New Listings at Sayan Condominiums: 7 Units Remaining!

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If you’re looking for a beachfront condo in Miami Beach, where there are almost no tourists in sight, you might want to explore Sayan Condominiums in Sunny Isles. My brokerage, Pulse International Realty recently acquired exclusive listings of the last 7 units available in what is now one of the only boutique (88 units total) luxury oceanfront condo buildings in Sunny Isles.

Last week we held an open house/broker breakfast that was a great success, so if you haven’t already scheduled an appointment to see these beautiful remaining units, you might want to before the inventory is gone.

Some of the Residential Tower Features include:

  • Computerized security controlled high-speed elevator system, including custom designed elevator CABS with private access to most residences.
  • Grand entry foyer.
  • 9′-3″ ceiling heights.
  • 24-hour valet & package delivery.
  • 24-hour safety control desk monitored by professionals plus one rover from dusk to dawn.
  • Solid core decorative wood entry doors.
  • Private oversized terraces with glass and finished metal-cap railings.
  • High Speed Internet.
  • Central boiler system ensuring unlimited hot water to all residences.
  • Private residence storage.

Some of the Special Area Features include:

  • Asian inspired world-class spa & health club complete with relaxation centers and meditation gardens.
  • Balinese styled pool deck with heated pool and infinity edge, oceanfront spa complete with outdoor Asian therapy sundeck and South Seas inspired architecture with lush tropical landscaping.
  • Oceanfront swimming pool & jacuzzi.
  • Four-story entry lobby designed and furnished to reflect the South Seas & oriental flavor of a world-class atmosphere.
  • Concierge services in lobby.
  • Breathtaking four-story waterfall and reflective pond.
  • Beach/pool attendant.
  • Social Room.

In regards to the units, I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves.  Below are images from our model unit 2202, which is one of the 7 remaining units.

For more information and pricing on available condos for sale at Sayan Condominiums in Sunny Isles, please contact me directly.

The King’s New Castle: Lebron James Buys $9M Miami Mansion

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After month’s of shopping the Miami real estate market since “taking his talents to South Beach”, 25-year-old, Miami Heat star player, Lebron James has just invested in a $9 million dollar mansion in Coconut Grove.  Just a modest $1.6 million less than what his fellow teammate/co-star, Dwyane Wade spent on his Miami Beach home, as reported last week.

The 20,000 square foot, two-story, 8 bedroom, 8 bathroom palace has an impressive white facade with Roman-style columns and arches throughout.  Both floors have wraparound verandas, which overlooks Biscayne Bay.  Surrounded by tall palm trees, the home boasts a beautiful infinity swimming pool, in which the edges reach a private pier leading out to the crystal clear blue sea.

It’s definitely a site to see, and I’m sure there’s more than enough room for the James family to enjoy.

For more information on million dollar homes for sale in Coconut Grove, feel free to contact me directly.

Welcome home King James ;-)

Collins Park: Neighborhood on the Rise

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Have you been to the Collins Park area lately? Soon enough you’ll see a complete transformation and understand why Miami New Times calls it South Beach’s most “up and coming” neighborhood.  If you’re unfamiliar with the area, Collins Park is contained by 17th Street to the south, 23rd Street to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and Washington Avenue/Pinetree Drive to the west. It is directly across from the Miami Beach Convention Center.

The area consists mainly of low rise art deco buildings built in the 1930s and 1950s and it’s also the home of the Bass Museum of Art.   For the past several months Collins Park has been undergoing some major construction, as many of the old apartments from the 1980s (many of which still have bars on their windows) are being purchased by major New York and South Florida real estate developers to be converted into condominiums.  So if you’re looking for a new neighborhood to invest in real estate, now is the best time.

Collins Park, which sits in the heart of the city’s arts and cultural district (a.k.a. the large lot of land that separates the W  from the Setai), has had a major makeover, check out the video coverage from the City of Miami Beach below.

As I mentioned in the Pink Snails feature, these gigantic, plastic, pink creatures are slowly making their way to Collins Park in mid December so be sure to see the conclusion of this amazing public art installation.

