pumpkin patchFun for Kids

Handpick your own pumpkin at The Little Farm. 

This popular Homestead farm will be hosting a Harvest Event to exhibit, for your enjoyment, their beautiful pumpkin patch.  Already attracting animal loving children all year round, there will be pony rides and petting farms. Buy a pumpkin to take home and get a free pony ride! Pumpkins range between $4-$24. There will also be decor and scare crow kits available for purchase.

Address: 13401 SW 224 Street

Hours: Saturday & Sunday 10:00 AM- 7:00 PM

Price: Free Entry

For more information go to The Little Farm.

Halloween on the Mile

Coral Gables downtown will be hosting its 13th Annual Halloween on the Mile offering a safe alternative for trick-or- treating. There will be plenty of entertainment for the entire family. Story- telling, live performances, free treats from merchants, doggie, and kid costume contests. For extra fun there will be a Halloween-themed photo booth!

Address: Miracle Mile, Coral Gables

Phone: 305.569.0311

For more information please call the above number or visit the website Halloween on the Mile.

Fun for Adults

Vizcaya Halloween Sundowner

This fundraising costume party is very popular for Miami’s residents. It is hosted by Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, one of Miami’s most beautiful and oldest homes. The 24th Annual Halloween Sundowner at Vizcaya raises money to preserve and benefit this historics site. Tickets include open bar with premium liquor, music with a DJ, and food. Costume contests and prizes.

Address: 3251 South Miami Avenue

Hours: 8:00 PM to Midnight

Price: $125 plus tax

For more information click here.

Special Halloween Screening

The Rocky Horror Picture Show will be shown at the Olympia Theater at the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts. The event will be starting at 8:00 PM with complimentary cocktails courtesy of Grand Marnier and Belvedere IX. You will receive a complimentary goodie bag and a keepsake photo taken from a themed photo booth before the film. Show will begin at 9:00 PM and free tickets will be given out for the official after party at Grand Central Station, which is known for its live music performances.

Address: 174 E. Flagler Street

Hours: 8:00 PM

Price: $35-$40

For more information on this event click here.

 

Fun for Pets

Howl-O-Ween

Who said that Halloween was only for humans? Yes, I know ghosts and goblins are part of it, but don’t forget your pooch deserves to get dressed up, too! Fairchild Tropical Garden will be hosting a pet friendly event this Halloween, October 31 from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. There will be food, lectures, and obedience demonstrations for both you and your pet to enjoy. Stroll through the beautiful gardens while your pup gets to show off his/her costume.  Don’t miss the Dog Parade at 2 pm and watch the doggies compete for best costume!

Address: 10901 Old Cutler Road 

Phone: 305.667.1651

Hours: 9:30 AM- 4:30 PM

Price: Free for Fairchild Member, Pets, & Children under 5

             Non-Member $20 for adults, $15 for seniors, & $10 for children

 For more information on special pricing and other info go to Howl-O-Ween.

posted by Drew Kern // 2 Comments »

Halloween in Palmetto Bay

October 28th, 2010

pumpkins

Harvest Fest

Looking for a safe and free alternative for Halloween? If so, Old Cutler Presbyterian Church would like to welcome you and your family to Harvest Fest!

Expect the atmosphere of this church sponsored event to be fun, festive, and family friendly. Designed for ages 2- 11 there will be plenty of activities to participate in.  Kids’ costumes are welcomed, so dress them up but make sure they can climb, ride and jump around in them because they will be doing just that when they see the Rock Climbing Wall, Pony Rides, Train Rides, and the Bounce house. If that wasn’t attention grabbing, there will also be a dunk tank, games, and prizes. 

Trick or Treat?

No tricks with this event, yes it is free, but there will definitely be plenty of treats! Plenty of candy, cotton candy, popcorn, and snow cones to go around.

The only worry you might have this halloween is figuring out how to get your kids to leave!

For more information on this event please click here.

posted by Drew Kern // 1 Comment »

Waterfront living for less

October 28th, 2010

Live on Nevada Street

This home is also located in the private community of Gables by the Sea, the Coral Gables development known for being home to families and boating enthusiasts. On weekends you will find the neighborhood busy with activity. Bicyclists pedaling through the streets, kids on their scooters and boater’s navigating through the channels are all familiar sights to neighbors.

blogviewExplore your options. 

