Blackberry has recently released a preview for their new exclusive touchscreen phone, the Blackberry Storm. It is a Blackberry first and is aimed at giving the Iphone a necessary knockout punch. I know that everybody has the Iphone as this cool icon of status and functionality, I have stuck to my Blackberry Curve, I love the operating system, its email capabilities and I have customized it to almost read my mind (I might be going overboard on that one).

Truth of the matter is I fall asleep playing Sudoku, and lie my Blackberry gently on my pillow next to me when I drift off and morning comes I wake up to its call when my Blackberry alarm makes it melodic beep. I believe I could grow and arm extension to hold it since it is always in my hand or right next to me when I am sitting at my desk or chatting along with friends. Life is not possible without my Blackberry, if I need to research any topic, question or idle fact I have the internet at my fingertips and for work I have all my contacts’ and prospects’ email at just a breath away. They are answered promptly and that has saved many a deal in my book.

Click here to view the embedded video.

So back to the topic the new Blackberry, I am so excited I am about to burst, it looks sweet and I know all my necessary apps will be compatible. It will take the world by Storm! Apparently Verizon is the designated carrier for the Storm (I am not happy in changing my service from TMobile), but I guess I will live. It has the first touch click keyboard that apparently beats all touchscreens up to date. Here is a great review by Endgadget.

Blackberry Storm Review from Endgadget

Here is another great video, I just love it when the guy says “I am thinking maybe I shouldnt have bought my Iphone”

Click here to view the embedded video.

I am sticking by Blackberry and can’t wait to get this phone!

After having to make the difficult decision of letting your home go into foreclosure, you might also have to face the fact that your dog or cat can’t come along either. Most people feel their pet is part of the family and making the decision of letting Sparky go is not an easy one. The issue that home owners face is the fact that the next place where they go, their car, their parents home or getting a smaller more affordable apartment presents them with the fact that where they are going does not accept pets.

There is a place that has come up with new option, Petstyle offers an online site with information and resources for home owners that have to make that complicated decision about what they should do with their pet. They also offer people that want to help out and provide foster homes for dogs and cats. They can also post their pets up for adoption through their online community. This is a great help for people that need this service.

You can find some great information at www.petstyle.com. The site offers tips, checklists and valuable info to assure your pets are cared for in the event that their home is foreclosed. It also offers tips and tools to make the foreclosure transition an easy one.

Located at www.petstyle.com, dog and cat owners are encouraged to take advantage of all the tips, checklists and other valuable information available to make sure their pets are taken care of in the event they are in jeopardy of or are about to lose their homes. It also offers a message board to lend a hand to those that need it.

PetStyle Vet Expert Diane Levitan, VMD. states: “Any dog or cat owner who is faced with the loss of a home because they can no longer make the mortgage payments and may be forced to move into housing that is not pet friendly now have a place to find valuable pet information that may help them keep a beloved and valued member of the family.”

I encourage people that love cats and/or dogs to go to the site and offer their needed assistance in these troubled times for families and pets everywhere. This is great news and I cringe at the idea of having to part with my own pet. Let’s offer some help!

When you set out to find your unique and special piece of real estate make sure you know what you need. Many buyers start out with good intentions, but sometimes get lost along the way, buying real estate is a serious and long term decision comparable to finding a soul mate.

Here are a few items to consider before you start searching:

Lists

Make a list! Write down everything you would want your property to include. Do you want an amazing ocean view? Would you like to be on a high floor? A low floor because you are scared of heights? Perhaps you are not even considering a building, you may want a single family home. Be as specific as you can and as general as you like, all at the same time. You can go to the small details, e.g. “I want a living room with 3 big walls so I can fit all of my art on them.”, ” I hope my kitchen windows overlooks water so that when I am cooking I can feel relaxed and enjoy the view.”, etc.

After you finish your well intentioned list, check the items that you need and put them on top, next put the secondary items that you would like to have but don’t need on a different list and so on, when you take a look at your list you will be able to figure out what it is that you are looking for in a property and be able to communicate it to other people clearly.

Check your finances

Find a good mortgage broker, ask at your personal bank, investigate and sit down with a professional so that they can assess your financial situation. This person should be able to tell you what type of property you can afford and also qualify you so that once you find the “right” place you can move on it immediately. No point in starting to look if you can’t afford the property you like and are not able to buy it when you finally find it.

