Investing in Isles at Lago Mar

The Real Estate business in Florida is better than ever, and at Gables Riches we keep encouraging our clients to invest in the unique community of Isles at Lago Mar, in the heart of West Broward County, in the city of Sunrise. Extremely well located, this community features some of the best water views in the region; all homes border the elegant Lago Mar County Club and its beautiful lake.

 Isles at Lago Mar is only a block away from the world-famous Sawgrass Mills Mall; it’s also near the BB&T Center, Ikea, excellent restaurants, great shopping and amazing recreational parks. Immediate access to I-75, I-595 and the Sawgrass Expressway provides quick connections to the Fort Lauderdale and Miami airports, and prominent business centers throughout South Florida. This exclusive condominium complex was built between 1991-1994, and every year more and more investors decide to buy there because of the 6-7% return it provides. Another reason why investors are attracted to these properties is the fact that they come with a tenant in place with up to a year lease, which means that investors start having some cash flow from day one.

There are 368 units in this community, and you may choose between 2-bedroom or 1-bedroom apartments. Interior features include large open breakfast bar with separate dining area, fully equipped kitchens with contemporary-style cabinetry, full-size washer and dryer, study/solarium with golf course and sparkling water views, spacious walk-in closets and pantries, vaulted ceilings and assigned parking.

Being close to some of the best schools and universities in South Florida might also be appealing to some investors, but what captivates the most hearts are the many amenities available. And since they are simply way too good to ignore, here they are: 37-acre tropical landscape, exquisitely designed clubhouse, BBQ/picnic areas and pergolas, two indoor racquetball courts, fully equipped fitness center, two glistening swimming pools and spa, two privately lighted tennis courts, on-site management, bike racks and plenty of guest parking spots.

As Jeff Greene once said, “In real estate, you make 10% of your money because you’re a genius and 90% because you catch a great wave” and this opportunity here, in Isles at Lago Mar, is truly a great wave. Visit our website: www.gablesriches.com to find all the information about the units available in this quiet, safe, exclusive and beautiful condominium complex in Broward. If you have any doubts or if you are interested, feel free to contact us anytime.

Some Great Spots for You and Your Beloved Pets

Having a pet is one of the most rewarding experiences in the world. These little friends (sometimes not that little) are important members of our families, and we all love to spend some quality time with them, but they’re not welcome everywhere. Luckily for us, there are some great pet-friendly spots in Coral-Gables and Miami where we can enjoy some fun time and even delicious meals together!

Dogs aren’t usually allowed in restaurants, but there are some exceptions here in Coral Gables. These are our favorite pet-friendly restaurants in the area:

Fritz and Franz Bierhaus: this German pub is a great choice if you want to have a few drinks (they serve German beer of course), enjoy some food and have a good time! They are famous for their fantastic service and guess what? Fido is allowed! (60 Merrick Way, Coral Gables, FL 33134-5319)

Uvaggio Wine Bar: the perfect spot to grab a bite and enjoy the best wines, perfectly located and dog-friendly. This restaurant features some of the best tapas in town, and it’s great for any occasion, any hour of the day. (70 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables, FL 33134)

Taco Rico Tex-Mex: if Mexican food is your thing and you are visiting Coral Gables, you can’t miss Taco Rico! And the best part is that you can bring along your canine friends, because they are very welcome. Definitely some of the best Tex-Mex plates in South Florida. (473 S Dixie Hwy, Coral Gables, FL 33146)

One of the greatest parts of having a dog is being able to take them to the beach. But as respectful citizens, we need to know which beaches our furry little friends are allowed in. There are some great options for us pet-lovers, and they are all near you if you reside in Coral Gables, Miami or their surroundings.

    Bark Beach at North Shore Open Space Park: jogging trails, picnic pavilions, and one of the most beautiful sunsets in South Florida. This is a magical place to have an amazing time with your dog.

    Haulover Beach Park: shade trees, picnic tables, and drinking fountains for both dogs and humans make this beach the perfect place to go and relax next to your furry little friends.

If you have pets of any kind, let us know and we will find the perfect place for you and your beloved animals. Contact Gables Riches and start planning your future! www.gableriches.com

Is a Short-Term Rental a Better Choice For Me?

We won’t deny that hotels can be really great; all the comfort, amenities and services can be very attractive for tourist and visitors, especially for those on vacation wanting to relax, take some time off and rest. However, on some occasions, a short-term rental can be the best choice for you and your family (or companions).

