Next weekend is another reason I love south Florida. Both the boat show and the art festival are in town together over President’s Day weekend. Sure traffic will be heavy and favorite restaurants will be packed, but we get to be a part of all of the fun activities surrounding these events, show off where we live, and here friends, relatives, and visitors tell us how lucky we are to live here!
Yeah! There is now a water taxi in Miami. There are currently only six stops between Miami, Miami Beach and the Miami River, but there are plans to add in Crandon Park and Grove Isle in the future. Though still in it’s infancy, I would like to see it become a commuter option in the future. I spent many years in the San Francisco Bay area and have fond memories of commuting into the city on a ferry. A boat ride into work has to be so much more relaxing than a trip over 395, 195, Rickenbacker Causeway or down US 1 during rush hour!
If you purchased a primary residence in 2011, you may qualify for homestead exemption. The homestead exemption may reduce the amount of property tax you pay, but the deadline to apply is approaching and if you do not apply by March 1, you will have to wait until January of next year. You can even file online
Only one week to go before Valentine’s Day, so here is a quick list to help start planning.
1. Deering Estate Moonlight & Music Concert
2. Valentine’s Concert at Fairchild
3. Glady’s Knight at Hardrock Cafe
4. Willy Chirino at the Fillmore
7. Dinner at Romeo’s Cafe
8. Pick up chocolates at Romanico’s
9. Pick up a nice bottle of wine or bubbly to accompany the chocolates
10. Walk along Miami Beach barefoot with your feet in the water.
Please add other ideas
If you don’t have a party to go to, here are some places to watch the big game where it is sure to be a party:
Brickell Irish Pub – Brickell
Hole in the Wall – Palmetto Bay
Miller’s Ale House – various locations
Burger & Beer Joint – Brickell and Miami Beach
Where will you be watching the game?
Last week we did over $21,000,000 in sales. This week was over $17,500,000 with 32 sales and only 14 new listings. Inventory in Miami-Dade is decreasing steadily, as illustrated in the graph below. Inventory is even tighter once you start looking in a specific price range and community.
Today is election day in Florida. Unfortunately, many people think it is only for the Republican Primary and don’t realize there are probably other items to vote on on the ballot. In Miami-Dade there are two charter amendments and Miami Gardens and Florida City have special election items.
Please get out and vote!
Tomorrow night at 7:30, the New World Symphony Wallcast is Dance of Devotion. Bring a blanket and picnic dinner for a wonderful evening of culture and music on Miami Beach.
Still doubt the Miami real estate market is rebounding? EWM’s Coral Gables/South Miami office did over $21,000,000 in sales this week. We had 12 new listings and 21 sales. Inventory is decreasing and buyers are still out there in droves.
There are so many great weekend get-aways in Florida. I took a quick trip to Key West this weekend for a historic tour. Most bed and breakfasts require a two night stay, but the lovely and updated Truman Hotel, two blocks from Duval Street, did not.