Coconut Grove Homes and Condos for Sale

Archive for the 'Just For Fun' Category

How Different From Miami Can a Place Be?

I just came back from my favorite place on the planet, the Chautauqua Institution, in western New York state. The easiest way to describe it is as a place filled with families seeking intellectual pleasures. There are lectures and discussions, symphonies, ballet, or opera, myriad classes from which to choose, sailing, bicycles but few cars, religious studies and meditation groups, golf, tennis, and swimming. All of this happens during a nine week period each summer, and my family has been going there for the last 21 years!

To get a feel for the place, here are a few pictures taken there:

This home is currently for sale for $695,000. It has 4 bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms, 3 stories, on a lot that is 40′ by 40′. Taxes are $12,242 per year!!

The home above has detail known there as Chautauqua Lace. In Miami we would call that “gingerbread”.

I’m writing this to let you know I’m back home, well-rested, feeling smart and cultured, and ready to continue serving your real estate needs!

If you are ready to list or sell your Coconut Grove home, call me at 305 794.6570 or leave me a note here.

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The Coconut Grove Peacock Tour Has Begun

I wrote earlier about the incredible larger-than-life fiberglass peacocks painted by local artists and sponsored by local businesses that were unveiled at the Mayfair last month. EWM partnered with Casa Valentina to host one of the birds, and “Valentina” arrived at our office on Thursday morning!

The Coconut Grove Peacock Tour is the brainchild of Heather Bettner shown in the picture above, a long-time Grove resident, and is  fashioned after the Chicago Cows and the Miami Beach Flamingos. The idea is to create a unique interactive public art exhibit, drawing people to the area and increasing revenues for every type of local business.

After being on display for 6 months the peacocks will be auctioned, with all proceeds benefitting local non-profit organizations and charities.

To see each of the Peacocks and take the tour yourself, follow the map embedded below. It’s really worth the little bit of effort!

If you would like more information on the tour, please give me a call or 305 794.6570.

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Who Let the Dogs… In?

So many families include pets, and a lot of the canine population likes to have the occasional play-date. Miami isn’t known as a particularly dog-friendly city, but we do have several dog parks where they can be off-leash and play to their heart’s content.

Designated Dog Parks are usually located within a larger park and allow dogs to frolic and play and run free within a fenced-off area.  They feature site furniture and equipment for dogs to play with and perform stunts.  Additional features include shade structures, hosing stations, water fountains for both pets and owners, and “Mutt Mitts” or bag dispensers and waste baskets, so owners can pick up after their pooches.

Blanche Park at Virginia Street and Shipping Avenue in the center Grove is where I take my own dogs. There is a good blend of “regulars” and our dogs look forward to meeting up for a romp. A large bare spot, which the dogs appreciated but the people came to dread, has been re-sodded successfully. No more muddy dog paws in the car!

Kennedy Park on South Bayshore Drive where Kirk Street ends has a large fenced area near the bay. It has separate areas for larger and smaller dogs, but less shady areas than Blanche Park and limited parking. My dogs seem to enjoy it completely, but since I also get a vote (and do the driving) we don’t go there often.

Tropical Park at 7900 SW Bird Road (SW 40th Street) is a bit west of this site’s coverage area but its dog park is worth the drive. Located at the widely popular Tropical Park, this 2 acre off leash site has 2 separately fenced areas to accommodate large dogs and dogs less than 35 pounds. The dog park has play equipment, doggy drinking fountains, waste disposal stations, water sprays, and ADA accessibility. Dogs must be sociable, current on all vaccinations and license, and under their owner’s control at all times. Dogs must be leashed when not in designated off-lead areas.

To check all Miami-Dade County Parks that allow dogs click here

For dog owners who may need a place to stay near Coconut Grove and Coral Gables I’ve compiled a list of nearby hotels that allow pets.

Grove Isle 4: One dog up to 25 pounds is allowed for a $45 per night, and there is a pet policy to sign at check in. Your pet must be in a kennel if you are out.

Residences Inn Coconut Grove at 2835 Tigertail Avenue: Dogs are allowed for an additional one time pet fee of $100 per room.

Extended Stay Miami- Coral Gables 3640 SW 22 Street (Coral Way) and Brickell – Port of Miami at 298 SW 15th Road: One dog is allowed per suite. There is a $25 per night additional pet fee up to $150 for an entire stay. When making an online reservation, type the following on the line that says ‘Do You Have Any Special Requests or Comments?’ on the reservation form: “I am bringing my dog.”

The Four Seasons at 1435 Brickell Avenue: Dogs less than 15 pounds are allowed for no additional fee. Dogs may not be left alone in the room. Pet sitting services are available.

