Nutrition Empire -- Welcome to the Neighborhood

To be positioned on the same block as Epicure Gourmet Market is what most any small retailer wants when opening up shop in a new location and that is just what happened to Nutrition Empire.  Located in the newly built Gables Ponce apartment complex on Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Nutrition Empire is in a position to succeed. 

Nutrition Empire is situated on the ground floor of the newly built phase of Gables Ponce – a new apartment complex on the corner of Ponce de Leon and Granello Avenue. The location is ideal for this health and nutrition specialty store as it is just one block from the Village at Merrick Park and Equinox Fitness in addition to being less than a mile from the University of Miami. It features nutritional supplements and health and wellness products as well as offers superb customer service by trained athletes who have are very well educated in nutrition and healthy living. 

Growing Part of Coral Gables

Most often, when you think of Coral Gables, the Miracle Mile is the first thing that pops into your head but as real estate development continues to expand, the neighborhoods and condominiums around this part of the Gables is primed and ready to grow.  Gables Ponce is an upscale apartment community built in three phases of which the first two are completed and the third is in the works.  It offers residents five-star living in a resort-like atmosphere with high end fixtures and finishes in each apartment as well as community amenities on par with most tropical resorts. 

In addition to Gables Ponce, the Residences of  Merrick Park, another apartment community, is just a block away and provides the same type of luxury apartment living.  This community is comprised of one, two and three-bedroom apartments that are open and airy with nice, spacious balconies to enjoy Florida breezes. 

AVIVA is yet another luxury apartment rental community that is situated on the other side of The Village at Merrick Park.  It has the same tropical feel that Gables Ponce and Residences of Merrick Park have and gives residents the ability to live in high end residences.      

For those who wish to own Coral Gables real estate in this vicinity, the area is 

primarily comprised of single-family home neighborhoods with multi-family housing mixed into the areas.  List prices for homes start in the mid to upper-$400s for homes in Gables Rivera and Coral Gables Country Club neighborhoods and climb into the millions.  As for condominiums, One Village Place is a short walk and features list prices between the mid-$300s and about $600K.  There are several condominiums with properties ranging in the low to mid-$200s to $500K at condominiums like Villa Capri and University Inn Condo located a short drive away.

Coming Alive

One telltale sign that an area is truly coming alive is the retailers that set up shop there.  With high-end markets like Epicure and the shops opening in the Village at Merrick Park, the area around Gables Ponce is destined to continue to show growth.

As for now, residents who are very conscious about their health are so glad to see Nutrition Empire open up to help them make smart choices for nutrition – before and after they work out at Equinox.

Tips for Buying Coral Gables Vacation Property

The Florida real estate market has come back with a vengeance and is clipping along at a fantastic pace.  Prior to the market collapse, many were seriously considering buying vacation homes.  Those who bought at the time have already reaped the rewards of increased value to the property they purchased while others decided to wait.   For those who waited, the dream of owning a vacation home is back on this list of possibilities. 

If you are ready to dive into the home buying waters and considering a vacation home, here are several tips for buying Coral Gables vacation property to make sure you make an informed decision:

Decide How You Want to Use It.  The first thought that comes to mind when buying a vacation home is to decide how you want to use it.  Do you want to keep it strictly as a home for you to stay at your discretion (your friends too) or do you want to buy a vacation home as a rental investment?  In this part of Florida, there is a huge market for rental property especially during the winter when the “snowbirds” fly south to escape the cold – the past couple of winters in the winter have been brutal.   It is common for vacation home owners to only use their property for as little as a couple of months a year so the idea of using it as rental property may be a great way to make it more affordable.

Choose the Type of Property.  Prior to buying a vacation home, you need to choose the type of property you want – single-family or condominium.  Much of this is based on whether you want to use it as a vacation rental.  Coral Gables condominiums and single family homes are always appealing to second home buyers because of the rental potential.  There are several advantages to owning vacation property in condominiums including the ability to put your property in a vacation management pool within the condominium for greater rental possibilities and built-in amenities like a pool, a marina, reserved and valet parking and more. Single-family homes draw those who want more privacy and an atmosphere similar to being at home.

Rent First.  Before you buy a vacation home, be sure that you rent in the neighborhoods or condominiums in which you are interested.  You can speak firsthand about staying there to potential guests and decide if you will enjoy your time there.  Renting always helps you know your likes and dislikes.  