Extended family and relatives

Know the requirements your home has to meet for you, who is going to be living there? Some people start looking and forget to tell their Realtor who is going to be living in the home. Do you have college kids? Pets? Inlaws or grandchildren that come to visit regularly. It might not be a problem in a single family home, condos are a different story, some condominiums do not allow more than one pet, some allow a cat and a dog, but not two cats or two dogs. Some of them are only for people over 55, some don’t allow children on the premises. You should have a clear picture of what your normal family life will involve to find a place that will fit your needs without having to leave Sparky behind.

Neighborhood

How would you describe your lifestyle? Are you an upcoming young and professional? Are you a growing family with small children? Are you looking to retire and finally get that dream retirement condo on the beach? Each neighborhood will be able to fit different needs and requirements. Some offer spacious single family homes with good schools. If you are young and upcoming you will probably need to be close to the happening and trendy hot spots. If you are retiring you need to find an easy going community that allows you to enjoy all the activities you dreamed of doing with your hard earned savings.

Find a Realtor

Some buyers prefer to work without a Realtor. They believe that they can manage themselves and will save on commission, usually the case is that you will end up working with a Realtor anyway, only it won’t be one that represents you as a buyer, you will work with the Listing Realtor, this person represents the seller of the property which will not save you on commission, because the seller is obligated to pay a commision to that Realtor anyway and he or she will end up representing both sides of the deal with an interest on the Seller’s side since that was the person that hired him or her in the first place.

If you do decide to hire an agent make sure it is someone that is knowledgeable in the area that you are searching in, it won’t help you if he is your cousin’s friend if he works in Kendall and you are looking for property in Hallandale it is very difficult to specialize in all areas, find a Realtor that works in the neighborhood that you are interested. He should know the neighborhood like the palm of his hand, know about the schools, social life, local hot spots, etc. They should know the ins and outs of the building or neighborhood so your buying experience can be an easier one, an inexperienced Realtor is like the blind leading the blind.

Featured events:

• 9 secrets to Having more Fun, Joy and Happiness – September 11 at 7 pm – Spa
• Opera Night – Saturday October 18 at 7:30pm – Open to guests * $40
• Children’s Halloween Party – October 26 from 2 -4pm – Open to guests * (Adults $5)
• New Year’s Eve Ebony and Ivory Gala – Dec. 31 – Open to guests * $150

*Guests of Point residents only.

New class for kids at the Point of Aventura, great opportunity for our little artists!

Waterways Dog Park

Waterways Dog Park is located at 3401 NE 213th Street. The park features open space for your pet to exercise and socialize. Amenities include two comfort stations with doggie water fountains, showers and a large covered patio. Resident ID cards are required for entry to the park.

For more info, call: 305-466-8008.

How to Get an ID Card

Please call Founders Park at 305-466-0183 to make an appointment to get a new ID card. Founders Park is located at 3105 NE 190th Street. Bring proof of residency if applying as an Aventura resident. Residents must apply in person with proper documentation.

Any of the following documents shall be adequate for determining City residency:

• Florida drivers license or identification card
• Voters Registration Card
• Passport
• Current electric, telephone or utility bill
• Mortgage deed or lease

As you all know the Spa and Exercise schedule is always updating each month, so as a service to the Point Residents I am going to blog about it each month.

Please take note that classes can change.

Here is the class schedule for July 2008 for the exercise classes at the Spa at the Point.

July Spa at the Point Class Schedule

Here is the description of each class:

Description for Exercise Classes at the Point Spa

The Spa schedule runs from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm Monday – Friday. Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm.

The schedule for the Pool is from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm daily.

Happy 4th of July to everyone!

¡No deje ir estas dos oportunidades de comprar en Turnberry on the Green! Recientemente han salido al mercado dos propiedades a la venta en el exclusivo edificio de Turnberry on the Green en la ciudad de Aventura, los dos apartamentos cuentan con 2 dormitorios y 2 baños; un apartamento esta ubicado en el 5to nivel del edificio y el segundo en el 16avo nivel. Estos dos condominios fueron reposeìdos por los bancos (lo cual evita tener que pasar por el proceso largo de un “short sale”). Cinco años atràs estos apartamentos los ofrecìa a la venta el constructor y los precios comenzaban desde US$327,000 dòlares para arriba, esto fue aùn antes de que comenzara el alza de precios en bienes raìces en Florida.

