Location, Location, Location
July 9th, 2010 Categories:Coral Gables Real Estate
Check out what you can get in Coral Gables for $500,000 vs. what you can buy in Pembroke Pines for the same price.
Coral Gables: 931 Roderigo Avenue | 3 Bedroom, 2 Bath | 1,983 Sq. Ft. Living Area | 6,231 Sq. Ft. Lot
VS
Pembroke Pines: 15220 Laurel Lane | 5 Bedrooms, 3 Baths | 3,492 Sq. Ft. Living Area | Lot Unknown
Which seems like a no brainer, but then you’d live here….
As opposed to here.
Only 3 Sales All Year In Deering Bay, Could Association Fees Be The Problem?
July 7th, 2010 Categories:Coral Gables Condos
The market in Deering Bay has been very slow this year. There are currently 20 units on the market and there have only been 3 sales all year. None of the units for sale or that have sold are in distress. Although the value is very good in Deering Bay right now (3 bedrooms selling under $800,000) buyers looking in this price point are typically not able to swallow their high association fees.
First sale was in the Siena Building, it was a 3 bedrooms/3 baths with 2,282 square feet of living space. It was listed at $995,000 and sold for $927,500.
The second unit that sold was in the Padua Building, this was also a 3 bedrooms/3 baths with 2,980 square feet of living space. It was listed at $799,000 and sold for $720,000.
The final sale was located in the Venice Building which also sold for $720,000. This unit featured 3 bedrooms/2 baths with 2,700 square feet of living space.
To view a list of all condos currently for sale in Deering Bay, please click here.
If you are interested in buying, selling, building or renting in Coral Gables and are looking for a real estate agent who specializes in the area, please feel free to contact me at 305.342.1623 or send me a note here.
Price My House Within 5% Of My Bottom Line? YES!
July 7th, 2010 Categories:Coral Gables Real Estate
If you follow this blog you know that homes in Coral Gables are selling. But we still see some homes that sit on the market for months without a contract. Why aren’t they getting offers? There are 3 simple reasons: PRICE, PRICE and PRICE.
There is a myth out there that you have to build in an extra cushion to leave some negotiating room for those low ball offers. But the truth is that the closer you price your home to its true value the more offers you will get and the higher the offers will be. Buyers these days are very educated about the market and if they are a “real” buyer they will not low-ball a seller because they don’t want to lose the house to another buyer. If it is priced right it will sell quickly and buyers know that.
Take a look at these recent Coral Gables homes which sold very close to asking price:
830 South Alhambra Circle | List Price: $2,499,000 | Sale Price: $2,400,000
61 Riviera Drive | List Price: $1,499,000 | Sale Price: $1,450,000
816 Castile Avenue | List Price: $1,165,000 | Sale Price: $1,085,000
If you are interested in buying or selling real estate in Coral Gables and are looking for an experienced local realtor, please do not hesitate to contact me at 305.342.1623 or send me a note here.
Coral Gables Like An Oxford Shirt?
June 30th, 2010 Categories:Coral Gables Real Estate
Everyone knows that the City of Coral Gables has some very strict zoning codes regarding everything from the color of your house to your landscaping. They even go so far as to restrict the type of car that is parked in front of the house (better keep that pickup truck in the garage!). But all of these rules and codes are one of the reasons that Coral Gables is desirable to many people. They like the clean, crisp and tailored look that the Gables has to offer.
Just on the other side of the highway from Coral Gables is Coconut Grove where zoning is practically non-existent. For comparison sake, the feeling of the Gables is similar to an oxford shirt that you just picked up from the dry cleaners while Coconut Grove reminds me of my favorite boat shoes (casual, comfortable and broken in). Wondering what you can and can’t do in Coral Gables? Here is their “Citizens Guide To Code Enforcement“.
Living in either area is a matter of personal taste and it only takes a quick drive around both neighborhoods to figure out which vibe you prefer.
If you are interested in buying or selling real estate and are looking for a local agent to assist you, please don’t hesitate to contact me on my cell at 305.342.1623 or send me a note here.
Is “Old Spanish” Your Style? Coral Gables Is The Place For You
June 25th, 2010 Categories:Coral Gables Real Estate
Coral Gables has more “Old Spanish” style architecture than anywhere in South Florida. In fact, it is hard to drive down a street in the Gables that does not have at least one Old Spanish home or building. People seem to gravitate towards them because they are so charming and have a feeling of warmth that other styles do not. Characteristics of Old Spanish architecture include stucco walls and chimneys, low pitched barrel tile roofs, arched windows, arched hallways, courtyards, terra cotta flooring and accents, iron trim, double hung windows and canvas awnings. To view a list of several Old Spanish style homes that are currently for sale in Coral Gables, click here.
