EWM Realtors » 2008 » February

Sometimes you just HAVE to laugh…

Vicki Restivo — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 21:22:15 +0000

The people who are the MOST fun to be around are those with a sense of humor … and a propensity for laughter. Laughter is good medicine… for all of us. This ‘chuckle’ was in my e-mail inbox, from two of my eternally cheerful customers … simultaneously in the process of buying and selling real estate in Miami and closing on both within the next four weeks:

To Maintain a Healthy Level of Insanity
1. At Lunch Time, Sit In Your Parked Car With Sunglasses on and point a Hair Dryer At Passing Cars. See If They Slow Down.
2. Page Yourself Over The Intercom. Don’t Disguise Your Voice.
3. Every Time Someone Asks You To Do Something, Ask If They Want Fries with that.
4. Put Your Garbage Can On Your Desk And Label It ‘In.’
5. Put Decaf In The Coffee Maker For Three Weeks. Once Everyone has Gotten Over Their Caffeine Addictions, Switch to Espresso. 6. In The Memo Field Of All Your Checks, Write ‘For Smuggling Diamonds’.
7. Don t use any punctuation.
8. As Often As Possible, Skip Rather Than Walk.
9. Order a Diet Water whenever you go out to eat…use a serious face.
10. Specify That Your Drive-through Order Is ‘To Go.’
11. Sing Along At The Opera 12. Go To A Poetry Recital And Ask Why The Poems Don’t Rhyme.
13. Put Mosquito Netting Around Your Work Area And Play tropical Sounds All Day.
14. Five Days In Advance , Tell Your Friends You Can’t Attend Their Party Because You’re Not In The Mood.
15. Have Your Coworkers Address You By Your Wrestling Name, Rock Bottom.
16. When The Money Comes Out of The ATM, Scream ‘I Won!, I Won!’
17. When Leaving The Zoo, Start Running Towards The Parking lot, Yelling, ‘Run For Your Lives, They’re Loose!!’
18. Tell Your Children Over Dinner: ‘Due To The Economy, We Are Going To Have To Let One Of You Go.’

THIS…. is called “therapy”.

One man’s fight against junkmail…continued.

Bob Bishopric — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 20:38:24 +0000

As reported in January, I have undertaken weighing all of the junk mail and newspaper inserts delivered to our house for the entire year. Now that February is over, here are the results for the year to date:

Total weight of all mail and newspapers…181 pounds.

Total weight of junk…77 pounds or 42%.

Miami Herald has been comprised of 39% junk.

New York Times 8% junk.

US Mail 70% junk.

If things keep on this track, we’re looking at over 1,100 pounds delivered to the door over the course of the year. 440 pounds of that will be junk. But the first quarter is probably light. Just wait until Mother’s and Father Day, summer sales, back to school and of course, Thanksgiving and Christmas. I bet we’ll get to over a ton.

Does anybody know how much tree it takes to make a pound of paper?

If you’d like to know about homes in easy-living South Miami/High Pines or Coral Gables (or junk mail), contact me at bishopric.r@ewm.com or 305-401-8058. I’ll be glad to answer any questions.

Open House Sunday – March 2, 2008

ewm — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 17:26:33 +0000

Happy weekend! Sunday is right around the corner, so why not venture out to find that dream home you’ve been looking for? We have some gorgeous homes for you to visit. So come on.. let’s get you into a new home! This weeks featured areas are: Dade: Cutler Bay – Palmetto Bay – Pinecrest Broward: Southwest Ranches

Cutler Bay

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Palmetto Bay

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Pinecrest

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Southwest Ranches

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Click here to view open houses in other areas.

Also Open March 2, 2008

ewm — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 17:10:26 +0000

Looking for open houses in other areas?

Brickell – Coconut Grove – Coral Gables – Coral Ridge – Davie – East Fort Lauderdale – High Pines – Hollywood – Imperial Point/Landings – Kendall/Falls – Miami – Miramar – Plantation – South Miami – Weston

Brickell

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Coconut Grove

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Coral Gables

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Coral Ridge

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Davie

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East Fort Lauderdale

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High Pines

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Hollywood

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Imperial Point/Landings

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Kendall/Falls

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Miami

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Miramar

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Plantation

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Ponce/Davis

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South Miami

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Weston

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Number of listings edges up.

Bob Bishopric — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 15:46:29 +0000

FOR TWO WEEKS ENDING 2/29/08

Miami-Dade and Broward Counties Combined

Single Family Homes for Sale: 33,992 (up 135)

Condos, Townhomes, Villas for Sale: 48,473 (down 24)

South Miami/Coral Gables

Single Family Homes for Sale: 726 (up 18)

Condos, Townhomes, Villas for Sale: 458 (up 17)

Statistically, this is a flat reporting period. An increase of 170 or so homes for sale against the backdrop of 82,000 plus is invisible. But there remains over a 4-year inventory. Last month, only 287 homes were sold in Miami-Dade County.

Personally, I have seen some increased activity. I’m getting more open-house attendees and more phone calls on my listings. And I was fortunate enough to make a sale. The sale was instructive relative to the general market. The owner was determined to sell the property, had it appraised, had it inspected, made necessary repairs, fixed it up nicely, and, most importantly, priced it to move! If you’re a seller or want to be, those are the things you have to do to sell in this market.