El apartamento ubicado en el quinto nivel tiene pisos de marmòl en el area de sala/comedor. La vista desde la sala es hacia el àrea sur este de Aventura. A continuaciòn puede ver las especificaciones:

Unidad 507

Plano Arquitectònico

El segundo apartamento se ubica en el 16avo nivel del edificio, la vista la tiene hacia el sur este tambièn. Aquì puede ver màs detalles:

Unidad 1607

Plano Arquitectònico

Fotografìas

Ambos apartamentos incluyen lo siguiente: Vista panòramica de la ciudad de Aventura, top de grànito en la cocina y baños, piso ceràmico en el vestìbulo, cocina y baños, lìnea blanca marca GE Profile lo cual incluye: refrigerador de doble puerta, microndas, lavadora y secadora grandes dentro de la unidad, closets amplios y balcones espaciosos.

El edificio de Turnberry on the Green cuenta con una variedad de servicios y entretenimiento como lo son: conserje en el ingreso las 24 horas del dìa, parqueo tipo valet las 24 horas del dìa, sistema de seguridad con camaras, recepciòn de correo y paquetes, gimnasio y spa, aerobicos y estudio de yoga con clases, salòn para eventos, salòn de conferencias, centro de negocios con computadoras, piscina, àrea de recreo y piscina para niños, cuarto de billar, parqueo techado, àreas jardinizadas tropicalmente.

Ahora es el momento de comprar, y lo debe de hacer ràpidamente, estos precios no los veremos màs adelante.

Run and get a move on these condos! 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartments at Turnberry on the Green on the 5th and 16th floor. Bank owned (which avoids the short sale hassle). These units were sold by the developer 5 years ago starting at $327,000. You are getting a great discount from prices 5 years ago, just when the real estate boom was just starting.

The condo on the 5th floor comes with an upgrade of marble floors, and has views towards the South West side of Aventura, here are the specs:

Unit 507

Floor Plan

The other condo located on the 16th floor has carpet through out. It has great views towards the South West side of Aventura.

Unit 1607

Floor Plan

Slide Show

Both units include the following features: panoramic views the Aventura skyline, granite counters in kitchen and bathrooms, tile flooring in foyer, kitchen, & baths , GE profile appliances including: side-by-side refrigerator, microwave, full-size washer & dryer, spacious walk-in closets and spacious balconies.

Turnberry on the Green features the following amenities: 24-hour valet parking, 24-hour attended lobby with monitored cameras, concierge services, mail and package receiving services, fitness center & spa, men’s and women’s locker rooms, aerobics/yoga studio with scheduled classes, club/party room, conference room, executive business center, pool with recreation deck, children’s playground, billiard parlor, multi-level covered parking with security access, exquisite landscaping and gardens.

Move quickly before these great foreclosure opportunities are gone in one of Aventura’s most desired addresses.

Los compradores inteligentes no tienen que pensarlo mucho, el edificio esta localizado en un punto estrategico de Aventura Situado sobre Country Club Drive, a la vecindad de los campos de golf de Turnberry, enfrente del mall de Aventura y a tan solo cinco minutos de la playa de Sunny Isles, ¿¡que hay que pensar!?

El edificio trae todo lo que esperamos de un edificio en Aventura, una piscina preciosa, un gimnasio completo de dos pisos con vista al campo de golf, un cuarto de entretenimiento que tiene mesas de billar y mesa de ping pong, parqueo techado y con valet, un àrea de recreo y juegos para los niños con una piscina pequeña para que ellos puedan disfrutar tambièn. El edificio esta muy bien cuidado, tiene un lobby de entrada espectacular de doble altura el cual es muy elegante con pisos de marmol y decoraciòn contemporanea. Todos los ingredientes de una buena compra se reunen en este edificio: se construyò hace tan solo seis años, las cuotas de mantenimiento son razonables y esta al mismo precio que estàn pidiendo por apartamentos en edificios que tienen 25 años o màs!

La ùltima propiedad reposeìda por el banco que salio a la venta en Turnberry on the Green entrò en contrato de venta en menos de una semana. Este edificio esta ¨caliente¨ y los compradores informados que estàn buscando hacer buen negocio en Florida mejor se deben de apurar. Estos precios no creo que los veremos nuevamente.