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Tag Archives: Golden Beach

The Aventura Mall Expansion Is Underway

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Aventura, FL – The beautiful city of Aventura is not only a great place to live in the many communities such as Porto Vita, Island Estates, Aventura Estates and also play golf at The Turnberry Isle Resort & Golf Club but the city is known for one of the nations largest and highest grossing luxury shopping malls in the US., “The Aventura Mall”. To many of us, it has become not only a convenience but staple of our Lifestyle.

The Aventura Mall not only has some of the best shopping around, its also has great restaurants, a movie theater, and an Equinox Gym. Well, if anyone is wondering what all the construction is on the east side of the mall, you can bet it’s going to be big. The new expansion of the mall includes a 315,000 sq. ft. retail wing and parking garage along with a host of destination restaurants and a new state of the art food court.QE5oWH2 Starting to sound good to you isn’t it? To top it all off, renderings have revealed plans for a new Tesla store to be included in the expansion. Let me know what stores you would want to see be included in the expansion in your comments below!

– Scott

THIS WEEKS FEATURED LISTING

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342757635_5513 Palm Dr. Hallandale Beach, Fl. 33009

 

Golden Isles waterfront estate listed for $3.249 million. This new contemporary home was built on an large Intracoastal 100′ x 150′ lot and its many features include: five bedrooms, five bathrooms and two half baths with over 5,500 sq. ft. living area and over 7,200 total sq. ft.. Lavish landscaping on this tropical modern setting, large beautiful backyard with an over sized pool, jacuzzi and beach pad.

 

 

 

 

This waterfront home has a large chefs kitchen, formal dining room, down stairs master suite, tray ceilings, custom light fixtures, motorized shades, and lots of natural light adds sheer beauty to this home. Golden Isles is a boaters paradise with the Atlantic inlet nearby!   Call me today for a private showing: 954-661-8871

-Scott

THE ARK OF GOLDEN BEACH GOES UNDER CONTRACT!

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480 Ocean blvd copyOne of Golden Beaches most famous home went under contract. The home is situated at 480 Ocean blvd on a dry lot and was a design collaboration between world famous Chad Oppenheim and Jacob Abramson. Its unique glass shaped ark is the epicenter of the design. The home boasts six bedrooms and eight bathrooms all under 8,500 square feet. A rooftop patio situated at the tip of the glass ark gives the homeowner a great sunrise and sunset view while enjoying the saltwater breeze. The home is listed for just under six million USD and we have yet to know the selling price of this gem, closing date is set for June 15, 2016.

Golden Beach Florida, Located in the north-eastern point of Miami-Dade county on the sands of the Atlantic Ocean and to the west the Intracoastal Waterway is home to one of South Florida’s most luxurious and sought after communites in the country. Home to many influential celebrities and wealthy residents, for most people it is an honor to call it home.

Property Insurance Reform to Affect South Florida Waterfront Real Estate Owners

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South Florida insurance ratesThe Business Journal recently had an interesting article about how the state’s reforms to Citizens Property Insurance Corp. will ultimately have a huge effect on those living on South Florida’s coasts.

For those of you who aren’t aware, Citizens Property Insurance Corp is a state-run insurer.

According to the recent legislation that the state government approved, protocol for Citizens Property has changed to help reduce enrollment, which officials say will make it less vulnerable during a storm.

This is sure to have a large impact on waterfront property owners all of South Florida!

What South Florida Home Owners Should Know About the Law Change

Under the recent change, residents will be limited to 10 percent annual premium hikes, although new enrollees would have to pass through a number of other insurers before choosing Citizens.

Experts are saying that because of this change, rates will increase overtime since homeowners would need to select private coverage within 15 percent of that offered by Citizens.

Eventually, more insurance providers will be attracted to the area, experts say.

As soon as the Citizens reform was passed, shares from the Fort Lauderdale-based Unviersity Insurance Holdings increased to its highest level in a year.

Universal Insurance Holdings is the largest private insurer in Florida.

Here’s how else the reform will affect circumstances in Florida: Some experts believe Citizens’ policy limit reductions will cause the maximum coverage to decrease from $2 million to $1 million, eventually falling to $700,000.

Some experts think the changes are coming at a bad time and may curb the housing market recovery in South Florida.

After all, investors may think twice if they’re forced to choose private insurance with higher premiums, experts say.

