Category: Coconut Grove
Okay. In case you are all “arted” out by Saturday, take a break and visit some historic homes and landmarks in Coconut Grove. The annual Villagers Tour takes place in the Grove from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. December 7. You need to purchase tickets in advance, so you know where to go to start the tour. If you are interested in tickets, $35, contact me at 305-776-2792.
Okay. In case you are all “arted” out by Saturday, take a break and visit some historic homes and landmarks in Coconut Grove. The annual Villagers Tour takes place in the Grove from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. December 7. You need to purchase tickets in advance, so you know where to go to start the tour. If you are interested in tickets, $35, contact me at 305-776-2792.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V79ckIIjkoM&feature=c4-overview-vl&list=PL4D3388E5AA14A9E4
Okay, we are starting to get busy toward the end of November with Thanksgiving and all of December’s holidays, so here are 5 things to do in South Florida this month.
- Fairchild Ramble November 8-10 at Fairchild Tropical Gardens
- Vizcaya to North Grove Bicycle Tour November 11 at Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
- Seraphic Fire at First United Methodist Church November 16
- Miami Book Fair International November 17-24
- Masquerade Ball in the Gardens November 23 at Pinecrest Gardens
If you still have time on your hands remember these free things to do in South Florida: Wallcasts, Soundscape Cinema Series, Chopin for All Concert Series.
South Florida has an abundance of seafood, so why not celebrate by attending both the SoBe Seafood Festival on Miami Beach on Saturday October 19 and Coconut Grove Seafood Festival at Peacock Park in Coconut Grove on Sunday, the 20th.
I love October in South Florida. Not only does the weather start to tease with occasional cooler, drier temperatures, but it is the official start of our art season. Although we now have cultural activities year-round with our monthly art walks, museum exhibits, and great musical programming at the Arsht Center and venues throughout South Florida, we really kick into high gear in October. Here is a list of some venues to try in October:
- Soundscape movies every Wednesday starting in October through December 18 at the New World Symphony (free)
- Wallcasts October 5 & 25 at the New World Symphony (free)
- Sounds At Fairchild October 6, 13, & 20 at Fairchild Tropical Garden
- Barnacle Under Moonlight Concert October 11
- Diavolo’s Transit Space Dance October 12 & 13 South Miami Dade Cultural Arts Center
- Ruthless, the musical October 18, Actor’s Playhouse
- Artists At Vizcaya October 19 at Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
- Wine on Harvest Moon October 19 at the Deering Estate
- Jazz at Pinecrest Gardens October 26
- New World School of the Arts Repertory Dance Ensemble October 30 at the Aventura Art and Cultural Center
In case you have a free day in October with this calendar,remember most of our museums have free days every month.
I recently visited Ecuador and enjoyed running on the Chiquinan Trail, a 20 km bike and running trail converted from an old railway trail.
While I was running, I thought it would be great if Miami-Dade had something similar. I was thrilled to find out it does, though most of it is still in the making. It is called Bike 305 and so far 130 miles, out of the 5o0 planned, have been completed. The current routes include Key Biscayne, Coconut Grove, Coral Gables, Pinecrest, Palmetto Bay and Cutler Bay. I have run along several of the routes, without even knowing it was part of a grander plan to interconnect greenways, bike lanes, and trails. I look forward to running more portions of the route as they come on line!
Focaccia Bistro in the Grove is a small, charming restaurant that reminded me of the more intimate restaruants in San Francisco. On the night that we went, the place was at capacity, which overwhelmed the staff but did not detract at all from the pleasant experience. It was not noisy, suprising giving how close the tables are, and it was easy to have a conversation. The wine on special that night was a Sangiovese blend for $35 that was very nice and accompanied my seafood pasta, pictured above, perfectly.
I have had several long-time customers ask me what I think is going to happen to the Miami real estate market come January. Although I don’t have a crystal ball, and the real estate market in Miami in general has been doing well with inventories down and prices up, with bidding wars happening as multiple offers come in, I decided to use a building that I am currently working on to throw a bit of a reality check into the current market euphoria.
In October of 2011, one bedroom units in this building were selling for between $45,000-$50,000. The last sale this year was for $90,000 and there are multiple offers on a foreclosure listed for $99,900. According to property tax rolls, nine out of the 39 total units in the building are in some stage of foreclosure. Whether or not any or all of them will go into foreclosure, short sale, or have a loan modification worked out, is yet to be seen, but if you look at the iMapp, Inc. snapshot of what is going on around this building, I have to believe that there are still going to be buying opportunities out there next year and that prices could go down. All of those little hammers are properties that are in the foreclosure process. Since the process takes over a year, where these all are in that process and how fast they come on the market will all come into play in the supply and demand cycle of 2013.
Not all markets look like this. Brickell has a lot less hammers. If you are a buyer, find out what the foreclosure map in the area you are considering purchasing looks like. Don’t be discouraged, just be realistic in your offer and your expectations as to where the market really is. If you are a seller, you also need to look at the map in your area. The map, along with relevant sales in your area, will help you set your list price in a range where your property will sell. Whether you are looking short term or long term, your perspective on where the real estate market is headed in 2013 depends on whether you are a glass half full or half empty person. Oh, and then there is the fiscal cliff…. Where do you think Miami’s real estate market is headed?