Miami Beach Real Estate

When you think of Miami, do you instantly think of the many different areas that make up Miami. Areas that range from South Beach, Miami Beach, the diversity that these two locations bring to the table. What about Bal Harbour realestate , Sunny Isles, and Aventura homes? These locations offer beautiful single-family homes and pristine surroundings. The different influences each of these areas brings toegether help make Miami, the thriving internationally known city that it is. Now more than ever there are different opportunities in the real estate market, from Miami condo sales, to the preconstruction. Single-family homes and condo-hotels, we speacialize in all areas of Miami real estate. Contact your local Weichert Realtor and let us satisfy your Miami real estate needs.

In case you are wondering why the condo hotel concept has such an appeal to families, baby boomers, seniors and real estate investors, here are some things you should consider. When you purchase a condo you own a piece of world class property. Most of the condo hotels in existence are four to five star quality. Also consider the perks that owning a condo-hotel brings with it. You own your own vacation home in a fantastic destination. Condo-hotels are generally located in premium locales and in premium cities like Miami Beach, Las Vegas, Chicago and the Bahamas. Don't forget the perk of flexibility. When you own a condo like a Miami Beach condo, you can get away from it all when it's convenient for you. Take that stroll through downtown or hit the beach when you need the time off. These are just a few of the many logical reasons to owning your own condo-hotel.

According to stats, 2005 was a record year for Miami Beach real estate. Re-sale numbers and new construction numbers appreciated at 5.8%. Miami Beach experienced potential buyers from all corners of the country and has a plethora of international potential buyers. Interest rates dropped in Miami and continue to amaze prospective buyers. With the explosion of the Miami condo-hotels on scene things look to be on an upward slope now and into the future for Miami Beach.

Sunday at the Sheraton Bal Harbour Beach Resort, there will be a choreographed runway show featuring fashions for full figured women. The show, presented by Fashion Show Innovations, is called "Real Women: Shaping Style Dinner & Fashion Celebration" and will be performed from 5 to 8 p.m. The event will include a cocktail reception, dinner, entertainment and special guest appearances. There will also be door prizes, raffles and an auction. Proceeds generated from the event will benefit the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation.

The building of an Arizona based health spa, Canyon Ranch, is currently underway in Miami Beach. Plans for the property show that the condo-hotel will consists of 157 hotel rooms, 434 condos, and 87 apartments. In addition to the rooms the structure will house a restaurant and a 90,000 sq. ft. wellness center. Prices are ranging from just under $1 million to $5 million. Sales began for the residences earlier this year but the complex is not set to open until 2008.

The historic village of Bal Harbour is one of the most highly revered destinations in Florida. Bal Harbour is home to many acclaimed restaurants, is known internationally for its shopping and is on the pristine beaches that has earned southern Florida a top place in the vacation polls. Bal Harbour in its close proximity of South Beach has entertained tourists for generations. With its quaint serenity and limitless local amenities come see why everyone is talking about Bal Harbour.

A week ago a building crane collapsed, causing the death of one construction worker. In addition to the construction workers death the crane accident also caused a traffic jam in downtown Miami that lasted days. Now there is an idea that local government should hire crane inspectors. And the idea is gaining support fast. Tuesday Miami-Dade County Commissioner Audrey Edmonson held a press conference where she stated that she has a plan to assemble a panel of private-sector and public experts to study and develop how a public crane inspection program should work.

VertiLinc is going big time. The Trump Palace in Sunny Isles Beach is going to be the first building to feature VertiLinc technology. The entire palace is going to be wired with touch panels that will be available in a number of units throughout the building. With this new technology, VertiLinc will allow community integration giving users more convenient and full access to all local amenities such as scheduling a day at the spa or ordering food from the internal restaurant. Also at the user's fingertips is a complete city guide, local restaurants, and taxi and limousine services.

On Tuesday a report by the Florida Association of Realtors reported that homes for mid-priced single family homes were going for $383,000 in Miami-Dade County. These numbers show that the price for mid-priced single-family homes is almost 4%. Comparing these stats to last year the report shows that there is an increase of 19% from this time last year.

Wal-Mart plans to open its first pop-up outlet on Miami Beach. The pop-up outlet will be opened on the beach at 11th and Ocean Dr. The store will be called the Metro 7 Fashion Cabana. The Metro 7 will feature apparel, accessories and footwear in a 6,000 sq. ft. tent. Pop-up outlets allow stores to feature and generate buzz about a brand without the company taking out a long term lease or having to make real estate deals. All sales from the pop-up outlet will benefit the Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis.