That could in turn call the housing market recovery to slow down or stop altogether.

What’s more, the reform forbids Citizens from covering new coastal construction after July 1, 2014. This may have a direct impact on such South Florida coastal communities.

Still, some experts say the changes to coastal construction coverage may actually end up benefiting the less expensive condominiums in Brickell and Downtown Miami.

South Florida Luxury Real Estate For Sale

What do you make of the recent legislative changes concerning Citizens Property Insurance Corp?

I am always happy to offer straight-forward advice and providing you with such useful home-selling resources as:

Until next time,

Scott

 

Miami-Dade County, Florida Real Estate is Booming!

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Things are continuing to look up for the South Florida real estate market, according to the most recent data released.

Evidently, more and more investors are coming to South Florida to get a piece of the action – which in turn is strengthening our local housing market.

Miami, Florida Area Homes for Sale

According to the most recent article I read in the Miami-Herald, plenty of private equity firms in the area are snatching up prime South Florida real estate lately.

For example, Fort Capital recently purchased the historic Surf Club in Surfside. It is expected to be revitalized and later sold.

That’s what the company did after it bought most of the Capri South Beach along with other coveted pieces of South Florida real estate.

Experts say that the South Florida market is getting hotter and hotter, with demand rising.

This is particularly true in the hotel arena, where investors are buying and building hotels left and right!

The latest activity reflects a national trend in which the lodging industry is expected to spend more than $5 billion this year on upgrades that range from redesigned lobbies to additional fitness centers and restaurants.

Here in South Florida, some of the more specific drivers to this recent hotel boom include rising tourism numbers, scarcity of available land and more lenient lending policies.

Here’s what else you should know about the South Florida hotel industry:

  • Through September, hotels in Miami-Dade were more than 76 percent full, which is up slightly from the same period a year before.
  • Room rates in South Florida increased by 7 percent to almost $163.
  • Revenue per available room in South Florida also grew by about 8 percent year-over-year to $124.55.
  • Hotel transactions volume is expected to be about $650 million in the county this year, up 13 increase when compared to 2011

You may be thinking to yourself – that’s great but what exactly does this mean for the South Florida residential housing market?

Since everything is inter-connected, more interest and investments in the South Florida hotel market will likely lead to more interest and investments in the South Florida real estate market as well!

Your South Florida Real Estate Expert

To learn more about how the current hotel industry boom here in South Florida will benefit the local residential housing market, please contact me, Scott Patterson.

I’ll also be happy to assist you with all of your home-buying and home-selling needs on any one of the following South Florida real estate markets:

Until next time,

Scott

South Florida Commercial Real Estate Market Showing Signs of Improvement

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The South Florida commercial real estate market is making great strides – albeit at a slow pace.

Evidently, recent data suggests that office vacancies are on the decline. In addition, regional and national retailers are expanding once again.

This has huge implications to the greater South Florida real estate market. After all, everything is connected when it comes to economics.

Thus, as the commercial real estate market continues to improve, that is only bound to help the residential real estate market continue to improve as well.

Commercial Real Estate in South Florida

According to the recent article I read in the Sun-Sentinel, office vacancies in both Broward County and Palm Beach County are down year-over-year, although they are still relatively high.

Here’s the most recent data on commercial real estate in South Florida:

  • The office vacancy rate in Broward County was 14.3 percent from July to September, down from 14.6 percent a year ago.
  • Meanwhile, Palm Beach County’s vacancy fell from 19.5 percent to 18.7 percent in that same year.
  • Generally speaking, a strong market would have vacancy rates between 8 to 10 percent.
  • During the third quarter of 2012, Broward County’s office rental rates fell from $24.75 to $23.75 when compared year-over-year.
  • Meanwhile, rates in Palm Beach County fell from $26 to $25.75 during that same period.
  • More restaurants and retail shops are leasing space as well.

Although these may seem like small improvements, this recent commercial real estate data suggests that the market is currently experiencing a rather positive trend.

This will pay off on the South Florida real estate market. After all, a more robust commercial real estate market will attract more workers and home buyers to the area – which will in turn create positive growth on the local housing market.

Buying and Selling South Florida Real Estate

If you’re thinking about investing in a piece of South Florida real estate anytime soon, please don’t hesitate to contact me, Scott Patterson.

