Coconut Grove is a little closer to getting a facelift along the waterfront.  Last week, the Advisory Panel approved the project which was presented by the Sasaki Associates.  One of the main reasons for the plan is to connect the Center Grove to the waterfront.  A three story parking garage is planned with retail space on the bottom that is oriented towards boating and fishing.  The current expo center will be demolished.  The Commodore Bike Trail will be redone and connected to the whole project, and the Coconut Grove sailing club will be moved towards the US sailing center which is currently next to Kennedy Park.   Looks like Coconut Grove is about to get a facelift!     07/10/2008

Here is a picture of the Commodore Bike Trail along Main Highway in Coconut Grove.  It is 90 degrees out today, but underneath this shady canopy it feels 10 degrees cooler.  One of the reasons I love Coconut Grove....our lush foliage. 07/08/2008

Enter Bay Heights Coconut Grove Home Page   Bay Heights Homes Coconut Grove is located within the City of Miami on North side of Coconut Grove over South Miami Avenue. This well established neighborhood features 7 tree lined streets within a walled community. Bay Heights Single Family Homes also feature 24-hour patrolled service. Located just minutes from Miami International Airport and the financial and business districts of Brickell, Downtown, Coral Gables. Bay Heights is a community near public and private schools in the south Coconut Grove and Coral Gables area including Ransom-Everglades, University of Miami and Florida International University. Consisting of only 7 streets, Bay Heights is the perfect description of a centrally located and well maintained place in South Florida whe... 07/08/2008

Abitare, Camp Biscayne and Cloisters On The Bay: These luxurious gated communities are located right in the middle of Coconut Grove's Downtown District. Abitare, Gated Community in Coconut Grove Abitare is a wonderful community that consists of 21 townhouse style homes.  The canopy here is overwhelming with massive oak trees covering every inch of the sky.  The units here are multi-level and come with covered parking.  There have been 3 sales over the past two years and all sold for over a million dollars.  To view more about Abitare, this lovely gated community in Coconut Grove, and current units for sale please visit my website, The Real Estate Coconut. Camp Biscayne, Gated Community in Coconut Grove Camp Biscayne is a very prestigious private community.  The entry gate is tucked back... 07/07/2008

Real Estate Market Update for July 3, 2008 Recent Pending Sales for Coconut Grove (to view pictures of these homes, please visit The Real Estate Coconut) 4012 Bonita Avenue | List Price: $549,000 | 3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths | 2,404 square feet | This property was on the market since 12/07. 2643 Natoma Street | List Price: $1,050,000 | 4 Bedrooms, 4.5 Baths | 3,500 square feet | This property was originally listed at $1,499,000 1610 South Bayshore Drive | List Price: $579,000 | 2 Bedroom, 2 Bath | 1,788 square feet | This property sold in 6 days! Recent Closed Sales for Coconut Grove: 3222 Percival Avenue | List Price: $525,000 | Sale Price: $500,000 | 3 Bedroom, 3 Bath | 2,230 Square Feet | 5,000 Square Foot Lot 3810 Loquat Avenue | List Price: $1,399,000 | Sale Price: $1,150,000 | 4 Bedroom,... 07/03/2008

In my opinion, Coconut Grove has only 2 luxury condominum buildings: The Grovenor House and The Ritz Carlton Residences.  They are both extremely elegant, but each has its own style.  Take a look at the pictures below to get a sense of the difference between the two. The Ritz Carlton Residences, Coconut Grove Condominum (pictures below) The Grovenor House, Coconut Grove Condominum (pictures below)   In 2008, there have been 3 Sales at the Ritz Carlton Residences, and 5 sales at the Grovenor House.  To view a market analysis of these buildings go here Riley Smith Coconut Grove Real Estate Specialist www.TheRealEstateCoconut.com   07/02/2008

So you want to know what living in Coconut Grove is like?  Well you are asking the right person, I am a Coconut Grove native.  I was born in the north part of Coconut Grove, have lived in the center of town, and am now living on Bougainvillea Road in South Coconut Grove. Here is a day in Riley Smith's life as a resident of Coconut Grove: Wake up. Park my car at my office (2 minutes, and one traffic light away from my house), and walk into Greenstreet Cafe for breakfast , I always order an Iced Tea, 1/2 order of whole wheat French Toast, and fruit salad.  Picture below. Walk back to the EWM office and get started on my day. Have to run out and show one of my properties so I hop in the car.  I'm running a few minutes early so I stop by my house and visit my one year old daughter and wife.... 07/01/2008

