Miami Real Estate

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.

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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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After defeating the Florida State Seminoles 38-34 in the season opener, the Hurricanes take on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on Thursday September 17. This marks the first home game for the Miami Hurricanes in newly renamed Land Shark Stadium. Buy tickets here…get out and support the Canes!

Contact Alexandra Restivo at 305-632-0164 for all of your real estate needs.

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Football season is finally back as the Miami Hurricanes travel to Tallahassee to take on the Florida State Seminoles this Labor Day weekend. Game time is Monday September 7 at 8 pm and the game will be televised on ESPN.

The Hurricanes will continue the season by playing teams like North Carolina, Duke, Oklahoma and Georgia Tech. For the complete U of M football schedule, click here.

The team will play home games in the newly renamed Landshark Stadium, formerly known as Dolphin Stadium. Individual home game tickets are still available here.

For any of your real estate needs, contact Alexandra Restivo at 305-632-0164.

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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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Yet another news-worthy snippet:   Sunday’s Miami Herald reports that  Miami Home Sales ARE UP! .. and Inventories are down!  The New York Times has much the same news regarding THE CURRENT REAL ESTATE MARKET IN MIAMI!   (What a breath of fresh air… even though I swear  it’s still hot as blazes in Miami!)… Well, word is that “the tide may have turned”.   Real estate prices haven’t quite begun to edge up  … yet …  but, residential sales have in fact visibly risen.  South Florida appears to once again be jockeying toward a semblance of recovery. The Miami Herald begins to  murmer that  MIAMI REAL ESTATE SALES ARE ON THE RISE .  

Ron Shuffield, President of EWM Realtors ( in his Q&A for the August 16, 2009  Sunday, Miami Herald)  responded to the question: “Is it true that sales are up and inventories are down?”   with a definitive:

“Yep!”   “The numbers tell the story… Broward and Miami-Dade residential inventories continued to decline during July, according to data from the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Inventories dropped from 74,966 total homes and condos for sale in July 2008 to 49,058 in July 2009 a 35% decrease in just 12 months. During the same time-frame, sales increased 47% from an average of 2,518 sales per month. The inventory supply across both counties decreased from 30 months last year to 13 months today. Decreasing prices have beeen the prime motivator for our spike in sales this past year. 

If you’re SELLING, now is the time to make sure that your property is priced accurately. If you’re BUYING, your CHOICES  will continue to decrease throughout the remainder of 2009.  Check out the Facts & Trends reports at www.ewm.com/trendx to see the numbers for your area and price range… or ask one of our associates to expand your search using our complete data file. Deals are happening.”   

Looking for property in Miami, or Market Updates?    MiamiRealEstateCafe.com  BLOG…    Alexandra and Vicki Restivo at EWM Realtors   [email protected]  305 793-1365

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I remember Andy’s Cup as a smaller-scale  pro-level tennis tournament than the 2009 version,  which is now held on the  beautiful tree canopied grounds of Coral Oaks Tennis Club each spring.   A few years back it was hosted by it’s creator, Dr Jules Cadet, in his own Pinecrest backyard…. literally down the street from the tennis club.  Using  just his single lit tennis court, the tournament he originally benefactored went on forever.  So did the  festivities, bar-b-que and the sponsors’ hospitality!  

Andy’s Cup has evolved into a delightful, highly anticipated annual Pinecrest event, always in April.  For the past two years  Dr. Jules Cadet  (Pinel Medical Center) has hosted this event at Coral Oaks Tennis Club on Red Road.  Organized by tournament director, Ralph Martin of GT Sports, Andy’s Cup  lures pro and university level  players to Miami…  and is free to the public… So is the food!   Sponsors range from Mercedes Benz, GT Sports,  and Pinel Medical Center, to a bevvy of others.  Despite  the complimentary  food…  and  drinks… (endless bar-b-que with a distinct Haitian flair)  the tournament raises a substantial purse for the winning players… with the bulk of the proceeds from Andy’s Cup going to a  hospital  built by Dr. Jules Cadet and his colleagues in Haiti.   Andy’s Cup…  affectionately referred to as  “Haitian Tennis” after the cause it supports…  is  a local event that draws benefactors  from all over the United States, raising donations to the tune of $80,000.00 last year.