For more information on homes and condos in the Collins Park area, feel free to contact me directly.

New Miami Art Museum Breaks Ground in Museum Park

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MAM Director Thom Collins, Vice Chairwoman-Elect of the Miami-Dade County Commission Audrey M. Edmonson, MAM Board of Trustees Chairman Aaron Podhurst, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez, Miami-Dade County Commissioner Sally A. Heyman, Miami-Dade County Manager George M. Burgess, and Herzog & de Meuron Senior Partner Christine Binswanger. Photo by Juan Cabrera.

Good news for all you local art lovers who are experiencing withdrawals now that Art Basel has left town.  The Miami Art Museum’s Herzog & de Meuron-designed facility in Downtown Miami finally broke ground in Museum Park next to the future home of the Miami Science Museum.  Following years of planning anticipation, the groundbreaking ceremony was held at the Museum’s new site overlooking Biscayne Bay and is scheduled to open to the public in 2013.

Check out the video clip below:

“Today’s groundbreaking is a giant step forward in Miami’s emergence as one of the world’s great cultural cities,” said Aaron Podhurst, chairman of Miami Art Museum’s board of trustees. “The launch of this construction process signals that the public and private sectors are committed to enhancing Miami’s profile as a global arts destination and we are proud that Miami Art Museum factors prominently into that reputation. Our new building will fill many roles – as a repository for our city’s greatest works, a resource for learning, an economic engine in our urban core, a gathering place for Miami residents and visitors, and as an architectural icon of our city.”

As a former New Yorker who truly appreciates the arts, I personally am looking forward to having a world class art museum across the causeway, in Downtown Miami.

For those of you who are currently owners of units in the properties such as Marquis Residences, Ten Museum Park and 900 Biscayne, which are directly across the street from the new home of Miami Art Museum, you’ll soon enough be able to see the increase in value of your investment as the project develops.  If you haven’t already secured a condo at either of these properties, please feel free to contact me directly.  I’ll be more than happy to provide you with availability, pricing and building information.

Dwyane Wade Buys $10.6M Miami Beach Home

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Courtesy of Associated Press

Now that the Art Basel frenzy is over in Miami, it’s back to real estate.  For those of my fellow Heat fans, I’m sure you will  appreciate the new purchase, 28-year-old NBA guard, Dwyane Wade has just made.  He is now the happy owner of a 13,000-square-foot, gated, six-bedroom Mediterranean-style house with 150-plus feet of bay frontage.  There’s a tennis court that he’s planning to convert to a basketball court, says his broker Gloria Salom, a guest house and a doghouse with air-conditioning.

The former owner of the property originally wanted $18 million but Salom was working with a strict budget, so her pricing goal was clear, managing to close the deal at $10.6 million.  Wade went under contract on the home sight unseen, closed on Nov. 29 and moved in the same day.

Needless to say, when choosing a Realtor, it’s always best to work with someone who understands your taste, wants and needs in a home, but can also negotiate the best price for their client.

For more information on Miami Beach homes for sale, please feel free to contact me directly.

Art Basel is Finally Here!

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Last week I was able to give you a sneak peak at what was coming to Miami Beach for Art Basel in the “Pink Snails” feature and now it finally arrived! My favorite event of the year, Art Basel Miami Beach. See below schedule of this week’s official events (Dec. 1-5).

The show features an international selection of top galleries with a program of special exhibitions, parties and crossover events featuring music, film, architecture and design; noon-8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and noon-6 p.m. Sunday; Miami Beach Convention Center, 1901 Convention Center Dr., Miami Beach; $75 permanent pass, $60 two-day ticket, $36 one-day ticket, $20 evening ticket (valid from 4 p.m.), $22 seniors and students, free for kids 15 and under when accompanied by an adult. 305-673-7311, miamibeachconvention.com or artbaselmiamibeach.com:

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 1
9 a.m. Cisneros Fontanals Art Foundation visit: 1018 N. Miami Ave., Miami; 305-455-3338, rsvp@cifo.org.

