rick and ines: 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)

rick and ines: Real Estate Branding - Rick and Ines Style....Part III - 09/23/07 03:44 PM
Geesh!! it took me a while to get here!  Sorry for the long and drawn out explanations, but I HAD to give you some history before I got to the good stuff.
Just in case you missed them, here are the 2 previous articles:
Real Estate Branding - Rick and Ines Style Real Estate Branding - Rick and Ines Style .....continued So Miamism was born after I had already started playing with colors - orange, grey and white will be carried to everything we do - from website, to business cards, brochures......and more.
I'm not going to bore you with the details of how we chose … (57 comments)

rick and ines: Real Estate Branding - Rick and Ines Style .....continued - 09/19/07 07:44 AM
In PART I of Real Estate Branding - Rick and Ines Style, I told you how our real estate branding efforts started and gave you some examples of what we were producing.  I explained how being consistent was key to our marketing success.  Now I'd like to tell you about change.
I can't explain if it's instinct, or just luck, but after a couple of agents started utilizing our colors and we no longer stood out from the rest, I knew it was time to change.  I also have to admit that the white type on the black background was not always … (79 comments)

rick and ines: Real Estate Branding - Rick and Ines Style - 09/15/07 04:09 PM
As Realtors we need to become incredible marketing experts not only of our properties but of ourselves as well.  When marketing yourselves and your business you must think of branding and the many aspects within the "branding scope" of marketing. Diane Aurit wrote a great article about branding and how different big and small real estate companies are with regards to marketing.  The big companies are usually "firm-centric" and concentrate on marketing their brand, not each individual agent.  There are some newer models of real estate companies that encourage agent branding and called "agent-centric".
Thanks to Diane, I decided to write an article describing our branding … (52 comments)

rick and ines: A father to thank - 06/17/07 07:45 AM
One year ago today we were at a family gathering celebrating Father's Day.  It was the typical family get together except for a bit of tension floating in the air.  My dad had just had major surgery where they removed 20 inches of his colon, after being diagnosed with colon cancer.  He had started a brutal chemo therapy regime because the cancer had progressed to his liver. 
We sat there with my dad and laughed and made attempts to disguise the heavy feelings we all had inside, but I can honestly tell you that I kept questioning, in my heart, if that … (25 comments)

rick and ines: Miami's Upper East Side - 05/29/07 11:03 AM
Of course this area needed a catchy name and it is not at all unlike Manhattan's Upper East side.....well maybe it is.  But the whole concept of this area is very similar to what happened to South Beach years ago.  Some people began refurbishing old buildings, the city came in with improvements and BAM!  That's when it all got started.
Miami's Upper East side is now going through those dreaded road improvements, which will affect many local businesses, but the project is expected to be finished before the year is over.  The city improvements include roads, new drainage, new sidewalks, new street … (11 comments)

rick and ines: Perfectionist - to be or not to be - 05/15/07 07:22 AM
I have recently been accused of being a perfectionist and had to do one of those "head to the side with a puzzled look" stances.   So this prompted me to do a little soul searching to figure out whether this is a good or a bad trait to have.
Before I continue, this is the dictionary's definition of Perfectionist:
Everyone that has ever known me, including my husband, my kids my whole family, my friends and customers know this is true and have learned to expect "perfection" from me.  I have very high standards for everything I produce, services I provide, as well … (93 comments)

rick and ines: The mother I aspire to be - 05/12/07 03:44 PM
Blogging is supposed to show what we are, and although I am not a mushy person, I do want to send a short tribute to someone I adore and admire.
Mother's Day is a day that I cherish from the bottom of my heart for many reasons.  One of the people I most admire in this world is my own mother, she is my idol and I look up to her with such admiration.  My mom is the type of woman that moves mountains, that goes out of her way to help anyone in need.
Pilar has taught me respect, she has taught me … (20 comments)

rick and ines: Best Closing Gift Ever - 05/04/07 03:16 AM
Yesterday we received a closing gift from a customer, is that the best thing you have ever heard? 
I have written a couple of posts about our experience with Sara and she even commented on the posts.  When you think of the best gift and the best compliment you can get from a real estate customer the first thing that comes to mind is LOYALTY.  Well... Sara has been loyal from the get go, she has referred us business, and she has become our friend.
We started off listing her condo and being that she is a very talented photographer, she asked … (53 comments)

rick and ines: 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)

rick and ines: Miami Shores Florida - Market Conditions - 04/05/07 07:24 AM
It is a buyers' market in Miami Shores and the amount of houses for sale keeps increasing.  There have been 26 closed sales this year and there are currently 197 homes for sale.  This means that there are 22 months of inventory.
There are currently 197 single-family listings in Miami Shores:
Highest priced listing:  $3,950,000 Lowest priced listing : $299,500 Properties currently under contract:  18 Closed properties since 1/1/2007:  26 This graph shows the movement in different price ranges in Miami Shores.  Please note that the $200,000 and under market was omitted because there are no listings in that price range.  The … (6 comments)

