miami realtors: Miamism Interview - WSVN Channel 7 - Saint For Sale - 01/18/08 03:49 PM
Back in August 2006, I wrote a short blog post referencing a Realtor Magazine Article that talked about imploring higher powers to sell real estate. Most people that know me will tell you that I am spiritual and I found it interesting that sellers were looking for non-conventional and mystical help to sell their properties. Here's that article:
 
Little did I know what that blog post would turn into. I was contacted by a Channel 7 producer last week telling me that she had found my "St. Joseph blog post" and would like to interview me and possibly one of … (44 comments)

miami realtors: NAR opening their eyes to Blogging - 01/12/08 03:50 AM
Look who I found yesterday in non other that NAR's Magazine?
I don’t know about you, but it feels good when I open a random article by NAR and actually know who they are talking about. Although they are covering Inman’s Real Estate Connect (it only seems right), it was great that Brian Brady and Dustin Luther were featured. They are 2 good guys that I look up to and like their style.

Take a look at the article:
Bloggers Debate Best Way to Attract Consumers
They both present interesting strategies for blogging successfully and although there is no right or … (59 comments)

miami realtors: Miamism's first Guest Blogger - 07/28/07 04:55 PM
For those of you who have an outside blog or who visit the real blogosphere, you may have noticed that guest blogging is pretty popular.  There are many reasons to invite someone to appear as a guest in your blog, but mainly it has to do with getting a different perspective for your readers.
If you are a Realtor, it may benefit you to have a mortgage broker, a stager, an appraiser or any other real estate service provider write an article in your blog in order to give your readers a complete perspective of our industry.  You can also invite another Realtor in order to reinforce a topic … (40 comments)

miami realtors: North Miami Beach Restaurant - Scorch Grillhouse and Winebar - 07/25/07 02:32 PM
I've been meaning to tell you about Scorch, one of our favorite restaurants, for some time now because it is definitely worth the visit.  We actually come here on a regular basis not only because the food is superb, but because we love the atmosphere and the owners are awesome (and they are always there to greet you).

The story of Scorch is not an easy one because the place opened in 2004 in a location where several restaurants had gone belly up.  How do you break the curse of a place that is just bad for business??  Well......I guess it … (19 comments)

miami realtors: Condo Hotels - pros and cons - Part I - 07/20/07 06:57 AM
I can't sit here and paint a perfect picture about condo-hotels because it wouldn't be me.  The condo-hotel concept has become a very popular trend mostly because of the incredible vacation and urban destinations as well as the resort-style luxuries that these have to offer, especially when luxury hotel chains back these up. Wouldn't you be prone to investing in a project that includes Marriott, Four Seasons or even Ritz-Carlton?.....that's what I call bringing "credibility" to the closing table.
The concept does have risks for both the developer and the condo buyer and it has to do with the way the … (23 comments)

miami realtors: Educated low ball offers - 06/07/07 05:35 AM
We just received an offer that was $200,000 under listing price for one of our miami waterfront listings.  We are required to present all offers by law but went ahead and asked the cooperating real estate agent if she had done research on the house and pulled comps, or if this was an investor who just submitted blind low ball offers hoping someone would bite.
The real estate agent's response was that she had pulled comparables and it was a great offer.  We asked that she please send us the addresses of those comps to see what she was looking at, … (43 comments)

miami realtors: Miami's HOT LIST - 04/28/07 06:54 AM
Every year, our biggest newspaper, The Miami Herald, asks readers to vote on the Hottest places, things and events in South Florida and I thought I would share a couple of these.
BEST CAFE CUBANO - (for those of you that are non-Spanish speakers it means Cuban Coffee:  a type of espresso stirred with sugar to create an incredible froth....you need to taste it to understand it). - Versailles is located at 3555 SW 8th Street in Miami - I often stop by this place to have my fix of "cafe Cubano" and must tell you is not so much the coffee but the atmosphere of the … (35 comments)