Two highly respected names in the real estate industry have joined forces in Miami. Best Beach Real Estate has formed a franchise relationship with Weichert Real Estate Affiliates, Inc. Beast Beach is known as a topnotch firm and Weichert is considered one of the most successful real estate franchises in southern Florida. The new force to be reckoned with in Florida real estate is now Weichert Realtors-Best Beach Real Estate.

In the month of March there was a 26% sales decline of condominiums in Miami. This happened even though sales prices dropped for condos in Miami and rose everywhere else in southern Florida. The sales decline brought condo sales down from 1,533 condos to 1,135 condos. The decline in sales has also brought down the prices of condos. Condo prices have gone from around $260,000 to about $249,000.

A variance granted by Sunny Isles Beach Commission allows sections of a beachfront condominium to sit closer to Collins Ave. than city code allows. This after the commission accepted $300,000 and incentives from a developer. Attorney for the developer of Paramount Beach, Cliff Schulman agreed to give the city an extra beach access with a foot shower, bench and water fountain for incentives. Also the $300,000 in cash to be spent on city parks.

The Fraternal Order of Police and town officials are discussing how to solve the problem for Golden Beach police officers and the distance they have to travel to get food. The almost two mile town of Golden Beach is one of the municipalities in Miami-Dade County without commercial businesses. According to the Fraternal Order of Police representative John Puleo there is no place for the officers to get food within the town. Currently most Golden Beach police officers travel to Sunny Isles Beach restaurants and coffee shops.

Sunny Isles Beach will soon be a worldly city. People from London to Thailand will soon be asking "Where is Sunny Isles Beach?" as fancy cars drive past them with Sunny Isles Beach logo stickers attached. Developers who have transformed the skyline of Sunny Isles Beach, Gil and Michael Dezer, will be participating in the Gumball 3000 road rally. The rally features the fabulously wealthy as they drive top shelf cars 3,000 miles across three continents. Team Dezastation, a combination of Dezer and Sebastian Tettamnati is leaving for London on Tuesday to compete in the road rally that circles the globe in eight days.

This weekend Financial Empowerment was the subject at the Hip Hop Summit. This is the second year of the summit that was put together by multi-millionaire entrepreneur Russell Simmons. Simmons puts together a hip-hop all-star list to speak with and teach young fans about financial responsibility. They discuss the importance of home ownership, building credit, credit scores, and owning your own business. The tour will visit five other cities including Miami on May 20th. It will hit Atlanta, Los Angeles, Dallas and New York.

Royal Caribbean Cruises International, based in Miami, can boast that it is the owner of the largest cruise ship in the world. Monday the "Freedom of the Seas" was delivered from a German shipyard. The ship will do most of its traveling in the Caribbean and will be based at the Port of Miami. The new ship takes its title from the Queen Mary 2, operated by they Royal Caribbeans's hometown rival Carnival Cruise Lines. The 160,000 ton cruise liner can carry nearly 4,000 passengers whereas its rival carries about 3,000 passengers.

In March, median prices for condominiums in Miami fell 4 %. Quite the opposite in Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach-Boca Raton, where existing condo prices continued to rise. Is Miami setting the trend? Many say Miami is out of synch with the rest of South Florida. Miami just recorded an increase in the number of existing single family homes sold, even though prices also rose.

The go-ahead has been given for more development despite state government warnings that the region's water supply is low. Miami-Dade was told by environmental and state planning agencies not to approve the 17 projects. According to South Florida Water Management District, Miami-Dade and other counties can no longer depend on getting additional water from the Biscayne Aquifer to support the growth. Miami-Dade leaders have been urged to start building infrastructure to store and reclaim water. At a minimum however this could costs hundreds of millions of dollars and take decades to construct.

Specific plans to build a new residential building in Aventura City are now underway. Developers of Lincoln Pointe Condominiums have been waiting for the Aventura City Commission to make a vote and it is in. Now the decision has to be made on which building design to use. Tuesday, two conceptual ideas were presented to the commission. Both included a 35 story tower and townhomes. The commission had finally agreed to allow developers to build the project after a long debate stemming from the city's temporary building moratorium, which has since expired.

Tecton Hospitality's boutique division Desires Hotels announced today that it has signed a contract to manage the Sagamore Hotel in Miami Beach. The Sagamore Hotel was renovated as recently as 2001 with a post modern Miami architecture style and was built in 1948 by local Miami Beach architect Albert Anis. The Sagamore Hotel features one and two bedroom suites with a 16 story oceanside garden bungalows and eight rooftop penthouses. It also features a three bedroom suite with a private oceanfront sundeck.