Ask About the Rental History.  If you are considering a second home for investment purposes, ask about the rental history.  You want to know what you are getting with your investment.  For properties that have not been used as rental property, you can look at comparable properties that do have rental histories to see the potential income.

Consider the Additional Financial Obligation.  A second home will have additional financial obligations especially at the beginning.  That is why it is important to know a general idea of the expenses that accompany your new home – initial expenses during the purchase as well as the monthly expenses that any homeowner pays, taxes and insurance.   Even if you buy a second home with an established rental history, rental income typically does not cover ALL of the expenses involved. 

Work with a Local, Experienced Realtor®.  Probably the best thing anyone thinking about buying Coral Gables vacation property is to work with a local, experienced and Florida licensed Realtor®.  A Realtor® that knows which neighborhoods or condominiums best meet your needs as a resident (and rental property owner) provide you with a wealth of information and knowledge to help you make an informed decision. 

“Boutique” Coral Gables Condominiums

One of the most types of popular condominium properties is the “boutique” style condominium.  This term is commonly used in the real estate industry representing a more exclusive, smaller condominium with fewer units.  Real estate buyers tend to gravitate towards boutique condominiums because of the relaxed atmosphere, lower condo fees due to typically having fewer amenities and somewhat tighter leasing regulations within the condominium covenants.  Typically with boutique condominiums, there tend to be fewer units on the market as property owners lean towards staying put as well. 

Coral Gables is an affluent part of Miami-Dade that appeals to a more buyers who want to step back from the excitement and glitz of Miami’s more progressive neighborhoods.  Boutique condominiums lend themselves well to tranquility and exclusive nature of Coral Gables.  Here are a handful of highly sought after boutique Coral Gables condominiums with listings.

Century Village Park, 1650 Galiano Street.  Century Village Park is a gorgeous boutique-style condominium built in 2010 and centrally located in a beautiful and established part of the Gables that is close to parks, golf courses, and shopping and dining on the Miracle Mile.  With only 41 units on eight floors, Century Village Park offers residents the choice of a one-story condominium unit housing one or two bedrooms or two-story townhouse with three bedrooms. The most appealing characteristics of Century Village Park are its Mediterranean style architecture on the exterior and the interior details that make this condominium stand apart from the pack.  Fixtures and finishes on the inside lend themselves to a more high-end residence with marble and hardwood flooring, elegant baseboard and crown molding throughout the home and update yet classically styled kitchens and baths.  List prices usually start in the upper-$200s and climb over $500K for single-story condominium units and the mid-$500s to mid-$700s for townhouses.  Investors can expect to garner anywhere from $2,500 per month for a one-bedroom unit to almost $4,000 per month for a three-bedroom townhouse. 

CENTURY VILLAGE PARK LISTINGS

The Nevis, 2650 SW 37th Avenue.  Located a mere two miles from the University of Miami, The Nevis is a nine-story condominium that houses only (41) one or two-bedroom units.  This is an ideal property for first-time buyers and those who are interested in second or winter homes.  Sizes range from just under 800 square feet for one-bedroom units to over 1,200 square feet for two-bedrooms and feature updated kitchens and baths along with extended balconies.  Amenities include an outdoor pool, assigned covered parking, 24-hour camera security and a fitness center with sauna.  List prices start at about $200K and climb to the mid to upper-$300s depending on the size and location of the unit. 

FOR SALE AT THE NEVIS

Villa Calabria, 20 Calabria Avenue.  Villa Calabria is a six-story condominium with only (31) two-bedroom units ranging between 1,200 and 1,400 square feet in size.  It is ideally located just a few blocks from the Miracle Mile as well as area parks and top golf courses.  Units are open and spacious with updated fixtures and finishes along with extended balconies.  Amenities include a well-equipped fitness center, covered parking and a pool.  Currently there are two listings with list prices falling between the mid to upper-$300s even into the low-$400s.  Annual leases are allowed but there are none available.  This is an excellent option for those in need of a second home for business or spending extended time in Coral Gables and south Florida. 