miami realtors: Architecture and Real Estate - how do these 2 work together - 04/25/07 02:20 PM
Ardell DellaLoggia  who I admire a great deal, had no idea that I was an architect and asked how I incorporate my architecture background into our Real Estate Business.  So here it is Ardell, thanks for asking:
I graduated with a bachelor's degree in architecture from the University of Miami, and hence all the Hurricane stuff you see me with.  I worked with a couple of big firms both locally and abroad and then started my own architecture firm doing additions and remodelings in Miami Shores.  I did several projects, including the design of the Brockway Memorial Library addition in Miami Shores, … (31 comments)

miami realtors: Relay for Life - Purple Pelican Nesting sites in Miami Shores - 04/03/07 03:57 PM
I am proud to have been in charge of nesting 2 Purple Pelicans for the month of March for Relay for Life in Miami Shores.
What is Relay for Life?  - As explained by Tammy Austin, sponsorship Chair 2007, "It is a unique event that is more a celebration than a fundraiser. The event recognizes cancer survivors and remembers those who did not survive the fight against cancer during this celebration of life that is enhanced by food, entertainment, and activities for all ages." It is an overnight event designed to celebrate survivorship and raise money for research and programs of the American … (9 comments)

miami realtors: 1201 NE 98th Street, Miami Shores - Florida 33138 *IMPROVED PRICE* - 04/01/07 03:31 PM

1201 NE 98th Street - Miami Shores, Florida 33138
FOR SALE - $ 785,000
Architect's corner 1950's home is the perfect example of FORM meets FUNCTION, with large rooms and lots of closet space. This house sits on a great street East of Biscayne Boulevard, 1 block away from the bay. It has a new roof, updated electrical, updated kitchen with stainless steel appliances and Corian counters. Great-Room perfect for entertaining open up to beautiful new pool with spa and tumbled marble decking surrounded by tropical landscaping. Other features include hurricane impact French doors, hurricane shutters, converted garage serves as 4th bedroom and … (18 comments)

miami realtors: Pinch me - is this for real? - 01/12/07 04:46 AM
I had a very disturbing conversation with an agent this morning.  We have the lowest priced listing in a condo and although not priced bellow the closed sales in the last 6 months; it's priced bellow the average of the closed sales.  We received a low-ball offer (80% bellow the lowest sale in the building) and the sellers countered bellow the lowest closed sale and were still willing to negotiate a bit, within reason.
Just to prep you:  This is not a short sale; this is not a desperation sale.  The sellers already moved, and would like to sell this unit, but don't need … (30 comments)

miami realtors: Eating at Houston's in North Miami Beach, Florida - 01/08/07 11:12 AM
Houston's is a chain of restaurants that can be found throughout the United States.  It is known for the great steaks and healthy side dishes like asparagus, baked potatoes, eggplant, etc.  Every time we visit one of these restaurants, they are packed with people and you can expect to wait for a table.  It also has a full bar and the architecture and interior design of each establishment, although similar in style, is unique and welcoming.
We have gone to the North Miami Beach Houston's a couple of dozen times but need to tell you about our last visit.  Rick and I … (39 comments)

miami realtors: The day we did not show up - 01/07/07 01:07 PM
Ok my friends, I have a dilemma that I must share and need help with.  After sitting down to do our yearly business plan and deciding what changes to make, I realized that I had one goal that I had written down last year and it never became concrete.
For all of you that know me, even the ones that know me a little bit, you know that when I set my mind to do something, not only do I do it, but I do it well.  How could I have written down a goal and totally forgot about it? How … (40 comments)

miami realtors: 312 NE 90th Street - El Portal, Florida 33138 - SOLD! - 01/06/07 08:30 AM

312 NE 90th Street - EL PORTAL, Florida 33138
FOR SALE - $514,900
This corner house has incredible charm and is in need of work. It has a split bedroom plan with 2 bedrooms and a bathroom on one side and third bedroom with a bathroom on the other. It has separate 1bedroom/1 bath in-law quarters and a big lot with plenty of room for pool. Original bathrooms are in great condition, Hardwood floors throughout have been protected with carpeting, great Florida Room with quarry tile floors, original kitchen with lacquered cabinets.
  