When you do, I’ll tell you about available South Florida listings as well as offer you such helpful resources as:

Already living in South Florida and considering listing? Contact me today to learn about some of the home-selling resources I offer for free!

Until next time,

Scott

South Florida Seeing a Shortage of Foreclosures

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The outlook continues to look rosier and rosier for South Florida home sellers lately!

According to the most recent media reports, there’s a shortage of foreclosures for sale.

Rates of foreclosed homes for sale have dropped in both Miami-Dade and Broward County!

This is great news for area home sellers since foreclosures generally pull down the median sales price, meaning that it’s harder for sellers to get the price they want for their own home.

Real Estate for Sale in Aventura, Sunny Isles, Golden Beach, Hallandale, Hollywood and More

Here’s an overview of the most recent South Florida market data, according to the Miami Herald:

  • Broward County foreclosures-related home sales were about 3,259 during the second quarter, down 31 percent from last year.
  • In Palm Beach County, there were about 2,966 foreclosure sales, down 15 percent from a year before.
  • Miami-Dade foreclosures down about 29%.
  • Distressed properties account for 20 percent of all sales in Broward County.
  • In that county, the average price for homes is $126,230.
  • Meanwhile, distressed properties account for 22 percent of all sales in Palm Beach County.
  • In that county, the average price for homes is $121,766.
  • During the week ending on Oct 24, there were a total of 9,149 homes for sale on the Miami, Florida real estate market, including more than 2,000 that were in some stage of the foreclosure process.
  • Also during that week, the average listing price for Miami homes was $592,559, up 0.7 percent from the previous week.
  • Between July and September, the median sales price for a 1-bedroom Miami home was $120,000
  • The median sales price for a 2-bedroom home was $119,050
  • And the median sales price for 3- and 4-bedroom homes was $150,100 and $225,000, respectively.

As previously noted, foreclosure sales have a negative impact on area home sellers because they tend to pull the median home sales price and market values down.

Thus, the fact that foreclosure-related sales are dropping is a positive sign for area home sellers who want to get the best price on their home!

Your South Florida Real Estate Expert!

If you’re interested in learning more about how the recent trend on the South Florida real estate market will affect you as a home seller, please contact me, Scott Patterson.

I have experience with helping home owners sell their homes on such local real estate markets as:

Thus, I’ll be happy to help you with all of your South Florida real estate needs as well!

While you’re at it, I encourage you to take a few moments to check out some of my helpful online home selling resources, such as:

Until next time,

Scott

South Florida Real Estate Market Showing Signs of Rebound and Growth

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South Florida real estateThere’s reason to celebrate a little for the South Florida real estate market – especially if you’re a home seller with a list price under 1 million.

From a decreasing supply of available homes for sale to rising sales prices – now is a great time to be a Seller  especially if your property is listed under 1 million today. It’s all about “Supply & Demand” which is very price sensitive and it’s very important to understand the market depends on the “List Price” of your property,  the higher the “List Price” the more inventory there is.

Below, I’m going to tell you some of the recent findings from a national index on the health of the South Florida housing market.

Selling South Florida Real Estate

According to a recent market report, South Florida home prices increased by more than 5 percent in July when compared to July 2011 (depending on price range).

That’s not all that has South Florida home sellers excited!

Here’s a look at some other good news that has recently come out about the market:

  • In August, Broward County had fewer than 5,000 single-family homes for sale.
  • When compared to a year ago, Miami-Dade & Broward County’s inventory has nearly been cut by 40-50%.
  • Meanwhile, Palm Beach County’s home inventory was about 6,648 in August, which is 43 percent less than it was a year ago.
  • In Miami, the average price per square foot of Miami area homes was $155, down 4.3 percent from the same period last year.
  • Between July and September, the median sales price for Miami homes was $155,000, up 6.9 percent from the year before.
  • Also during that period, the total number of Miami home sales decreased by 11.6 percent.
  • Broward County’s unemployment rate decreased from 8.1 percent to 7.8 percent between July and August. This is good news for home sellers because it means that more home buyers are in a position to purchase a home.
  • Broward County’s unemployment rate is now better than the national average, which is 8.1 percent.
  • Meanwhile, Palm Beach County’s unemployment rate also fell to 9.6 percent, albeit that’s still higher than state and national averages.
  • Interest rates have continued to fall, with the average 30-year fixed rate falling to a record-setting 3.4 percent recently. Such low rates are sure to attract additional home buyers.

