EWM Realtors » High Pines http://blog.ewm.com Public Blog Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:54:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 en hourly 1 Living in South Miami, High Pines and Coral Gables – High Pines Active, Pending & Closed Sales http://blog.ewm.com/2009/11/17/living-in-south-miami-high-pines-and-coral-gables-high-pines-active-pending-closed-sales/ http://blog.ewm.com/2009/11/17/living-in-south-miami-high-pines-and-coral-gables-high-pines-active-pending-closed-sales/#comments Tue, 17 Nov 2009 04:17:48 +0000 TK Heatley http://blog.ewm.com/?p=27887 MLX reports as of November 16, 2009 13 active listings in High Pines. 7 were built from 2005 to 2009 while the remaining 6 were built 1949 to 1953. The last 6 months has seen 12 closed sales -7 of the homes were built in the 1950s, 4 in the 1940s, and 1 in the 1990s. There are presently 4 pending sales. Interestingly 2 were from homes built in 2007, 1 from 2008 and 1 from 1960. The closed sales ranged from a high of $890,000 to a low of $415,000.  The pending sales (and all we can use is the asking price as the contract price is not known until the actual closing occurs) were $1,764,000, $1,499,000, $1,180,000, and $499,000. It is too early to tell if the pending sales reflect an interest in the newer higher priced homes or if the sellers of these homes “had” to sell and radically dropped their prices.

]]> http://blog.ewm.com/2009/11/17/living-in-south-miami-high-pines-and-coral-gables-high-pines-active-pending-closed-sales/feed/ 0 Living in South Miami, High Pines and Coral Gables – City Of South Miami Commision Meeting http://blog.ewm.com/2009/10/12/living-in-south-miami-high-pines-and-coral-gables-city-of-south-miami-commision-meeting/ http://blog.ewm.com/2009/10/12/living-in-south-miami-high-pines-and-coral-gables-city-of-south-miami-commision-meeting/#comments Mon, 12 Oct 2009 22:15:50 +0000 TK Heatley http://blog.ewm.com/?p=26426 Though the City of South Miami handled the budget crisis much more adroitly than other cities, it hasn’t escaped unscathed as the city commission unexpectedly fired the city manager last Tuesday. They had decided to appoint a new interim city manager Thursday, but didn’t do that so they could have more time to interview candidates. In addition the city commission could not determine how much severance pay to give to the former manager. On the one hand the city manager’s contract specifies that he is entitled to 6 months while the city’s charter specifies that he should receive 30 days. Lets hope the city doesn’t spend more in fees determining the answer than the 6 months he might be owed. More to come on this matter.

]]> http://blog.ewm.com/2009/10/12/living-in-south-miami-high-pines-and-coral-gables-city-of-south-miami-commision-meeting/feed/ 1 Living in South Miami, High Pines and Coral Gables – Making a Beer Run http://blog.ewm.com/2009/10/09/living-in-south-miami-high-pines-and-coral-gables-making-a-beer-run/ http://blog.ewm.com/2009/10/09/living-in-south-miami-high-pines-and-coral-gables-making-a-beer-run/#comments Fri, 09 Oct 2009 22:01:28 +0000 TK Heatley http://blog.ewm.com/?p=26389 One of the great aspects of our neighborhood is our immediate proximity to the University of Miami. In just a few minutes we can be on campus and hear and see the likes of Bill Clinton, Al Gore, and Barack Obama, go to great sports events, or work out in the modern Wellness Center. But one item that is usually overlooked is the great collection of beers at the “Stop N Shop” at 5885 Ponce De Leon, Coral Gables about a 1/4 of a mile south of Alex Rodriquez Park. Undoubtedly this startling collection of beers would never be at the this location if it weren’t for its proximity to the main entrance to the University Of Miami. So, if you are looking for beer, I would suggest that you forgo the other other local establishments  selling beer and head directly for the “Stop N Shop” .

