ILoveSoFla.com
South Florida Real Estate
Archive for the 'Neighborhood News' Category
Luxury Real Estate – Coral Gables in the Top 5 of Fastest Moving Luxury Neighborhoods
A recent Forbes article rated Coral Gables, FL as one of the fastest moving luxury neighborhoods in terms of days on 
market. Forbes’ rating system, which is based on the 500 most expensive zip codes, is better than other housing indexes which cover too broad of an area to give an accurate picture of what is happening in a specific neighborhood, but their assessment also has some flaws. For example, for Coral Gables, which was rated number 5 by Forbes, the zip code they used was 33146. Don’t get me wrong, 33146 is an expensive zip code, but Coral Gables, which extends significantly further South from the better known business and restaurant district which is their formal downtown, has 7 zip codes! Based on an MLS search today, there were 69 Active listings ranging in price from $13.5 million down to $395,000 in the 33146 zip code. 14 of those listings were waterfront. However, there were a total of 261 Active MLS listings in the Gables, South of US 1. The most expensive listing was $49.5 million and was in the 33143 zip code, which also had higher closed sales prices. Having Forbes rate Coral Gables the 5th fastest moving luxury market, with an average of 66 days for the top 10 zips vs 115 days average for the whole 500 index, is great news for Coral Gables, but it doesn’t tell the story for luxury real estate in the Gables. There were several zips and luxury price ranges which had significantly longer days on market. When pricing your luxury home for sale or making an offer on your purchase of one, make sure you check with a local luxury expert.
Pinecrest FL Rated the 10th Most Expensive Suburb to Live In 2009
The Village of Pinecrest was just rated the 10th most expensive suburb to live by Business Week.
The most expensive suburb in each of the 52 states were chosen based on:
- cost of living
- median home price
- property taxes
- mortgage and utilities
The article acknowledges that what contributes to the popularity and expense of these areas are:
- excellent public schools
- low crime rate
- gorgeous neighborhoods
- parks and recreational facilites.
Pinecrest has all 4 of the above and additional benefits that were not mentioned such as:
- large lot sizes
- small local government
- tree canopy
- proximity to marinas
- variety of homes and sizes
- international population
For more information on Pinecrest read:
Pinecrest FL Real Estate – Market Trends First Quarter 2009
7645 SW 117 Pinecrest FL Is In A Great Location
Unbelievable Land Value in Pinecrest, FL – 7935 SW 134 Street- Builder’s Acre Under $550,000
Food Tasting and Entertainment at 7th Annual Taste of Pinecrest at Pinecrest Gardens
Looking for Something to Do? Head to Pinecrest!
South Florida is a Boater’s Paradise
South Florida is a boater’s paradise. Whether you prefer to sail or motor boat, the ocean, Intracoastal, or B
ay, boater’s are bound to find plenty to do. Be warned, Biscayne Bay has many flats that can pop up literally out of the blue, so read your charts to avoid running aground and damaging our fragile sea grass. Here is a partial list of both public and private marinas in Miami-Dade County.
North Miami Dade Marinas
Mystic Point Marina
Turnberry Isle Marina up to 180 feet
Waterways Marina up to 120′
Sunny Isles Marina
Bill Bird Marina at Haulover Park up to 90 feet
Pelican Harbor Marina up to 50 feet
Sunset Harbor Marina up to 150 feet
George’s in the Grove
I know it is kind of strange to spend a 5 de Mayo at George’s in the Grove, but am I glad we did! It was very fitting because George himself has a wild and strange energy and the whole evening was a bit surreal.
The service and food were both exquisite. From the fun George’s Gazette, which contains the wine list and menu along with amusing reads, to the ambiance of the open restaurant itself, I left a fan. Our party of four started out with several appetizers, one more amazing than the other: yellow and red tomatoes, Burrata mozzarella, Prosciutto and basil vinaigrette; country pate; and a spectacular smoked Salmon tartare. We should have stopped there because we ate everything, but the menu wouldn’t let us. We went on to order 3-hour braised lamb shank with homemade black truffle mashed potatoes, steamed fresh mussels in garlic and white wine broth, center cut filet mignon, and a veal special.
