The year 2011 was marked by increasing sales volumes, international home buyers using cash only and depressed home prices, according to a recent report from the Miami Association of Realtors.

Continue reading to learn more about how the South Florida real estate market fared at the end of 2011 – and what local real estate experts are predicting for 2012.

Florida Homes for Sale in the Aventura, Hallandale and Golden Beach Areas

Here’s an overview of some of the trends that South Florida REALTORS saw on the local housing market in 2011:

• International home buyers spent about $3.5 billion in cash on distressed South Florida real estate
• Although home sales increased and the total housing inventory decreased in South Florida, home prices remained relatively stagnant.
• The South Florida rental market saw growth as former home owners became renters.
• The home inventory in South Florida dropped to 28,000, or by about 40 percent.
• Meanwhile, the shadow inventory of foreclosed homes that are not listed for sale yet increased to more than 200,000.
• South Florida existing home sales increased at a slower rate than earlier in the year, although median home prices began to increase.
• In Miami-Dade County, there were 1,064 condo sales in November, up 2 percent from November 2010.
• Meanwhile, single family home sales increased by 11 percent year-over-year, to 755.
• In Broward County, there were 1,089 condo sales in November, down 1 percent from November 2010.
• Meanwhile, single-family home sales increased by 22 percent year-over-year, to 961.

Analysts are cautiously optimistic about what 2012 will bring for the South Florida real estate market.

While some believe that there isn’t likely to be any real market rebounds until 2013, others believe housing market activity will improve considerably in 2012.

Here are three predictions that the Miami Association of Realtors made for the new year:

• Home prices will remain low. Experts believe that the high number of distressed properties on the market will keep home values depressed. As an illustration, more than half of all South Florida home sales in November involved a foreclosure or short sale. In a normal market, those types of properties would have made up less than 5 percent of sales.
• There will be an increase in foreclosed properties on the South Florida real estate market. In 2011, there was a slowdown in foreclosed properties entering the market as banks dealt with a backlog of court repossession paperwork. But experts predict that slowdown will end in 2012, possibly dragging down home values further.
• More people invest in the rental market, fueling South Florida home sales. While it may seem counter intuitive, an increasing number of South Florida investors are buying homes to turn them into rental properties because of the high demand for rental properties in the area. This in turn is helping create activity on the local real estate market.

Your South Florida Real Estate Expert

While we may not be out of the woods yet, there are plenty of signs to suggest that the sluggish South Florida real estate market is beginning to improve.

The year 2012 may become a turning point on the South Florida real estate market.

For expert advice on the best way to navigate the local housing market as a home buyer or a home seller, make sure to contact me, Scott Patterson.

As your South Florida real estate expert, I have extensive experience working in such local housing markets as:

• Aventura Real Estate
• Bal Harbour Real Estate
• Hallandale Real Estate 
• Golden Beach Real Estate
• Sunny Isles Real Estate
• And others!

Until next time,

Scott

If you’re the kind of discerning South Florida home buyer who values luxury, prestige and elegance, then you’ll be thrilled to learn about the most recent new listing on the South Florida real estate market.

An 8,400 square foot home in the elite Villa Flora community of Williams Island was recently listed on the Aventura real estate market.

There are only 14 homes in this exclusive Aventura community, so it’s a rare treat when one of them becomes available for purchase.

Continue reading to learn more about this magnificent Aventura home for sale and how it can become your dream South Florida home.

Aventura Homes for Sale

The home located at 1524 Island Boulevard  is an impressive architectural feat, even by the high standards set by the gated Villa Flora community.

This Aventura home is situated on point lot, the largest lot in the community and provides incredible, unobstructed views of the bay.

Built with the highest-end materials available, this South Florida home features 6,596 square feet of living space, including 6 bedrooms and 7.5 baths.

There are also a number of recreational features provided throughout the home, including:

• A state-of-the-art home theater
• Social Room
• Pub
• Heated swimming pool
• Wet bar with built-in grill
• Large Terrace

The high standards and attention to detail are evident throughout the residence:

• Custom-made kitchen with top grade appliances
• Granite counter-tops
• Hardwood and marble floors
• Faux and custom wallpaper
• Elevator
• Library
• Three beautifully designed fireplaces
• 3 car garage
• Impact windows and doors
• And more!

Plus, as a resident of Villa Flora, you’ll have unlimited access to all of the recreational amenities right on the property, including:

• Marina, which accommodates boats up to 120 feet
• Spa
• State-of-the-art fitness center
• Tennis courts

1524 Island Boulevard #13: An Unbeatable Find on the Aventura, Florida Real Estate Market

This incredible South Florida home is currently listed for $4,500,000.

