Don’t forget that new homeowners have until March 1 to apply for Homestead Exemption, which lowers the assessed tax value by up to $50,000. The main qualifications are that the property must be your primary residence and you must have moved in by January 1.

Application is easy and done only one time as long as it remains in the original owner’s name(s). Complete guidelines and forms are available at the Property Appraiser’s Site.

Take a few minutes now and get this out of the way. The money you save is well worth it and March 1 will be here before you know it!

If you have questions about applying or want to discuss your next real estate move, call me at 305 794.6570 or  leave me a note .

If you or someone you know is thinking about buying or selling a home any time in the next year, please call to let me know. It would be my pleasure to contact and work with your referral. My commitment to you is to treat them with the utmost care as they work towards buying or selling a home.  Referrals are the core of my business and are always appreciated.

Halloween is usually a crazy time in Coconut Grove with street closures and perennial house parties. This year The Barnacle is joining in with a Mad Hatter Tea Party this Friday evening. Costumes are encouraged, hats are recommended, and everyone is to bring their own teacup!

Proceeds from the catered party will be used for the care and maintenance of the Barnacle, one of the Grove’s oldest and most beloved treasures.

If you or someone you know is thinking about buying or selling a home any time in the next year, please call to let me know at 305 794.6570. It would be my pleasure to contact and work with your referral. My commitment to you is to treat them with the utmost care as they work towards buying or selling a home.  Referrals are the core of my business and are always appreciated.

“The Peacock Garden Cafe has the best ambiance of any restaurant since Food Among the Flowers. It’s beautiful, albeit it a bit noisy indoors. They offered only one selection, center cut filet mignon, but it was delicious. Usually the Spice menu consists of three courses but at PGC they impressed with gravlox tartine, soup du jour, a pear and gorgonzola salad, a chocolate brownie and a glass of Prosecco. The dessert was the single less-than-outstanding selection. One diner had the tuna tartar appetizer with grilled shrimp and Asian slaw salad, all exceptional. We also enjoyed the white sangria, a house favorite. I’ve been back already.

Talavera Cocina Mexicana is owned by the same group as the PGC. It’s no wonder we loved this dining  experience as well. Again, we enjoyed extra courses with no skimping on portions. We had  fantastic service that began with cilantro margaritas (surprisingly delicious) followed with shrimp ceviche tostadas, cactus salad that included portabella mushrooms, spinach, tomato, red onion, serrano chili, cilantro and goat cheese. Then came the entree of carne asada (melt in your mouth tenderloin served with guacamole, roasted poblano pepper that was DE-vine, refried black beans (rather dry) and enchilada mole. The owner offered up a second round of drinks on the house prior to the amazing mango sorbet dessert. I’m going back soon.

Palme d’Or has exquisite food. We enjoyed the three-course meal and its small portions left us wanting more. Our meal began with a mushroom amuse bouche followed by chilled Heirloom tomato soup with goat cheese – all quite pleasant. One diner ordered the lobster bisque as an extra course. It was superb, with perfect consistency and great flavor. For our entree we all ordered the lamb tenderloin with ratatouille and a creamy potato garnish. Presentations were elegantly minimalistic, flavors were exceptional. We were a little disappointed as the menu changed from the posted one on the internet offering slipper lobster. This can happen if an item is not fresh or available, so diners must be flexible. However, an updated menu posting would be appreciated. Dessert was a decadent chocolate ball (frankly, I can’t remember the specifics but it was quite tasty). The wait staff was attentive but a bit stuffy and cold. Seems they might have been tired after a busy Labor Day weekend. I may go back.

Sustain Restaurant and Bar, a relatively new Midtown hotspot, fits the bill for great energy and hip urban ambiance. The food was trendy and tasty beginning with the fennel salad with arugula, orange, walnuts and parmegiano. I chose the Cavatelli for my main course – Harris Ranch braised short rib ragu with ricotta – a nice comfort food that was very satisfying and flavorful. Others ordered the pan roasted snapper and, although it was good, it was literally three bites and diners were disappointed and still hungry. I had the strawberry cobbler with marscapone cream for dessert and it was a great play on textures and flavors, the sweet and the slightly salty. I may go back.

