Real Estate NewsLetters Archive

Summer in the US starts with Memorial Day and ends with Labor Day in September. So the season has just started! Let’s focus together on what is hot this summer in Miami.

Quality Meats

When Quality meets Meat: the new restaurant that I would recommend this month is Quality Meats! Maybe you have already been to this Manhattan’s award-winning restaurant in New York. Well, it has decided to turn tropical for its new location in Miami Beach on Collins and 15th, with a cute outside patio.
The Executive Chef is Craig Koketsu and he has elaborated a meat-focused menu. It features variations of only of the highest quality pieces of meat: best cuts of beef, all home-treated and smoked. I went last week with a friend and definitely was not disappointed by what I ordered! I had Crab & Avocado as an entrée: it melts in the mouth! My main dish was the Aged Bone-In Sirloin of 18oz, crusted with salt and pepper, which a real masterpiece. It comes with sautéed spinachs and it is absolutely delicious.
The Chef has included a few exclusive options for this Miami location along with New York classics such as the Broccoli and Cheese Bites! The little something that makes the difference is that the waitress comes to prepare the rosemary and garlic sauce right in front of you, to pour on your meat cuts.

Inventory, prices and international buyers in Miami

Condoideas just got published in the Miami Herald… Here is an excerpt!
“The inventory is a good indicator of the real estate market: Miami Active Listings have gone from 43,000 in summer 2008 to only 18,300 in the first quarter of 2015. However, the inventory is still higher than last year when it went down to 16,879 in March 2014. Currently, investors buy single family houses after 5 months of inventory while it can go up to 9 months of inventory for condos as seen on Condoideas' website, leader in Condos sales on Miami Beach.
The real estate market remains strong as all types of properties generally get sold at over 90% of the list price. It shows that properties do not sell at full price on average but sounds reassuring regarding the overall assessment of the market by both realtors and investors.
Indeed, single family homes in Miami sell on average at 94.6% of full price after 54 days on the market. Condos just wait a little longer to find a new owner, but sell after 2 months at 93.5%. Sales at the Yacht Club at Portofino or the Icon South Beach prove this right.
As expected and observed in the past few years, South Americans come first: Venezuelans are the first international buyers in the county, followed by Argentinians, Brazilians and Colombians. 72% of international customers come from Latin America in Miami-Dade. They seem particularly interested in new developments in either Downtown or Brickell, such as Brickell City Centre where most reservations have been booked by South American investors. Then come the other neighbors from the North: Canadians. Slightly hindered by their economy, Mexicans come next. Among Europeans, the French and the Italians represent the main investors in Floridian properties, of around 13%. They are particularly fond of Miami Beach properties such as the Murano Grande. That proportion has remained quite still over the years. However, the strengthening of the dollar has had a noticeable impact. Indeed, all these countries seem to have felt the impact of the dollar, thus buying less in volume or investing in less extravagant and pricey residences.
28% of international buyers spend over $500,000 to purchase a Miami unit. Typically, they purchase high-end expansive condo units with a minimum of 2 bedrooms going up to 4 bedrooms such as the Marina Blue. A significant 9% of buyers is not only eager to but actually invest in residences that are over $1M. Such figures epitomize the reason why Miami is called “the Millionaire’s Playground”, that mostly attracts high-end buyers from all over the world. That is why projects like Armani Residences keep on blossoming and get ready for the years and the new crowd of buyers to come.”

Our secret holidays spots in Miami

Some places in Miami have remained quite unheard of but they offer plenty of ravishment! Here is my selection of summer spots!

Enjoy brunch at the Ritz Carlton in Key Biscayne by the shimmering blue pool by the ocean front. It comes with a West Indies colonial décor and lush palm gardens which make this spot the perfect holiday escape, only a few minutes away from the city.

Have a walk at the Fairchild Tropical Garden to be transported to the tropics surrounded by dozens of beautiful flowering vines. You will even notice surprising waterfalls and petite cascades. If you look up into the towering trees, you will see splendid orchids. On top, Fairchild is known to be one of the best botanic gardens in the world.

Cross Matheson Hammock Park Garden to reach the historic coral rock building of the Red Fish Grill. The park is great to relax and wander by the numerous ponds. The Marina is close by, with a sandy beach and a a natural atoll pool, you can even sail with the pros of the Castle Harbor Sailing School

Sit by the Ladurée Café that has opened its summer terrace on Lincoln Road. Not only do they do the world's best macarons with about 16 different flavors, they now do sorbet. My favorite is the rose and strawberry sorbet! The miniature Marie-Antoinette style boutique will also feature a champagne bar and serve hot drinks.

Sip a cocktail on the Standard Hotel’s deck, one of the most magical spot in South Beach. After having indulged in their hydrotherapy spa, I am sure you will love a fresh juice or the Botanist, a concoction of cucumber, lime and gin as it is truly refreshing!

Stroll by the South Pointe Pier to have a great view of South Beach and the incoming ships. It is a nice breezy walk on this newly renovated pier.

Launch of Gran Paraiso

Jorge Perez tells us to imagine the ultimate in terms of contemporary European design and luxurious amenities in an exquisitely landscaped Bayfront location. They are designed by the renowned Piero Lissoni. Between sophistication and the accent on outdoor living. The Beach Club dining is managed by Michael Schwartz who is already a master known for taking care of the restaurant of the Raleigh Hotel in Miami Beach. The garden and pool terraces are drawn by Enzo Enea. To sum it up, Jorge Perez has once again gathered the cream of the crop for a super project.
It is a 53-story tower of 317 exclusive residences all with private elevator access. The 8ft wrap-around terraces offer breathtaking views on Biscayne Bay. For the art lovers, there is a permanent installation of curated art throughout the building's public spaces. With a list of always more breathtaking amenities, Gran Paraiso will satisfy the luxury-seekers: infinity-edge heated swimming pool, outdoor spa, pool-side cabanas, summer kitchen area, jogging circuit, gardens and beautifully landscaped sun terrace to quote a few!