Miami developer Jorge Perez is having a hard time in Las Vegas. Perez along with actor George Clooney have plans to build a much hyped 11 tower condo project on 25 acres called Las Ramblas. But now it seems as if the $3 billion project is tottering on being canceled or sold. According to the Miami developer the demand is lower than expected and construction cost are much higher.

Michael Capponi is one of Miami's most respected and well known hospitality entrepreneurs. He has now formed Capponi Group Luxury Properties. This will be a division specializing in the development of high-end and unique luxury single-family homes. His plan is to use his creative talents and celebrity contacts and apply them to luxury residential markets. Developing three luxury properties in landmark Miami Beach neighborhoods where his development company will due the majority of its projects.

This week several sites will be honoring Holocaust Memorial Day, also known as Yom Hashoa. There will be the reading of names of those who perished in the Holocaust at 10 a.m. April 25 at the Miami Beach Holocaust Memorial in Miami Beach. Also, there will be a community program at 6:30 p.m. on the same date with the Consul General of Israel Yitzchak Ben Gad, consul general of Israel to Florida and Puerto Rico speaking. This event is free. Call 305-538-1663 for more details.

Help support the Miami Center for Orthopedic Research and Education on Thursday, April 27 at 11:30 a.m. Come see the spring fashion show put on by Neiman Marcus, Bal Harbour Shops. There will be complimentary makeovers for luncheon guests before and after the luncheon. Tickets are on sale now for $100.

Three months ago Broward County commissioners gave developers until April to solve the problem of unclogging the streets. Commissioners had stopped the Village at Gulfstream Park project. The project would add more than 1,500 homes and 500 hotel rooms and as much retail space as the Broward Mall to Gulfstream Park. The only problem is this would cause southeast Broward to look like car congested Aventura. Now on Tuesday Commissioners will decide and vote on a land use change on which the project depends. County Commissioners will look and decide if the developers have come up with a viable plan.

Building officials are calling for upgrades for window in older buildings. Engineers and building officials are saying that weak glass should not be used to replace storm shattered windows. At the Oceania high rises in Sunny Isles Beach construction is underway to replace windows and doors that were shattered during Hurricane Wilma. Codes in Miami-Dade and Broward counties changed after Hurricane Andrew. Now stronger, impact resistant glass is required to be up to code.

Financing has been approved by Carlton Advisory Services for a Christa Development Corp. and Bluerock Real Estate L.L.C. developed condominium project in Miami Beach. Carlton has arranged $125 million for the Miami Beach Project. The financing to convert the Caribbean Ocean Hotel to condo units and build a tower totaling 19 stories next to it. In total there will be a103 condo units and a $50 million loan from Carlton towards a bridge to connect the two.

The commission of Sunny Isles Beach voted unanimously to move forward on the subject of purchasing land at the north end of the city. The city says their plan is simple, they want to purchase as much green land as they can before it's all gone. There decision stems from a strategy that was formulated back in March and members are happy to see that the commission is sticking to the plan.

Centrepark, an eight-building portfolio of class A office buildings, has been sold to an unidentified instiutional investor for $91 million. The buildings, which are adjacent to the international airport and within minutes of downtown, were developed between 1998 and 2005 by locally based Navarro Lowery Inc. The team that brokered the Centrepark sale was led by Hermen Rodriguez, the managing director of the Miami office of Holliday Fenoglio Fowler.

A month ago Mills Corp. celebrated the grand opening of the Colonnade Outlets at Sawgrass Mills. Now it has virtually eliminated the South Florida development department and put all plans for expansion at existing malls on hold. Also Erick Collazo who was the former top Mills executive in South Florida has announced that he has now be joined Woolbright Development in Boca Raton as director of development.

On Wednesday Miami Mayor Manny Diaz delivered his 2006 State of the City address. In his upbeat speech Mayor Diaz praised his city as being an innovative role model emulated by other governments. His speech also told how Miami is fulfilling a new destiny as the city embodies the new face of America. In his five years of office, Mayor Diaz has lowered tax rates, lowered crime rates and lower unemployment rates.

In Miami, Elad Group of Florida has recently acquired a three property multifamily portfolio aggregating 1,073 units from Clarion Partners. According to GlobeSt.com the deal carried a price tag of over $200 million. According to Jack McCabe, CEO of Deerfield Beach based McCabe Research & Consulting the properties were priced separately and the price tag was between $362.6 million and $366.1 million.