Conveniently located on a cul de sac this 3 bedroom and 2 1/2 bathroom is ideal for someone who would like to customize their own home. Built in 1968, this home is ready for some updating, but has great potential! It has a functional layout with split floor plan. Design features include a foyer, living room with wood-burning fireplace, large laundry room and an over-sized 2 car garage. Living areas and master bedroom have glass doors that lead to the covered patio with views of the pool and wide canal.

Situated on a 13,207 sq ft lot, there is also room for expansion.  In fact, purchase of the home includes Coral Gables approved architectural plans for a one level 5 bedroom/5 bath home. So, it’s up to you…you can choose to update the existing structure or expand it. There is also plenty of space and options for boat dockage with a 110 foot sea wall and no bridges to bay. It’s not easy to find waterfront living this inexpensive in a luxury community in  Miami. This is a fantastic opportunity for the right buyer or investor.

 If you would like to know more about this home or the Gables by the Sea community, please contact me.

posted by Drew Kern // Please leave a comment.

    13026 Nevada Street  Coral Gables, FL

The Perfect Waterfront Estate

13026 Nevada Street Coral Gables, FL

This gorgeous home is located in the exclusive community of Gables by the Sea. The highly desireable Coral Gables development is known for its waterfront properties, security, and proximity to some of the best schools in the area. 

A large home with 5 bedrooms and 5 baths, this home’s design is elegant yet cozy.  Soaring volume ceilings, wood-burning fireplace and water view welcome you at the entrance. Built with quality finishes and attention to detail you will find custom mill-work throughout, with touches of marble and stone. 

Never lived in, it’s waiting for that special personal touch. Perfect for a family and those who like to entertain. The functional floor plan  includes bright open living areas with glass doors leading to covered terraces. Chef’s kitchen features breakfast area and snack bar. Top of the line stainless steel appliances include a Subzero refrigerator, deep dishwasher and additional refrigeration drawers. Two bedrooms are located on the main level, 3 bedrooms upstairs, all en-suite with walk in closets. Master bedroom has large balcony overlooking waterway.

With lots of natural lighting from our South Florida sunshine, this home can help brighten up anyone’s day.

Tropical landscaping welcomes guests to a backyard with a large covered patio, beach entry pool, and water view. Unique cabana bath with onyx stone from floor to ceiling. Plenty of space for a boat with 100 ft sea wall and no bridges to bay.

If you would like to inquire for more information about this home please call me.

posted by Drew Kern // Please leave a comment.

When the Price is Right

September 29th, 2010

money signIf you are considering selling your home the first question you must ask yourself is,”Am I serious about selling?”

If the answer is “Yes” then I am sure you will want to attract buyers and receive the highest possible purchase price for your home.

Pricing is crucial in today’s market.

An over-priced home gives the impression that you are not serious about selling.

Although, inventory is progressively decreasing there are still a lot of homes to choose from out there.  Serious buyers are aware of this and are doing their homework before making their next big purchase. It is safe to say that an overpriced home will often be overlooked not only by these buyers, but by realtors. Many buyers grow tired and frustrated with available housing, which includes short sales and foreclosures. That being said, a well-priced home that is just placed on the market is most likely to attract the pool of buyers  who have been shopping in your neighborhood. These homes will receive lots of activity, including showings and eventually offers. In some cases, if the area is in high demand we have seen bidding. Yes, even in this market homes do get sold over the listing price.

Remember to focus on data and trends and to check your emotions at the door. And most importantly choose a realtor, like myself, to help you sift through all of the numbers and get down to the realistic value of your home. I can provide you with market trends, statistics and recent sales to assist you in determining the correct price to market your property.

If you are interested in selling your home I would be happy to help you with the first steps. Contact me here.

posted by Drew Kern // Please leave a comment.

It’s right around the corner! Are you a golfer (all levels are welcome)? Do you see the value of networking with other professionals in the region? Or do you just want to be a part of a fun charitable event?

The 8th Annual BNI Charity Golf Tournament is back!

