Miamism

Has Miami Real Estate Hit Bottom?

The question of the day!! Has Miami Real Estate Hit Bottom??

Most of you that know us know that we are not the type to follow NAR's latest REALTOR bandwagon with "Now is the time to buy" campaign - we just don't see how a National Campaign of that magnitude can generalize about every real estate market since each one is so local in nature.

With that said, there are tell-tale signs that you, as a buyer, should be aware of:

Investors buying

Renters buying

Sales Increasing

We have seen the numbers of Investor movement increasing at a drastic pace. Although we are also hearing the known phrase "Buy when no one else is buying"..... others are also catching on. These investors are not only local, but they come from other parts of the US, from Canada, Europe and South America.

We are also seeing those people that chose to rent 8 months to a year ago (because they wanted to wait for the market to stabilize), making their move now, or at least are beginning to consider to buy.

Miami Real Estate Sales have also increased and numbers don't lie. Here are some examples taking into consideration sales in the first 4 months of the year (from January 1st to April 30th) and the second third (which is not done yet) from May 1st to Today - August 16, 2008. You can see how sales are slowly creeping up.

Miami Beach Real Estate - single-family homes
- - First 1/3 of the year - 28 closed sales
- - Second third of the year - 40 closed sales.

Miami Shores Real Estate - single-family homes
- - First 1/3 of the year - 26 closed sales
- - Second third of the year - 35 closed sales

Miami Real Estate - single-family homes
- - First 1/3 of the year - 907 closed sales
- - Second third of the year - 950 closed sales

El Portal Real Estate - single-family homes
- - First 1/3 of the year - 1 closed sale
- - Second third of the year - 4 closed sales

Aventura Real Estate - condos
- - First 1/3 of the year - 208 closed sales
- - Second third of the year - 266 closed sales

Please don't misconstrue this to mean that we are telling you to rush out right now and buy a property. The truth is that prices may keep dropping a bit in certain neighborhoods, but if you are looking for a long term Miami real estate investment, the signs of a stabilizing market are starting to show.

Miamism Fridays

In Miami, we even have underwater bars!!

....another MIAMISM!!

"Jose Cuervo Sunken Margarita Bar". At twenty feet below the surface, this South Beach attraction is a concrete and steel actual bar (with 6 bar stools). It was sunk as a promotion for Cinco De Mayo in 2000. It is now part of the South Florida artificial reef system. (is that cool or what?)

** Summer is here! time to take out the camera and shoot some cool Miamisms - if you are technically inclined - you can add them to the Miamism Group at Flickr.com - or you can e-mail the photos directly to us at info@miamism.com **

Thank you for the birthday wishes

What an awesome day I'm having today - woke up to family hugs, gifts and pampering and have received tons of e-cards, e-mails, facebook messages, twitter messages, phone calls - WOW!! You guys are awesome.

I wanted to share a very cool video by a friend NikNik who should get a prize for most original birthday wish! (and don't miss Derek Overbey singing either.....very sexy)

Thanks everyone for an awesome birthday!!!

Miami Beach Luxury Condos - The Continuum on South Beach

This week's Miami Beach Luxury Condo pick is located in SoFi (South of Fifth) in SoBe (South Beach) - It's so Miami to abbreviate everything from places, to architecture to food. The Continuum has to be the best located condo in South Florida (that's my opinion of course) - located at the tip of South Beach right on the ocean with unbelievable amenities. Designed by architect Fullerton Diaz Architects, Inc, The Continuum is "the" Miami Beach Luxury Condo in a gorgeous location on the ocean with beach, amazing views and top notch amenities:

1,000 feet of sandy beaches
full-service beach club with beach furniture and cabanas
expansive free form lagoon swimming pool and spa
sundeck with pool furniture and umbrellas
pool pavilion
landscaping and site design by renowned landscape architects Bradshaw, Gill and Associates
3 har-tru clay tennis courts
20,000 sq. ft. of state of the art Spa and Exercising facility including
- fully equipped world class fitness center
- complete selection of classes to choose from and personal training
- men's and women's lounges complete with treatment rooms, sauna, steam room, whirlpool, cold plunge, relaxation lounge and shower facilities
- spa treatments
- roof top infinity lap pool
- sundeck

The Continnum on South Beach Condo - 100 S. Pointe Drive - residence 1606

Listed for $7,499,000

This is what the MLS description reads:

Magnificent 4 bedroom plus den and 4.5 bathrooms with floor to ceiling windows and 800 sq. ft. of wrap around balcony allow for unobstructed panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, Fisher Island, Cruise Ship Alley and The Miami Skyline from every major room. Kitchen features include Italian cabinets, granite counters, Miele appliances, and Sub-zero refrigerator.

Bienes Raices de Lujo en Miami

¿Que definición le daría usted a Bienes Raíces de Lujo en Miami?

Aunque usted no lo crea, la respuesta no es tan simple como se puede pensar. La definición de lo que es el Lujo varia de persona a persona y varia dependiendo a lo que cada persona ha sido expuesta por lo que nos encontramos preguntándoles a nuestros clientes que definan y que amplíen lo que quieren decir al referirse a "Bienes Raíces de Lujo en Miami".

Para personas que se están mudando y que provienen de otras partes de los Estados Unidos y del mundo, el significado de Lujo puede referirse a las amenidades de un Condominio en Miami Beach por ejemplo, o como también las amenidades que ofrece la propia ciudad. ¿Acaso el edificio tiene una serie completa de amenidades tales como servicio de estacionamiento (Valet Parking), vigilancia de 24 horas, conserje, piscina, gimnasio, sauna, o acaso el área tiene golf, playa privada y canchas de tenis?

Bienes Raíces de Lujo no solo se definen por sus precios (un factor de gran importancia). En Miami hay edificios viejos que tienen excelentes amenidades, costos altos de mantenimiento, pero los precios de las unidades dentro del complejo tienen precios muy razonables. Ejemplos de este tipo de edificación son Quayside Towers, el Jockey Club y el Cricket Club. Estos son edificios de gran reputación y que son muy buscados, aun cuando usted los compara con los mejores Bienes Raices en Miami Beach.

Hablando de exclusividad, tenemos los Bienes Raíces de Fisher Island. Cuando nos referimos a propiedades de lujo en Miami, Fisher Island aparece en primer lugar; Fisher Island es una isla privada, con acceso por ferry, tiene campos de golf, restaurantes, tiendas para hacer las compras, canchas de tenis..... y mucho mas. Personajes tales como Oprah, Andre Agassi y Boris Becker son algunos de los propietarios de Bienes Raíces en Fisher Island. Pero si usted ha tenido la oportunidad de ver las propiedades en la isla, habrá observado que muchas requieren actualizarse ya que las edificaciones reflejan su edad por sus acabados porque esas edificaciones fueron construidas en los años 80. Por lo tanto, lo que define "Lujo" en el caso de Fisher Island es la seguridad, las amenidades y el estilo de vida.Read more »