Your Sunny Isles Condo Resource

Of course, once the kids have to go back to school, most people stop thinking about possible vacations. The fact is, if you plan your vacations for late August or early September, you could see savings of hundreds or even thousands of dollars on your accommodation arrangements. The summer is considered the peak season for travel, and once that school bell rings, the prices drop. You can take advantage of this by planning a later vacation condo in Miami whenever possible.

There are thousands of rental accommodations in the Miami area, including Sunny Isles, Hollywood, Miami Beach, Hallandale Beach, South Beach, and Bal Harbour. The entire area has every type of lodging that you could desire, from budget hotels to luxury condominiums. You might be surprised at just how affordable your vacation can be.

Miami condo rentals

are a great idea for families because the kitchens allow you to cook while on your vacation. There are some amazing restaurants in the Miami area, of course, but eating several of your meals in your condo can save hundreds of dollars that you could use on other activities. And there is no shortage of activities to be found in this area. South Beach is notorious for its arts community, and the entire area has a thriving nightlife.

If you have attempted to find Miami rental properties before without much luck, then you should expand your search to the surrounding area. The beaches are just as beautiful, the restaurants just as delicious, and the Miami Beach condos just as luxurious. There are plenty of amenities available to those that stay in Bal Harbour or Hallandale, so don’t limit yourself to just one city. With the money you save on your accommodations, you can take the opportunity to see everything in the area while you’re in town!

Have we bottomed yet? Is the worst over? Should we start buying Florida real estate again? Encouraging news came from Florida Realtors Association today. Please read below.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – After declining for the first time since the end of World War II, Florida’s population grew once again last year, a hopeful yet tentative sign that the worst of the recession may have passed, according to the latest preliminary population estimates from the University of Florida (UF).

Stan Smith, director of UF’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research, estimates that Florida added a modest 21,000 residents between 2009 and 2010, but that follows a population decline greater than 56,000 between 2008 and 2009.

“Even though the state turned it around, it still represents the smallest population increase since the 1940s and does not make up for last year’s loss,” Smith said. “Florida’s population growth continues to be very, very slow by historical standards.”

Florida grew by more than 125,000 residents in every year from 1950 to 2008. It’s estimated that Florida added 21,285 residents during the past year, with its total population increasing from 18,750,483 on April 1, 2009, to 18,771,768 on April 1, 2010, Smith says. The previous year it lost an estimated 56,736 residents.

“Two years ago, the economy was deteriorating rapidly, while over the past year there have been some signs that it is leveling off or even improving slightly,” he says. “I think that’s the reason we’re seeing a small increase in population. Although technically the recession has ended, the economy continues to be in bad shape, particularly in terms of its ability to create jobs. There have been some jobs added in the last few months, but unemployment is still very high and job growth is very weak.”

Slightly more counties lost rather than added population, but the split was fairly even. In percentage terms, both increases and decreases in counties’ populations were generally very small, with no dramatic changes.

“At the state level, foreign immigration continues to be relatively strong, and the state also continues to have substantially more births than deaths, which are really the drivers of Florida’s growth in the last year,” Smith says.

The largest population gains were in some of the biggest counties. Miami-Dade led by adding an estimated 8,253 residents, followed by Hillsborough, 6,353, and Broward, 5,834. “Because they’re the largest counties, they have fairly sizeable numbers of births,” Smith says. “They also receive a substantial number of foreign immigrants.”

The county with the biggest percentage increase was Lafayette, which grew by 5.2 percent, but that change was largely attributed to the addition of state prison inmates. There was no pattern to which counties lost population, which were spread throughout the state and include both large urban counties and small rural counties.

The largest population decline was in Seminole County, which lost 3,659 residents, followed by Pinellas, 3,119, and Volusia, 2,055. In percentage terms, the county with the biggest decline was Glades, followed by Jackson and Holmes.

With a quick economic turnaround unlikely at either the state or national level, Smith expects Florida’s population to continue to grow slowly during the next year or two. But within the next 10 to 20 years, the state’s annual population growth could be as high as 250,000.

“From 2003 to 2006, Florida’s population grew by more than 400,000 per year, and in the previous three decades increases averaged about 300,000 per year, although there were certainly ups and downs from year to year,” he says.

Last year’s population decline, a result of the economic slump, was the first since 1946, when military personnel left the state at the end of World War II.

