Tom Schaefer’s work, aka Miami Tom, was chosen for the photography exhibition at the Miami Airlines Arena’s celebration of Miami’s Birthday, this past Wednesday (July 28th, 2010). Here’s what went down:
The City of Miami and DowntownMiami.com have come together to present the Official celebration for the 114th birthday of the City of Miami. This is the first of what will become a signature yearly celebration at the heart of the city, Downtown Miami. City of Miami residents and professionals will be getting together at the American Airlines Arena in Celebration of Miami’s 114th Birthday and also to recognize the very best that Downtown Miami has to offer in the return of Downtown Miami’s Best in its 2010 edition. This special event will feature the sights, sounds and tastes of Miami at the exciting American Airlines Arena’s center court. Intercontinental Miami will be presenting the official birthday cake with a replica of the American Airlines Arena, there will be delicious food tastings from 20+ restaurants, cocktails courtesy of GREY GOOSE® Vodka, … and much more!
….another Miamism !!
Congrats Tom!!
** Here at Miamism we love to post your Miami Photos. If you have a shot you want to share please join the Miamism Group at Flickr.com – or you can e-mail the photos directly to us at info@miamism.com *
UPDATE:
Here are some photos taken during the event, shared by Tom Schaefer and taken by Moises Villeta
If you are thinking of selling your house, what’s the ideal Realtor for you?
Is it the one that will tell you what you want to hear?
Is it the one that will list your house at the highest price?
Is it the one that works for the biggest brokerage?
If you are like most people, you will talk to a couple of Realtors to get an idea of pricing and see how the market is doing. You may have an idea of what your house is worth and hope your number is close to reality. You may even have a grasp of reality but know your house is superior and NEED to sell for more than the market dictates. Even if you don’t know it, you establish a selling strategy before you even interview a Realtor – you set goals in your head of what you want to happen and have pre-conceived ideas on how to achieve those goals.
When the time comes to interview different Realtors, you will end up hiring the one that comes closer to your predetermined plan. This may be a good thing if your plan comes close to reality and what’s happening in your local real estate market – but what if you are really off?
So let me ask you a question from a Realtor’s perspective. Wouldn’t it be easy for me, as a Miami and Miami Beach Realtor, to tell you what you want to hear in order to get the listing? It would look great in my long register of listings, even if the house doesn’t sell – it’s a numbers game, so the more listings I have, the better the chance I have of selling and making money.
Why can’t you realize that overpricing your house will not benefit you!!
Many agents out there will list it at whatever price you want – it’s simple (and one of the reasons the Real Estate Industry has such a bad reputation). Here’s another scenario: you may think, let’s list high now and we’ll see if the market responds and then we will lower the price. …but you wait, and wait and wait. You don’t lower the price and then blame the agent for not doing their job.
I just want you to be realistic here. Please think strategy before you even list your home. Please take a deep look into your pre-conceived ideas of what is to happen, and hire a Realtor because they will get the job done right. Take a look at their reputation, at their ability to market the property not only locally but nationally and abroad. Take a look at how they will make your property stand out from other listings, how they will communicate and how available they are.
Then make an educated and rational decision of who’s the best man for the job. And if you decide not to hire the best one for the job, at least know why you did it.
The intent here was to make you think – Please know that our team will always tell it like it is – no fluff, just plain truth. Keep in mind that if you are looking for fluff, we may not be the perfect Miami Beach Realtor for you.
There are several key factors or elements seen in Mediterranean Revival Architecture. I have told you about the style and what makes it special, I have also gone into detail about Historic Cuban Tile. Now I will describe the type of paint that is most appropriate for these homes – LIME-BASED PAINTS.
I don’t know about you, but when I think Mediterranean, I think of Venice (OK, it’s the Adriatic sea…..let’s not get technical here…..but I’m doing this to make a point about COLOR).
In the Mediterranean (and surrounding areas), it was customary to paint stucco facades with lime based paints. Lime, being an organic material was often mixed into the stucco and plaster surfaces with different hues and these surfaces would not have to be painted again. The organic nature of these paints or aggregates is what gives these building exteriors such depth and personality.
