We started on the back of the Tour Course at Weston Hills Country Club. Candy, Dede, myself and  we were later joined by Shelley at the 15th hole.  Playing a game called “skins”, I hadn’t won a single one until after we made the turn and played the 3rd hole.

As Candy steps up to the tee box, she says, “I feel like a hole-in-one today.  She hits her shot and as we’re watching, the ball hits the flagpole and rolls past the hole.  That was pretty exciting in itself, especially since she had just made that comment. Then…. I step up to the tee box, using my Callaway pitching wedge and a Ladies Pinnacle ball, I take my swing and watch the ball flying high.  It hits the green once and goes right into the hole!  I couldn’t believe my eyes.  We all started jumping and screaming like a bunch of silly girls. The excitement was so incredible, I wished that I had the whole experience on video.  Watching my girlfriends react and the total shock of it all, was a captured moment I don’t think I’ll ever forget.  I still can’t believe it.  My first Hole-in-One!

No expense spared on this customized and luxurious PH. From the moment you enter you will be mesmerized by the sweeping views of ocean everywhere! Offering a 4,600 sf roof terrace with heated pool, spa, shower, bath, outside bed, complete summer kitchen with refrigerator, stereo system, security cameras and breathtaking ocean views. Luxurious master suite, lux bath includes steam shower, Jacuzzi,  walk-in closets and wrap terrace for every day enjoyment of our fabulous sunsets…Exquisite Lalique fixtures, inserts throughout, gourmet island kitchen, double subzero wine coolers, private elevator, guest room, high ceilings, den/office/bedroom, sitting room with wet bar,  and all the amenities offered by I’l Villaggio a full service condominium: Valet, concierge, 24hr security, private beach lounges with beach and pool attendants, two-story fitness center, sauna, oceanfront promenade and community room.

Moments to downtown Miami, beaches, Brickell Business District, Seaport and 15 minutes to International Airport and all of Miami Beach amenities.

Carole Smith wins Best Agent Website award

November, 2008 – Real estate professionals working in luxury home markets gathered to see how their marketing techniques compare to the best in the business at Leaders in Luxury (LIL), a networking symposium for upper-tier Realtors held earlier this month in Miami.  Carole Smith of Esslinger, Wooten and Maxwell, Inc. was recognized at the meeting as the national award winner for Best Agent Website.  Smith’s entry was chosen by an advertising agency executive from Dallas-based Brand Agent and judged on the quality, creativity, and appropriateness for the luxury niche.

Hosted annually by The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing (ILHM), Leaders in Luxury is an exclusive, invitation-only educational and networking opportunity for real estate agents who work in the million dollar plus housing market.

According to Smith, “Attendance at Leaders in Luxury is important to an upper-tier professional’s success. With the current real estate market, I have to be proactive to stay on top of market conditions. By networking with the best in the business, sharing ideas, and learning about the latest trends and outlooks, I can help my affluent clients find success where others are finding challenges.”
“LIL registration is limited to about 100 top luxury agents,” said Laurie Moore-Moore, Founder of The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing (ILHM), “to give our attendees the opportunity to build an exclusive network of luxury agents, while sharing with the best in the business. Since competency is the key to working successfully with the luxury buyer and seller,” added Moore-Moore, “Leaders in Luxury is designed to provide attendees with important knowledge and insights, giving them a competitive edge in meeting the needs of the affluent.  Carole Smith is a great example of the quality of real estate professional this event attracts.”

Leaders in Luxury is an invitation-only meeting hosted annually by The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing (ILHM).  The event is for agents who work in the million and multi-million dollar housing market. The Institute is the premier training and membership organization for luxury home real estate professionals internationally. www.LuxuryHomeMarketing.com.

Oasis is a gated community within 7 blocks from Coral Gables, easy ride to University of Miami (U of M), near Dadeland Mall , expressways, Metrorail, and easy access to Miami International Airport And best of all Oasis is pet friendly, even big dogs are welcomed!

Unit K-11 is conveniently located near one of two sparkling pools. At $1590/mo it is the best deal in town! It is the largest model, boasting 1,349 sq.ft., updated kitchen with granite counter tops & new appliances, 2.5 UPDATED baths, granite tops & designer colors, huge master bedroom for a total of 3 bedrooms, one with a balcony, Pergo wood floors throughout and the biggest bonus; a washer/dryer in the unit! Private Courtyard w/2 assigned parking spaces, one right in front and another just steps away.
Don’t miss this great opportunity to live at popular, sought after Oasis.

For all your real estate needs visit my website: heavensenthomes.com

Welcome to Aventura

Aventura is an upscale community of condominiums and single family homes.  It has some of South Florida’s best known condominium projects and apartment buildings.  Aventura Mall, restaurants and movie theatres are all nearby.  Located midway between Miami and Fort Lauderdale and on the Intracoastal Waterway, Aventura is a perfect location.  Aventura is approximately 3.2 square miles along the intracoastal in northeast Miami-Dade county.   It’s conveniently located between two major airports and two of the largest and most popular seaports in the world.  Aventura has a diverse demographic base and is recognized internationally as a premier location to live, shop and play.