The staff was amazing. The place was packed, yes packed to overflowing on a Tuesday night; a mariachi band and some very inebriated followers came by a couple of times, singing loudly and passing around tequila; and we were demanding, wanting more of everything (champagne, food, wine, dessert), yet our waiter never flustered. He even allowed us to move outside to a lounge area on the sidewalk, and timed our last wine, dessert, and coffee perfectly. We never felt rushed. I can’t wait to rush back!
Pinecrest FL Real Estate – Market Trends First Quarter 2009
During the first quarter of 2009 there has been very little change in the inventory of single family homes in Pinecrest listed on the MLS. Sales also seem to be moving to closing slowly, but the trending increase in pending sales gives me hope that Pinecrest’s real estate market will start moving the way of Miami-Dade County, decreasing inventory and increased sales. One of the reasons this market is going to turn more slowly than the County’s is due to the pricing. The median sales price of all single family homes in the County at the end of April was $165,000 whereas in Pinecrest it was $475,000. 78% of sales in the County were under $300,000.
What has been selling in Pinecrest in the first quarter are the single family homes listed for between $216 and $298 per square foot. Based on the inventory and number of closed sales in April, there is currently 53 months worth of inventory in Pinecrest. However, based on current inventory and the number of pending sales there is an 11.5 month inventory. This illustrates how rapidly the market can turn. Since summer is the most active time for single family home sales, I am feeling cautiously optimistic that the market is starting to change and is at least stopping its downward free-fall.
Related Posts:
Miami Real Estate – Quarterly Update for Miami-Dade County
8 Reasons Why Now is the Perfect Time to Buy Real Estate
Unbelievable Value In Pinecrest
Pinecrest, FL Real Estate Update January, 2009
7645 SW 117 Street, Pinecrest, FL is in a Great Location
You know what they say about real estate: location, location, location. Well this house is walking distance to shops, restaurants, places of worship, parks and public transportation!
Located off of 77 Ave., a main North/South corridor in Pinecrest, 7645 SW 117 Street is a perfect place to call home.
- 4 bedroom/2 bath
- builder’s acre
- accordian hurricane shutters
- new hardwood floors
- chickee hut
The Village of Pinecrest, known for its parks, schools, large lots and quiet life-style has always been popular with families, couples and individuals who enjoy their space and privacy yet want to live close to activities.
Unbelievable Land Value in Pinecrest, FL – 7935 SW 134 Street- Builder’s Acre Under $550,000
This beautiful builder’s acre is located on a quiet, low-traffic street in South Pinecrest. A house sits on the property, 
waiting for you to continue the updates or tear it down and build new. Take advantage of the current market; it has been a while since land value in Pinecrest was this low. The Village of Pinecrest is a highly desirable neighborhood with may parks, great schools, a community center and library.
St. Patrick’s Day Celebration in Coral Gables, FL
Head over to the John Martin’s Irish Pub and Restaurant for the St. Patrick’s Day Celebration, a huge block party with live bands and several food stations. The fun starts at 5 p.m. until midnight at Salzedo Street between Miracle Mile and Giralda Avenue. REMEMBER to wear green!
Pre-St. Patrick’s Day Festivities at Annual Irish Festival in Coral Gables, FL
Can’t wait for St. Patrick’s Day? Then plan on spending Saturday, March 14 enjoying Irish music, dance and food, at the Annual St. Patrick’s Day Irish Festival in Coral Gables.
Free and Fun First Fridays Gallery Walk in Coral Gables, FL
What does a Friday night with free music, wine, cheese and art gallery visits mean? It must be Gallery Walk Night in Coral Gables! Visit with the artists and discuss their work or just look at the art, nibble and sip the goodies, and enjoy the evening. From 7-10 pm the first Friday of every month.
Find Me On…
