Miami Real Estate

Following in the footsteps of  Old Spanish Village, the Venetian Coral Gables  townhouse  preconstruction project which was to consist of 20 luxury townhomes at 920 Sevilla Ave (across from the Venetian Pool and within almost eye-shot of the Biltmore Hotel)  is on the heels of  foreclosure .  

The Miami real estate market has been less than ripe for many of big preconstruction ventures that have tried to take a foothold in South Florida,  for several years now.  And although many townhouse projects were designed and actively being marketed as pre-construction investments, as the  construction loans came due, developers and investors  of these various pre-construction projects were forced to weigh their options …   Read the rest of this entry »

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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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What’s it like to work with developers and architects? We’re becoming quite experienced with the process. We have been working with a buyer for several months and have gotten to experience first hand what it’s like to deal with new construction and everything that goes along with it.

Our buyer’s requests: a townhouse in a gated community, 5 bedrooms, new construction in Coral Gables, South Miami or Pinecrest. The Venetian Coral Gables was the first community that came to mind. The only problem is that it won’t be built in the timeframe he wants. The other options were Old Spanish Village, Oak Lane, Pine Manor and the Cloisters. After checking them out and weighing his options, our buyer chose Oak Lane.

Remember, the buyer wanted 5 bedrooms (Oak Lane has a max of 3 per unit), so we sat down with the developer and the architect, who were very helpful in coming up with a solution…combine 2 units and make them into one larger one! The architect drew up beautiful plans to accomodate the buyer’s requests, and voila! After negotiations with the developer and finalizing plans with the architect, the buyer ended up buying four units and combining two and two (to make 2 large units).

That’s the beauty with new construction-the developer can work with you to accomodate your needs. We have been a part of this process, step by step, and will be until the project is complete.

If you would like to buy your own townhouse in one of these communities or any other in community, or would like to look into the Venetian Coral Gables and what it has to offer, contact the Restivo Team today! We would love to help you find and create the perfect home for you!

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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.  

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Is your home eco-friendly and energy efficient, or are those hard-earned dollars of yours  going down the drain? 

In honor of Earth Day and Earth Week,  here are a handful of ways to  “Green Your Home For Less”:

Here are the 12  Top Eco-friendly Homeowner Tips to Green Your Home and Save Money:

#     Top Ranked            Eco-friendly Savings Solutions                                                                                                                 

1.     Window/Door           Impact glass/double-panes                                                                                                                                      

2.     Water Usage             Low flow toilet/showerhead                                                                                                           

3.    Water Efficient           Tankless water heater                                                                                                                         

4.   Appliances                    Energy Star Rated:Washer/Dryer/Dishwasher /Oven/Refrigerator                          

5.   Insulation                     Sprayed/Rolled/Radiant Barrier (attic,exterior walls)                                                   

6.   Pool                                Operate Pool pump  4-6 hrs                                                                                                              

7.  Electricity                      Energy efficient bulbs                                                                                                                      

8.  Heating/Cooling          High Efficiency A.C. Unit/frequent filter changes                                                              

9. Electric Usage                Reduce high energy culprits: Oven& Iron                                                                                

10.Renovations                  Incorporate recycled materials                                                                                                      

11: Shade                              Plant trees and  Install Awnings                                                                                                      

12: Back to Basics              Air dry dishes & clothes

The author’s personal favorites, both green certified  and energy star rated Miami properties, are The Venetian Coral Gables Townhomes and Smather’s Four Fillies Farm in Pinecrest.

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You came here by chance. The allure of the palm trees, ocean and tropical paradise that Miami is known for.  A gentle way of life.  Miami, southern gateway to America, beckons…. and Coral Gables definitely, unequivocally invites you to stay.  If historic Coral Gables whispers, there’s a rooftop terrace, and outdoor summer kitchen … and rooftop jacuzzi…. and an entire private villa beneath it waiting to have your name attached to it. For now, your villa holds the name of a fine wine or special story… just waiting to be told.
Step through the wrought iron gates.  Slip the key in and
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For a variety of reasons,  a townhouse or villa may be 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!)…  both can offer you freedom, without catapulting you into  quarters of claustrophobically minimal dimensions.  If you’re looking for independence and elbow room …  and a condo seems a bit confining…  Read the rest of this entry »

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Outdoor terraces & views of the Biltmore: A dusty bottle of Sassicaia from the wine cellar. Armagnac by the fireplace. A casual evening with Read the rest of this entry »

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Outdoor terraces & views of The Biltmore:  A bottle of Sassicaia  from the wine cellar. Armagnac by the fireplace.  A casual evening with friends in the privacy Read the rest of this entry »

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Can you imagine living in a 4 story villa in the heart of Coral Gables… a private elevator, and a rooftop terrace with gorgeous views of historic landmarks… and no grass to cut?.  If you’re looking for a lifestyle change and are adamant about not sacrificing the quality of life you are used to, you might want to explore The Venetian Coral Gables.

From the outside, the Venetian exudes luxury. Designed by architects Marshall Bellin and Glenn Pratt, the community features traditional Italian architecture and design, with paved stone courtyards and waterfountains.

Enter through your private elevator, from street level, or through your individual underground garage.  Enjoy the decadence of your state-of-the-art Italian kitchen (Wolf, Miele and SubZero appliances). Your own 500 bottle wine cellar wtih the perfect bottle of wine. Kick off your shoes and relax by the living room fireplace, or step out onto your many terraces and take in the tropical Miami air. Retire and rejuvenate overnight in your third floor bedroom. In the morning, draw open the blinds… overlooking courtyards and the Coral Gables tree canopy. TAKE A PRIVATE TOUR.

Relax with friends on the loggia of your fourth-floor private entertainment area. Whether you barbeque, broil steak, or savor Florida’s stone crabs, your rooftop garden, with it’s covered outdoor summer kitchen (with sink, stove and refrigerator) opens to the sky above. Watch the football game in the grand media room connecting to the outdoor terrace, or throw on your swimsuit and hop into the rooftop jacuzzi spa tub.

Be among the few to live in one of twenty magnificent villas and embrace the lifestyle that is the Venetian Coral Gables… Your home … in Miami.

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