Hakkasan at Fountainbleau was wonderful – LAST YEAR. Unfortunately, this year disappointed in many ways. The crispy vegetarian spring rolls – greasy. The sweet and sour sauce sea bass – surprisingly fishy. We related this to our waiter who was rather disinterested. Most unique and enjoyable was the hot and sour soup – very thick with a distinctly smoky flavor. The braised tofu with dried shitake and garden greens was quite delicious and the best of the vegetarian selections this evening. Also flavorful was the braised eggplant with toban chili sauce. The veggie fried rice was nothing special while the minced beef fried rice was considerably more interesting with ginger pickle and Szechwan peppercorn. Off the Spice menu (a must, as portions are small) we shared a vegan dim sum and regular dim sum platter (both good) as well as the sweet and sour pork prepared with a light batter and a sweet and tangy sauce that was one of the best I’ve ever tasted. We finished with a rich and creamy dark chocolate mousse with vanilla ice cream and hazelnut crumble. A few extra mentions: service was good, ambiance great, and parking was discounted to a reasonable $12 for Spice month. Drinks at Blue Bar in the lobby of the hotel were pricey, but the biggest turn off – the lobby smelled like sun tan lotion and chlorine. Swim anyone? I’m NOT going back.”

There you have it – Debra’s take on the five places she visited. There are over a hundred restaurants participating and Miami Spice continues through the end of September. Don’t miss your opportunity to sample fabulous (and sometimes not so fabulous) food at reduced prices.

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It’s a fact of life here that at some time we will have another big storm. May as well be as ready as you can before the inevitable long lines everywhere make preparations even harder. All local television will broadcast updates 24/7 and reiterate what you need to have and do, but it’s better to have to deal with only the last-minute items around your home.

If you live in a single family home you can prune trees and shrubs and harvest heavy fruits, coconuts and dry palm fronds so the city can haul them away before the action begins. Decide how you can protect landscaping and very large outdoor potted plants and consider creating a space indoors for movable containers.

Unless you have impact resistant windows make sure you have every nut and bolt needed for your shutters, as well as heavy-duty gloves, ladders, and W-D 40. You can also check for a specialized drill bit to speed up tightening those bolts.

If you don’t have either of the above, get thee to a lumber supply place and talk to someone who can help with a temporary plan for your home’s protection.

Gather your important documents and policies and store everything together in a watertight container. In this age of baying bills online, it makes sense to schedule future payments in case the electricity is out for an extended time.

For complete checklists of everything you’ll need visit the National Hurricane Center site. Taking steps now can mean one less family – yours – in line when the inevitable happens again.

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Coconut Grove is a unique village, and you need a hyper-local specialist working for you here. Whether you are selling, buying, renting or investing I can help you make the right decisions. Call me at 305 794.6570 or leave me a note.

It sits on a corner lot ( 8,800 square feet) behind a high wall which hides the lush tropical gardens surrounding the house. Winding Chicago-brick pathways lead to zen-like pockets where you’ll find shady seating, sculptures, and a pond with waterfall. There’s also a large deck off the bright Florida room and kitchen that is a natural extension of the 1,668 square foot home and is made for entertaining.

You enter through a coral rock screened porch to the living room graced by a coral rock fireplace and Dade County pine floors. Those floors extend throughout the entire house.

The kitchen has been updated to today’s standards, keeping the period feel of the place intact , and includes a Jenn Aire gas range. The open wall into the Florida Room keeps the cook in front of family and guests, unusual in homes from this time. Both rooms open onto the deck, as does the butler’s pantry off the dining room.

The house is truly special, and I really hope whoever buys it will preserve the charm and not – egads! – tear it down.

If you’re interested in this house, call me at 305 794.6570 for an appointment to see it.

Coconut Grove is a unique village, and you need a hyper-local specialist working for you here. Whether you are selling, buying, renting or investing I can help you make the right decisions. Call me at 305 794.6570 or leave me a note.

If you enjoyed reading this article, why not Subscribe to receive the next one? Once you register, you must activate the subscription in a follow-up email.

I’m one of those who considers my pets to be family members so I understand the importance they are to renters. Finding a place to lease with your pets can be frustrating as there are condo rules that prohibit tenants having pets, and homeowners who don’t want to rent to people with pets.

They are heartless souls, if you want my opinion. But there are plenty of places for rent that do allow pets! Breaking it down below are all the homes and condos, furnished and unfurnished available for rent in Coconut Grove now.

Furnished Homes, Townhouses, and Condos

Unfurnished Homes and Townhouses

Unfurnished Condos

There are rules for the size or number of pets in most condominiums and homeowners usually require a refundable pet deposit, but you can find a rental for yourself and the whole family in Coconut Grove!

