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December 11, 2015

Fabulous New Listing in the Grove

If you’ve been hankering to live the Grove lifestyle, my new listing–3045R Orange St, #B3–is just perfect for you! Smack-dab in the heart of the Grove, this contemporary 2-bedroom, 2.5-bath tri-level gem is located in the gated Atrium in the Grove community. The first floor features an updated eat-in kitchen and formal dining room, while the second floor boasts an ensuite guest bedroom, an open family room with an additional convertible bedroom area, a wet bar and a half-bath. The grand master bedroom/loft is located on the third floor. Additional highlights of this spectacular property include volume ceilings, abundant natural light, wood floors, a rooftop terrace and a ground-floor deck and patio. Truly a perfect home for entertaining and enjoying […]
December 4, 2015

Miami: Bright Lights, Magic City

Out-of-town friends always ask me, “How do you get in the holiday spirit in Miami?” Temperatures hover in the low- to mid-80s, locals parade around in their summer best and, yes, some of us continue to enjoy a lazy afternoon or two by the pool well into the “winter” months (if it isn’t raining, that is). Life’s rough, isn’t it? That being said, I have to say Miami is a magical place over the holidays. And one of the more enjoyable ways to get into the holiday spirit is to explore our neighborhoods and take in the holiday lights on display. Wondering where to go? Here are some festive places in and around the greater Miami area that are sure […]
November 27, 2015

To Fix or Not to Fix Before Listing?

Now that we’ve had our fill of Thanksgiving turkey, it’s time to turn our attention back to real estate. One of the questions I hear most often from homeowners as they prepare to put their home on the market is, “What can I do to increase my chances of a sale?” This is a great question, and the answer I give surprises a lot of people. My response, in a nutshell, is that aesthetic repairs are not necessarily as important as those addressing the more stringent lender requirements and inspection hurdles. Most of us have seen enough shows on HGTV to know that there are many easy, relatively affordable ways to increase a home’s curb appeal before listing: sprucing up […]
November 20, 2015

Let’s Eat, Miami!

I’ve decided to venture into new territory today and dive into some really great food. Since Thanksgiving is just around the corner, favorite recipes and meal prep are a hot topic in my office at the moment. My team and I are huge fans of this holiday (and of eating), so we wanted to share with you some of our go-to Thanksgiving recipes. Seems odd to be getting recipes from a real estate blog, right? Trust us, you’ll thank yourself for giving these a try. And after you’ve had your fill of dirty mash and pecan pie, contact me to discuss current listings and explore South Florida’s hottest neighborhoods.   Lauren’s Unbelievable Brie Serves 8 Ingredients: 1 sheet frozen puff […]
November 13, 2015

Thanksgiving Giving in and Around Miami

The other day I read that over 46 million people in the United States (about 14.8%) are in poverty, including 15.5 million children under the age of 18. I’ll admit it: I was shocked when I read that statistic. The first thought that came to my mind was, “What can I do to help?” I firmly believe in the importance of giving back to the community, which is why I cherish my involvement with Big City Mountaineers and Miami Children’s Health Foundation. Now that we’re entering the season of giving thanks, it’s a perfect time not only to appreciate all that we have to be thankful for, but also to share what we do have with those who are less […]
November 6, 2015

What’s Going On in Coral Gables: Food, Wine & Spirits Festival

Prospective homebuyers considering the Coral Gables area should not miss the upcoming Food, Wine & Spirits Festival. The sixth edition of this annual event, which has evolved into a sophisticated, well-run week of foodie fun and celebration, takes place November 9 to 15 in downtown Coral Gables (on Giralda Ave between Ponce de Leon Blvd and LeJeune). It’s a perfect opportunity to get a taste of the enthusiastic and diverse community that makes up the perennial favorite of the southern Miami suburbs. The first component of the event is the Food, Wine & Spirits Week (Nov. 9 to 13), with an interesting lineup of tastings, VIP dinners, new product intros, even a beer fest taking place each night (from 7pm […]
October 30, 2015

Have a Safe and Happy Halloween in Miami

Halloween in Miami is a whirlwind of dance parties, costume nights, and theme cocktails on the party scene, but away from the nightlife, Miami’s southern suburbs offer some of the safest, most enjoyable trick-or-treating streets around.   Try the storefronts of Coral Gables’ Miracle Mile for a safe, all-in-one-place trick-or-treating destination. Enjoy story time at Books & Books, a photo booth at the Leica store, and live performances at the Actors’ Playhouse, plus plenty of parking at the surrounding garages.   Soak in beautiful views of Biscayne Bay while walking the equally beautiful streets of Palmetto Bay with your little ghouls. The Village of Parks is extremely family-oriented, so you can feel safe bringing your little ones here for some […]
October 19, 2015

A Big Charity Event for Big City Mountaineers

Time does fly…. I am honored to say that this marks my 13th year hosting the BNI Charity Golf Tournament, which takes place on Friday, October 23. This event is dear to me for many reasons. First of all, 100% of the proceeds from the tournament go to the Big City Mountaineers. For those of you who are not familiar with this organization, Big City Mountaineers is a non-profit that was founded in 1989 by my father, who firmly believes that nature is a powerful teacher. The organization’s mission is to provide urban teenage youth in need of positive adult mentoring with a challenging and safe wilderness experience led by qualified adult volunteers. Believe it or not, through these expeditions, […]
October 16, 2015

Check Out These Great Halloween Events

  Miami is a city that loves Halloween—for both kids and adults. Whether you want a safe place to trick-or-treat with the family, a world-class haunted house, or an all-out wild party, you’ll find the perfect spooky event in the Magic City for this October 31. (For those more in search of a real estate-themed trick-or-treat outing, contact me and we can tour South Florida’s hottest neighborhoods.)   FOR FAMILIES Spooky Zoo Nights at Zoo Miami October 30 and 31, 2015; 7 to 11 p.m. The zoo is full of safe, exciting Halloween fun for the whole family. The main event, Spooky Zoo Nights, features Dr. Wilde’s Creepy House, a spooky tram ride, and haunted trails throughout the zoo for […]