The surfaces are ever changing depending on the intensity of the sun or rain. When studying facades painted with lime, you may see darker lines, or wear-patterns, you will also see discolorations and an uneven nature to the surface. This is what makes lime so beautiful. There is a rustic, aged look that goes hand in hand with painting with lime and if you want a clean and uniform look, lime based paints are NOT for you!
In Miami Shores, while serving in the Historic Preservation Board, I often recommended lime-based paints to home owners of Mediterranean Revival homes. This ended up turning into a very controversial subject because the city did not agree with strong hues customary to the style (ochre yellow, terracotta orange, and olive green), nor did they want a “weathered look” to these homes. Anyone wanting to restore a historic home should first check with each city to make sure they agree with the correct historic restoration process.
There is a local painter, by the name of Emilio Ciansoni who has the perfect product when it comes to Lime-Based Paints. He has developed a registered product called Calcem Lime Paint and is known for painting Miami luxury homes like The Vizcaya Mansion and also Ca’ Ziff, as well as Fairchild Tropical Gardens. Lime paints are not cheap and the application is not easy, so make sure your painter knows what it entails (especially the prep work involved).
It is important to note that although used for historic homes, lime paints are also popular in the modern world because of its organic nature, and are also used for interior applications. I personally find that lime paints add not only character to historic facades, but also that perfect finishing touch that completes a project.
**article originally published on August 13th, 2007 – please read comments for second source of lime-based paints in Miami recommended by a reader**
People constantly ask me what type of Miami Real Estate or Miami Beach Real Estate I specialize in – is it price range? Is it an area? Is it residential real estate or commercial real estate? Well…..the answer is any real estate in Miami Beach or Miami’s Biscayne Corridor that is architecturally relevant.
A puzzled look usually follows – what in the world is Architecturally Relevant Real Estate? And why would you specialize in that?
It is common knowledge that if you do what you love, you will be good at it. If you find your passion and what makes you tick, not only will you enjoy your job, but you will rock at it. That’s the answer. I am an architect and light up when I walk into good space, no matter the scale.
Sketch by architecture master Le Corbusier
Whether it is a Miami Beach Luxury Home or a modest Design District Loft – when a space is well designed, following common proportion and context principles, it makes a huge difference. I was just discussing this past week with clients that just bought a Midtown Condo, how a space doesn’t have to be gaudy or extravagant to be good – there’s a fine line between modest architecture and trendy design that makes good real estate pure and timeless. Our best clients appreciate good architecture and have a discerning eye – they don’t go for the price just because and can see beyond superficial selling techniques.
Tomorrow we will list a modest MiMo home in Miami Shores designed by well-known mid-century architect, Ungaro. The house has been owned by the same family since it was built, has not been butchered and although it needs a new roof, electrical, plumbing and central air conditioning – has all the great features of a mid-century home: from Terrazzo, clerestory lighting and pitched roof. This house will only be appreciated by someone that knows architecture and will be willing to go through the restoration process.
I have to admit that I find some buildings boring, but sometimes location and views make up for it. Unfortunately for you, I will be brutal about the “un-architecture” of the space…..if there’s such a thing. Bottom line, I have fun when I show properties – if you are looking for boring “here’s the kitchen, there’s the bathroom”….I will do you absolutely no good. We are not your everyday, run-of-the-mill Realtors, our clients tell us so and we look forward to creating new relationships and experiences with every single person we meet.
**Update: since I first wrote this article, on November 16th, 2008, the Miami Shores MiMO home was purchased by a couple that loved the architecture and was able to see past the work the home needed…they are doing a beautiful job with the restoration and complimenting existing details with new addition**
There are some photos that just make you happy, this South Beach shot is one of them – you can’t help but smile when you look at it. That’s why I love Ipanemic’s Photography so much, Scott has a special gift for capturing perfect moments.
….another Miamism !!
As much as I would like to keep Scott’s awesome photography as my own secret weapon, I won’t….because he’s THAT good. So take a look at Ipanemic.com and tell us what you think.
** Here at Miamism we love to post your Miami Photos. If you have a shot you want to share please join the Miamism Group at Flickr.com – or you can e-mail the photos directly to us at info@miamism.com *