Is this house in need of Staging?    Could this house be considered … (51 comments)

miami realtors: ART BASEL Miami Beach - International Art Show. - 12/05/06 06:57 AM
In Miami Beach from December 7th-10th - Miami Beach Convention Center
This is an incredible opportunity to see ART, ART, ART!!!  Art like you have never seen before.  From a portrait of Jacqueline Picasso, which has not been displayed over 40 years worth over $4.5 million, to a 2,000 lb black marble statue by Henry Moore worth about $11.5 million, to Miros, Chagalls, Margrittes, Jackson Pollocks....just to name a few.  The most incredible exhibitions that take your breath away.
   
Courtesy MCH Swiss Exhibition (Basel/Zurich) AG
Art Basel Miami Beach is an international art show and is the sister event of Art Basel … (12 comments)

miami realtors: Then, Now and WHEN? - 11/23/06 01:46 PM
We've seen a couple of posts about our lives some years back and it is always so entertaining to see everyone's photos.  Starting with Maureen Francis & Dmitry Koublitsky's Time for True Confessions , and also Jeff Belonger's How those years fly by. What did you look like 20 years ago...???  
I decided to look at Rick and me 14 years ago at our wedding and see if there's such a huge difference - Judge for yourself, other than my huge eyebrows and Rick having a little more hair, I don't think the change is that huge.
So maybe physically we have … (23 comments)

miami realtors: Buying Real Estate- basic guidelines for success - 11/18/06 05:01 AM
As a buyer you have the same rights to representation as a seller. When selling, you do not hesitate to hire a professional for their expertise, knowledge and representation in handling the sale of your property. So why wouldn't you feel the same way about hiring a professional when buying? - To represent your needs in purchasing a property.
First you must find a Realtor in the area you are looking to purchase. Ask friends and family about their experiences, get on the Internet and research different agents, Active Rain is a great way to find agents throughout the nation and … (11 comments)

miami realtors: Southeast Florida and Miami-Dade County - Enjoy Miami. - 10/28/06 02:43 AM

 
When you think of South East Florida, you think “MIAMI” , but Miami-Dade County is made up of numerous cities.  From the southern most city of Homestead  all the way north to  Aventura, there are approximately 40 miles.  Here’s a brief overview of Miami, Miami Beach, and our cherished Miami Shores.
 
Miami  is known as the "Magic City" and is recognized for its diverse culture and ethnicities.  Miami, also known as the Gateway to Latin America attracts a tremendous amount of foreign born people and is recognized worldwide as an international hub.  There is always something to do in Miami.  Miami has been the host of many special events  … (11 comments)

miami realtors: Relo companies - What's in it for me - 10/10/06 02:19 PM
I don’t know how many of you do relocations but can tell you that these can be extremely frustrating at times.  Some people specialize in relocations and some others avoid them at all cost.  For newer agents, it’s a great way to get your feet wet, but get ready to work triple time.
Relocation companies usually require that a home owner interviews 3 different agents from 3 different brokerage companies, and then make a decision based solely on presentation (you are not supposed to discuss price – but what owner is going to choose an agent without discussing the single most important … (5 comments)

miami realtors: Pie anyone? - 09/28/06 10:03 AM
Something happened to my husband today that I need to share. (He should be writing this, but oh well). He received a phone call at the office from someone looking for an ex-real estate agent from our office and he decided to try to help the gentleman. To make a long story short, this gentleman wants to sell 2 commercial properties valued at approx. $3 million each.
Rick immediately found the number of the ex-agent who left the industry to move to California to tell him that his customer had called, and wanted to know if he still had a valid … (39 comments)