Teams compete in doubles, singles and mixed-doubles.  This years’ 2009 tennis players were grouped into 6 teams:  Cuba 1, Cuba 2, Haiti, World, USA, and Chile.  Teaching pros from Royal Palm Tennis Club, & Deering Bay Tennis Club …  along with college players formerly on the University of Miami Tennis Team… a dynamic  young tennis player who  recently defected from Cuba…  tennis stars from Haiti … phenomenal kids from Argentina (one  as young as 14  years old!)  comprised a diverse international group!  If America is a melting pot, Miami wins  big for creating the right recipe.  A weekend of multi-cultural competition and camaraderie…  Andy’s Cup gives us yet another reason to celebrate life in Miami !

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Federer

Not everyone can say they’ve gotten to play with the number one and two tennis players in the world, but Eric Hechtman had that chance. The former University of Miami tennis player got the opportunity of a lifetime when UM head coach Mario Rincon asked Hechtman if he would be able to play with Nadal and Federer…Eric jumped at the opportunity.

Hechtman

Yesterday, Eric practiced with Rafael Nadal, who had a day off and warmed Roger Federer up for his match against Andy Roddick. Federer won the late night match in three sets. Hechtman is back at the tournament today, warming up Nadal for his match against Juan Martin Del Potro and practicing with Federer, who has the day off from match play.

Nadal

The 25 year old had the opportunity to play with top ranked women Venus and Serena Williams, hitting with them before the tournament started and also began teaching at Royal Palm Tennis Club in Pinecrest.

The Miami Herald wrote about Hechtman’s incredible experience, click here to see the article.

[googlevideo]http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4134859033277972441[/googlevideo]

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The Sony Ericsson is underway on Key Biscayne…don’t miss out! Monday and Tuesday players took part in the Qualifying rounds and yesterday the tournament kicked off. Seeded players begin to play this weekend which is sure to be exciting.

Buy a day pass and spend the day walking around the various outer courts-you can be up close to your favorite tennis stars and spot up and coming ones.  I remember watching Andy Roddick as a young, virtually unknown kid playing on such a court years ago. This “kid” went on to win the U.S. Open and become a famous superstar.

Walk around the grounds and you may spot Federer practicing on one of the back courts or Nadal signing autographs as he makes his way back to the lounge from warming up, or even come across autograph sessions with Serena Williams. Don’t forget to watch the matches in the stadium, as they tend to be good ones.

There are activities for the kids and lots of fun food choices like Ben & Jerry’s icecream and crepes. Grab your sunscreen, head out to Key biscayne and enjoy the tournament that is sure to be great.

The tournament runs March 25-April 5 2009. Click here for up to the minute news and match schedules.

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Coach Frank Haith surrounded by fans that swarmed the court

The Miami Hurricanes beat the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at the Bank United Center on Wednesday night. As the underdogs, the Hurricanes won and had the crowd of over 5,000 people up on their feet cheering on the team. President Donna Shalala and Miami Heat President and former coach Pat Riley were also in attendance as the Miami Hurricanes beat the Wake Forest team.

At half time, the Canes led 29-26 and played well in the second half, scoring 25-8 over the first 9:10 of the half. Senior Jack McClinton scored 14 consecutive points for the Canes and they led the entire second half. Adrian Thomas’  final 3-pointer sealed the score at 79-52 and fans rushed the court to celebrate the season high 32-points, the largest margin of victory over a top 10 opponent in the University of Miami’s history.

Lance Hurdle shoots a 3-pointer

The Hurricanes won after a three-game losing streak at the start of a three-game stretch against Top 10 teams. The Canes will travel to North Carolina on Saturday to face off against No. 4 Duke and will play at home on Feb. 15 against No. 3 North Carolina. For more information on the Men’s Basketball Team, click here. LET’S GO CANES!

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