]]> http://blog.ewm.com/2009/10/09/living-in-south-miami-high-pines-and-coral-gables-making-a-beer-run/feed/ 0 Living in South Miami, High Pines and Coral Gables – Gables Estates http://blog.ewm.com/2009/10/07/living-in-south-miami-high-pines-and-coral-gables-gables-estates/ http://blog.ewm.com/2009/10/07/living-in-south-miami-high-pines-and-coral-gables-gables-estates/#comments Thu, 08 Oct 2009 03:20:27 +0000 TK Heatley http://blog.ewm.com/?p=26191 As of Oct. 7, 2009 there were 10 homes listed for sale in Gables Estates with list prices ranging from a high $49,500,000 to a low $4,999,999 with per sq. ft. prices ranging from a high of $2,372 to a low of $785. The median price is $14,700,000. In the past 6 months there have been 5 closed sales in Gables Estates ranging from a high of $5,500,000 to a low of $4,300,000. Per sq. ft prices have have ranged from $776 to $620 except for 1 where the per sq. ft. price was $420. There is one pending sale which had a list price of $6,900,000 and a price per sq. ft. of $869. The actual sale price and price per sq. ft will not be known until the closing occurs.

]]> http://blog.ewm.com/2009/10/07/living-in-south-miami-high-pines-and-coral-gables-gables-estates/feed/ 0 Living in South Miami, High Pines and Coral Gables http://blog.ewm.com/2009/09/30/living-in-south-miami-high-pines-and-coral-gables-20/ http://blog.ewm.com/2009/09/30/living-in-south-miami-high-pines-and-coral-gables-20/#comments Wed, 30 Sep 2009 18:02:18 +0000 TK Heatley http://blog.ewm.com/?p=25847 After 3 budget meetings the City of Coral Gables commissioners approved a 2009-2010 budget but not with out increasing the new tax rate to $5.895 per $1,000 of assessed property value. Last year’s figure was $5.25. Even with the substantial tax rate increase layoffs will occur in the city. 60 workers already are facing job losses but more will as the City Manager had based his original budget figure at a tax rate of $5.995.

]]> http://blog.ewm.com/2009/09/30/living-in-south-miami-high-pines-and-coral-gables-20/feed/ 0 Living in South Miami, High Pines and Coral Gables http://blog.ewm.com/2009/09/27/living-in-south-miami-high-pines-and-coral-gables-19/ http://blog.ewm.com/2009/09/27/living-in-south-miami-high-pines-and-coral-gables-19/#comments Sun, 27 Sep 2009 16:25:54 +0000 TK Heatley http://blog.ewm.com/?p=25744 Congratulations to the City of South Miami commissioners who approved a lower tax rate and approved the city’s budget. The city commissioners did this by eliminating cost of living raises for non union employees (saving about $131,000) and by reducing the legal department’s budget from $412,000 to about $250,000. The city’s budget totals $19. 2 million. The city had planned to spend $35,000 to install a new sound system in the community center, but decided that the money would be better spent in resuming weekly visits of a social worker to the city’s senior center.

The City of Coral Gables’ budget meetings will be held this coming  Tuesday.

]]> http://blog.ewm.com/2009/09/27/living-in-south-miami-high-pines-and-coral-gables-19/feed/ 0 Living in South Miami, High Pines, and Coral Gables http://blog.ewm.com/2009/09/26/living-in-south-miami-high-pines-and-coral-gables-18/ http://blog.ewm.com/2009/09/26/living-in-south-miami-high-pines-and-coral-gables-18/#comments Sat, 26 Sep 2009 18:27:56 +0000 TK Heatley http://blog.ewm.com/?p=25738 One of the first questions that arises when you move into a community is “where do I shop for my groceries”. We are pretty lucky in the Greater South Miami area as we have 3 major chain stores conveniently close by. Of course the selection is always a personal one, but my favorite hands down is the Whole Foods store located at 6701 Red Road. First of all it is easy to get into, has ample  covered (always a positive in rainy South Florida) parking on the 2nd floor, has wide aisles, a helpful staff, and best of all stocks good food. Whole Foods has a national reputation for high quality merchandise, and this store is no exception. I happen to like the large wine department,the meat department, prepared foods, and the in-store dining room. My second choice would be the Publix Market at 885 Monza.  Publix has been in South Florida for many years and has earned a well deserved reputation as a leader in the industry. Unfortunately the Monza store is a difficult store to move around in. First of all the parking lot is often filled, and you may find yourself forced to use a road side parking meter. Then you walk into the store and are often barraged by solicitors who want a financial contribution to their charity.  Once you get in the fun begins! The store is so crowded that you are always bumping into other shoppers in aisles. By the time you are finished you are exasperated with what you have gone through just to shop at Publix. That being said the store has high quality food, and the employees are nice. The third choice is Winn Dixie at 5850 SW 73 St. The store has good parking, and it is easy to access in downtown South Miami. It is a typical chain market which I have no problem using.

