Miami Real Estate Cafe

Pinecrest Open House … Price Reduced!

Alexandra Restivo — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:00:26 +0000

The Restivo Team will be holding an Open House at 9800 SW 71 Ave in Pinecrest, this Sunday February 5, from 2-4 PM. The NEW PRICE is $675,000 for this 4 bedroom, 2 bath home which features a pool and a bonus room. Stop by for a tour of the home, this Sunday. Contact the Restivo Team if you have any questions.

Good News in the Real Estate Market

Alexandra Restivo — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:06:07 +0000

The Today Show aired a segment on January 31, 2012 on the Real Estate Market…there’s some good news, so take a look!

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/3041440/vp/46203461#46203461

Lease-Purchase Wave for Miami Real Estate

Vicki Restivo — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 09:03:48 +0000

A lease-purchase can sometimes be a good alternative for buyers … especially given the current real estate market in Miami.

If you are relocating, a lease-purchase offers you the ability to lock in a purchase price (and yet still lease!) …until you can sell the home you currently own.

Alexandra and I have two separate lease-purchase contracts … in Miami (Pinecrest, Florida)… that we put together this month. Two transactions really don’t constitute a wave … or a trend for that matter … but it’s an option we thought worth sharing with you in our real estate blog MiamiRealEstateCafe.com. The terms can be worked out (as they are in any transaction!): to the benefit of both parties.

No two situations are ever the same. Each and every real estate transaction is unique (no matter where or what it is).

With each of these two contracts, the buyers and sellers agreed in advance on the purchase price and rental amounts as well as on the other terms - including the length of time the buyer will have to exercise his/her right to buy, any downpayment requirements, security deposits, all the lease terms, and whatever amounts (if any) were to go toward the purchase price… but each was structured differently.

The lease-purchase docs are prepared by an attorney, after we’ve negotiated and solidified the options, terms and conditions.

As a buyer/tenant, a lease-purchase allows you a cushion of time so you can sell your existing home before closing on your new one … Each of these buyers were relocating to Miami … *** One of them is opting to rent furniture for their rental home ( so as to leave their own furniture behind until that house sells) …*** The other has chosen to move everything here (and professionally stage the house they’re selling).

* I mention this because having furniture in a house tends to make it sell faster and at a higher pricepoint.

Whenever you are ready to consider moving (whether it be to buy, sell or relocate) … we would love to help you. Your Local Miami Real Estate Experts … Vicki & Alexandra Restivo - mother/daughter team with EWM Realtors. You can reach us here … or through our direct line at 305 793-1365 or restivo.v@ewm.com any time .

The Perfect Miami Vacation

Alexandra Restivo — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 09:00:05 +0000

Looking for a great place to vacation in Miami? Try The Palms Hotel & Spa- a well kept secret on Miami Beach. The beachfront hotel is located on 31 St and Collins Ave and boasts lush gardens, a beautiful pool area with cabanas and a delicious restaurant.

The hotel also features a world-class spa and hosts a ton of weddings throughout the year. If you live here, head out to Essensia, their fabulous restaurant, sit on the terrace and enjoy the view.

If you’re visiting, stay a while, enjoy the pool, the beach, the beautiful setting…you won’t want to go home!

European Investors Looking to Buy a Piece of Florida 2011 – 2012

Vicki Restivo — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 09:45:50 +0000

European buyers are divided almost evenly between those wanting a condo and those wanting a single family home.

47% of Western European real estate acquisitions in Florida are for single family homes. 41% are for condos … with a handful looking for townhouses.

And 90% of them are paying cash.

Looking to buy, sell or relocate? If you’re looking for a local Miami real estate agent to work with, we would love to hear from you. Call us any time. You can reach us on our direct line 305 793-1365 or email us at restivo.v@ewm.com . Vicki & Alexandra Restivo @ EWM Realtors.

Getting an FHA Loan in Miami-Dade and Broward

Vicki Restivo — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 09:06:20 +0000

We were showing property this week to a buyer looking for a home priced under $500K … Let me tell you – There are SO many well-priced (nice) homes in Miami available for under $500K right now.

Because of the pricepoint for these buyers we are working with, an FHA loan is an option.

And we wanted to post a blog for your benefit … and for others of you who might looking to buy … who might be in a similar situation:

The current loan limit on FHA loans in Florida for both Miami-Dade and Broward counties is $423,750.00 for single family homes.

In a prior post on MiamiRealEstateCafe.com we mentioned that FHA loans are not limited to first-time home buyers.

That’s true. FHA isn’t limited to first-time home buyers…. and that makes it a viable option for many who are looking to buy a home.

FHA loans are available to qualified individuals looking to finance a home purchase … up to $423,750.00 … with a loan amount of up to 96.7% of the purchase price … and a downpayment of 3.5% in Miami-Dade and Broward countires.

Call us when you’re ready to move … Whether you’re buying or selling or relocating, we look forward to helping to make your next move a good one. Vicki & Alexandra Restivo … The Restivo Team … EWM Realtors. Direct number: 305 793-1365 E-mail: restivo.v@ewm.com

Free Tickets to UM Men’s Basketball Games

Alexandra Restivo — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 09:00:39 +0000

The 20 year agreement between the City of Coral Gables and the University of Miami is benefiting Gables residents once again. If you reside in Coral Gables and would like to attend these games, go to the War Memorial Youth Center at 405 University Drive on the dates below, show proof of residency, and receive up to 4 tickets for the games. Only 250 tickets will be distributed per game and are given on a first come first served basis. Here’s the schedule:

Game 1: Sunday, January 22 at 12 noon. University of Miami vs. North
Carolina State. Tickets distributed starting Monday Jan 9 at 8 am.

Game 2: Wednesday, February 1 at 8 p.m. University of Miami vs.
Maryland. Tickets distributed starting Monday Jan 23 at 8 am.

Game 3: Saturday, February 18 at 1 p.m. University of Miami vs. Wake
Forest. Tickets distributed starting Thursday Feb 2 at 8 am.

Game 4: Sunday, February 26 at 6 p.m. University of Miami vs. Florida
State University. Tickets distributed starting Feb 15 at 8 am.

Coral Gables Farmers Market Starts January 21

Alexandra Restivo — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 09:00:46 +0000

The Farmers Market will be in season from January 21 through March 31 and takes place every Saturday from 8 am until 2 pm in front of City Hall (intersection of Biltmore Way and Le Jeune). There are baked goods, specialty plants, fresh picked produce as well as live music children’s activites at 11 am and free Tai Chi class at 8 am. There are also master chef demonstrations from local Gables restaurants at 10 am. Here is a complete schedule of events.

If you would like to move to Coral Gables, contact the Restivo Team.

Caution – Crocodile Alert

Alexandra Restivo — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 09:00:34 +0000

Florida Wildlife Officials have put up signs along the Snapper Creek Canal, warning residents that there have been crocodiles spotted in the canal. If you frequent Red Road Linear Park or areas around the canal, you should exercise caution and be aware of your surroundings.

Pinecrest People Mover … Up and Running!

Alexandra Restivo — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 09:00:35 +0000

The Village of Pinecrest recently started using a people mover, a free ride that connects Palmetto Middle School and Palmetto High School with the neighborhood. Many Pinecrest Middle and High school students do not qualify for Miami Dade County School Bus Service, so the People Mover is a great solution for those students. The bus runs in the morning and afternoon, with various routes in teh afternoon to accomodate after school activities. Here is the map and schedule for the People Mover.