Still, the recent article I read noted that there are some ways in which the housing market can improve even more.

For instance, inaccurate home appraisals have been blamed in recent years for delaying or costing real estate deals.

Experts are now calling for more accurate and consistent appraisals to aid in the housing market’s recovery.

Some are also saying that a slight increase in interest rates may increase home buyer demand since home buyers will feel a sense of urgency to invest before interest rates continue to climb.

Your Dedicated South Florida Real Estate Expert

The South Florida real estate market is a complicated industry with plenty of moving parts that may affect your experience as a home seller.

So for an optimal experience that results in you selling your home in a short amount of time and for a great price, please contact me, Scott Patterson.

I have years of experience working on the South Florida real estate market and I’ll be happy to provide you with invaluable advice, helpful home-selling resources and more!

Start today by requesting my free selling South Florida real estate eBook or a pre-listing package!

Until next time,

Scott

EWM International Realty is now Larger and Better than Ever!

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We have exciting news to share with you about our company’s parent company, Berkshire Hathaway.

Berkshire Hathaway has purchased the real estate franchise “Prudential” / Real Living and launch an entirely new brokerage brand for these agents: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices.

Our South Florida real estate company EWM has been owned by Berkshire Hathaway for the last six years.

This new purchase, however, is guaranteed to make the company even stronger and more responsive to home buyer’s and home seller‘s needs.

Selling Real Estate in South Florida and Around the Country

Berkshire Hathaway has acquired Prudential’s agent network from Brookfield Asset Management.

Next year, Berkshire Hathaway and Brookfield will begin converting Home Services agents over to the new brand as well.

The new company will be based in Irvine, California and will be led by a team of Prudential Real Estate executives.

Here are some more facts of this recent deal:

  • Berkshire’s HomeServices of America (which already owns local brokerages with 16,000 agents in 21 states) will be the majority owner
  • The Prudential and Real Living brands will be eliminated over time.
  • Independent local brokers that HomeServices already owns will not have to switch affiliation but their branding will start to note that they’re owned by Berkshire Hathaway.

Your South Florida Real Estate Expert

By aligning ourselves with this new and improved super real estate company, EWM will have even greater access to real estate resources that will ultimately help you as the buyer or seller!

Thus, we’re quite thrilled about this newly formed real estate company!

If you’re considering entering the South Florida real estate market anytime soon, please contact me, Scott Patterson.

I’ll be happy to assist you as you navigate any one of the following South Florida markets:

Until next time,

Scott

Report: Fewer Homes for Sale Available on the South Florida Real Estate Market

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South Florida real estate for saleAvailable homes for sale on the South Florida real estate market have decreased significantly year-over-year, according to a recent article I read.

The Palm Beach Post reported that the available inventory of homes for sale was down 34 percent in September when compared to September 2011.

This is fantastic news for South Florida home sellers in such communities as Golden Beach and Sunny Isles who are hoping to get a great price on their property.

South Florida Homes for Sale

Here’s an overview of recent activity on the South Florida real estate market, according to the real estate analysis firm Zillow:

  • High-priced homes for sale in Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties were down 34.4 percent year-over-year.
  • Meanwhile, inventory of homes in the lower-priced tiers were down 33 percent.
  • In that same period, the national inventory of homes for sale has decreased by 19 percent.
  • In Palm Beach County, the inventory of single-family homes had fallen to less than five months in August.
  • When compared to August 2011, Palm Beach County’s home inventory has fallen 57 percent.

On the same day that Zillow released its report, the company RealtyTrac reported that Florida saw the most foreclosure activity in September.

Although some are concerned this may cause a drop in home prices as these foreclosed homes are sold, experts say that it’s more likely that these homes will more than likely be short-sold, which will help preserve prices.

List Your South Florida Home for Sale Today!

As I noted earlier, a drop in available homes for sale is a great sign for interested South Florida home sellers.

That’s because the low supply of available homes will spur even greater home buyer demand, which will ultimately drive up prices.

Thus, if you’re thinking about listing your South Florida property anytime soon, now is a great time to do so!

For expert tips on navigating the market as a South Florida home seller, please contact me, Scott Patterson.

I have years of experiencing helping home owners sell their properties in a number of local communities, including:

Until next time,

Scott