“If the economy recovers sooner than people expect, we would expect faster growth,” Smith says. “If it recovers less rapidly or even slips back into recession, we would expect that growth will continue to be very slow and possibly even be negative again.”

Between 2000 and 2010, the counties that grew the most in absolute numbers were Miami-Dade, Orange and Hillsborough. Flagler had the highest growth rate, 90.4 percent, followed by Sumter, 82.6 percent, Osceola, 59.8 percent, St. Johns, 50.6 percent, and Wakulla, 41.7 percent.

The population figures are interim estimates that will be replaced by numbers from the 2010 census when they become available early next year.

Miami has always been considered a hot town

with lots of action, entertainment, and all of the gourmet food you could want. Many celebrities call it their home away from home, and quite a few have arranged a permanent residence there. With pristine beaches, world-class resorts, five-star restaurants, fashion straight from the catwalk, and internationally known nightclubs, Miami has never had trouble attracting attention. However, even this vibrant city was not left unaffected by the recent economic troubles.

Luckily for this thriving metropolis, LeBron James has decided to call it home. There is no doubt that this mega star would have raised the profile of any city that he might have chosen, but his presence, added to the brilliant appeal of Miami, has already begun to bring a change to the many industries. Miami real estate markets and the surrounding areas are experiencing the biggest improvement that they have seen since the mortgage-lending crisis just a few years ago. Restaurants serve more guests each day and have been able to raise their prices in response to the additional clientele. Hotel rooms are solidly booked as people from around the world plan to visit the city that everyone is talking about.

Of course, James isn’t the only star power available in Miami. Celebrities like Matt Damon and Jennifer Lopez have called Miami home for quite a while. The latest attention is expected to drive housing prices up even further, so buying Miami real estate while it’s still considered a buyers’ market is a good idea. Whether you plan to call the city your new home or make purchases for investment reasons, now is the time to act. As the rest of the country catches up, you will find yourself with quite a profitable opportunity in your hands.

For hundreds of years, mankind has relied on several resources that we have considered “renewable.” At one point in history, we believed that oil and other fossil fuels would always be available to us. Even water, which is produced naturally, is in short supply on occasion. Learning to make our homes and cars more efficient with these resources as become the focus of this generation, because we have all realized that there is no way to count on always having these resources available.

Building Green homes in Miami

have become the latest trend, but it is a popular decision that should be encouraged so that future generations can enjoy the resources that we currently have available. The benefits of owning an Miami eco-friendly home can actually far exceed the preservation of our precious energy resources. You will quickly see lower energy bills, which will free up your cash for other important purchases, such as a car that can offer the same eco-friendly results as your home.

Suggestions for green homes include countertops that are created from recycled materials. Granite may be the hottest item at the moment, but there is only so much granite available. Consider buying a home with as many recycled material features as possible. You should also be aware of the hardwoods that are used in the home. Deforestation is a serious concern, as we are seeing the disappearance of hundreds of thousands of trees every year. There are other beautiful flooring and trim options that do not require the death of a tree, and the quality and durability is just as high.

Rooftop gardens are another popular option. Not only can you produce your own food, but the garden can also effectively insulate you home naturally. This is especially helpful in urban homes, where yard space is limited. You can see that even the smallest things can make a huge difference.

The South Florida real estate

became a roller-coaster ride back in 2002 through 2007 due to loans and mortgages being cheap and readily available, thus condo flippers were flipping several times before the buildings were even built, resulting in artificially inflated prices. At the height of the condo flipping in 2005-2006, prices for some brand new projects, like Jade Ocean Sunny Isles hit as much as $1,200 per square foot….

Since then most of properties lost 30% to 40% because most of the buyers had bailed out leaving the developers struggling to complete the projects and to sell the units all over again. However, things are looking brighter on the horizon – the prices are back to affordable again and the buyers are looking to capitalize on it.

Two most popular condos in Sunny Isles – Jade Beach and Jade Ocean

are making a comeback again. Jade Beach is completely sold out as of beginning of 2010 and Jade Ocean is not 60% sold and closed. Of course the prices are no longer $1,200 per sq.ft., but more like $450 and $500 per square foot, which of course is lot more affordable and in line with today’s luxury ocean front properties in Miami.

Sunny Isles Beach real estate

is situated directly on the Atlantic ocean, between Golden Beach real estate which is north of Sunny Isles and Bal Harbour real estate on the south side. Aventura condos are located West of Sunny Isles.

