For all your real estate needs, contact Alexandra Restivo here, or  at 305-632-0164.

There are many fine public schools in our area and many times we know about them through other families.  Rather than simply stating that a school has an excellent reputation. I always direct my customers to the Miami-Dade School Performance web page.  There you can view yearly grading on the schools as a whole and also by subject.  You can view specific information about the school, class size, special programs or features, school boundaries, demographics, etc.  View the link I have included and save it (it will always be handy):  http://oada.dadeschools.net/schoolperformancegrades/schoolgrades.asp

Here’s the sales activity from our local MLS from last Wednesday, November 11, 2009 through tonight, Tuesday, November 17, 2009.

This is my fifth year working for the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival, and believe me when I say, it keeps getting better and better!

Are you 55yrs or older and looking for an exciting place to live in South Florida?  Maybe you are in the market for a Luxury Active Adult Community.  Look no further!! 

 “The Palms at Weston”  is a luxury Mediterranean-style resort living community, with four 4-story, buildings and villas. “The Palms” previously known as the “Palace at Weston” was built in 2007 with luxury, tranquility and relaxation in mind.  

This Luxury Active Adult comunity is perfectly and centrally located in the city of  Weston, one of South Florida’s most desirable cities for its planned communities, lush parks and first rate schools also home to the Cleveland Clinic.  Nestled between Ft. Lauderdale and Miami on the west it has easy access to major highways I75 and 595 which make commuting a breeze.  Walk to Weston restaurants and shopping or simply get in your car and enjoy an evening play at the “Broward Center for the Performing Artes” in Las Olas, Ft. Lauderdale or an opera at the Opera House in Miami.  Located less than 9 miles from uspscale shopping, Sawgrass Mills Mall and walking distance to the grocery store and banks.   For the snowbird who prefers to come and go you are only minutes away from Ft. Lauderdale International Airport.  Come visit and fall in love again!

 Clubhouse Amenities Include:

• Front Desk and Concierge Service
• Valet Service
• 24-Hour Manned Security
• Yoga and Aerobics Studio
• Men and Women Locker Rooms
• State-Of-The-Art Fitness Center
• Full Service Beauty Salon
• 3,600 sq ft. Heated Outdoor Pool
• English-Style Library w/Computers
• Indoor Outdoor Bar Area
• Game Room
• Clinic
• Half-mile jogging and walking path
• Planned Entertainment 

“The City Beautiful” (literally and figuratively),  Coral Gables captures an elegance admired the world over.  Incorporated in 1925, the City of Coral Gables offers special incentives to architects, builders and developers whose designs are in keeping with George Merrick’s vision of a community steeped in Mediterranean style. Himself influenced by Deering’s creation of Villa Vizcaya, George Merrick envisioned creating a Spanish-influenced city within Miami, giving it shape, structure, and esthetic beauty.  Working with master craftsmen and city planners, Merrick began what would become one of the cultural gems of South Florida, Coral Gables .

Rich with culture, Coral Gables distinguishes herself through Mediterranean-revival style architecture.  Now more than ever, that urban core, from Miracle Mile to Merrick Park, bustles with ever-growing numbers of art galleries,  fine restaurants,  bookstores,  and shops. Increasingly more pedestrian,  with open air markets, street fairs, art shows, cultural and community happenings, Coral Gables is both hospitable and alluring. Trolley service is provided free of charge,  making the Gables all the more accessible and welcoming.

The Village of Merrick Park is renown for it’s designer stores and fine dining. Set around an open ‘Plaza’ the shops at Merrick Park have an air of elegance about them, and are very much in keeping, architecturally, with George Merrick’s vision.

The Biltmore Hotel, built in 1926, stands as a monument to Spanish-influenced Mediterranean architecture. Publicly owned (and privately leased from the City of Coral Gables) the Biltmore is a landmark of world-class renown. Spa, tennis, dining facilities, fitness center are open and available to local residents as well as registered guests. The golf course, home to PGA Tours, is also for public use.

Green spaces,  public parks, tennis facilities and golf courses abound. In addition to the Biltmore Golf Course, are Riviera and Granada as well.

Unique to Coral Gables is the Venetian Pool, with it’s cascading waterfalls, caves and grottos, sandy beach, and lushly landscaped grounds. Once a limestone quarry, the Venetian Pool  (since 1923) is a natural swimming hole, spring-fed with icy cold water from the underground aquifer. 820,000 gallons of water replenish the pool each day,  now utilizing a system of natural re-absorption, which returns the water to the underground water system so as not to deplete our natural resources. Undoubtedly one of the most spectacular swimming holes anywhere … the Venetian is the only swimming pool ever to be listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. Closed for renovation from September 2008 through April 2009, it is otherwise open year-round. Primarily for recreational use both pool and grounds lend themselves for use as special events.

Public parks, waterways, bike trails, recreational opportunites, boating, fishing and beaches, libraries, farmer’s markets, lakes, mangroves , educational programs…Fairchild Gardens, Deering Estate, Matheson Hammock…the list is endless, and there’s always something worth doing. The Gables is home to Matheson Hammock, a place full of boating, biking trails, beautiful views of Biscayne Bay and Red Fish Grill, an outdoor restaurant which takes full advantage of the ocean views.

Regardless as to location, whether in heart of the city or in the more residential neighborhoods, homes in the Gables run the gamut, from  understated to opulent. By Miami standards (or international, either one) Gables living is highly desirable, be it in single family homes, condos, or townhouses. City planners and landscape designers painted a canvas for a luxury lifestyle… million dollar homes, condos and townhomes on beautifully tree-lined streets…. incorporating plazas, water fountains and open green spaces. In part due to the presence of the  University of Miami,  Coral Gables exudes cultural diversity and intrigue… and  remains one of the most highly sought-after zip codes in the nation.

A beautiful city, full of  history… conceived by visionary George Merrick. Since it’s inception, the Gables continues to be one of the premiere places to live and work in South Florida. Famous landmarks such as the Biltmore  Hotel, and the Venetian Pool… coupled with world-class dining, shopping and lifestyle…  Coral Gables finds a balance between work and play,  meshing commercial and residential into a multifaceted and luxurious lifestyle.

If you are considering buying or selling real estate  in Coral Gables,  please give me a call at  (305)  793-1365  or send me a note here.

Here’s the sales activity from our local MLS from last Wednesday, November 4, 2009 through tonight, Tuesday, November 10, 2009 where the only banks involved in the transactions were doing loans for buyers. (There’s a link to the complete data report at the end of this post) 

Pinecrest currently has 167 homes for sale, 19 under contract, and 84 that closed in the last 6 months that were neither bank owned or short sales. In one week 4 entered the market, 2 went under contract and 2 closed that weren’t bank owned or short sales.

Palmetto Bay has 107 for sale, 19 under contract and 80 sales in the last 6 months that weren’t bank owned or a short sale. 8 homes entered the market, 4 went under contract and 2 closed last week that weren’t bank owned or short sales.

Cutler Bay has 43 homes for sale, 13 under contract and 49 that closed in the last 6 months that aren’t bank owned or short sales. 1 entered the market last week and 1 sold that were regular resales by the owners.

Total activity is posted here.

Have a great week!

Except for the Alvin Sherman Library at NOVA Southeastern University the other libraries will no be open on Sundays.

To check the hours of operations of a library near you click here!

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If you are interested in buying or selling Real Estate in West Broward, please call me at (954) 588-7260 or contact me.