rick and ines: 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)

rick and ines: The Pink House - Miami Shores, Florida - 03/20/07 07:21 AM

 
The Pink House is one of the best known and most photographed residences in Miami. It is a symbol of modern design. It is located in Miami Shores, on Biscayne Bay and occupies a double lot with over 100' of open bay water frontage.
Many factors make this house interesting, but its controversy has always intrigued me.  Designed by Laurinda Spear and Bernardo Fort-Bescia of Arquitectonica for Spear's parents in 1976, it's a series of planes and framed views together with clever climate-minded design which maximizes East/West breezes.
Its color statement received plenty of attention in the late 1970's when it was built.  Neighbors were disturbed by the 5 … (40 comments)

rick and ines: 758 NE 90 Street #514 - Miami, Florida 33138 - 03/19/07 04:08 AM

758 NE 90 Street #514 - Miami, Florida 33138
THE PRESERVE TOWN HOUSES - A Cornerstone Community
FOR SALE $298,000
An upscale, quiet gated community within walking distance to bank and shopping. Bright and airy with open kitchen and eat-in counter space. Sliding doors from living area open to a quiet yard, a lovely place to enjoy South Florida living. Master bedroom has excellent closet space and beautiful bath with Roman tub and separate shower. Private garage for added storage. Centrally located for access to Miami Beach, both airports, Fort Lauderdale and Coconut Grove. Also has washer and dryer inside … (11 comments)

rick and ines: Downtown Miami Shores, Florida - 03/09/07 08:09 AM
Miami Shores is known mostly as a small residential area, but Downtown Miami Shores has great businesses to be proud of.  Located on Northeast 2nd Avenue From 94th Street to 101st Street, you will find all kinds of shops and places to eat as well as medical and real estate offices.   Through the years Downtown Miami Shores has gone through changes and we expect it to get better and better, especially with the redevelopment plans taking place. 
Here are some of the places you can visit in Downtown Miami Shores:
  
New Starbucks Park Shore Drugs has been a family owned … (15 comments)

rick and ines: 9072 Dickens Avenue, Surfside - Florida, 33154 - 03/06/07 03:23 PM

9072 Dickens Avenue, Surfside - Florida
FOR SALE $ 495,000 **REDUCED**
This Surfside Home is within walking distance to the beach, Bal Harbour Shops and restaurants. It has incredible potential and is located on a quiet street, centrally located, just minutes from Miami Beach and Miami.


This house is in need of cosmetic work, but you don't have to start with a blank slate. It has a great floor-plan, a new (3-year old) flat concrete tile roof and a one-car garage. If you are a buyer who can envision a great space, don't miss this one, one of the lowest priced … (10 comments)

rick and ines: Miami Shores, Florida - Market Conditions - 03/05/07 02:20 AM
It is a full-blown buyer's market, no matter what price range you are referring to.  We have over 20 months of inventory and still very few buyers which means that as a seller you have to take the extra step to make your property stand out.  What can you do to make it stand out?  Please follow this link to read Craig Schiller's article on staging, he's a talented and successful stager in The Chicago area.  Pricing is THE most important factor when selling a property, sellers are competing with many other properties, and buyers are looking at the best priced … (5 comments)

rick and ines: Unity Day in Miami Shores, Florida - 03/04/07 07:22 AM
The annual Unity Day Celebration took place yesterday, March 3, 2007 in the Miami Shores Recreation Fields.  This year is was specially significant because it was the Village of Miami Shores' 75th year celebration!
The event was sponsored by the Miami Shores Mayor's Community Task Force and included an incredible fireworks display at 8:00 PM. 
Unity Day has activities for children of all ages, from bounce houses to slides to a rock climbing wall.  There's also plenty of food, live music and lots of community spirit.  Local organizations sponsor individual stands spread throughout the event, including The Heidi Hewes' Woman's Cancer Association, … (16 comments)

rick and ines: The waiting game - YAWNnn - 03/02/07 10:33 AM
We ALL know it is a buyers' market, but does that mean buyers have the right to keep you waiting?  Being a seller in a buyer's market means that:
you need to be flexible you need to be available you need to be VERY PATIENT   Just today, with 4 different showings this is what happened.
Showing number 1: scheduled for 12:30 PM - I called the buyer's agent to confirm and they said they were running on time.  At 12:40 PM they were still not there, when I called to see if they were close by the agent was very belligerent and told me to wait. … (22 comments)

rick and ines: Reality Check - truth hurts - 02/24/07 08:41 PM
What happens when a good friend wants to sell their home but you know they will lose money if they sell now?  Just last week we were invited to do a listing presentation by friends and neighbors.  As soon as we pulled their tax information we knew they would loose money with this transaction.
We hoped there was a discrepancy in the tax roll with regards to the size of the house, we hoped they had not put a lot of money into it, we hoped we had made a mistake and could give them the information they wanted to hear. 
Although … (24 comments)