BNI_Golf_Tournament_2009-9740

When: Friday, September 24, 2010

*Golfers arrive at 12:00 pm, lunch will be provided, followed by a shotgun start at 12:30pm and 18 holes of fun! 

The cost to golf is $150 per single, $600 per foursome.

Where: Westview Country Club 2601 NW 119 Street Miami, FL 33167

All proceeds for the charity golf tournament go directly to the charity, Big City Mountaineers. This is our 8th year hosting the tournament for this fantastic charity and these deserving kids. What is Big City Mountaineers? It is a non-profit organization that was created with the belief that nature is a powerful teaching tool for teens of today.  By leaving behind all of the comforts of home and overcoming challenges of wilderness travel, these teens are able to realize what they can accomplish in their lives. Their mission is to provide urban teenage youth an opportunity to receive positive adult mentoring through a challenging wilderness experience led by experienced adult volunteer guides. This is a fantastic opportunity to impact the life of a young adult.

Don’t golf? Come to the Official Tournament Afterparty, 6:30PM-9:00PM. Golfers automatically are guaranteed entry but for all additional guests the cost is only $25 and includes a buffet dinner provided by the club, drinks, silent auction and priceless networking time with professionals in the Miami-Dade region.

 Other ways to get involved…

Help us through volunteering the day of the tournament. Or you can be a sponsor.

Sponsorship levels are explained below:

  • $100 Cart Sponsorship-includes signage on a cart with your company name.
  • $250 Hole Sponsorship-includes signage at your assigned hole, plus you can also set up a booth or tent to hand out promotional materials.
  • $500 Chip Shot Sponsorship-includes hole sponsorship plus 1 round of golf and warm up with a bucket of range balls prior to the tournament.
  • $1,000 Corporate Sponsorship-includes hole sponsorship plus a round of golf for 4 and recognition in promotional materials for the tournament.
  • $2,500 Master’s Jacket Level Sponsorship-includes hole sponsorship, round of golf for 4, recognition in promotional materials for the tournament and a special introduction at the shotgun start in front of all attendees.
  • $5,000 Title Sponsorship-includes hole sponsorship, round of golf for 4, recognition in promotional materials for the tournament, special introduction at the shotgun start in front of all attendees, VIP seating at the afterparty, invitation to exclusive added value event the evening prior to the tournament; an opportunity to network with other major donors.

We are also looking for silent auction items and promotional items (at least 120) that we can include in our goody bags, provided to all golfers at sign in.

For any questions, information on how you can get involed in the tournament through sponsorship, donation or playing, please contact me here.

posted by Drew Kern // 2 Comments »

Cocoplum Contemporary

September 3rd, 2010

Whether you are into the contemporary style home or not, this is just simply irresistible.

7318_monaco_st_MLS_HID617177_ROOMpool2

7318 Monaco Street is a 6,138 square foot, two story, 5 bdrm/5.5 bath Estate located in the “Phase 1″ section of Cocoplum, a reputable luxury community in Coral Gables. Home to many of Miami’s upper class residents. A fantastic location just a short drive from downtown Coral Gables and Coconut Grove and not far from the downtown Miami area.  

From the outside it’s modern and clean with a pleasing exterior shade, pavered entry, circular drive and several stone fascades. Upon entering the double doors, through a wall of glass are views of the unique pool and patio, the center point of the home. The “walls of glass” theme prevails through the remainder of the first floor, bringing in fabulous natural light and views of the tropical foliage outside. Custom built plantation shutters allow you to control the lighting during the day. There are volume ceilings through out several rooms, two “family rooms,” one is more of an adult lounge with built in bar and additional seating, the other a casual family room where the family can congregate.

The European kitchen was remodeled recently and includes stainless steel appliances, a beautiful mosaic tile backsplash, marble counter top, and an island with electric and gas cook top. One bedroom and bath downstairs. There is also a two car garage with a spiral staircase leading to an office space above. The master bedroom is very spacious and includes a balcony and master bath with a supremely unique red, white and silver motif, glass tiled shower and stand alone tub.