Ugo Colombo has just acquired what could be the most expensive house in Miami. Colombo is set to close on the Carl Fisher estate this week. The 79 year old Fisher estate is loaded with 19 bathrooms and an 85 foot observation tower. Colombo says, "This was a once in a lifetime, unique opportunity". This purchase is the first single family home purchase for Colombo who builds luxury condo towers in and around Miami. He declined to disclose the price he paid for the ten bedroom property.

One year after opening, Desires Hotels in Miami is heating up the industry with successful operational and financial management, human resources and sales and marketing services. Each of these are done in a way that does not compromise the individual integrity and unique qualities of each asset. In just one year Desires has doubled, growing from four boutique properties to eight. With such a good year and by doubling its portfolio expectations are high and we will see if Desires can continue at this breakneck pace for their projections for the year 2006.

The privately held real estate investment firm The Kor Group is definitely expanding. The development and management firm is redefining the concept of home with distinctive hotel and residential properties. It also holds a diverse portfolio of properties and manages both its own assets and numerous non owned hotels under third-party management agreements. A few of those properties are in Southern Florida in and around the Miami area. Properties like the Tides in South Beach and Viceroy Palm Springs. The Kor's currently has two residential resort complexes under construction in Miami, Viceroy Icon Brickell and Viceroy South Beach.

Tecton Hospitality is a provider of management services to an array of both institutional and individual owners of hotels both in the United States and Caribbean. Based in Miami, the company currently operates branded hotels. This also includes properties and resorts under the Sheraton, Marriot, Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn and Best Western names. Also included is the boutique hotels through Desires boutique-hotels division.

Last month Winn-Dixie announced mass store closings in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. These stores included three stores in Miami-Dade, Hialeah, North Miami Beach, and Miami and six in Broward County. The closing of the stores has got the bidders lined up for the real estate. Las week Winn-Dixie approved deals for eight of the 35 stores throughout the chain that are closing this month. This marks the second round of store closings and the largest cutback in South Florida as the company continues trying to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

The Los Angeles based luxury hotel operator, Kor Hotel Group has assumed management duties at Tides Hotel in Miami Beach. The deal follows an agreement signed with the Falor Companies who are the new owners of the historic property. Kor Hotel Group says that they have big plans for the Tides. Kor's centralized reservations implementation are a priority. Also they will provide new enhancement at the Tides which will include luxury amenities and distinctive personalized services.

Thursday Roselyn Sanchez will be in Miami Beach to host Summer Splash. The event will have the young actress celebrating her cover girl duties during April's Cosmo En Espanol. It will also give her a chance to show off her new hair care line. Miami nightclub The Fifth was also used recently for Ocean Drive Magazine when they celebrated Miami's most eligible men.

The announcement has been made notifying that the Desires Hotels ™ has signed a contract to manage the Sagamore Hotel in Miami Beach. Desires is affiliated with the boutique division of Tecton Hospitality. According to Doug Carrillo, vice president of sales and marketing with Tecton Hospitality and Desires Hotels the Sagamore represents the chic elegance and exquisite style that attract visitors to South Beach. He also states that the Sagamore is a prestigious addition to their portfolio of hotels.

Developers of Trump Towers have received a $345 million construction loan for Towers II and III of the three building condo complex in Sunny Isles Beach. The loan comes through Wachovia Bank. Through Wachovia Bank, syndicates of 12 banks were able to provide the loan without reservations because Trump Towers is almost completely pre-sold. The condo complex contains over 800 units, split evenly among the three 45 story towers. The towers are located along 900 linear feet of beachfront in Sunny Isles Beach.

The fifth largest broadcast network in America increases its national coverage to more than 83% of the country with an important strategic move that secures major market distribution for Clear Channel Television. It was announced in January that Tribune Broadcasting and CBS Corporation's UPN affiliates have agreed separately to sign 10 year affiliation agreements with the new network that covers the 13 top TV markets and 20 of the top 25 television markets. Coverage is available in just about every major city in America including Miami. According to President and Chief Executive Officer of Clear Channel Television, Don Perry, "Success in today's marketplace ultimately comes down to good, quality programming".

Nina and Alex Ortiz will be hosting the grand opening of Dream Dinners in Miami-Dade. The Dream Dinners franchises are meal assembly centers and are trendy all over the U.S. Now they are catching on in Southern Florida. There are currently two meal assembly centers in Broward, a Dream Dinners in Sunrise and Mr. Food No-Fuss Meals in Coral Springs. Dream Dinners will be offering assembly sessions Thursdays thru Saturdays.