VILLA CALABRIA LISTINGS

Villa Isabella, 322 Madeira Avenue.  Villa Isabella is a boutique condominium in the truest sense of the term with five stories and only 29 units with one or two bedrooms.  Built in 2004, it is a standout condominium with its unique Mediterranean architecture that is very common in this part of Miami-Dade. It features beautifully finished residences updated kitchens, spacious bedrooms and living areas along with an elegant balcony.  List prices fall from the upper-$200s to upper-$300s depending on the size and location.  Square footage ranges between about 750 and just over 1,500 square feet.  As for amenities, there is a gym as well as a beautiful roof top terrace, assigned parking and a secured entrance. Villa Isabella is centrally located within walking distance to the Miracle Mile and other areas that are very popular with Gables residents.  There is only one unit listed for sale which speaks to its popularity.  As for rentals, annual leases are allowed with rental rates typically falling between $2,000 and $3,000 per month. 

VILLA ISABELLA LISTINGS

Villa Zamora, 118 Zamora Avenue.  Unlike many other boutique Coral Gables condominiums, Villa Zamora is ideal for home buyers interested in second or vacation homes as each property owner receives a complimentary membership to the Biltmore Hotel.  In terms of what is featured at Villa Zamora, amenities are similar to those in upscale condominiums and include 24-hr security cameras, covered parking, gated entry, a private elevator lobby, full-size washer and dryer, and impact glass windows.  Inside each residence, owners have a spacious kitchen with granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances and custom cabinetry, an open living area, full laundry room, a large bedroom with double vanity master bath and so much more.  List prices range from the low-$500s to mid-$600s.  Rental rates typically fall between about $2,500 and $3,200 per month with two rentals allowed each year. 

FOR SALE AT VILLA ZAMORA

Offer Lower Condominium Fees

Boutique condominiums are very popular in South Florida especially in Coral Gables.  They offer an exclusive atmosphere where everyone knows everyone in the building with a bonus of lower condominium fees.  The key to being lucky enough to purchase a property in a boutique condominium is to grab it before it is gone as they sell quickly.  

Another New Restaurant Opens in the Gables – The Seven Dials

Open for about a month, The Seven Dials seems to be attracting people from all over Miami-Dade County.  The “eclectic gastro-pub” has received rave reviews from Yelp and lots of press from local news sites which seems to be driving people to the Gables to try the new hot spot out. 

For those who live in the area, The Seven Dials, named for a part of London where seven streets come together, is located in The Minorca Condominium at 2300 South Douglas Boulevard.  It is just a few short blocks off the Miracle Mile and brings a new influence to the area’s other establishments.  With the weather beginning to cool slightly, more and more residents have begun to hit the streets again and enjoy one of the most spectacular appeals of the Gables – its walkability.

At The Seven Dials, there is a large selection of local beers as well as yummy selections on the menu.  The menu is sort of a fusion of American and British favorites.  Although lunch is basic, the food, prepared by owner/chef, Andrew Gilbert (Michy’s and Senora Martinez), is absolutely delectable.  For dinner, there is a wide array of meat and protein from the charcuterie menu seasoned and cooked to perfection as well as a delicious dinner menu.  Thus far, the favorites seem to be the chicken pate and fish and chips with mushed peas. 

A Very Appealing City

Coral Gables is a very appealing city in Miami-Dade County.  Not only is it absolutely beautiful, it has such a style all of its own.  The business district around the Miracle Mile is filled with some of the best shopping around as well as the best food in the best restaurants and eateries.  That is why the condominiums in and around the heart of the Gables are so popular.  In this area, Coral Gables real estate is comprised primarily of condominiums with list prices starting in the mid-$200s and climbing to well into the millions. 

Within walking distance to The Seven Dials, there are several buildings that appeal to different buyers from first-time buyers to those wanting to downsize or have a second home during the winter.  The closest is The Minorca, the condominium in which The Seven Dials is located.  It is a boutique building with only 50 units on 15 floors and is very affordable for the area with list prices between the upper-$200s and low-$500s. 

Other buildings close by include Ten Aragon, 55 Merrick and Douglas Grand.  Ten Aragon and 55 Merrick are within a block or two of The Seven Dials and offer property for sale from the mid-$200s to the upper-$500s.   The properties feature large and open residences as well as tons of amenities that make living there very comfortable. 

Nearby neighborhoods like Gables Granada, Gables Country Club, and even Gables Riviera are home to residents who love to eat out and even walk to the business district to enjoy everything there. 

With the restaurant doing so well, nearby Coral Gables residents are flocking to The Seven Gables to meet friends and entertain guests.  We promise that you will enjoy it and want to come back sooner rather than later.