The most recent addition to an already impressive Sunny Isles condos are the three Trump Towers offering some 813 luxury ocean front units. Trump Tower I is already completely sold out, Trump Tower II is about 85% sold out and Trump Tower III is scheduled to start the sell out on September 15th. The prices will vary between the lowest $365 per square foot to just over $400 per square foot for higher floors which offer 11 foot ceilings and expansive South East views of Downtown Miami and of course the ocean.

Gil Dezer, president of Dezer Properties, says of Trump Towers: “We really set the floor for pricing in Miami, here we are in a Trump Tower building, selling at below $400 a foot on the ocean. People are waiting for the bottom, and I think we hit the floor.”

Dezer is also in charge of the nearby Trump Palace and Trump Royale, named Trump Grande Sunny Isles, another high-rise development on Collins Avenue in Sunny Isles Beach. The complex also includes Trump International hotel.

“We were averaging $800 a foot before (during the downturn), and now we’re getting about $400 a foot; we’re down literally 50 percent,” Dezer says of Trump Towers.

Edgardo Defortuna, president and CEO of Fortune International Development, says “We sold Jade Beach at an average of $540 a square foot; the resales went up to $750 a square foot, but some of those buyers didn’t close, and we ended up taking those units back.” However, in the last six months, Fortune International has managed to resell the remainder of Jade Beach’s 248 units. The sister project Jade Ocean is now selling eight to 12 units per month at an average of $625 per square foot.

In January, Dezer Development decided to bet even bigger on Sunny Isles by assuming a $265 million loan from a development partnership that included the Related Group in order to take over sales of Trump Towers. Since then, Dezer has sold about 285 apartments at Trump Towers at an average of around $420 per square foot.

Part of this success is thanks to Sunny Isles’ beach location surrounded by wealthy enclaves. Golden Beach homes, full of multimillion-dollar mansions (Ricky Martin has one), recently completed a $30 million civic improvement project that included landscaping and an eco-friendly storm-water drainage system.

Nearby Bal Harbour condos offer most sought after ocean front properties as well as a shopping destination that rivals top shopping in the world, comparable and some think even better than Rodeo Drive and Europe. And Aventura is a quiet golf and beach destination favored by Michael Jordan and a sharp set who can’t stand the bustle of South Beach.

“Friends bring their friends, relatives recommend Sunny Isles to their loved one’s, because those who live in Sunny Isles Beach simple love it!” says Edgardo Defortuna. “The Sunny Isles market has become very attractive once again.”

Experts are announcing that the economy is slowly turning around, and housing prices everywhere are seeing the effects of this gradual improvement. While it’s still a buyers’ market, there is no denying that there are changes taking place all over the country. Miami housing market is experiencing even greater improvements in the single family housing as well as luxury ocean front condominiums, especially since the arrival of several sports and entertainment celebrities. Even as the profile of Miami is being elevated, however, foreclosures are still a reality.

For investors and new residents to the Miami area, this provides an opportunity to purchase Miami home at greatly reduced prices. Foreclosed properties in Miami are notoriously discounted, because banks do not want to keep properties for longer than necessary. Selling the homes for less than they are worth actually saves them money and time in the long run, because marketing and maintenance can seriously drain finances, even for a bank.

If you are thinking about purchasing Miami real estate

then now is the time to act. With the improvements in the economy, this trend may not last much longer. Your first step is to contact a real estate agent that is familiar with the Miami area so that you can find foreclosures in the best neighborhoods. Homes in popular areas are more likely to appreciate in value more quickly, so your investment would be a sound one.

Make sure that your real estate agent has plenty of experience with foreclosures, too, because there is a lot of paperwork and negotiation involved. The transaction can go smoothly if you are working with an agent that has great relationships with lenders and closing companies, and the added experience may save you even more time and money in the long run.

There are many details involved in the purchase of a foreclosure properties in Miami fl. Banks do want to make as much money as possible, so negotiations may get pretty fierce. You need to know that your real estate company has the knowledge and the experience to walk you through the process with as little hassle as possible.

You should remember that lending institutions are in the business of lending money, not in selling property. This is leverage that you can use when you are ready to make an offer. The maintenance and marketing that goes into selling a foreclosed home can drain finances quickly, so offering to take the home off of their hands can open the door for a quick and relatively easy transaction.