Hampton Inn at 2500 Brickell Avenue: Well behaved dogs of all sizes are allowed. There are no additional pet fees.
When making an online reservation, type the following in the Comments section on the Guest Information Page of the registration form: “I am bringing my dog.”

To check all dog-friendly hotels in Miami click here

I can help you with pet questions, but my passion is selling real estate! If you need a help selling your home or buying a new one, please call me anytime at 305 794.6570.  Alternatively, you may leave me a note here.

If you would like to stay updated with all Coconut Grove, Coral Gables, South Miami, Shenandoah and the Roads real estate information, receive my blog posts via email by subscribing here.  Once you register, you must activate the subscription in a follow-up email.

The Royal Poincianas Are In Rare Bloom

In all my many years in Coconut Grove I’ve never seen the poinciana trees bloom so prolifically and with so much deep color. I think it has to do with the extreme cold we had this winter, and I’ve heard the drought contributed to their remarkable intensity, but whatever has caused it has made Miami incredibly colorful this spring!

As I’ve been driving around I’ve marvelled at some of the Royal Poincianas I’ve seen, and I have to share this one with you that I saw in Belle Meade with a client the other day.

There is a painterly quality about this photograph when you see it enlarged, and it reminds me of the work of one of our great local landscape artists, Federico Carosio III.

Another impressive one I found is in on SW 23 Street near SW 22 Avenue in Shenandoah.

 I am keeping an eye on a yellow poinciana in the Roads, and when it’s in full bloom I’ll post a picture of it!

The Coconut Grove 2010 Peacock Tour Unveiled!

In about three weeks you’re going to begin seeing some unusually large and colorful birds around Coconut Grove. They’re all the same size - huge -  and they’ll only be around for 6 months. It’s not a new migration of  a strange species of bird, it’s the Coconut Grove 2010 Peacock Tour!

Each peacock has been sponsored by Grove businesses and their individuality is the fantasy of the artist who was selected to create it. EWM partnered with Casa Valentina to sponser a peacock designed by Ed King. Our “Valentina” appears below.

The back looks like this…

Casa Valentina is a home in the Grove for young women who must leave the foster-care program because of their age but who are not ready to transition to life completely on their own.

When the Tour ends all the peacocks will be auctioned off, and the entire auction proceeds will go to non-profit beneficiaries. In the case of our peacock, all the money will go to Casa Valentina.

Eileen Seitz, one of the Grove’s most beloved artists,  was selected to design two peacocks, one for Milam’s Market and the other for the Patrick Sessions family. Her inspirations appear below.

 

 

Another local legend is Erica King, who created the next peacock featuring her signature collage of local luminaries and loonies.

 

You can see more pictures from the evenings event as the Peacocks were unveiled for the first time last Saturday evening at the Mayfair in Coconut Grove!

Why You Need To Use A Hyper-Local Realtor

On Saturday I got a call from a customer of mine who casually mentioned his in-laws would soon be looking for an apartment within walking distance to the north Grove home I recently sold him.  I immediately told him about the one bedroom condo I have listed at 1600 S. Bayshore Lane, which is listed at $319,000, right in their budget.

Even though I’d been gardening all morning and was in no state to show property, my caller said since he and his in-laws were just around the corner from the condo and they didn’t really care how I looked, maybe I could just shoot over there and open it for them.

Fifteen minutes later (after I splashed water on my face and changed clothes) we were inside the apartment! It turned out that they really need a 2 bedroom place. Knowing the only other unit available there is a 2/2, and having that Coldwell-Banker realtor’s phone number saved in my contacts, I called her. Within another 15 minutes she had delivered the key to me and we were inside the two bedroom unit!

On Sunday we met again at the second apartment, this time with both (clean and appropriately dressed) realtors accompanying. My customers will be making an offer today on the condo!

This can only happen when you use a neighborhood specialist, someone who not only knows the local market but knows the area’s realtors. And not only one who knows them, but is trusted enough to be given the key if the other realtor is busy.

If you want immediate results like this, call me any time at 305.794.6570. If I know you well enough I’ll even come straight from the mulch bed!

If you can wait until I shower leave me a note here. To stay updated with all Coconut Grove, Coral Gables, South Miami, and the Roads and Shenandoah real estate information, receive my blog posts via email by subscribing here.  Once you register, you must activate the subscription in a follow-up email.

Do You Know Where This Is?

There aren’t many funky coconut palms around the Grove like there once was. I saw this one the other day and it brought back memories of the days before lethal yellowing and mega-developement. Do you know where it is?

Let me know where you think it is. I’m not offering a prize, just giving you the chance to test your brain!

 It takes a specialist to correctly price homes in this unique area of Miami and someone who knows the character and nuance of every street to help you find your new one. If you need a realtor who knows the Grove and the Gables like her own back yard, give me a call at 305.794.6570 or leave me a note.