9 a.m. de la Cruz Collection Contemporary Art Space visit: 23 NE 41 St., Miami Design Destrict; 305-576-6112, info@delacruzcollection.org or delacruzcollection.org

9 a.m. The Margulies Collection at the Warehouse visit: 591 NW 27 St., Miami, 305-576-1051, mcollection@bellsouth.net or marguliescollection.com. $10 donation to Lotus House Homeless Shelter.

9 a.m. Rubell Family Collection visit: 95 NW 29th St., Miami; 305-573-6090, info@rfc.museum or rfc.museum

Noon – 9 p.m. Vogue Lounge at Art Basel: Live beats by DJ Ess and Emm, plus fashion, beauty and lifestyle trends on display. Cocktail reception, 7-9 p.m.; The Raleigh Hotel, 1775 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; vogue@taraink.com

6 p.m. to midnight Oceanfront Opening Night: Detroit. Program spotlights the city and is curated by Creative Time in collaboration with the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit. On beach at Collins Avenue between 21st and 22nd streets. Free.

10 p.m. Art Loves Music: Opening night concert on the beach at Oceanfront; 305-674-1292, floridaoffice@artbasel.com

THURSDAY, DEC. 2

9 a.m. Cisneros Fontanals Art Foundation visit

9 a.m. De la Cruz Collection Contemporary Art Space visit

9 a.m. The Margulies Collection at the Warehouse visit; $10 donation.

9 a.m. Rubell Family Collection visit: Features an interactive food installation by Jennifer Rubell that addresses the question: What if Goldilocks were an artist?

9 a.m. to noon World Class Boxing visit: 170 NW 23rd St., Miami; 305-438-9908,
desireecronk@gmail.com

9 a.m. to noon Artists’ Studio Visits in Wynwood, Maps of studio locations available at the Info Desk in Info Zones B + D at the convention center; studiovisits10@gmail.com

10-11 a.m. Art Basel Conversations: Talk with Michelangelo Pistoletto and Hans Ulrich Obrist; MBCC, auditorium adjacent to Info Zone D. Free.

Noon to 8 p.m. Art Basel Miami Beach opens to the public

Noon to 9 p.m. Vogue Lounge at Art Basel, The Raleigh Hotel.

6 p.m. to midnight Oceanfront Nights: Mexico City, curated by Creative Time in collaboration with El Museo Tamayo in Mexico City.

FRIDAY, DEC. 3
9 a.m. Cisneros Fontanals Art Foundation

9 a.m. De la Cruz Collection Contemporary Art Space

9 a.m. The Margulies Collection at the Warehouse: $10 donation.

9 a.m. to noon Rubell Family Collection

9 a.m. to noon Artists’ Studio Visits in Wynwood

10-11 a.m. Art Basel Conversations: Museums in the Digital Age

Noon to 8 p.m. Art Basel Miami Beach open

Noon to 9 p.m. Vogue Lounge at Art Basel, The Raleigh Hotel

6 p.m. to midnight Oceanfront Nights: Berlin

8:30 p.m. Art Film: ‘Waste Land,’ followed by a Q&A with Vik Muniz and the producer of the film, moderated by Dan Cameron. Free tickets available at Lincoln Theatre, 541 Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach.

SATURDAY, DEC. 4
9 a.m. Cisneros Fontanals Art Foundation

9 a.m. De la Cruz Collection Contemporary Art Space

9 a.m. The Margulies Collection at the Warehouse; $10 donation.

9 a.m. to noon Rubell Family Collection

9 a.m. to noon Artists’ Studio Visits

10-11 a.m. Art Basel Conversations: Latin America, The Collector as Catalyst with Ella Fontanals-Cisneros, Agustin Coppel, and Rodrigo Moura. Moderated by Jose Roca.

Noon to 8 p.m. Art Basel Miami Beach open

6 p.m. to midnight Oceanfront Nights: Glasgow, curated by Creative Time in collaboration with Tramway, Glasgow.

