You may remember us telling you back in May of last year, that Anna Kournikova’s Sunset Island home was for sale.

Yes, sexy tennis star Anna Kournikova is selling her Miami Beach home for $9.4 Million.  The home is not open bay and is located on Sunset Island number 3 in Miami Beach and unlike what you may think, it doesn’t have a tennis court either.  We love to get the scoop on Miami Celebrities and their crash pads and I have to add that Anna seems to have great taste, based on her choice of finishes, decor, and boyfriend. (cough….Enrique Iglesias….cough).

The Wall Street Journal just published that,

Russian tennis player Anna Kournikova has sold her 6,630-square-foot home on Miami Beach’s exclusive guard-gated Sunset Island for $7.4 million.

The property does not appear as closed or even under contract on the multiple listing service, but we will take the WSJ’s word for it.  Anna Kournikova bought back in 2000 for $5 Million…and sold at $2 Million under asking price.  What does that tell you?  It’s not about the low ball offer, it’s about getting comps and paying what the home is worth!  We told you in our yearly real estate analysis for Miami Beach waterfront homes, that the average price per square foot in The Sunset Islands was $924 and this celebrity home sold at $1,116 …. which means the home sold at comparable market value and the $2 Million discount just means the house was overpriced.

Congratulations to Kournikova and the new lucky home owners!

Related Articles:

Anna Kournikova sells her Miami Beach Home originally appeared on Miamism on February 3, 2012.

As I am getting ready to go speak at RETSO again this year and discussing conference topics with colleagues on twitter, I remembered writing this post in March of 2009 which remains so relevant in today’s social space. The changes are drastic in 3 years and technology has come a long way. But the human aspect of our web interactions and the tangible side of relationships is still there and we cannot ever lose track of it.

I just came back from speaking at RETechSouth RETSO (a Real Estate Technology conference) and meeting with colleagues around the nation (the ones that get the Internet and Social Media) helped reinforce how I feel about real estate in general, but most importantly, how Rick and I approach Miami Beach Real Estate.

It’s not about sales sales sales!  It’s not about what the media will say next – It’s so much more than “how is the Miami Real Estate Market doing?” – It’s about LIVES!  How trivial can that really be?  Everyone needs a place to live, whether it’s temporary or not….feeling at home is one of the most important factors in everyone’s life, whether you choose to get help to achieve that or not – HOME is such a powerful word and some of us really care about how people achieve that.

The reason we like and live social media and blogging is because we get the opportunity to give a piece of us – to open up and be vulnerable because it shows our human side and ultimately will help you decide whether or not you want to do business with us.  Yes we make a living from real estate – but the connections and friendships we make in the process mean so much more than the commission check at the end of a transaction.

One of the highlights of the trip was a presentation I did with Teresa Boardman and Jeff Turner.  Teresa is also a Realtor and has become a dear friend because she also “gets” relationships and is never boggled down by irrelevant technical details and politics behind real estate and social media (you NEED to check out her St.Paul Blog).  Jeff Turner is the owner and president of Real Estate Shows (those virtual shows I embed here in miamism and use for all of our listings), and president of Zeek Interactive (“a people-focused design and development company dedicated to finding world-class solutions to real-world problems” << gotta love that).  Jeff is a strange breed (and hopefully he won’t read this) – he is a strange breed because he NEVER sells his business, people just gravitate to him because he is a genuinely nice guy with no agenda and willing to help everyone.  It doesn’t hurt that these two have awesome spouses that I am also extremely fond of – and have become very close friends through this medium…amazing no?

The presentation was about Flickr but it was so much more than that – being on stage with Teresa and Jeff made me realize that technology gives us the opportunity to connect with like minded individuals at a level that I would have never thought possible.  There we were, the 3 of us talking like old friends, so comfortable and finishing each other’s sentences as if we had known each other all of our lives.  All that because of social media!

So as technically savvy as I may be and ahead of the latest marketing trends- it’s all about people.  It’s about you and how we can help you achieve your goals and give ourselves in that process.  Sorry to sound corny here but thank you to all our clients who have allowed us to be a part of that process and who are now important part of our lives.

**photo compliments of Stacie Wells (AugustaGALiving) **

Related Articles:

Real Estate = relationships = life originally appeared on Miamism on January 30, 2012.

Mojito Review

Cafe Prima Pasta
414 71 Street
Miami Beach, FL 33141
(305) 867-0106
CafePrimaPasta.com

Related Articles:

Mojito Review – Cafe Prima Pasta in Miami Beach originally appeared on Miamism on January 29, 2012.

