Yea thats right, listen closely because thats opportunity knocking! There are some real good deals on Miami Beach these days. I remember a few years back when I would get calls and a buyer would want to spend about $500,000 on a property. I was so busy holding back my laughter that I never got their name and number. So if you’re out there, I am no longer laughing and I have a paper and pencil ready to write down your name, number, e mail address,  your kids birthday, …… But seriously, there is a foreclosure at

4320 Post Ave., Miami Beach. 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, built in 1935, hard wood floors throughout, granite kitchen counters, garage conversion, and a nice yard. The asking is $403,900. I think its a great opportunity at a great location. Knock, knock!

5383 Alton Rd, knock, knock! Fab house on the golf course with guest house, fully renovated, gorgeous pool. Usually not a fan of AltonRd but this house is a winner. The front door is on 53 st with easy access onto the road, you don’t even know you are on Alton!  Asking $825,000….make an offer.

We all know the short sale process is a pain in the —( neck) but if you have the patience you can get a really good deal. Watch out, some of the photos can be misleading. The house looks fantastic from the pictures and you get all excited until you get to the house and boy what a dump!!!! Sometimes those good deals aren’t such good deals! So, if you have any questions or need any info please don’t hesitate to give us a call. Remember, “experience is priceless”.

In todays Miami Herald (Wed. June 20) an article in the business section written by Kimberly Miller says that 40% of home sales in the state are foreclosures! In Miami Dade County (or Wade County if you’re a Heat fan) 47% of all home sales were foreclosures. Its interesting to compare that in 2005 less than 1% of Florida home sales were foreclosures. By 2007 it was 4% and last year it was 38%. Don’t fret, Florida wasn’t even in the top three states for distressed home sales. Arizona came in third with 50%, California came in second with a respectable 51%, and the winner (or loser) was Nevada with a whooping 64%.  Nationally 93,777 homes were foreclosed on in May. In Florida it was 10,491 who lost their homes during that same month.  There should be more inventory on the horizon, and where it stops, nobody knows!

Miami Beach Real Estate: Fun Fact and Info

This is interesting……The average sq. footage in new single family homes have gotten bigger and bigger over the years, until recently. In 2007 the average home was 2521 sq. ft but in 2009 it was 2438 and still shrinking! Also, there was a time when a majority of new homebuyers wanted 2 story homes. The whole grand entrance down the stairwell thing, kids running up and down (how Norman Rockwell), and the exercise! In 2006 57% of the homes were 2 story and now (2009) they only represent 53%. People are now looking at one story homes as more practical and less exhausting. Who needs a gym membership when you have a 2 story home!

FYI….they have extended the tax credit for first time home buyers. If you were under contract by April 30, you had to close by June 30 in order to receive the $8,000 credit. As of Wednesday, June 16, they have extended that deadline until September 30 (my birthday) to close! The banks are backed up and there’s this nonsense with the federal flood insurance program. Its always something!

Nevin Shapiro another ponzi schemer (these guys are too much) has his house on the market at 5380 North Bay Road, Miami Beach. In February of this year it was on the market for a 10.5 million but it has been reduced to a mere 5.9 million. Its the best buy on the water on North Bay Road with over  6400 interior sq. footage, pool, totally renovated, and almost 80 feet on the wide bay.  The government is seizing and selling his assets. I always wonder with these guys, how much is enough? Can you possibly drive 8 cars at one time or live in 5 different houses or wear all that jewlery? What are they thinking? Hey, this isn’t the 90’s! You’re better off driving a smart car. Now thats impressive!

Look out Florida…here comes Arizona. I don’t mean cactus and cowboy boots but the Arizona immigration law. Republican leaders have begun to craft an anti immigration law which would allow police to ask suspects for their legal residency. They say they are trying to encourage legal immigration, but is that what it really does? This has become an issue that has  everyone talking and everyone has an opinion. Whats yours?

Kudos to all those who took part in the Hands Across the Sand this past weekend. This was a peaceful demonstration against offshore drilling and for renewable energy sources. There were groups throughout Miami Beach. They were on 13th street as well as 50 st and joined 24 countries who were participating in this project.

4331 Sheridan Ave. This is a 4bedroom 3.5 bath house built in 1925 and was taken down to the rafters and rebuilt. It was done in the best of taste with the finest materials. Every detail is sheer perfection. Gorgeous and private heated pool, gourmet kitchen, fab living and dining room, exquisite landscaping.  It is available for rent at $6900 per month fully furnished or for sale at 1,300,000. You heard right 1.3. It is not for the bargain hunter, tire kicker, short sale/foreclosure expert,  but for the person looking for a home where no expense was spared and they are ready to enjoy the architectural detail and luxury this home offers. Its easy to show so give a call!

According to the Miami Herald article written June 17,2010 by David Smiley, backers of a petition to decriminalize marijuana are hoping Miami Beach will be as progressive as Seattle and Breckinridge, Colorado. The Committee for Sensible Marijuana Policy announced a drive to get signatures to support a proposed amendment that would make “personal” possession of marijuana in Miami Beach a civil code violation. In other words, you get a fine, no jail time! The group is hoping to get enough signatures by Aug. 20 so it can go on the November ballot. They need about 4200 signatures and so far they have 80!  The group feels they will have better luck in Miami Beach than any other city in Florida, you think! Of course this is such a preliminary thing and everyone has a say.  Mayor Matti Bower  said she would not support a change to the city’s code. Well its up to you, the registered voters of Miami Beach. Is this something the city wants or needs? A lot of people feel the police, attorneys, and jails are bogged down with criminal charges for personal pot possession  and their time could be better spent. What are you views? Does it hurt the city? Help the city? Affect Real Estate values? Or who really cares? Let us know what you think.

Hi there!  Lets start off with some good news…… the good news is Alex Rodriguez (a.k.a. A -Rod) just purchased waterfront lots on North Bay Road on Miami Beach for over 7 million dollars. The bad news is, he did not buy them from me!! But in general, mid Beach single family homes have been active.  In the last 3 months there has been 29 closed sales and 28 properties are currently pending. Keep in mind, this is only mid Beach.

Please take a moment and watch this video. It will really shed some light on the short sale saga and it is short and very informative. Watch and let me know what you think………

Loan Mods not working?? I may have the answer!