Do you know what the benefits of using Florida Housing Finance's loan program are? Here is one benefit you may not have known about. Florida Housing Finance offers 30 year fixed low interest rate mortgages along with down payment and closing cost assistance. This program is just about for everyone. If you don't own the home you currently live in, or claim your mobile home as real property, haven't owned primary residence within the past three years, or have established credit worthiness and meet the program's income and purchase price guidelines, then you are elgible.

A new South Florida trend last summer led to the development of the Vero Beach Hotel and Club when it was converted into a condominium hotel. Located on the Treasure Coast just north of Miami this condo-hotel was set up a little differently. Investors would buy a hotel unit that they could occupy for part of the year and rent out the rest of the time through the hotels management company. Then the unit owner and hotel split rental profits.

According to NAR, if you're thinking of doing some remodeling consider doing the kitchen. Industry experts say that not only does renovating the kitchen make good financial sense but it also enhances family life. According to the owner of a Kitchen Strand in Miami the kitchen is a great place to gather during mealtime and families can enjoy each other before being whisked away by the daily duties. Now more than ever kitchen remodeling projects are returning the homeowners investments according NAR's 2005 Cost vs. Value Report.

Chicago based Corus Bank; a subsidiary of Corus Bankshares has funded numerous condo developments in South Florida. In a time when most lenders are avoiding the South Florida market, Vice President James Dow says his bank is looking for more condo loan opportunities with significant pre-sales and large earnest money deposits. The bank's familiarity with the Miami Beach market and projects with a high level of presales enable the bank to make big money loans without reservation.

On April 11th West Miami voters elected Cesar Carasa as mayor. Mayor Carasa is a real estate agent and is currently serving West Miami citizens as the current vice mayor. Carasa defeated Jose Fuentes. Fuentes is a 62 year old roofing contractor and pest control business owner who lacked a strong political background. Three commissioners and two incumbents were also elected. They will serve four year terms.

Mandatory electronic fingerprinting will begin July 1st for applicants for a real estate sales associate or broker's license in Florida. Moving to electronic fingerprinting will reduce processing time. It will all benefit applicants by reducing the likelihood of illegible fingerprints or missing information on the fingerprint card according to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. With the new electronic process applicants will be able to have their fingerprints scanned and electronically submitted to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the FBI.

$124.7 million has been obtained by developers of the Caribbean. The 103 unit condo complex in Miami Beach has been given the go ahead, and with the new construction funding will be breaking ground this month. Christa Development Corp. and Bluerock Real Estate, both New York Companies are partners with Christa Development Corp. being the managing partner and sponsor.

Nova Southeastern University will sponsor The Greater North Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce business luncheon. The luncheon will be held at noon on April 27th at Tony Roma's. The luncheon will also feature information on ramp metering. Cost will vary depending on menu selection but be prepared to spend $20. Also there are plans for the chamber to hold a Community Business Expo on May 16th at North Miami Beach City Hall. Details will be released at a later date.

Miami Performing Arts Center has a new chief financial officer. John Burnett has been appointed to start work on the Miami Performing Arts Center which is currently under construction in downtown Miami. Previously Burnett was the chief financial officer at The Wang Center for Performing Arts in Boston. After construction is complete the Miami Performing Arts Center will feature concert hall, a restored Art Deco Tower and a ballet opera house.

Quick condo conversion is on the mind of General Real Estate Corp. of Miami Beach. General Real Estate Corp. has acquired its second apartment community in the last three months. Picerne Development Corp. out of suburban Altamonte Springs was paid almost $37 million. That breaks down to roughly $80,000 per unit for the 460 unit Harbour Key Apartments.

Miami Beach residents and businesses are constantly doing things to strengthen and show support in their communities. Recently Colonial Bank donated school supplies to Feinberg-Fisher Elementary in Miami Beach. Also donated was $100,000 to the Council for Educational Change, which is a nonprofit organization that aims to improve student achievement statewide.

The North Miami Chamber of Commerce will hold its monthly luncheon meeting at the Miami Shores Country Club. This month Bernie Osbom, principal of the David Lawrence Jr. K-8 will be the guest speaker. The meeting will be held at noon April 26th. Cost will be $18 for members and $20 for non members.

Eric Rodriguez has been named chairman of ArtCenter/South Florida's board of directors. ArtCenter provides subsidized studio and exhibition space and teaching opportunities to artists and is a nonprofit organization. Rodriguez is no rookie. He was on the marketing outreach advisory board for Miami Light Project. He has also attended and completed the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce Leadership Miami program.