Miami rides and Miami pads….they are everywhere you look, it’s like candy for the soul.  But this image gets mojito points from us – The Versace Mansion and a gorgeous Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 Roadster!  Phenomenal shot by Jason Thorgalben from VOD Cars (wait until you see the rest of his pics).

….another Miamism !!

** Share your MIAMISMS and we will feature them!! send them to us via email (info@miamism.com), Facebook, Twitter (@ines), or post them on Flickr in the Miamism Group **

NOTE: this and other miamism photos are copyrighted© – contact owner for permission

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Miamism Fridays – Versace & Lambo originally appeared on Miamism on January 27, 2012.

This month’s edition is on North Bay Road (Sunset Lake subdivision). This is definitely a WOW type of home but location is a bit disappointing, right behind the Sunset Islands with more of a canal front location than bay.  At least you don’t have any fixed bridges to the bay and you do have protection from the elements, but this house would almost be perfect with open bay water frontage.

Miami Beach Mod Home at 2040 N Bay Road

listed for $16,500,000

The massing and volumes of this North Bay Road home make me smile from ear to ear.  Straight angles, not over designed, sultry, sexy and functional….doesn’t get better than that.  This home is 11,857 square feet! and the lot is unusually long with 308 feet in-depth compared to its 100 feet of width – hence the long and narrow construction.  The homes on this portion of North Bay Road seem to be on top of each other because they take advantage of every inch of “buildable” land on their properties.  But in reality, they do keep a comfortable distance from each other.

I am sure that when the current owners decided to build this beauty, they knew that the location and unusual direction of the lot would be a struggle for any future buyer.  So they decided to make up for any of those objections by really building an amazing house.  Take a look at an aerial of the property showing the skewed lot on the water.  The positive aspect of the angle is that it gives them 135 feet of water frontage instead of the 100′ you expect.

The house has double gourmet kitchens as well as summer kitchen equipped with pizza oven.  We can certainly assume that these people love to entertain and cook.  I love the fact that the “caterer’s kitchen” is something that is becoming popular in Miami Beach within the mega luxury real estate realm.  Nothing like keeping your kitchen clean and untouched while caterers make a mess of their own kitchen.

I wish I knew who the architect and interior designers were in this property – the use of materials in the secondary spaces are not what I would expect, but they work and the minimalist feel is never jeopardized.

I think the master suite is my favorite part of this home.  It seems to float above the rest of the space with perfectly framed views and private terrace that completes the exterior facade – solemn, dignified and perfect.

The exteriors are all perfectly orchestrated.  From the approach to the house with a play of window proportions and water element, to the use of every flat roof as a roof terrace and finally with a lap pool and spa that mimic the proportions and extended house foot print.  When you start scrutinizing the elements used throughout the house, you notice that nothing is there by chance, but instead you will find a well throughout out approach to architecture that is refreshing.

As for the wood finish in the back terrace, not even if it was IPE wood from Brazil would I have that as a choice, the maintenance can be brutal.  I would be more apt to selecting a raw limestone or concrete finish to avoid the constant treatment of the wood.

As for that small triangular patch of grass between the dock and the pool deck – it just seems it is wasted space when in reality it has not yet been designed.  Any lucky owner of this North Bay Road modern mansion will be able to complete the space as a transitional element between their vessel and their home.

The property was bought in 2007 for $4.1 Million, completely demolished and built from scratch.  The $16.5 Million price tag may be a far reach considering the location, but only time will tell.

Related Articles:

Miami Mod Homes – January 2012 edition originally appeared on Miamism on January 23, 2012.

If you are not in awe of the talent evident in murals around Miami, it’s time to check for a pulse.  Take this Miami Heat mural, for example, by Serge Toussaint, one of the thousands left for us to devour around town.  Lucky enough to be captured by WALLYG.  And the theme is one we happen to love – GO HEAT!

….another Miamism !!

Make sure to check out the other murals wallyg photographed in the Wynwood/Midtown area.

** Share your MIAMISMS and we will feature them!! send them to us via email (info@miamism.com), Facebook, Twitter (@ines), or post them on Flickr in the Miamism Group **

Related Articles:

Miamism Fridays – Miami Heat Mural originally appeared on Miamism on January 20, 2012.

Not a typo, you read correctly!

Realtor.com’s Top 10 Turnaround Town Report, based on third quarter 2011 data, includes six Florida markets: Miami, Orlando, Fort Myers-Cape Coral, Fort Lauderdale, Sarasota-Bradenton, and Lakeland-Winter Haven.