SUNDAY, DEC. 5
9 a.m. Cisneros Fontanals Art Foundation

9 a.m. De la Cruz Collection Contemporary Art Space

9 a.m. The Margulies Collection at the Warehouse; $10 donation

9 a.m. to noon Rubell Family Collection

9 a.m. to noon Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden Brunch, hosted by Lin Lougheed, Aaron Fleischman and Bruce Greer. 10901 Old Cutler Rd., Coral Gables; 305-667-1651 ext. 3371, kbobsen@fairchildgarden.org

9:30 a.m. to noon Breakfast in the Park at The Frost Art Museum, Southwest 107th Avenue and Eighth Street, Miami; 305-348-0401, pollacka@fiu.edu

9:30 a.m. to noon Lowe Art Museum Brunch with artist lecture by Alison Saar at 9:30 a.m. Hosted by Brian A. Dursum, director of Lowe Art Museum at the University of Miami, 1301 Stanford Dr., Coral Gables; 305-284-6981, ibergmann@miami.edu

10-11 a.m. Art Basel Conversations: The Future of Artistic Practice/The School Makers with Eduardo Abaroa, Tania Bruguera, Domingo Castillo, Piero Golia and Yoshua Okon. Moderated by Hans Ulrich Obrist.

Noon to 6 p.m. Art Basel Miami Beach open

Stay tuned for more updates and coverage…..

Waterfront Art Deco Charm: Affordable Rentals in Normandy Isle

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Boat Dock AvailableStart the New Year in this beautifully renovated art deco building.  Exclusive leasing with Pulse International Realty.  12 units available, only3 waterfront view units left.  All units are 1 bedroom, 1 bath and they’re priced well to rent quickly, hurry before you miss out on this great opportunity to live in this charming Art Deco building on a quiet, tree-lined street in Normandy Isle.  See below for details.

Units range between $1250 – $1450.  Contact me directly to schedule appointments for showings or with any questions you may have.

Best Hotel Pools in Miami Beach

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It’s such a beautiful day today in Miami Beach and with a holiday weekend upon us, I could not help but drift out of work mode and start thinking about having some fun in the sun.  I just so happened to be watching one of my favorite shows that keeps me in the know locally, Plum Daily and this week’s Plum Picks for Best Hotel Pools in Miami Beach were featured.  Check out the video clip below.

Two of the hotels featured, Fontainebleau and The Mondrian Hotel actually offer some great condo-hotel units that allow you to take full advantage of soaking up the hotel’s amenities.  This coming season I will be conducting open houses at 1100 West Avenue, which is where the Mondrian is located.  Pulse International Realty has several exclusive listings so stay tuned for dates.

To give you a sneak peak at what we’re offering we have:

MOTIVATED SELLERS!

  • Unit #PH16 – 2 BR 2 Bath $990,000.00
  • Unit #PH14 – 1 BR 1 Bath $690,000.00
  • Unit #909   – 1 BR 1 Bath $475,000.00
  • Unit #914   – 1 BR 1 Bath $640,000.00

For more information on Miami Beach condo-hotels please feel free to contact me directly.

5 Tips for Buying a Home in a Short Sale

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For the past few months, majority of my clients have inquired about homes that are almost too good to be true when they see the list price.  In most cases these properties are Short Sales.  There are a lot of questions in regards to the process and what exactly Short Sale means, so for all those who have ever considered buying a short sale property below are 5 very simple tips that can help to prepare you and protect you for the process.

As much as I would like to think that a short sale is equivalent to a quick sale, it is far from that.  The term short sale in real estate pretty much means the sale proceeds fall short of the balance owed on the property’s loan.  Once the agreement to short sale a property between the seller and lender is established the bank essentially has full control on whether or not your offer is approved.