Parkway Regional located in North Miami Beach has a new director. Olga Ruiz was recently appointed medical staff services director at Parkway Regional Medical Center. Her duties will consists of overseeing medical staff credentialing, working with the administrative team on physician relations and ensure that hospital records, certificates and accreditations remain current among other things.

TotalBank real estate lending division has announced a new senior vice president, Miami resident Peter Ramirez. He will head up relationship expansion and commercial real estate loans. TotalBank Aventura chairwoman Adrienne Arsht was also recently honored. The "Women of Impact" Award was given to her by the Women's History Coalition of Miami-Dade County.

Aventura Medical Plaza was part of a 14 property portfolio acquired by a joint venture between Montecito Medical Investment Realty LLC, and Buchanan Street Partners. Montecito Medical Investment Realty, LLC is the medical property affiliate of Montecito Property Company, in a joint venture with Buchanan Street Partners. The multiple properties which are located on campus and across from hospital complexes are located in Florida, Arizona and Virginia as well as Indiana.

Morningside contains wide boulevards, charming homes and breathtaking views of the Biscayne Bay. People in their 30's and 40's looking to leave the Miami Beach scene behind them and seeking a tranquil neighborhood are flocking to this luxurious community. Morningside contains 420 homes and is located between Biscayne Boulevard and Biscayne Bay. It is a residential neighborhood overlooking Biscayne Bay. Within the community are buildings constructed and designed by more than 40 local architects. So if you are ready to slow down and enjoy the scenery, call us and let us help you find your next tranquil home to raise your family in.

A San Francisco publishing group has purchased Perfect Vision Media Group, the Miami Beach based publisher of LRM, Las Olas and International Yachtsman magazines. The business was sold to HPJ Media Ventures Fund which publishes several resort titles located mainly in the Rock Mountain region. According to publisher and founder of Perfect Vision, Kevin Hernandez, he decided to sell the business so that he could devote more time to a women's apparel company he bought in Los Angeles

Condominium Hotels are booming. Developers are buying and selling rooms and suites as condos, marketing them as vacation homes that generate the cash flow. This game plan allows buyers to use their rooms for vacations and collect money because they are renting their condo the rest of the year to hotel guests. According to Mark A. Lunt, a lodging industry expert with Ernst and Young out of Miami, "Condominium hotels offer a way for developers to get into sites where the highest and best use for the land is a hotel".

Miami Beach Mayor David Dermer has sent out about 16,000 checks to taxpayers from the city. Checks were made out to citizens who have homesteaded properties. According to Dermer, "We're giving money back to the people in this city who have invested so much in the city". Thousands of other residents who live in the city and pay taxes are feeling a bit left out that they are not receiving any checks. But non-homesteaded properties, such as vacation homes, investment properties and businesses are out of luck.

Lennar Corp. president and chief executive Stuart Miller announced first quarter earnings in a conference recently in Miami. In that meeting Miller acknowledged the Miami-based homebuilder has seen some softening in pockets of the west. Even still Miller claims that sales are steady in Florida. Also according a University of Florida economist data from the spring and summer months will give a better estimation of the housing market and says that he does not think the "housing bubble" will burst.

In Miami Beach Christa Development Corp. and Bluerock Estate have named Christa Construction and Development and GT McDonald as general contractors for the Caribbean. The six story North Tower will be renovated by Christa Construction while McDonald will lead construction of the 19 story South Tower. Completion for these projects is expected for fall 2007.

The nation's premier magazine for high end, luxury living is Haute Living. It has distribution in some of wealthiest regions in the United States, Miami, Palm Beach and now New York. Haute Living has signed a distribution agreement to hit 135 news stands in the streets of New York. With the magazine in circulation in New York some of the countries wealthiest will see the very latest in Palm Beach, New York and Miami real estate luxury news and happenings. According to Seth Semilof, Publisher of Haute Living, "America's wealthiest home owners don't scour the local newspapers for homes in excess of $2 million; they live and play in Miami."

Several new real estate and travel accounts have been gained by RBB Public Relations in Miami. Lionstone Development, a Miami developer of several hotel and resort properties, for corporate P.R. and its Ritz-Carlton Club and Residences property on South Beach are among the new accounts. Also two new clients for O'Connell and Goldberg Inc. have been retained for public relations. Those clients are CondoMax who specializes in condo conversions and Da Vinci on the Ocean, a condo on Sunny Isles Beach.