The first thing to consider when choosing between a hotel and a short-term rental is the number of days you are going to stay in the same place. If you are spending 30 days or more, the most reasonable and affordable option is probably a short-term rental. If you are staying for less than 30 days, you might want to consider a couple more factors before choosing. For example: the number of people you are traveling with. If you are taking a trip with some friends or if you have a big family, it might be cheaper for everyone to rent a house or a condo. The perks? Having a kitchen where you can cook (and probably save some money, too), more room for everyone, and more quality tim

e with your traveling companions.

If you are traveling not only for vacations but to find a place to live, learn about the area and get to know its community, a short-term rental is the perfect choice. In a hotel, your neighbors would probably be tourists just like you, but if you rent a house or a condo, your neighbors would probably be residents from the area, and getting to know them would give you a pretty good idea of what it’s like to live in that particular neighborhood and in the city.

Hotels give you a more superficial experience of the place you are visiting, but before choosing you need to ask yourself: do I want to feel like home during my vacations? Do I mind having domestic responsibilities? Am I going to cook at all? How much space do I need?

Investing in a place to lease anywhere in Miami, Gables or Doral is a great idea. Know that long-term rentals aren’t your only choice. Renting your property for a short period of time can be very profitable and it would make your place available for you as well. Short-term rentals go from 1 week to an entire season (like the summer) and every year more and more tourists and visitors consider this as a much better choice.

Why Should You Get a Condo?

One of the most frequently asked question from buyers to their realtors or Real Estate Companies is whether to get a house or a condo, especially those buyers who are getting their first home. In this particular post we are going to point at the reasons why you should get a condo instead of a house. 

Let’s start by saying that both choices (condos and houses) are good, it depends on what you are looking for and what type of person you are. But in our experience, the easiest (and best) choice, particularly in South Florida, will always be a condo.  

Factors to consider before making your final choice:

1.      Location: this is usually the deciding factor. In the particular case of Coral Gables and its surroundings, most people choose a condo because they are usually better located than a single-family house. Condos can be found in much centered areas where you can be near restaurants, malls, beaches, train stations or work.

2.      Maintenance: many first-time buyers decide to buy a condo instead of a house because it requires much less work. A house’s upkeep usually requires more experience, more time, and the cost is high. If you are a person with many responsibilities, and you think you won’t have the time to be able to attend the demands of your home with the regularity that it’s required, we recommend you to get a condo. Not having to worry about hiring landscapers and other contractors for exterior maintenance is no small thing.

3.      Pricing: the cost is also an important factor every buyer considers before getting a new home. It’s true that multi-family townhouses or condos have a monthly fee that you must pay for maintenance and other matters, but the prices are usually lower than houses and there are plenty of options in the market.

4.      Amenities: this is a very attractive factor for many buyers. Some condos have pools, gyms, party rooms, valet parking, housekeeping and other amenities included in the price.

 
If you are thinking about getting a home in South Florida, contact us anytime, and we will offer you all the guidance you’ll need. Next to Miami Riches, Doral Richs and Gables Riches, you will find exactly what you want and what you need!


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Cruises, Beaches, the Caribbean… South Florida is a Paradise!

Summer is around the corner, and it’s starting to feel like it in Miami. South Florida is one of the hottest vacation spots in the world, and every year, the number of visitors who come to Miami gets bigger. Who wouldn’t want to spend a couple of weeks here? Cruises, beaches and the Caribbean truly make this corner of North America a real Paradise!

                                                      

We can’t say this enough: Miami has it all! This is a great city to visit on vacation, but it’s also a great city to live in. Its numerous beaches spread across the top of the Caribbean give it an unbelievable tropical atmosphere where you can both relax eating some delicious seafood at the beach or having a cocktail at one of its numerous and luxurious lounges. Walks by the beach, water sports, shopping, clubbing, you name it… This city has it all!

Miami and its surroundings are one of the main attractions of America, and its economical growth has a lot to offer to its touristic features. It’s also extremely well geo-located, that’s why all the best cruises in the world set sail from here or have its ports as one of their main docking stops.