The City was incorporated in 1995 and since then millions of dollars have been spent on infrastructure improvements including streets, sidewalks, lighting, park development, beautification projects, drainage, pedestrian and safety improvements.  Some of these improvements include:

• state-of-the-art goverment center which houses all governmental operations, commission chambers, police station and administrative offices
• a community/recreation center with 25,000 square feet that includes a gym, meeting rooms, computer lab, exercise and aerobic facilities
• the first municipal run charter school in Miami-Dade county

There’s always something happening in Aventura and the City offers athletic programs, community recreation center programs and special events for all ages.

Enjoy a day of shopping at The Waterways Shops

A shuttle bus system is available to all Aventura residents.  The Aventura Express as it’s called has five routes to connect you to shopping and all places you need to go. 

The City of Aventura’s office newsletter, Aventura Update, is published througout the year to inform the residents of Aventura.

2000 Census info for Aventura, FL

Leave a comment below and let me know when you plan to visit Aventura, FL

St. Mark’s Episcopal School is a private Christian School located in Ft. Lauderdale. It caters PK3 through 8th Grade. St. Mark’s is situated on beautiful grounds on 1750 E. Oakland Park Blvd in Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33334.

The word on the street (from the Mother’s in Parking lots) is this is an exceptional school. I have not come into contact with a single parent or teacher that doesn’t have a good word to say about St. Mark’s.

But with that said, it is always nice to see for yourself, so I attended one of their open houses. (I am looking for options for my young son).

The grounds of the school were well maintained and the children that I passed were full of smiles.

Upon the tour I spoke in detail with the teachers from the Kindergarten & 1st Grade and they too all seemed happy in their jobs. To me that is a key sign, happy kids and happy teachers.

The school seems to be very well rounded and follows the Christian beliefs without being stuffy or too overly religious.

St. Mark’s curriculum overview says that they follow a modified Montessori instructional program. That I was not aware of, but firmly believe in the Montessori method so that was a plus to hear that.

The student (a young man) who was our tour guide told me that the coach was the best and really enjoyed all the sports programs that the school offered. They had a large outside field and court and an impressive gymnasium which converted to adapt to all the sports.

The music room was glorious and so was the music teacher. Everyone takes Spanish, which is another star.

The school cafeteria menu included healthy options and a salad bar and I was told ice cream is allowed as a treat once a week.

The most impressive aspect of the school, was the technology. All classrooms are now equipped with Smart Boards. A Smart Board, looks like the old fashioned white board, but is fact computerized. The teacher demonstrated how she could write on the board with her “colored interactive markers”, then go straight to the Internet. She clicked on a storybook site and opened a talking animated read along story before our eyes. She then moved to Math, and picked a volunteer, who played a game on the board, by clicking on the answers (moving fish) for addition problems. It blew me away. What a great tool for the teachers and more importantly for the children.

Mac Lab

They had a Mac Lab, with 25 pristine large macs. They also have PC’s throughout the school and the students are educated on both. In the library they have “take out” Mac Books.

With the increasing advancements in technology it is important for education that the schools have the tools to keep up with the movement.

The majority of people that want to buy a home are not investors. A large group of people don’t want to buy properties now because they think prices will continue to drop. That may be the case but there is no one alive that can precisely time when the real estate market hits its extreme low as well as timing the extreme high.

The areas I specialize in are Foreclosures in Ft. Lauderdale & surrounding areas. People are waiting for the prices to drop further instead of realizing the Foreclosure home you purchase now will be lived in for a minimum of three to five years. Primary residential Foreclosure properties purchased today will be substantially higher in years to come. I don’t have a crystal ball but if you bought a property at below market value five to ten years ago is it worth substantially more today ? Absolutely !

The point is that Foreclosures are sold below the present market value. Now is a phenomenal time to buy a Primary Foreclosure Residence. There is financing for Foreclosures !

Buying a home is not only about price. In the simplest of terms it’s a place to live. Everyone needs a roof over their head. You are not buying a home to flip it ! The big questions to ask are: Am I buying a home to sell and make money short term or am I buying a place to live?  Am I buying a place just because it’s a good buy  ?

In realty you are buying a home because you like the home, the area, the schools, the amenities and it suits your needs.

Remember, no one will time the very bottom of this market !

We are in very bad economic times and the fortunate few that can get financing or have the cash available to buy a primary residence should think about the long term positive aspects.

South Florida including Dade & Broward Counties has experienced a great blow in housing prices. Anyone who buys a property today will be very grateful in five to ten years.

Tony Hammer

Certified REO & Foreclosure Specialist

954-394-8216

EWM Real Estate

1700 E. Las Olas Blvd. Ste. 103

Ft. Lauderdale, Fl 33301

tonyhammer10@gmail.com

www.tonyhammer.com

THE BEACH CLUB

1800 – 1830 – 1850 S OCEAN DR.

HALLANDALE, FL 33009

A complex offering some of the most coveted views in all of South Florida. Exclusive amenities found in finest resorts, close to houses of worship, Fort Lauderdale Airport, the Gulfstream, the Aventura mall and much more.

Inventory Report