available options has dropped over recent months, considerably.   

If you are in the market to buy or sell property in Miami and would like a local real estate agent to work with, Alexandra and Vicki Restivo would love the opportunity to help you.   Call us!   The Restivo Team at EWM Realtors:  305 793-1365  or  drop us a note here.