Top 15 cruises out of Miami:

1.      Enchantments of the Sea from Royal Caribbean

2.      Carnival Victory from Carnival

3.      Norwegian Sky from Norwegian Cruise Line

4.      Carnival Glory from Carnival

5.      Seven Seas Navigator from Regent

6.      Carnival Sensation from Carnival

7.      Norwegian Escape from Norwegian Cruise Line

8.      MSC Divina from MSC Cruises

9.      Carnival Vista from Carnival

10.  Celebrity Equinox from X Celebrity Cruises

11.  Sirena from Oceania Cruises

12.  Insignia from Oceania Cruises

13.  Regatta from Oceania Cruises

14.  Norwegian Sun from Norwegian Cruise Line

15.  Carnival Splendor from Carnival

                                                                                                                        

Miami is one of the favorite stops of cruising companies from around the world, and it has become quite a spectacle to witness all those majestic ships docking in Miami every month. Sounds awesome living in a place where everyone else goes to vacation, right? Miami Riches, Gables Riches and Doral Riches will help you take that next step in your live!

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Governments change, economies shake and Miami remains solid

2017 is a year full of expectations for some, doubts for others, especially when it comes to investing in Real Estate. But as history has shown us, markets go up and down, but they ultimately stabilize. That’s not the case for South Florida; apparently, this region of America is somehow “bullet-proof”. Maybe we are exaggerating, but what we can say for sure is that all the employment policies and immigrant matters will not negatively affect the housing market in this region; governments change, economies shake and Miami remains solid.

In 2016, many experts predicted an implosion of the Real Estate market in Miami, and by the end of the year, it turned out to be just a slowdown. Of course, this might discourage some new investors, but after all the growth that this town has seen in the last years, a slowdown isn’t much of a problem for most investors. Experts suspect this slowdown happened because of the November elections, and it’s just the beginning of an upward cycle; in other words, the market took a deep breath last year.

 

On the other hand, 2017 is not going to be the year for constructors, since financing has become harder than in the past. Still, this is no reason to worry; there’s still plenty of choices for investors looking to put their money on Real Estate in Miami. Last year, many sellers paused their properties and decided to rent only, while investors held their breath until the election was over. Now, at the beginning of the second quarter of the year, the foggy expectations are starting to look bright once more.

Talking about immigrants, we all know South Florida has one of the highest immigrant populations in America, especially latinos. Illegal immigrants are quite a topic nowadays, and there’s a lot of speculation about this, but the truth is, this matters don’t apply (at least not directly) to the Real Estate market. Many investors in Miami and its surroundings come from Central and South America, but most of these people are buying their second home. This means they are looking for legal ways to get American Citizenship (if they actually want it at all). While immigrant policies might affect the economy in other ways, the Real Estate market doesn’t shake to this matter.

Tell me where you want to invest and I’ll tell you which type of person you are

After many years in the Real Estate business, with a growing client list and a constantly changing market, we can now say with some accuracy which is the average profile (or stereotype) of an investor here in South Florida. We can tell a lot about the type of person you are just by knowing where and how you want to invest!

Let’s take Coral Gables, for example, and make a quick review. It’s a city made with great taste, it has a solid history (Spanish ancestors and Spanish architecture), it features sophistication, luxury and a relaxing atmosphere. Now let’s talk about numbers. Population: over 50,000. Median household income: $93,000. Median age: 41 years old.  95% of Coral Gables population has a high school degree and 61% has a bachelor degree, which is one of the highest rates in the area. This is just some great stuff about this city but there’s plenty more.

Most people investing in Coral Gables nowadays are doing it for profit, or simply getting a second home at a beautiful place (one that looks like a vacation spot). Many immigrants put their minds in this city, and what most of them have in common is that they are looking for a legal immigration status (if they are looking for it at all), and a high percentage of these investors are business men and women with a high level of education. In the particular case of Coral Gables, a place where the median age goes around 40 years old, people who come to live here are men and women with families (married with children).

The profile for the type of person who wants to invest in this area is starting to look quite sharp, and this is just a glance. To conclude this statement, let’s separate the people who want to invest in Coral Gables from the ones preferring Miami. The profile is actually quite similar, with one particular difference. Coral Gables is more of a retiring city. This doesn’t mean people don’t work there; it means it’s a quieter area with a slower pace, where people with a very stable financial situation can go and enjoy all the comforts of a beautiful city. On the other hand, people who prefer Miami tend to be younger (a little bit), and with the one goal in mind of making money and start settling the bases of their future. A high percentage of them are single or recently married but with no children. Miami has a faster pace and it features more business opportunities for people anxious to learn, grow and have fun all at the same time.

Of course these are all stereotypes, these are not absolutes, and at the end of the day, every person is different, but it’s important to recognize patterns when you are working in the Real Estate business, and you, as a client (or a potential client), should know what you are going to find where you want to live or invest.