The Coconut Grove real estate market has outperformed the rest of South Florida over the past year  While other areas have seen total home prices fall 28%, Coconut Grove has only seen a 9% decrease in prices.  This is due to the fact that we have a unique community, a stable market and not too much speculation.  But this fact has also contributed to Coconut Grove's slow home sales because people who are only concerned with price point, are going to the other less expensive areas. To read more about my analysis of the Coconut Grove Real Estate Market, click here. Riley Smith Coconut Grove Real Estate Specialist "Cracking Open The Coconut Grove Real Estate Market" The Real Estate Coconut   07/01/2008

The facts and trends are in for Coconut Grove Real Estate for May, 2008.  It seems that the market is not getting any worse and is hovering around the same data points.  Does it mean the market is bottoming out? Perhaps, although we won't know exactly when we hit bottom until we are on our way back to the top. Here are the Coconut Grove market statistics for May of 2008: 11 Closed Single Family Homes 19 Pended Single Family Homes 31 Absorption Rate for Single Family Homes 18 Months of Inventory for Single Family Homes Single Family Homes Average Price Per Square Foot is $348 For the charts on last month's numbers and information going back to March of 2007, click here. Also, for Coconut Grove Condo and Townhouse statistics click here.   Riley Smith Coconut Grove Real Estate Specialist w... 06/25/2008

Recent Pending Sales in Coconut Grove 4190 Pomona Avenue, Coconut Grove.  As I have said before, we are seeing an increase in foreclosures here in Coconut Grove.  This house on Pomona Avenue was originally listed above $1,000,000 then reduced to $475,000 by the bank, at which point my client's made an offer which was accepted.  Although it needs roughly $100,000 in renovations (the appliances and toilets are missing), it is still a great buy.  4 Bedrooms, 3 Baths.  2,151 Square Feet. Click here to see other homes that went under contract this week in Coconut Grove. Riley Smith Coconut Grove Real Estate Specialist "Cracking Open the Coconut Grove Real Estate Market" www.TheRealEstateCoconut.com   06/22/2008

With 111 three bedroom townhouses on the market in Coconut Grove, it can be very overwhelming for a buyer to narrow down his options.  I have done a little bit of research and grouped the 3 bedroom townhouses into the following categories: Townhouses With Pools, Gated Parking, Near to Children's Park and Dog Park, In Pre-Foreclosure or Foreclosure, 10 Largest, 10 Lowest Price Per Square Foot. Go here to scroll through the available 3 bedroom townhouses in Coconut Grove in the above categories. Riley Smith Coconut Grove Real Estate Specialist www.TheRealEstateCoconut.com "Cracking Open The Coconut Grove Real Estate Market" 06/20/2008

Here is a personal example of how our real estate market has changed over the last 10 years in Coconut Grove: My first transaction as a Realtor was for this house located at 4000 Kumquat Road in South Coconut Grove. I bought it for my best friends at a purchase price of $349,000 quite a few years ago.  The home is only 957 square feet inside and has 2 bedrooms and 1 bath.  Once they had a baby and needed more space we put the home for sale 1.5 years later for $545,000.  We sold it instantly for $500,000.  Those were the days! Then the owners put it back on the market at a price of $770,000 (a perfect example of sellers being completely out of touch with reality) and later reduced it to $610,000, $449,000 and then $424,000. The home is now a short-sale and is priced at $399,000, only $50... 06/18/2008

These free websites that purport to offer foreclosure information are very misleading.  I did a search on www.Trulia.com for "Foreclosures" in Coconut Grove and came up with 157 properties.  After sifting through all of them I found that 90% stated "Pre-Foreclosure" or "Lis Pendins Filed".  And only 10% were actually homes in Coconut Grove that were in foreclosure. Pre-Foreclosure is not the same thing as foreclosure, it is NOT a bank owned property.  Pre-foreclosure just means that the owners are in default on their loan, and although the property may end up in foreclosure it is not bank owned yet.  A Lis Pendins is just a lien that has been placed and recorded on a home.  It does not indicate a home in foreclosure either.  It is merely public record that a lawsuit has been filed conce... 06/16/2008

This beautiful new home in Coconut Grove is located at 3005 Washington Street.  Recently finished, this home is truly a work of art.   It is a Coconut Grove real estate masterpiece.  The home features multi-level living.  Although technically it is only 2 stories high, there are little landings scattered throughout the home.  One landing is a wet bar, another a library set amongst the treetops.  There is a guest house located on the other side of the property which has the same design and style as the main house.  The pool is free form and winds it's way from the main house to the guest cottage.  Special Details: $1,900,000 4 Bedroom, 4 Bath 4,932 square feet 7,730 square foot lot Went on market May 23, 2008 If you are not familiar with Coconut Grove, we are located about 15 minutes sou... 06/10/2008