If you need help finding a rental, or you need a Realtor to help you find a new tenant give me a call at 305 794.6570 or leave me a note.

To stay updated with all local 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 house has been featured in Architectural Digest, the Wall Street Journal, the Miami Vice movie, and I recognized it in a recent episode of our very own Burn Notice on television. There are 5 bedrooms and four and a half bathrooms, tropical pool and spa, a guesthouse, and a spectacular jungle-like lot that’s just under an acre in size.

The truly unique feature of this one-of-a-kind property is the upstairs open-air living space. There’s a kitchen, bar, dumb waiter (food elevator), gigantic seating areas, dining area, bathroom, and tanning terraces.

The property had been listed by Rex Hamilton and closed for $3,100,000 on April 24. Great jobs, Rex and Riley! View the details here.

Although it isn’t literally within it, the house sits just at the entrance to one of the most private and historic gated communities in the Grove, Ye Little Woods. The oldest home there was built in 1902 for William Vogleson Little, developer of the community. Other well-known past residents include Gene and Barry Massin, father and son artists and Baron Joseph “Sepy” Debronyi, the self-proclaimed bon-vivant and playboy who hosted his final bacchanal in April, 2010 and whose home is now for sale.

As well as the Baron’s home there are 4 other homes for sale now. You will see details of them all here.

New to the market is another spectacular home built in 1920 at 3948 Little Avenue, offered fully furnished for lease at $19,500 a month.

Coconut Grove is where I live, work, and play. If you are buying, selling or renting in Coconut Grove you need a local specialist. Call me at 305 794.6570 or leave me a note.

To stay updated with all local real estate information, receive my blog posts via email by subscribing.  Once you register, you must activate the subscription in a follow-up email.

I’ve listed a home at 4910 Biltmore Drive that is perfect for a growing family. Its central location is just north of the University of Miami on the Coral Gables Waterway, and the ample lot has room for just about every outdoor activity you can imagine.

As well as formal living and dining rooms there’s a family room and eat-in kitchen that open onto the enormous covered patio facing the canal. In the spacious backyard there is a heated infinity pool and spa and a dock over the water. There are three fixed bridges to reach the bay on your boat.

In 2005 a second level was added creating an upstairs master suite with bathroom, walk-in closet, and a smaller room ideal for a nursery or home office. There are 3 or 4 bedrooms downstairs, depending on how you use the rooms, and 3 full bathrooms. Other features are an oversized 2-car garage, circular driveway with room for a dozen cars, and a utility/laundry room.

The home has 3,300 square feet under air, a lot of 13,651 square feet, and is listed at $1,450,000.

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See all homes on the Coral Gables Waterway for sale

To see this or any home you fancy, call me at 305 794.6570 or leave me a note. To stay updated with all local real estate information, receive my blog posts via email by subscribing.  Once you register, you must activate the subscription in a follow-up email.

Join the fun at The Barnacle on Sunday, April 10th, to honor the 160th birthday of Commodore Ralph Munroe, one of Coconut Grove’s most charming and influential pioneers. Each year the Barnacle Society gathers to commemorate his remarkable life, and this year’s festival will have plenty of perks.

Dinner will be catered by Top Chef contestant Howie Kleinberg’s Bulldog BBQ, music will be provided by The Three Jacks, an American-Celtic rock band, and of course there will be birthday cake! The festivities will begin at 6:00 pm. All details about this event are listed here.

It’s a great opportunity to visit this historic and grand bayside home built by the Commodore in 1891 at 3485 Main Highway. At the same time you’ll be supporting the Barnacle Society’s mission to generate public awareness, education, and financial support for the preservation and maintenance of this historic home.

If you are looking for a Realtor who knows and loves Coconut Grove, and who can guide you to informed decisions, call me at 305 794.6570 or leave me a note.

Did you know that Coconut Grove residents and people who work here can receive great discounts at cooperating merchants by using the Code 33 card? To get your card simply email mcconnell28@msn.com stating whether you live or work here, and your address and email. The card will be mailed to you.

The savings are great and include discounts on restaurants, salons, jewelers, clothing stores, and so much more. You can check out the entire list of participating businesses at  The Village of Center Grove Homeowners Association.

Once you have your card, look for the Code 33 decal in store windows to find out if they’re in the program. You can honestly save a bundle!

If you are looking for someone who knows Coconut Grove real estate and can save you even more money by quickly selling your home or negotiating a better price on your purchase, call me at 305 794.6570 or leave me a message.

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