When the time comes for entertaining the pool and patio are stunning. There is an outdoor kitchen with built in barbeque.  There is also a cooking fireplace and lounge covered and tucked away out of the sun.  This part of the home is close to perfect for any ocassion you’d want to celebrate. 

Available for rent or sale. Call for more details.

posted by Drew Kern // Please leave a comment.

Elegance in the Groves

September 1st, 2010

8108 SW 172 Terrace Palmetto Bay, Florida
8108 SW 172 Terrace Palmetto Bay, Florida

Tasteful, 4 bedroom, 3 bath, two story home, located in the the gated community of Groves at Old Cutler in Palmetto Bay, Florida. 

This home was made for formal entertaining. Upon entering through the front doors you are greeted with a two story foyer and formal living room with two sets of french doors providing a view to the beautiful pool and backyard beyond. There is also a grand dining room perfect for a private gathering.  The open kitchen is updated with newer cabinets and granite countertops. There are two pantrys and an eat-in area. One bedroom and full cabana bath are also conveniently located on the first floor, perfect for a live-in nanny or visiting guests.

The backyard is excellent for celebrating birthdays, pool parties, or just a day out in the sun. The pool was recently built and includes an oversized jacuzzi and expansive patio of travertine pavers.   There is a partially covered portion of the patio too; perfect for those trying to enjoy the weather but out of the sun. Also an ideal location for a bbq or game table for more outdoor fun.  The side yard has a double gate with plenty of space to park the boat. There are also several mango trees and a massive hedge along the back providing the ultimate in privacy.

The community is very private and gated. It’s family friendly too with lots of kids in the neighborhood, families riding by on their bicycles and neighbors walking their dogs. In addition there is a pavilion located at the entrance where you can host gatherings.

A great place to live and raise a family. For more information, contact me here.

posted by Drew Kern // Please leave a comment.

Are you looking for an adorable home to which you can add your own personal touches?  

This could be that perfect place for you: 2338 SW 19 Street Miami, Florida

New Exterior Front

This cozy 2 bedroom/1 bath has great features that are completely livable as is, but ready for some updates. So the great thing about this house is that you could update it as you see fit over time. There are two living areas, including a formal living room, with beautiful and ornate original fireplace, and enclosed florida room that is the size of the full length of the house! Perfect for an informal dining area and family room/play room as well. 

The kitchen has newer cabinets, pantry storage and a door to the side yard, plus a formal dining room.  In addition there is a third room that could be used as a bedroom or office. And space to add a master bathroom if you would like. A one car garage provides extra storage space plus a carport outside where you can park your car.

Your favorite part will probably be the fantastic backyard. It’s fully fenced with several huge mango trees and even a swing for the kids.  Also there are two separate patio areas where you can entertain.  And there is plenty of space to put up a playground area for the kids or possibly even add a pool.

It’s centrally located, not too far from Coral Gables and the downtown Miami area, and right across US1 from Coconut Grove.

Contact me for more details.

posted by Drew Kern // 1 Comment »

Great home in Lakes by the Bay

August 11th, 2010

A wonderful family home.

8992 SW 212 Terrace Cutler Bay, Florida

8992 SW 212 Terrace Cutler Bay, Florida

 

3 bedroom, 2 bath home located in Lakes By the Bay in Cutler Bay, Florida. Perfect for entertaining as there is a formal dining room plus two spacious living areas, with the family room right off the kitchen. The ceilings are vaulted giving this home that much more of an open and airy feeling. The bedrooms are also very spacious. It is a split plan with the Master bedroom located off the family room, and the other bedrooms toward the front.

From the family room you have a great view to the recently constructed wooden deck. The backyard is also very nicely landscaped with lush palms and flowering trees and plants. It looks beautiful at nighttime, lit up by tiki torches and is the perfect spot for sitting around an outdoor fire pit, spending time with family and friends.

Set on a 6,666 square foot lot, you not only have the backyard to enjoy but the side yard is a sizeable space as well and with a double side gate it’s the perfect spot to park the boat. From this neighborhood you can get to Blackpoint Marina in only a few minutes so having the boat is essential. DSC_0040

Please click here to inquire for more details regarding this home.

posted by Drew Kern // Please leave a comment.