1. Establish a budget – If you are planning to purchase a property with cash, get current bank statements in order.  If you are planning to finance, get a letter of pre-qualification from your lender.  In both cases I always recommend this first because as short sale properties enter the market they are under contract within a matter of weeks.  So as you’re looking for property, if you find something that you absolutely love, the bank will need to see that you have the funds or the financing to purchase it so once an offer is prepared, the bank statements or pre-qualification letter will need to be submitted along with it.  The bank does not allot time for buyers to get these matters in order after they’ve shown interest. They are receiving multiple offers on one property at a time.

2. Get help from a real estate agent experienced in Short Sales – In the state of Florida, real estate agents that represent buyers are paid a commission from the seller, but in the case of a Short Sale, the bank/lender pays the commission at the close of the transaction, so don’t be afraid to get some assistance from a real estate agent that can identify which homes are being offered as a short sale, help you determine what a reasonable offer will be, and prepare the appropriate contracts, addendums and riders that are commonly used when submitting an offer in a short sale.  It won’t cost you a dime.

3. Be realistic in your offer -  If you find a property in an area of your liking, consider the property value in the homes in that particular area.  You can find this information on public records or you can also gauge between property value and homes recently sold in the area that are similar to the property you are putting an offer on.  The bank is only going to consider offers that are close in property value, but you also have to be comfortable in what you are willing to pay for it.  If it seems like a property that will require a lot of work, but the property value is relatively high because of the neighborhood, then this might not be the best choice for you.

4. Exude patience – Because this process can be very tedious, you have to anticipate that there will be delays.  In my personal experience, even after an offer was already approved, it still took several weeks to receive an actual approval letter from the lender in order for the buyer to proceed with the inspection of the home.  If you’re looking to move rather quickly, a short sale is definitely not the best option for you.  Depending on the lender it could take anywhere from 3 to 6 months to close on a short sale property.  If there are several lienholders involved, then expect even bigger delays.

5. Be prepared to purchase As-Is – In all short sale transactions the property is bought “As-Is”.  In other words, if after viewing the property you notice that there’s leak coming from the roof or a crack in the foundation, you will be taking on the responsibility of having those repairs made.  So, unlike traditional real estate sales transactions, where a buyer is able to enforce the seller to make improvements on items that are detected during an inspection, in a short sale transaction this is solely the buyer’s responsibility.  The good news is, in most cases, there is a clause in short sale contracts where a period of time is allotted, usually 15 days that the buyer has to back-out of the contract if the inspection report comes back unfavorable.

For more information on buying a home or condo in a short sale or for a list of short sale properties available in the Miami area of your preference, feel free to contact me directly.

What’s Happening?: Top 5 Events in Miami This Weekend

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It’s after 6pm on Friday…the weekend is officially here.  If you’re thinking about what you’ll “get into” over the weekend, there are several options depending on what you’re in the mood for.

These are my Top 5 things to do this weekend:

1. Catch the Heat! - Miami Heat vs. Charlotte tonight at the American Airlines Arena (Nov. 19th, 7:30pm)

2. What Women Want – Nikki Beach cordially invites you to the one year anniversary of their signature worldwide fashion event, this Saturday (Nov. 20th from 2pm-5pm) at Nikki Beach on Collins between 1st and 2nd Street.  Red carpet cocktail reception, press and media interviews, complimentary cupcakes, sweet and pastries, gift bags and beauty treatment hosted by Miami Dolphins Cheerleader, who will do a calendar signing/press and media interview and walk the runway at 5pm.

3. Bayside Rocks! - Bayside Rocks Festival is upon us.  This Saturday (Nov. 20th from 2pm-11:45pm) at Bayfront Park, 301 N. Biscayne Blvd.  Don’t miss out on this line up of Good Vibes.  Give Thanks to all Rockaz supporters!

4. Miami Book Fair International – Readers and writers will follow, as they do by the hundreds of thousands every year for the Miami Book Fair International, an eight-day literary party in November. Ends this Sunday.  Gates open at 10am and close by 6pm each day. Taking place in Downtown Miami, 300 NE 2nd Ave.

5. 20 Years at Coco Walk! – Saturday, Nov. 20, 11am-11pm at CocoWalk in Coconut Grove, there will be live entertainment, face painters, giveaways & more! 8pm, CocoWalk Holiday Fashion Show!