And out of those 6 Florida markets, Miami is number one!

Miami, FL: The number one town on the report, Miami has gone from being one of the first victims of the subprime crash to having a healthy inventory that is only half the size from a year ago. Today, Miami is only reporting one foreclosure for every 407 homes, compared to the national rate of one per every 213. And, condo sales have increased 79 percent in the first five months of this year, largely due to an influx of foreign investors.

We do expect you to be suspicious about these stats, after years of  hearing the worst about Florida, why would you not question our market?  All we can ask is that you request proof from us.   We have been providing evidence here on a regular basis, to show that desirable areas in Miami are not just seeing a price increase already, many areas don’t even  have distressed inventory available, and in many cases we are seeing proof of a seller’s market.

Every neighborhood is different and has its quirks, so depending on the type of property you are selling or buying, its condition and location within the neighborhood, things can vary quite a bit.  Don’t be afraid to ask us, that’s what we’re here for.

Realtor.com’s Top Ten Turnaround Town Report is compiled using a formula based on price appreciation, changes in inventory, median age of inventory, searches by Realtor.com visitors, and unemployment data.

New REALTOR.com Post with quote by yours truly  Miami, FL Tops REALTOR.com’s Top Ten Turnaround Town List | REALTOR.com® Blogs

MORE STATS from Realtor.com

December 2011 real estate search results are in and Miami, FL was the #18 most searched market in the country in December 2011, based on data released today by Realtor.com

Median list prices for homes in Miami, FL hit $265,000 in December 2011, a 32.50% increase from one year ago this month, and 2.32% increase from November 2011.  The national median list price in December 2011 was $188,000, a 5.03% increase compared to December 2010.

Each month, Realtor.com surveys up to 250 Metro Service Areas (MSA) throughout the nation and monitors real estate trends including consumer search behavior, median list prices on for sale homes, active inventory counts and median age of inventory. The information is released to local markets to help consumers and real estate professionals as they work together to successfully navigate their local market.

Related Articles:

Miami Dominates REALTOR.com Top Ten Turnaround Report originally appeared on Miamism on January 17, 2012.

If you are buying a Miami Beach waterfront home, you are likely to have a boat or will be considering a boat in the near future. We are constantly asked a number of questions regarding waterfront purchases and Rick and I decided to write a list of 7 important factors to consider when buying a waterfront home in Miami.

Condition of Sea wall -

It is important for anyone buying a waterfront property to get a seawall inspection by a structural engineer or a seawall specialist.  Inspections should include not only the actual seawall but also settling cracks within the main house, patios and pool as well as dock areas.  Because most canal systems in Miami and Miami Beach are artificially made or made with landfills, the integrity of the seawall could ultimately determine the integrity of the structure of the home.  Doing a visual inspection of seawalls of adjacent properties is also recommended in order to avoid future settling.

Type of waterfront property

- If you look at an aerial view of Miami and Miami Beach, you will notice that there are numerous types of waterfront properties:  lakes, rivers, canals with direct ocean access, canals with fixed bridges, canals with no ocean access, non-navigable canals, and bayfront homes, to name a few.  Depending on the type of boat you have, you will need to consider fixed bridges (clearance heights), depth of canals, and proximity to bay and or ocean access.  There are several waterfront communities in Miami and Miami Beach that have direct ocean access but you have to navigate at idle speed for miles which can mean being on your boat for a couple of hours before you can really do some boating.

Boat Dock

- it is important to inspect not only the condition of an existing dock, but also if the type of dock can accommodate your boat. There are a lot of canals in Miami with natural coral sea walls and no docks – you may not want to dock your boat next to natural coral.  If there is no dock on the property, it may be a good idea to contact DERM (Department of Environmental Resources Management) about what kind of dock they will allow in a particular canal.  DERM may even send an inspector out to the property in order to make recommendations.

Davits and/or Boat Lift

- depending on the size of the boat, most boat owners will not keep the vessel inside the water and use davits and/or boat lifts to raise the boat out of the water while not in use. Whichever your choice, make sure to inspect existing davits or make sure the existing seawall can accommodate a boat lift of your choice.

Protection from the elements

Bayfront homes are obviously the most desired type of waterfront property but can also leave your property very exposed to the elements (weather and hurricanes).  Canal front properties are said to protect not only your house, but boats as well in case of increment weather.  This doesn’t mean that you should not purchase a bayfront home, it means you should consider location when purchasing.