Contact me, Scott Patterson, today for more information on what this home in the Villa Flora community has to offer.

And for additional help on navigating the South Florida real estate market, make sure to check out all of my helpful home buying tools, such as:

• Buyer FAQS
• Buying South Florida Real Estate eBooks
• Search MLS

Until next time,

Scott

One Sunny Isles condominium that hasn’t even been completed yet is making a name for itself because of its innovative parking garage, according to a recent article in The Miami Herald.

The $560 million tower in Sunny Isles Beach features an elevator that carries both the driver and the car to their condo.

The Porsche Design Group from Germany, as well as one local developer, worked together to create the unique condominium complex.

Continue reading to learn more about this unique innovation, and why it’s expected to be a high-demand South Florida residence once it’s complete.

South Florida Luxury Condos

When it’s complete, the Porsche Design Tower will be a 57-story luxury condominium situated on 2.2 acres at 18555 Collins Avenue.

The community will feature 132 units, ranging from 3,800 to 9,500 square feet.  Prices on these luxury homes may be as high as $9 million.

As for the community’s unique parking situation, the tower will feature 284 robotic parking spaces and three elevators. The innovation will give residents an awe-inspiring view of the South Florida landscape as they’re carried at a fast clip up to their home.

Elevator rides are expected to last anywhere from 30 to 45 seconds.

Residents living in smaller units will be allowed two parking spaces and those living in larger ones will be allowed four.

Investing in Sunny Isles Real Estate

The proposed Porsche Design Tower is just an added bonus to living in Sunny Isles. After all, this impressive South Florida community already has a lot to be proud of.

Known as the City of Sun and Sea, this city is brimming with luxury amenities, including:

•  The famous Sunny Isles Pier
• Water sports on the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean
• High-end shopping venues
• Lushly landscaped community parks

What’s more, its convenient location on a barrier island in Northeast Miami-Dade County puts residents within just a short distance of even more attractions in neighboring communities.

Your Sunny Isles, Florida REALTOR

I’ll keep you posted as this new Sunny Isles condominium moves through the development process.

And if you’re an interested home buyer, I recommend you check out some of the existing Sunny Isles residential communities, including:

• Sunny Isles Beach Ocean One
• Sunny Isles Beach Ocean Two
• Sunny Isles Beach Ocean Three
• Sunny Isles Beach Ocean Four
• Trump Palace Sunny Isles

If you see a community you like and would like to learn more about it, then contact me, Scott Patterson.

I’ll be happy to tell you about available listings and answer any questions you might have!

Until next time,

Scott

An excellent South Florida real estate opportunity just became available in Sunny Isles, Florida.

A Sunny Isles condominium owner is selling his Trump Tower II condominium for $1,295,000.

That’s a bargain price when South Florida condo buyers learn about all of the upgrades this condominium has, including all white glass floors and frosted glass interior walls.

Continue read to learn more about this fantastic South Florida condominium for sale, and why it’s not likely to stay on the Sunny Isles real estate market for long.

Sunny Isles, Florida Real Estate

Located in Trump Tower II, the condominium at 15901 Collins Avenue features 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.  This beautiful condo is about 2,145 square feet.

Since it was built in 2008, this Sunny Isles condominium has received several luxurious upgrades, including:

• 32″ white glass floors
• Floating 11 foot ceilings
• Customized lighting and sound system
• Motorized Blinds
• Built in entertainment center
• Coral Stone terrace
• Frosted Glass walls and doors
• Custom closets
• And more!

This extravagant condominium is located within Trump II,which features a total of 278 units, ranging from $509,000 to $2,850,000.

Floor plans at Trump II range from 1 to 3-bedrooms and 1690 to 3,323 square feet.

In addition to providing a variety of floor plan options to interested South Florida condo buyers,  Trump II offers residents a number of high-end amenities and features.

Trump II condominium owners have privileged access to such luxurious amenities as:

• Private outdoor reception areas
• Grand ballrooms
• Two floors of multi-purpose rooms
• Full service valet and car wash on site
• 24-hour gate security
• Children’s playground
• Four professional sized tennis courts
• An  8,000 square foot spa and fitness center

And thanks to its ideal location, residents at the Trump II are never in short supply of breath-taking views of Miami, Miami Beach and the Atlantic Ocean.

Purchase a Sunny Isles Condominium for Sale Today!

If you’re interested in learning more  about the amazing new condominium at Trump II that just became available – or the South Florida real estate market in general – then contact me, Scott Patterson, today.