Markus Frieli, owner of the Penguin Hotel in South Beach was very pleased with his hotel after three years of affordable rising room rates. Recently it was converted into a condo-hotel and has not been so impressive. Sales have been very slow for the 44 modest but stylish rooms. So now Friedli has decided to try selling the Penguin as an investment security. The Penguin would remain a condo-hotel but the units would be sold under federal law governing stocks and shares in other profit making enterprises.

Eve Ensler's "The Vagina Monologues" will be presented at the Miami Beach Cinematheque on Thursday, April 20 at 8:20 p.m. in Miami Beach. The off Broadway play is sponsored by the University Guerrilla Troop and the production is brought to the community by Miss L. Powers. The production will be performed for only one night by the cast of the University Guerrilla Troop. Eve Ensler is an Obie award-winning playwright, activist, and screenwriter.

Sunny Isles Beach has claimed their first city soccer championship. In its first year in a competitive soccer league, Paradise/Sunny Isles Beach boys 14 to 16 year old won their Greater Hollywood League Championship on March 16. They had a season of 11 wins, 0 losses and 1 tie. Now they are scheduled for bigger tournaments. The population is growing and the city is now focusing on expanding its after school and summer sports programs.

On April 22nd the CollegeBound Expo will be held at the Miami Beach Convention Center (Hall A). The Miami set expo is set to help Florida high school students get excited and enjoy the college planning process. The event is free and will aid students in their transition to college. Hosted by CollegeBound Network and CB Teen Magazine, hopes are that this expo will get students excited inform them on all aspects of college life.

Capponi Group Luxury Properties is a division that specializes in the development of high-end and unique, luxury single family homes. Capponi Group Luxury Properties was formed by none other than Miami's most respected and well-known hospitality entrepreneurs, Michael Capponi. Mr. Capponi is credited for being one of the driving forces behind Miami's emergence as an international destination.

The Sheraton Bal Harbour Beach Resort will remain open until the end of summer 2006 according to Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. and The Related Group of Florida. Originally the hotel was scheduled to close at the end of May. The beach resort in Bal Harbour was scheduled for closing to make way for the highly anticipated St. Regis Resort & Residences. The 645 room Sheraton Bal Harbour will provide many benefits to the community by remaining open until the end of summer.

Downtown Miami is experiencing what some say is a boom in development and construction. Miami is considered one of the fastest growing areas in the United States primarily because of the breakneck pace at which condos are being erected there. Miami Condos are some of the most luxurious buildings in the world with architectural creativity second to none.

Situated at the northern most tip of Sunny Isles Beach, Ocean Reserve is located across from the beach on the Intracoastal adjacent to the exclusive community of Golden Beach. The spacious two and three-bedroom condos with their soothing Intracoastal and ocean views range in size from approximately 1,000 to 2,500 square feet. Individual units feature floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors and glass balconies, spacious kitchens with abundant cabinet space, large walk-in closets, high ceilings and central heat and air. Community amenities include a resort-style heated swimming pool, lighted tennis court, state-of-the-art fitness center and a 24-hour business center with Internet access. Other amenities include a 24-hour valet, full-service concierge and attended gatehouse. The ground floor houses a dry cleaner, mini-mart and beauty salon. The condos at Ocean Reserve are also pet-friendly!

The Regent Bal Harbour condo hotel with its panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, Haulover Inlet and the surrounding Intracoastal and bay waters epitomizes everything you would expect from a Regent five-star resort. Best in class amenities include Le Institut Guerlain spa, state-of-the-art fitness center, a swimming pool that overlooks the ocean and beachside cabanas. The one-bedroom, one-bath Studio Suites offer a terrace with water views and are ideal for those who enjoy pampering themselves with room service. The larger Executive Suites have terraces on both ends of the residence and feature fully equipped kitchens, spacious living rooms and a master suite with private terrace. Both of these condo hotel residences can be made available for rental through Regents comprehensive rental program. Come experience the ultimate luxury lifestyle in Bal Harbour that only the Regent can provide.

Thursday a hotel real estate investment trust named FelCor Lodging Trust Inc. closed on the $63 million sale of two hotels to Hospitality Properties Trust. The 304 room Crowne Plaza in Miami and the Crowne Plaza in Philadelphia were the hotels transferring ownership. So far this year FelCor has sold 10 hotels for at least $226 million with nine of those going to Hospitality Properties Trust.