If you would like any information about South Florida, easy-living South Miami/High Pines or Coral Gables homes (or how to sell your property) please contact me at bishopric.r@ewm.com or at 305-666-8686, ext 2423. I’ll be happy to answer any of your questions.

Source: SE Florida MLXchange

Pivotal word in downtown authority’s title is ‘Development’

ewm — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 20:33:06 +0000

Week of February 28, 2008

The national search by Miami’s Downtown Development Authority for an outstanding executive director will fail unless the authority’s board firmly commits to re-emphasize its own middle name: Development.

Sadly, the authority is being tugged in conflicting directions.

Its chairman, City Commissioner Joe Sanchez, wants to remake the authority as a city service agency handling citizen and merchant complaints about dirty streets and panhandlers and move it into street-front offices with city agencies that have similar duties. He plans a hands-on role to make that happen.

No top urban development leader would seek that job.

To read the remainder of this article, visit:

http://www.miamitodaynews.com/news/080228/story-viewpoint.shtml

Sapphire Shines as One Fort Lauderdale Beaches’ Best New Condo Values

Gregory Lynn Horton, Jr. P.A. — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 04:03:29 +0000

Sure there are many condos to choose from in today’s market, but not many offer the type of luxury lifestyle living you find at Sapphire.

Sapphire condos are nestled between the beautiful aqua waters of the Atlantic Ocean and Fort Lauderdale’s famous intracoastal waterway. Enjoy walks on the world renown sands of Fort Lauderdale Beach or indulge in some of the most amazing nightlife and shopping in the world. Sapphire is located just minutes from Las Olas Boulevard ( The Rodeo Drive of Fort Lauderdale ) and downtown Fort Lauderdale.

Sapphire was designed by the award winning Kobi Karp design firm. All of the residences have ample space ranging from 1456 sqft of living space to 2680 sqft living space. Pricing for a 2 bedroom condo start in the low $500’s. All of the condos come with large terraces and are equipped with the finest luxury features. Some of the luxury condo features include :

Granite Counter-tops and Back-splash
Stainless steel appliances
Contemporary European style cabinetry with choice of finishes
Stainless steel under-mount sink with designer faucet with pull out spray
Master bath includes marble countertops and flooring with designer fixtures, luxurious soaking tub, private glass enclosed shower, and under-mounted ceramic sinks

The developer, Altman, is very familiar with providing the best building amenities in the business. Sapphire is no exception, comprised of 2 towers that rise 12 stories and are absolutely full of amenities. Some of the luxurious amenities include :

Tropical sundeck with lush landscaping
A 25 meter pool with private cabanas
State of the art fitness center complete with yoga/aerobic studio, his and hers private locker rooms featuring steam rooms, spa treatment rooms and sauna
Elegant condo club room which will include a full kitchen and flat screen televisions for private parties
Professional business center with conference rooms and high speed Internet
24 hour attended lobby and valet parking as well as a 24 hour resident concierge
Housekeeping and laundry services are also available

Unbelievable incentives are now being offered for a limited time at Sapphire!! As a new owner at Sapphire you will receive the following:

A 2 year lease on a brand new Mercedes Benz convertable!
Over $30,000 in incentives!
A social membership to the Harbor Beach Marriott Resort and Spa just 4 miles South of Sapphire

For more information on Sapphire and all other condos or homes in Fort Lauderdale contact Gregory Horton.

Sunwood Condo – Under Appraised Value!

Ana Anderson, Broker/Assoc. — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 02:42:32 +0000

Unheard of $179,900 for a 2 br/1.5 bth CORNER condo at sought after Sunwood located at 4600 SW 67 Ave.

Located just blocks from Coral Gables and a couple of miles from the University of Miami, this condo is ready for your upgrades. Recent sale this month; $210,000 for a like unit!!!! Just blocks to shopping, Metro Rail, expressways, and with easy access to airport and the beaches.

Don’t miss this great opportunity to make a great investment and live in a fabulous location. Call area specialist Ana Anderson, EWM Broker/Associate 305-331-1553. Visit my site heavensenthomes.com

Sales Tax on Services Defeated

Debra Spadafora — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 21:02:32 +0000

The Taxation and Budget Reform Commission are considering two amendments which will offer all property owners about a 25 percent tax savings, and possibly a 1 percent sales tax increase to make up for local governments’ shortfall. One amendment contained the provision of a sales tax on services. The Commission voted 6-5 to remove the provision which would have allowed lawmakers to place a sales tax on services………everything from lawn mowing to lawyering.

This was another in a series of defeats for Commissioner John McKay, a former Florida Senate president, who has tried for years to revive the idea of taxing services. To read more click here.

Friday, Feb. 29: Deadline to apply for homestead exemption and tax portability

Debra Spadafora — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 20:48:41 +0000

Only 3 days remain: Friday, Febraury 29, is the deadline for homeowners to apply for a homestead exemption, and, for 2007 homebuyers it is the last day to apply for property tax portability – the right to take the tax savings from a home protected by Florida’s Save Our Homes amendment and transfer it to a home purchased last year. To read the entire story click here.