But hurry.  Amazing condos like the one at 15901 Collins Avenue, #3407, don’t stay on the South Florida real estate market for long!

Until next time,

Scott

Everybody on the South Florida real estate market can’t seem to stop talking about Resorts World Miami, a planned development that will feature hotel,  convention, entertainment, restaurant, retail, residential and commercial space.

Back in May, the Genting Group bought about 14 acres of downtown Miami for $236 million.

That price is just a drop in the bucket, however, when you consider that the company is investing  $3 billion for the new development.

Continue reading to learn more about this incredible downtown Miami development – which some say is rapidly becoming one of the top five projects being built in the world.

South Florida Real Estate is About to Get a Major Facelift

The company Genting has big plans for their recently purchased downtown Miami site.  In fact, they hope the development solidify’s Miami’s reputation as one of the leading tourism locales in the world.

What’s more, this project will have a phenomenal impact locally by creating thousands of construction-related jobs as well as permanent jobs.

And recently, Genting announced that Resorts World Miami will be 3 million square feet bigger than originally announced.  That’s nearly 10 million square feet, filled with such amenities as:

• 700,000 square feet of convention and meeting space
• 200,000 square feet of ballroom
• A super-luxury hotel, a contemporary hotel, a family hotel and a conventional hotel – totaling more than 5,200 rooms
• Two residential towers with about 1,000 units
• 250,000 square foot luxury retail center
• More than 50 restaurants
• Lounges, bars and nightclubs
• Possibly even a casino!

According to one recent news article, Resorts World Miami will feature several outdoor terraces as well, including a 1,000-foot-long, 3.6 acre outdoor lagoon on one of the tower’s rooftops.

This project is so amazing, it’s hard to wrap one’s head around it.

But suffice it to say, when complete, this project will not only reshape Miami’s skyline, but the whole South Florida real estate market as well.

South Florida Real Estate Experts

It will still be some time before residents are able to move in to a unit at Resorts World Miami.  If you’d like to learn more information about this amazing development in the interim, however, contact me.

As your South Florida real estate expert, I’d be happy to answer any questions you might have as well as let you know about available listings at some of our other South Florida residential communities, including:

• Hamptons South
• Hidden Bay
• One Island Place
• Peninsula I
• Peninsula II
• Sunny Isles Beach Ocean One
• Sunny Isles Beach Ocean Two
• Sunny Isles Beach Ocean Three
• Sunny Isles Beach Ocean Four
• And others!

Until next time,

Scott

Presidential Estates is one of the south after communities in Aventura real estate market.

This exclusive country club community features 176 stunning homes, all of which were built between 1998 and 2002.

This elite Aventura neighborhood offers many amenities, including:

• 24-hour manned gatehouse for extra privacy and security
• Four tennis courts
• Tennis Club
• Community swimming pool.
• And an 18-hole championship golf course designed by Tommy Fazio

What’s more, this neighborhood is zoned for some of the best public and private schools in the area.

Below is recent date active and sold date for Presidential Estates.

South Florida Homes for Sale in Presidential Estates

Here’s a look at the current market conditions for Presidential Estates on the South Florida real estate market, based on the most recent market data.

• Total Closed Sales in 2011 YTD: 2
• Total number of homes currently active: 17
  
• Total number of homes currently pending: 2
• Highest List Price in 2011: $2,100,000
• Lowest List Price in 2011: $849,000
• Highest Priced Sale in 2011: $1,770,000 (6BR/5.5BA)
• Lowest Priced Sale in 2011: $1,550,000 (6BR/4.5BA)
• Maximum Square Footage on a Home Sold in 2011: 4220
• Minimum Square Footage on a Home Sold in 2011: 4178
• Minimum Days on the Market for active listings: 21
• Maximum Days on the Market for active listings: 1,018
• Minimum Days on the Market for closed sales: 35
• Maximum Days on the Market for closed sales: 87

Now, compare that with the South Florida real estate data for Presidential Estates in 2010:

• Total Sales in 2010: 9
• Highest List Price in 2010: $1,950,000
• Lowest List Price in 2010: 975,000
• Highest Priced Sale in 2010: $1,775,000 (6BR/5.5BA)
• Lowest Priced Sale in 2010: $912,500 (4BR/4BA)
• Maximum Square Footage on a Home Sold in 2010: 5628
• Minimum Square Footage on a Home Sold in 2010: 3651
• Minimum Days on the Market: 30
• Maximum Days on the Market: 328

Until next time,

Scott

Hollywood Lakes is a distinguished single-family home neighborhood located in Hollywood, Florida.

