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April 10, 2015
If you’ve spent any time in the home market—buying or selling or “just looking”—you’ve probably been to Zillow’s website. Its trademarked Zestimate tool seems like a handy way to research homes in a given area; you can compare similar properties on the same street or from neighborhood to neighborhood. But what many people don’t realize is just how inaccurate its automated estimates can be. As a real estate professional, I have experienced the disappointment and frustration Zestimates can cause when outcomes don’t match the estimated amounts. One recent article reported that Zillow’s official nationwide “median error rate” is 8 percent, but studies of specific markets show error rates that are often much, much higher—for example, 19.9 percent in Manhattan; 11.6 […]
April 1, 2015
The season comes to a close again at the end of April, and with it, the windows for fresh-picked berries and locally sourced stone crabs. But you still have a few weeks to visit some of Miami’s most cherished institutions before the summer heat dials up to extreme. These three outposts are well worth the drive. Just a short drive to Homestead takes you to the family owned and operated Knaus Berry Farm. As someone who spent 7th & 8th grades at Redlands Jr. High (across the street) and skipped many a class to grab a milk shake and cinnamon roll, it’s hard to believe how Knaus has changed from that quaint roadside fruit stand to the celebrated bakery and […]
March 19, 2015
Last month I gave an overview of one of the six unique themed villages scattered throughout Coral Gables, the Florida Pioneer Village (want a bit more history about Gables’ creator George Merrick’s plan for these residential subdivisions? Check this out). Another of the international pockets still in existence today is the Italian Village, bordered by San Antonio Avenue, San Esteban, Segovia Street, and Monserrate Street. Architects Alfred L. Klingbeil, John and Coulton Skinner, R. F. Ware, and Robert Law Weed designed the 17 homes of this village from 1925-1927 in the style of Italian farmhouses. (Check out the lovely villas along Palmarito and Monserrate streets.) Driving through this village, you might find that the homes aren’t all that distinct from the […]
March 14, 2015
If you haven’t been to the zoo in a while, you’re missing out (if you don’t have an excuse such as having kids, feel free to borrow a friend’s for the afternoon. They’ll thank you and you’ll get a trip to the zoo). Zoo Miami is an outstanding community resource, and for family-focused neighborhoods like Palmetto Bay and Pinecrest, the zoo is full of opportunities for kids to play, explore, and learn in a safe, educational outdoor setting—all just a short drive away. Zoo Miami is home to big mammals like lions, tigers, cheetahs, jaguars, gorillas, chimpanzees, African and Asian elephants, zebras, giraffe, hippos, Malayan sun bears, and camels, and smaller, colorful exotic reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals, like meerkats, […]
March 6, 2015
It’s not news that when prospective homebuyers search for a new neighborhood to call home, their priorities vary widely depending on their stage of life. But one aspect that affects every decision is the local schools, which is why the Gulliver Academy has been so invaluable to the Pinecrest community. Part of the Gulliver Schools network, an integrated and comprehensive college preparatory program for grades PreK3 through 12, the Academy is one of the most renowned private schools in all of South Florida. Two of their campuses are located in Pinecrest: the first is the Preparatory School, for grades 9 through 12, and the second is called the Montgomery Drive Campus, and teaches grades 5 through 8. The Gulliver mission […]
February 27, 2015
If you haven’t had the opportunity to tour, or at least drive by, the six unique themed villages scattered throughout Coral Gables, you’re in for an architectural treat. When George Merrick created the Gables, one of the country’s first fully planned communities, in 1925, it was inspired primarily by Mediterranean-style architecture. Later, to attract more homebuyers to the area, he envisioned 14 residential subdivisions, each inspired by a distinct international region. Only six were built, and only 80 of the 1,000 planned homes, before the project was derailed in 1928, when Merrick fell into debt. One such village still stands today on Santa Maria Street, south of the Biltmore Hotel and bordering the Riviera Country Club golf course. Architects John […]
February 20, 2015
Palmetto Bay may be known as ‘The Village of Parks,’ but this southern Miami suburb has some solid dining options to offer families and destination foodies alike. Locals have been lining the sidewalk outside the French bakery Delices de France for years, patiently waiting their turn to scoop up its fresh-baked baguettes and buttery croissant. But now there’s a new authentic French player on the scene: Bistro Foly. The online message boards have been lighting up five stars and “best new restaurant” rankings for this cozy traditional French bistro since it opened more than a year ago off Old Cutler Road and SW 168th Street. Reviewers glow over its delicious food, friendly staff (overseen by French owners Catherine de Villada […]
February 12, 2015
Pinecrest Farmers’ Market: Building a community of food lovers The highly desirable Village of Pinecrest is known as one of South Florida’s most beautiful residential areas, with spacious, well-tended yards and single-family homes; strong schools; affluent residents; and easy access to both Downtown Miami and the airport. People regard it as offering an all-around high quality of life. It also is home to one of Miami’s most highly regarded farmers’ markets. Every Sunday (from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; some vendors accept credit cards, others are cash only), the Pinecrest Gardens Farmers Market sets up in the parking lot of the lush 20-acre Pinecrest Gardens park. (The park itself is a wonderful amenity for Pinecrest residents, who can take advantage […]
February 5, 2015
When people think of Coral Gables today, many think of stately Mediterranean Revival homes, the Biltmore, the Venetian Pool and Miracle Mile. This being said, anyone that has tried to renovate their home in the City Beautiful tends to think of getting building permits and going in front of the architectural board. As one of the first planned communities in the United States, the reason for this is simple: George Merrick, upon founding the Gables back in 1925, wanted to inspire people with the city’s architecture. This is what he envisioned the villages of Coral Gables (the Dutch South African, the Chinese, the French Normandy, the Florida Pioneer, the French Country, the French City, and the Italian) to do and […]