Where will I be this weekend? Stay tuned for updates….

Pink Snails Invade Miami Beach

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We’re only a week and a half away from my most favorite event of the year here in Miami…Art Basel!  Art lovers from all over the world flock to Miami Beach and the Arts District for an exclusive selection of more than 250 leading art galleries from North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa will exhibit 20th and 21st century artworks by over 2,000 artists.  Special exhibition sections feature young galleries, performance art, public art projects and video art.

Just in time for this annual event, courtesy of the international artistic collective Cracking Art Group and Italy’s renowned Galleria Ca d’Oro is an installation of forty-five huge pink snails (8 feet tall and 11 feet long) that will make Miami Beach their new home from November 18, 2010 to January 3, 2011.  Part of the global sensation known as the REgeneration Art Project, the Miami Beach snails will be the series latest and first US-based installation.  Strategically placed throughout the city, this engaging public art series is designed to inspire a community-wide conversation about the importance of recycling and its environmental impact, while leaving a potent artistic trace on the Miami Beach community.  Have you spotted any of these gigantic pink plastic creatures in your neighborhood?

I managed to do some pink snail spotting myself while out and about looking at properties.  So far, I”ve spotted them on 5th Street and Lenox, Dade Blvd. between Michigan and Meridian Ave., and Lummas Park at 10th and Ocean (check out the pics below).  Workers from a local company will slowly move some or all of the pieces over time until they all are gathered in Collins Park by mid-December.

If you’re wondering “why the snail?” as I did, Gloria Porcella, co-owner of Galleria Ca d’ Oro says the snail was chosen because:

  • It carries its shelter on its back, evoking a sense of living and place.
  • The snail and shell are shaped in a spiral like an ear, urging people to listen.
  • The snail and shell are also shaped like the @ symbol seen in e-mail addresses — Italians call the sign a snail — and refers to digital communication.

For more information, visit www.pinksnails.com.

Stay tuned for more coverage on Art Basel Miami Beach 2010 as we get closer to December 2nd – 5th.

Canyon Ranch Miami Beach

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Would you want to wake up to this view everyday?….You can, for $1 million (pinky finger pointed at the corner of my mouth, wink!).  I recently had the opportunity to get an exclusive tour of Canyon Ranch Living, Hotel & Spa here in Miami Beach.  This picture was taken from my cell phone in a beautiful model unit in the south east corner of the building (please excuse the poor lighting).  Of all the units I toured, this was my absolute favorite.

For $1 million you can have this fully furnished 2 Bedroom, 2.5 Bath, 1200 square feet, direct ocean view condo on Miami Beach.

Canyon Ranch Hotel & Spa is such an exquisite property full with amazing amenities.  From the moment you arrive, you know you’re somewhere special. Designed by pre-eminent architect David Rockwell, the magnificent lobby merges Miami Beach style with a sense of serenity that’s all Canyon Ranch. And that’s just the beginning.

With 750 feet of pristine beach at the doorstep, you can enjoy active play or perfect leisure any time.  Feeling sociable? Meet with friends in the lovely outdoor Palm Court or the Conservatory for a drink and people-watching.

You’ll have full access to South Florida’s largest Wellness Spa, a serene and energizing space that invites you to linger. In its state-of-the-art Fitness Center, you’ll find everything you need to get moving and stay fit. More than 40 complimentary fitness classes are offered daily, from indoor cycling to Beach Boot Camp.  For pure relaxation, explore the intriguing environments of their exclusive Aquavana thermal suites.

Learn how to feel your best every day during free presentations by renowned Canyon Ranch experts in nutrition, medicine, fitness and more. Take home inspiration and practical knowledge as the most lasting and meaningful memory of your stay.

If $1 million is not quite in your budget, but you still want a piece of the Canyon Ranch lifestyle…no need to worry, units start from as low as $250k.

For more information on Canyon Ranch Living, Miami Beach or other condo hotel properties in the area, please contact me directly.

More pics from this amazing unit!