Over the years, this luxury South Florida neighborhood has gained a reputation for its unique eclectic architecture.

Homes in Hollywood Lakes were built starting in 1924, and range from 1,000 to 10,000 square feet.  The Lakes offer’s waterfront properties around Northlake and Southlake but there are also dry lots all in close proximity to the beach and new state of the art amphitheater.

During the first several months of 2011, there has been a lot of activity surrounding Hollywood Lakes homes for sale.

Continue reading to learn more about how Hollywood Lakes homes are faring on the South Florida luxury real estate market.

2011 Sales Data for Hollywood Lakes on the Hollywood, Florida Real Estate Market

Here’s a brief overview of the kind of activity that Hollywood Lakes properties for sale have seen on the South Florida real estate market:

• Total Sales in 2011 YTD: 36
• Highest List Price in 2011: $1,998,000
• Lowest List Price in 2011: 229,900
• Highest Priced Sale in 2011: $1.9 million
• Lowest Priced Sale in 2011: $220,000
• Maximum Square Footage on a Home Sold in 2011: 5503
• Minimum Square Footage on a Home Sold in 2011: 1301
• Minimum Days on the Market: 4
• Maximum Days on the Market: 682

Hollywood, Florida Homes for Sale

In addition, residents are within just a short driving distance of all the high-end shopping and fine dining that Hollywood, Hallandale and Aventura have to offer.

If you’d like to learn more about homes for sale in the Hollywood Lakes subdivision – or any other Hollywood neighborhood – then contact me, Scott Patterson, your South Florida luxury real estate expert, today.

I’ll also  let you know about available listings and answer any questions you might have about surrounding communities, including:

• Aventura real estate
• Bal Harbour real estate
• Davie real estate
• Hallandale real estate
• Golden Beach real estate
• Sunny Isles real estate

Until next time,

Scott

There’s a new South Florida luxury condominium community coming to Aventura, Florida – and this one is sure to raise the bar when it comes to luxury South Florida real estateBellini at Williams Islandwill feature 70 spacious units – all of which are waterfront.Prices for this amazing South Florida condominium community start at $425 per square foot, with just four units per floor on most levels.

Continue reading to learn more about what this brand new South Florida luxury condominium has to offer interested Aventura home buyers.

Aventura, Florida Luxury Real Estate

Harbor Islands, Florida is perhaps one of the most desirable communities to live in within Hollywood, Florida.  This South Florida community is well known for its lavish homes, beautiful neighborhood and great public and private schools.

Right now, you can invest in your own piece of paradise in Hollywood, Florida.  Two homes in this elite community were recently listed on the market.

Continue reading to learn more about these two Hollywood Florida homes for sale.

Hollywood, Florida Real Estate

I recently listed two luxury homes on the Hollywood, Florida real estate market.

Here’s a breakdown of what these two Harbor Islands homes have to offer interested South Florida home buyers:

1061 Harbor Court

• Waterfront
• Located in “The Estates” section of Harbor Islands
• Year Built: 2001
• Single Family
• List Price: $1,999,000
• 4 Bedrooms
• 5 1/2  Bathrooms
• 5,219  Sq Ft.
• 50ft. private boat dock with 14K lb boat lift

Learn more about this South Florida home by visiting our 1061 Harbor Court page.

1535 Windjammer Way

• Waterfront (Direct Intracoastal)
• Year Built: 2004
• Single Family
• List Price: $1,989,000
• 4 Bedrooms
• 4 1/2 Bathrooms
• 4,870 square feet
• Private boat dock with 14K lb boatlift

Check out our community page for 1535 Windjammer Way!

Hollywood, Florida  offers its residents plenty of amenities in its own right.  But if you wanted to explore another community, you’ll find that Hollywood Florida is conveniently located within just a short driving distance to many other cities:

• 25 minutes from Miami
• 5 minutes from Aventura
• 5 minutes from Golden Beach
• 15 minutes from Fort Lauderdale

To learn more about living in Hollywood Florida – or about the two homes currently listed in Harbor Islands – contact me, Scott Patterson, your South Florida real estate expert.

While you’re at it, feel free to check out my other listings in such area South Florida communities as:

• Aventura real estate
• Bal Harbour real estate
• Davie real estate
• Hallandale real estate
• Golden Beach real estate
• Sunny Isles real estate

Until next time,

Scott

Recently Plum TV and Zakarin Martinez Public Relations partnered with the town of Golden Beach to create an upcoming documentary about living in the South Florida community.

Continue reading to learn more about this informative documentary as well as what Golden Beach has to offer to interested South Florida home buyers.

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