]]> http://blog.ewm.com/2009/09/26/living-in-south-miami-high-pines-and-coral-gables-18/feed/ 1 Living in South Miami, High Pines, and Coral Gables http://blog.ewm.com/2009/09/25/living-in-south-miami-high-pines-and-coral-gables-17/ http://blog.ewm.com/2009/09/25/living-in-south-miami-high-pines-and-coral-gables-17/#comments Fri, 25 Sep 2009 13:35:39 +0000 TK Heatley http://blog.ewm.com/?p=25679 Abutting High Pines and partially in Coral Gables and Dade County is the expensive section known as “Davis Ponce”. The major difference between the the homes in Davis Ponce and High Pines are the larger lots and larger homes in Davis Ponce . As of September 24, 2009 there were 31 single family homes for sale in Davis Ponce with list prices ranging from $6,250,000 to $1,190,000 and a median price of $2,900,000. The per sq. ft. price ranged from $956 to $254. In the past 6 months there have been 3 closings in Davis Ponce: 1 for $4,665,000 ($524 per sq. ft) on  3/31, 1 for $2,080,000 ($244 per sq. ft.) on 7/23, and 1 for $2,280,000 ($467 per sq. ft.) on 8/03. There are presently 3 pending sales: 1 with a list price $5,550,000, 1 with a list  price$1,950,000, and 1 with a list price $1,599,000.

Since the Davis Ponce area is such an upscale neighborhood with its attendant expensive homes, sales have been down. But, the community is beautiful,is close in, and is near a number of good public, parochial, and private schools so it is hoped that sales will increase as the economy improves.

]]> http://blog.ewm.com/2009/09/25/living-in-south-miami-high-pines-and-coral-gables-17/feed/ 0 Living in South Miami, High Pines and Coral Gables http://blog.ewm.com/2009/09/24/living-in-south-miami-high-pines-and-coral-gables-16/ http://blog.ewm.com/2009/09/24/living-in-south-miami-high-pines-and-coral-gables-16/#comments Thu, 24 Sep 2009 14:42:34 +0000 TK Heatley http://blog.ewm.com/?p=25647 As of September 23, 2009 there were 20 single family residences for sale in High Pines with the list prices ranging from $2,650,000 to $399,000 and the per sq. ft. list prices ranging from $1,094 t0 $247. Ten of the 20 listed homes were built from 2007 through 2009, 8 were built prior to 1960, 1 was built in 1960 and 1 in 2005. There were 9 closings from July 1, 2009 to Sept. 23  which ranged in price from $890,000 to $415,000 and in per sq. ft. price from $283 to $234 (2).  All of the closed homes were built before 1958 except for the house that sold for $890,000 which was built in 1991.Pending sales of which there were 6 follow the same trend as the active and closed listings: 3 were built in the 1940’s, 1 was built in 1954, 1 was built in 1970, and 1was built in 1990.

So what does this tell me. High Pines has been a transforming and popular neighborhood  for the last 15 or so years due to its close-in location, proximity to downtown South Miami and Coral Gables as well as to 2 metrorail stations. During this period a large number of older homes were torn down by both owners to build new homes and by “spec” home builders to sell for a nice profit. Many of these homes had values and costs above $1,000,000. Well the recession occurred which almost has stopped the sale of anything in the 7 figure range. Now the  High Pines sales are restricted to those who are taking the opportunity to buy into a popular neighborhood at a price they could not have imagined a few years ago. How long this trend will continue is anyone’s guess, but it it will be interesting to watch as we go forward and the number of lower (mostly old) priced homes diminish and the recession begins to end.

]]> http://blog.ewm.com/2009/09/24/living-in-south-miami-high-pines-and-coral-gables-16/feed/ 0 Living in South Miami, High Pines, and South Miami http://blog.ewm.com/2009/09/16/living-in-south-miami-high-pines-and-south-miami/ http://blog.ewm.com/2009/09/16/living-in-south-miami-high-pines-and-south-miami/#comments Wed, 16 Sep 2009 18:32:28 +0000 TK Heatley http://blog.ewm.com/?p=25293 Fully rented and well maintained duplex for sale at 5366/5370 Orduna Drive, Coral Gables. New barrel tile roof installed in 2005. Bike riding distance from the University of Miami and midway between downtown South Miami and downtown Coral Gables.

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