December 27, 2013

Bobby’s Burger Palace

I checked out Bobby’s Burger Palace, celebrity chef Bobby Flay’s new hamburger restaurant in Dadeland Mall. To get right down to the grill – the burgers are terrific – moist and juicy, with quality grade beef and interesting toppings.  And the French fries are crispy and plentiful. On the right is the Bobby Blue Burger.  Yep – it’s as good as it looks! […]
December 25, 2013

Pinecrest Holiday Lights 2013

It was dusk on Christmas Eve and I was walking our dog Chili, taking in the holiday lights in our Pinecrest  neighborhood.   The homes were beautifully aglow, outlined by the mostly understated lights as the sun was inching its way below the horizon. Happy Holidays to All!  I am a luxury residential specialist in The Village of Pinecrest.  If you […]
December 24, 2013

Pinecrest For Sale Under $700,000

There’s still time to buy a home before the New Year in the beautiful Village of Pinecrest. Although most homes in Pinecrest sell for over $1 million, there are currently 11 single family homes for sale under $700,000. Two homes are under $500,000,  four homes are under $600,000 and five homes are under $700,000 and […]
December 18, 2013

Paraiso Bay – Presale Lux Condo In East Edgewater

Paraiso Bay is a new luxury condominium close to Miami’s arts, entertainment, and design districts and just south of the Julia Tuttle Causeway, in the East Edgewater area. It features two 53-story luxury towers with 1, 2, 3, and 4 bedrooms, plus penthouses, each with over-sized terraces and private elevator entrance. The residences will have fabulous unobstructed views of Biscayne Bay and the city skyline. Pre-construction […]
December 17, 2013

The Condo Construction Craze

Been downtown lately?  It’s a mass of construction cranes.  Condo towers are going up all over the place from Miami Beach to Hollywood. I’ve been tracking the 35 condo projects currently under construction in Miami-Dade County.  Three of them are now completed towers*. Most of these are available for pre-sale, meaning you can place a […]
December 16, 2013

The Resurrection of the Coconut Grove Playhouse

The once vibrant Coconut Grove Playhouse is on its way back to life, poised for renovation. A 50 year lease was approved on October 8, 2012, by the Board of County Commissioners between co-lessees Florida International University (FIU) and Miami-Dade County.  The lease also includes two renewable 25-year terms to provide current and future donors with a firm assurance that […]
December 13, 2013

Palm Island Home Sells for $7,500,000

It’s been six months since there has been a sale on Palm Island in Miami Beach.  One Twenty Palm Ave. recently sold for $7,500,000 or an impressive $1,161 a square foot. Built in the 1930’s, this 6 bedroom, 6.5 bath waterfront estate , with  6,461 square feet of living space, retains its old world charm with modern updates. Magical Palm Island Palm […]
December 11, 2013

Are You Paying Too Much in Property Tax?

There are several new exemptions that may lower your property tax bill.  Determine if you qualify for exemptions by attending the Town Hall meeting hosted by Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser Carlos Lopez-Cantera. He will be speaking at the Pinecrest Library on Thursday December 19, 2013 at 7 pm to discuss these exemptions.  You can also complete your exemption application at […]
December 9, 2013

Four Tax Deductions When you Buy a Home

Homeownership has tax advantages. The down payment on the purchase of a house is not deductible. However, these four items are deductible on your annual U.S. income taxes. Mortgage loan interest Real estate taxes Closing fees that decrease the rate of the mortgage loan Mortgage insurance required on all FHA and VA loans, and on conforming or […]