Sunny Realty has years of experience with foreclosed properties in Miami Fl

so the agents have the knowledge necessary to take care of the little details that you may not know exist. Short sales are gaining popularity, too, which can provide you even more opportunities for a real steal. Banks don’t want the hassle of dealing with these properties, so you would essentially be doing them a favor. With the help of a Sunny Realty agent, you can find hundreds of homes for living or investment purposes.

The very best thing about this situation is that home prices are starting to experience a rebound in the Miami area. If you are able to make your purchase now while it’s still a buyers’ market, then you could find yourself in a situation where a tidy profit is possible. Take a look at all of the available properties in your favorite Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Bal Harbor, and South Beach neighborhoods. Then, visit one of our experienced agents to find out how you can make that dream house your own.

Whether you’re moving to Miami Beach

and need a place to live, getting ready to trade up homes in the area, or simply are looking for beachside investments, Miami Beach homes for sale are really where it’s at right now. During the recent housing crisis, Florida real estate was one of the hardest hit states. For those who already owned homes there, this was devastating. Those who are looking to buy into real estate in Florida, though, can get great value for their money.

Before the housing crash, the prices of housing in Florida were artificially high. They were driven up by market demand and the fact that lots of people wanted to invest in and around the beach areas. Now, though, prices are actually artificially low. They’re low because buyers are afraid to make purchases. For this reason, the prices are much lower than they can expect to be ever again.

Obviously the first rule of thumb for an investor, or just someone who wants to buy a home in which to live, is that the value of the property should increase over time. This is more likely to happen in Miami Beach than anywhere else.

Here, you’re going to get great value for your money while market prices are still low. However, Miami Beach real estate is still a very desirable place to live, which means that you’re going to see the value of your property increase with the economic stability of this area. As people start to spend money more freely, they’re going to come back here begging for real estate on the beach and near it. If you’ve bought real estate before that happens, you will have made a very valuable investment. It’s time to buy into Miami Beach real estate while prices are still low!

One of the most frequent questions that many people have when they first consider selling their home is how much it’s worth. It’s certainly an important question because it can help to determine the price at which you list your property. It’s also a natural question, considering the volatility of the real estate market in many areas around the country.

We specialize in helping homeowners to understand what their property is worth through the preparation of a comprehensive market analysis report or CMA. What is it? Our comprehensive market analysis report will take into consideration all of the features of your home, including the size, location and any special highlights your home might include and then compare your home to comparable properties which have been sold in the local area over the past few months. We also take into consideration recent market trends.

This process allows us to keep a finger on the pulse of the local Miami real estate market and give you a reliable idea of what your property is worth, based on the sales of comparable homes in the recent past.

Not only do you benefit from having a solid idea of the value of your property in the current market, but we provide this service to you completely free of charge and with no obligations whatsoever. Not quite ready to sell your Miami home yet? Just want to know what it may be worth? No problem. We will provide you with a detailed report complete with a price per square foot analysis as well as current market trends, recent comparable sales information and an analysis of your specific location.

Get in touch with us today 1.877.368.2318 and stop wondering how much your property is worth and find out for certain!

Looking to buy a property in Miami in the near future?

Want to save money in the process? We are Miami foreclosure experts and we can help you with our selection of foreclosures and REOs for sale.

What is a foreclosure and how can buying one benefit you?

A foreclosure occurs when a homeowner forfeits ownership in the property because they were no longer able to pay the mortgage and as a result the bank or lender has become the owner of the property. In this case, the previous homeowner’s rights to the property are completely terminated.

How might this help you? In many cases when a bank takes over ownership of a property due to foreclosure they will be willing to sell the property at a price that is far less than the market value of the property. Why is this, you might ask? First, it is because most lenders just are not set up to sell and manage real estate. They would rather sell the property for less money and not have to worry about it in the future.

We also excel at Miami short sales.

Short sales occur when a bank or lender agrees to sell a property at a discounted price in order to avoid a possible bankruptcy or foreclosure. This typically occurs when the homeowner is behind on the payments. There can be tremendous costs associated with a foreclosure and many banks would rather avoid the time and cost involved by going ahead and agreeing to a short sale. Everyone benefits in this process; including you, the buyer, because you are able to purchase the property at a discounted price.

Ready to purchase in the near future? Give us a call and let us help you to find our next home in Miami.