Location of home within a canal

- because of the intricate design of canals in Miami and Miami Beach, some canals may be comparable to dead-end streets.  These canals, depending on currents and wind may accumulate debris and garbage that can become a nuisance.  If a property is located at the end of a dead-end canal, make sure you ask about accumulation of debris throughout the year.

Insurance Costs

- just keep in mind that property insurance costs will be higher for waterfront homes, especially open bay properties.

There is nothing like owning a Miami Beach waterfront home. To be able to enjoy our beautiful weather as well as the views is priceless and it is what makes Miami Waterfront Real Estate so unique.

*originally published on Nov. 23, 2008*

Related Articles:

7 things to consider when buying a Miami Waterfront Home originally appeared on Miamism on January 14, 2012.

Another amazing capture by Diego Quiros!!  Here is a sunrise from Key Biscayne, showing the Bill Baggs State Park Lighthouse, aka “Key Biscayne Lighthouse”.  While the rest of the country is freezing cold, we are wearing shorts and flip-flops and enjoying sights like this.

….another Miamism !!

** Share your MIAMISMS and we will feature them!! send them to us via email (info@miamism.com), Facebook, Twitter (@ines), or post them on Flickr in the Miamism Group **

NOTE: this and other miamism photos are copyrighted© – contact owner for permission

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Miamism Fridays – Key Biscayne Sunrise originally appeared on Miamism on January 13, 2012.

Contrary to many people’s beliefs, buying a condo, no matter the price range, is not something you will do from one day to the next out of impulse.  Impulse buys can be shoes and purses, even cars, but real estate? seriously?

So here’s the deal, don’t visit Miami and call us to show you properties once you are here.  First of all, you are expecting us to drop what we’re doing to help you, which is not very polite, or worse yet, you think we’re just waiting for the telephone to ring.  Our team is busy! we are working with buyers and sellers and you need to give us notice to be able to gladly fit you in our schedule.  In order to have a successful business relationship, you need to value our time as much as we value yours.

Even if you are local, we will need to go through a consultation process to assess your needs and guide you in the right direction.  The consultation process takes a few days and in-depth conversations and includes, but is not limited to the following:

• Method of payment – will you pay cash or will you finance?  If you will finance, are you pre-approved and how much money will you put down?  Banks will not finance many condos, so that will discard those properties from your criteria.  Other condos require a certain amount of down payment, which will narrow down your criteria even more.  If you are not pre-approved, then that’s another process you must start immediately with a mortgage broker or bank to know how much you can afford.

• Price Range – seems silly, but how much you want to pay will determine what type of property you will buy, and that includes not only price, but maintenance, property taxes, insurance,  and other fees.

• Location – Miami is really big and price ranges differ from location to location.  You may think you can buy a certain property in South Beach, for example, to find out you need to look further North or inland.

• Amenities – these will determine how much monthly maintenance fees are and will narrow down your search if you are looking for specific amenities like Tennis Courts or in-house gym, for example.

• Proximity to places – if you want to be within walking distance to the action, to shopping or even your preferred house of worship, we need to know in advance to make appropriate recommendations.

• Maintenance Fees – this vary enormously from condo to condo!  Take Williams Island, for example, they have an island fee in addition to monthly maintenance and a minimum consumption fee.

• What your intent is with property – occupy, rent, etc.  Some condos do not allow rentals, or pets – knowing how you will utilize the condo will also help us narrow down your search criteria.

• How quickly you need to buy?  could be a 1031 exchange with deadline…will discard short sales and certain properties that take a long time for approval.

• Views – we always need to explain this – water views can be canals, bay, ocean, lake, direct, indirect ….the options are endless.

• New or fixer upper? Are you willing to do work to a condo that is in disrepair but priced right or do you prefer new buildings?

Once these questions are answered, then we will start narrowing down your choices by sending you properties.  This will give us an idea of what your style is and will help us get a better grasp for your needs.  We will also have to clear all pre-conceived notions about the local housing market….it will take time and should not be rushed because we need to gain each other’s trust.  A week or so before you visit, we will clear our schedule for you and start planning showings.  Please note that Miami rarely has lockboxes on properties and most are “listing agent accompany”, this means that coordinating appointments can take between 24 to 48 hours.

We value your business and want you to make an informed decision because we are a lot more than a taxi service and want you as clients for life, not just for a single transaction.  In addition to that, we don’t like to waste our own time if you are not serious about the purchase.   So don’t be offended if we can’t help you from one day to the next, we need to know you are committed.

Related Articles:

Visiting from out of town and want to buy a Miami Beach condo? originally appeared on Miamism on January 12, 2012.