If you are interested in buying or selling real estate in Coral Gables and are looking for an experienced local realtor, please do not hesitate to contact me at 305.342.1623 or send me a note here.
Coral Gables Real Estate Update
June 23rd, 2010 Categories:Coral Gables Real Estate
The house (photo above) I mentioned awhile back in a post titled Homes For Sale Near The University of Miami Campus closed this week for a price of $495,000 ($244.00 a foot). The property was listed by EWM Realtors. That brings this month’s sold homes in Coral Gables to 24 (to view a list of these properties please click here.) This month the average price per square foot of homes sold in the Gables is running $248.00 a foot.
As you can see from the above chart, the average price of homes for sale in Coral Gables continues to be out of line with the current demand of buyers. The chart shows that the average list price is $2,000,000+ while the average price of homes selling is $747,000.
If you are interested in buying or selling real estate in Coral Gables and are looking for an experienced local realtor, please do not hesitate to contact me at 305.342.1623 or send me a note here.
Looking For Some Green Space In Coral Gables?
June 21st, 2010 Categories:Coral Gables Real Estate
For golfers there certainly is a lot of green space to be found in Coral Gables. However if you are looking for the kind of grass where you can let your kids run free, check out these great outdoor spaces.
Fairchild Tropical Gardens tops the list for us as Coral Gables most beautiful green space – whether its a picnic on one of the sprawling lawns, a walk through the butterfly garden or a trip into the “rainforest”, Farichild Gardens is the largest and most colorful outdoor space in the Gables. Tip: Buy an annual membership and you get free entry and/or discounts to many of their events including The Ramble, The Mango Festival, The Orchid Festival and The Chocolate Festival!
Coral Gables also has some great public parks that are worth checking out. Two of my favorites are Jaycee Park on Hardee Road and Sunrise Park off of Douglas Road. I have been playing basketball at Jaycee Park with the same group of guys every week for as long as I can remember. It is never crowded and has plenty of shade. Sunrise Park was recently renovated with new awnings, equipment and picnic tables, it is also a favorite of my 3 year old daughter.
If you are interested in buying, selling, renting or building in Coral Gables and are looking for a local realtor please don’t hesitate to contact me at 305.342.1623 or send me a note here.
Plenty Of Good Inventory Under $500,000 In Coral Gables
June 8th, 2010 Categories:Coral Gables Real Estate
We are working with many clients who want to buy in Coral Gables for under $500,000. They have been pleasantly surprised by the amount of updated homes to choose from. Check out this one that has been very nicely remodeled. It is located at 1308 Milan Avenue with 2 bedrooms, 1 bath on a 5,250 square foot lot priced at $403,000. There is a 1 car garage and plenty of room for a pool in the backyard. Listed by Coldwell Banker.
To view a complete list directly from the MLS of all homes available in Coral Gables under $500,000 please click here.
If you are interested in buying or selling real estate in Coral Gables please don’t hesitate to contact me at 305.342.1623 or send me a message here.
Vacant Land In Gables Estates Goes Under Contract – $15,700,000
June 3rd, 2010 Categories:Coral Gables Real Estate
A 2.5 acre lot in Gables Estates went under contract yesterday, it was priced at $15,700,000 ($141.00 per foot). As you can see it is a spectacular piece of land located on a canal that has direct access to Biscayne Bay. The land features 500 feet of seawall.
If you are interested in buying or selling real estate in Coral Gables and are looking for an experienced local realtor, please do not hesitate to contact me at 305.342.1623 or send me a note here.
Cocoplum’s Waterways – Mangrove Trees and Manatees
June 1st, 2010 Categories:Coral Gables Waterfront Properties
Over the Memorial Day weekend I took some friends out on the boat for some swimming and sightseeing. Being a realtor, one of my favorite things to do is to tour the Coral Gables waterways and see the homes from a different perspective. Yesterday we decided to hit the ”back-country” of Cocoplum. While the homes on Tahiti Beach have direct Bay views and are obviously more prestigious, the homes that are located on the canals have a serenity and peacefulness about them that is hard to find in Miami. These homes offer views of the lush mangrove trees, a bit of Florida wildlife, and the serene waters you see in the photo above. Although we didn’t happen to see any this trip, it is not uncommon to see the whiskers of a manatee poking his head up for a breath of fresh air, or a great Egret perched in one of the mangroves.
If you are interested in buying or selling real estate in Coral Gables and are looking for an experienced local realtor, please do not hesitate to contact me at 305.342.1623 or send me a note here.