Court blocks Coconut Grove condo towersA three-judge panel has struck down a controversial condo development planned for Coconut Grove. A proposed three-tower Coconut Grove condo project -- decried by some neighbors as an imposing behemoth and tainted by allegations of political payouts -- may never get built. In a stunning blow to The Related Group's 300 Grove Bay Residences project, a three-judge Miami-Dade Circuit Court appellate panel has nullified Miami City Hall's approval of the towers. ''This is a win for the neighborhoods, plain and simple,'' said City Commissioner Marc Sarnoff, who represents the Grove and was on the short end of the 3-2 vote approving the project. The city's April 2007 approval ran afoul of state zoning laws on several fronts, the judges ruled in a 10-page op... 05/12/2008

 I love to reccomend many of my clients to the cultural community of Coconut Grove in Miami-Dade, Florida.  Well known for it's restaurants, open air cafes, and it's also convenient for boaters because the eastern border of Coconut Grove is Biscayne Bay.  You can find some great homes for sale with some great sale prices.     05/05/2008

Grovenor House Condo Coconut Grove MiamiCondo address: 2627 South Bayshore Drive Coconut Grove 33133GROVENOR HOUSE CONDO HOME PAGE Developer: Ugo ColomboArchitect: Revuelta, Vega, Leon P.A.Description: Waterfront High RiseType: CondosUnits: 166Floors: 32Number of Bedrooms: 2,3 & 4Unit Sq. Ft. Range: 1,595 - 7,061Price Range: $700,000's - $5 millAmenities: Temperate Controlled Infinity Pool, Business Center and, Conference Room, 24 hour Concierge, Valet Parking Condominium Year Build: 2006THE GROVENOR HOUSE CONDO COCONUT GROVE FLORIDA· 166 residences · Lush tropical gardens · Private clubroom overlooking a splendid · pool deck with cabanas · Contemporary spa and fitness center · Full-time concierge · Touch-panel concierge services · Private elevator lobbies · Wine cellars · Expansive liv... 04/25/2008

About Beacon Harbour Condo Coconut Grove   Beacon Harbour Miami websiteBeacon Harbour located at 1660 South Bayshore Court in Coconut Grove.See area mapBeacon Harbour condo year built: 2003Number of Floors: 5Number of units: 10Sq. Ft. range: 3,444 - 3,812Beds: 3 - 4 / Baths: 3 - 5Price Range: $2,900,000 - $3,500,000Beacon Harbour Coconut Grove condo amenities:Gated Community - 24 hr- Monitored surveillance - Covered Parking - Pool - Gym - Jacuzzi - MarinaBeacon Harbour's elegant three- and four-bedroom residences are extremely spacious and offer up to 3,800 square feet of living space. In addition, to rooftop terraces for each penthouse, each unit features expansive, wrap-around terraces with stunning views of Biscayne Bay. A gated community, Beacon Harbour's other amenities include a 2... 02/03/2008

Condominium Name:Address:Price Range:1 GROVE ISLE CONDO   1 GROVE ISLE DR$595,000 - $1,495,0002 GROVE ISLE CONDO   2 GROVE ISLE DR$595,000 - $795,0003 GROVE ISLE CONDO   3 GROVE ISLE DR$595,000 - $795,000Bay Heights   Bay Heights DrN/ABAYSHORE PLACE   1420 S BAYSHORE DR$324,900 - $399,500BEACON HARBOUR RESIDENCES   1660 S BAYSHORE CT$3,500,000 - $3,500,000CLOISTERS ON THE BAY   3471 MAIN HWY 620$2,089,000 - $2,375,000COCO IBIZA VILLAS   3356 BIRD AVN/ACOCONUT AVENUE VILLA   2919 COCONUT AVN/ACOCONUT GROVE BAYSHORE   2575 S BAYSHORE DR$446,500 - $495,000COURTYARDS OF THE GROVE   3240 MARY ST$150,000 - $259,000DIXIE GROVE RESIDENCES   2630 SW 28N/AGROVE GARDEN   3540 MAIN HIGHWAY$499,000 - $1,999,000GROVE GATE   3299 BIRD AVN/AGROVE HILL TOWER   2645 S BAYSHORE DRN/AGROVE TOWERS CONDO   2... 02/01/2008

The Grovenor House, a 32-story luxury condominium with 151 residences near local restaurant and raw bar Monty's on Bayshore Drive, began sales in June. By mid-July three-fourths of the building had sold--at prices averaging $450 per square foot. "I got taken by surprise by the sales," Grovenor developer Ugo Colombo says.  "My plan was to sell the building as it was built." Colombo was in the sales office one Saturday morning and was shocked when they sold $5 million in condos in 45 minutes. "I think there is a demand for large units in the Coconut Grove and Coral Gables area," Colombo says. "There is no luxury building in that area." While this building has sold faster than Colombo's projects in the Brickell area, he says there is little likelihood that he will do another project in the... 02/01/2008