Indigo Lofts will be a 16 story, 49 unit building consisting of 2 bedroom/2 bath units, and 2 bedroom/2.5 bath units with library/den each with expansive views of the bay and the downtown Miami skyline. Indigo Lofts will provide all the comforts of a single family home, but within the chic setting of a waterfront loft. Amenities include a rooftop infinity pool and spa, Japanese-inspired Zen garden, twenty foot ceilings, spacious floor plans from almost 2200 to well over 4500 sq. ft. of living space, floor-to-ceiling windows, twelve foot deep private terraces with glass railings, techcierge smart building technology, garage parking, private dock spaces, rooftop fitness center and relaxation lounge both of which overlook the Biscayne Bay of Miami. Call us now at 305-704-3699 to reserve your unit. These will not last long!

Two problems have been plaguing Miami's local economy, low wages and spiraling housing costs. Those two problems were exactly what local leaders addressed Thursday. A pilot program was created by city commissioners that offer $25,000 to municipal employees for down payments on home purchases within city limits. According to Miami Mayor Manny Diaz says this a first for South Florida. Commissioners have also adopted a living wage ordinance for city workers and contractors.

With all the condo activity expect to see an influx of major restaurants in downtown Miami. Just north of the Miami River, three fine dining restaurants have committed to opening in two of the major condo projects under construction. Negotiations are in the final stages on at least half a dozen restaurants, a movie theater and a fashion retailer according to developers.

Lenders in Florida are becoming concerned about too many condo units going up for sale at one time. Apparently there will be some tightening of the requirements while lenders will be more selective about borrower's projects. Another problem is borrowers on condo conversions meeting their construction schedules and generating unit sales revenue. This has lenders worried about borrowers having problems with loan payments.

In Bal Harbour, the Regent Bal Harbour is taking part of one of the many trendsetting features of hotel condominiums. It offers the option to reserve a spacious Studio Hotel Suite, a one bedroom, one and a half bath Executive Hotel Suite. Also offered is a two bedroom, two and a half bath Grand Hotel Suite with a living room, kitchen, powder room, master bedroom and guest room. The Regent Bal Harbour will feature a gourmet signature restaurant, elite in residence 10,000 sq. ft. spa along with other superior accommodations.

If you're looking for a taste of Russia, come to the Russian Plaza in Sunny Isles Beach. At the mall on 180th St and Collins Ave you will find Russian restaurants, grocery stores and even Russian newspapers. You can find this and more at this location. The plaza is called the Russian Plaza because of all the Russian businesses. Russians who are homesick can even buy calendars featuring pictures of the motherland or typical Russian gifts such as babushkas.

This summer will welcome the opening of The Regent South Beach. The five story luxury condo will offer breath taking views of the Atlantic Ocean and two of South Beaches most famed boulevards, Collins Ave. and Ocean Drive. The condo will also boast 80 suites. Arquitectonica has designed the Regent South Beach to embrace South Beach style with oversized guest suites that average almost 500 sq. ft. and feature 200 sq. ft. balconies. Each top floor penthouse suite will include a 700 sq. ft. rooftop garden with Roman hot tub, wet bar and dining area.

There seems to be problems for residents who live west of the Oasis on the Bay in Miami Beach. Residents are complaining that the new condo located on the Beach in Miami Beach will cause too much traffic. Residents wanted 79th street from the beach closed to traffic. That is not going to happen and residents wait to see how things turn out.

A planned downtown housing development has officials at Miami Jacobs Career College worried. The city has contracted with a developer to build on property that is currently leased by Miami Jacobs for a 200 spot parking lot. According to Miami Jacobs president 500 of the schools 700 students use the parking lot and the street for daytime classes. The Flats, a 130 unit development located in Miami would transform three vacant lots into housing developments. According to officials the proposal states there should be a mixture of townhouses, condos and larger garden homes with amenities such as rooftop garden terraces.

The Prado condominium in downtown West Palm Beach scheduled closings today. The project was due to be completed and ready last year at this time but hurricanes caused delays. The Prado had a certificate of occupancy weeks ago, but due to several subcontractor liens on the property the building remained empty. The liens were owned by Archstone-Smith Trust of Colorado. With the liens resolved, Miami based Related finished a $50 million deal to buy the completed condo project from Archstone. With the deal closed Related can begin closing on the 304 units.

The Broward Real Estate Investor Association will be hosting a meeting on April 5th. The meeting will be held at the Signature Grand at 6:30 p.m. Those who are planning to be in attendance should call (866)375-7771. Ask to speak with Davie. See you there!

The Commercial Industrial Real Estate Brokers Association will be hosting a summit on April 4th at 11:30 a.m. in Fort Lauderdale. The summit is being called "Summit 84, Current Projects". If you would like to attend or would like more information call (954)566-5738 for details.