Altamira Libros in Coral Gables

Just across the street from Barnes & Nobles, and behind Books and Books, Altamira Libros has come to Miracle Mile, in Coral Gables, to stay. This amazing Venezuelan bookshop has arrived to Miami to provide all Latinos with the best spanish written books. From Borges, Cortázar and Vargas Llosa, to Gabriel García Márquez, Rómulo Gallegos, Bolaño, and any other Spanish writer you can imagine, you’ll find them all in Altamira Libros.

            If you are one of those Miamians who enjoy a nice reading afternoon and who loves to stay all Sunday with an open book, then Altamira Libros will definitely fit your needs. You just need to go and choose your next adventure. You’ll find novels, poetry, essays, and even kids’ books for the youngest members of your family!

            This is a great initiative to incorporate the Latino culture among the South Floridian society. And there’s no better way to do so than by offering good Literature to its citizens. The best thing is that all editions are in their original language: Spanish. So, if you’re looking forward to feed your library with more Spanish-written literature, then Altamira Libros is the place to visit.

You can contact them by calling: (786) 534-8433 and ask if the book you’re looking for is available. Also, remember to follow them on their social networks as @AltamiraLibros on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Altamira Libros is located at:

219 Miracle Mille

Coral Gables

FL 33134.

Photo credit: Isabella Saturno. 

Five Reasons to Rent in Coral Gables

Moving into a new town can be a very stressful thing to do, especially if you are arriving somewhere you know nothing about. The good thing about South Florida is that its citizens are very friendly and always willing to help you. Still, if you’re deciding among Florida cities to move in, then here are five reasons why you should consider Coral Gables as your next destination, especially if you’re looking forward to renting a home.

1)     If you’re looking for comfort, then Coral Gables is your best option. You’ll find infinite amenities that will adapt to any lifestyle. It has one of the most unique public pools: the Venetian Pool. You’ll also find gyms, clubhouse facilities, bars, sports courts, a shopping district, all kinds of restaurants, libraries, and so much more.

2)     The Marina at Coral Gables is always an extra plus. If you’re a boat and sea lover, then you’ll find peace of mind at the Marina.

3)     If you have a family, education is always an important factor you need to think about. In Coral Gables you have excellent schools for your kids to study, and you also have the University of Miami for more advanced studies (which, by the way, was envisioned by the developers of Coral Gables).

4)     If you’re moving with your family, Coral Gables is perfect since it’s a very safe area for your kids. Also, Coral Gables offers big houses, with lots of rooms and bathrooms for your comfort. You have a great variety to choose from.

5)     Right now, there are lots of great rental deals. You can rent a home at Coral Gables for less than $1,400 a month. There are even 2-bed/2-bath units available for a family of three or even four members.

Check Gables Riches’ website for all the great rental deals Coral Gables has to offer: www.gablesriches.com. You can also contact us and we’ll take care of finding your dream home!

Local Residents and US Citizens are back in the Market!

The real estate market is continuously changing. A few years ago, it seemed to slow down, and most of the main investors were immigrants that were looking for a second vacation home. However, the market had seemed to turn upside down, and since 2016 and 2017, local residents and U.S. citizens are coming back for real estate investments.

            The Miami real estate market seems to be one of the favorite for the upcoming years. The weather, coziness, and investment stability in this city is dragging investors every day. The most interesting part is that those investors come from every generation.

            Ten years since the housing crisis, middle-aged people have fixed their credit offer. This is offering them the opportunity to reinvest their money back in the market. They seem to be buying second homes and also investing in properties as a way to gain future profits (either by reselling or renting). And due to the great deals in Coconut Grove and Coral Gables, this seems to be an amazing opportunity for this generation.

            Regarding the Baby Boomer generation, they’re downsizing or buying second homes. People from this generation already own a property, and are settled in life. But real estate is pretty attractive to them since it’s the safest way to use and keep your money, while making a profit. However, most of them are just investing in real estate to purchase a second home to spend their vacations. And there’s no destination like Miami to do so. So, you can figure out that this is a great move for South Florida’s real estate market.

            Last, there’s the Millennial generation. This is the youngest generation to have the economic opportunity to invest in real estate. Since they are tired of paying rent, the Millennials have done some great work at saving money, and now have enough to get into the market and buy a property of their own. This is a generation mostly made up of single families and full-time local residents, so this will help the Coral Gables and Coconut Grove housing market, since the properties here meet the needs of these types of investors.

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Best Deals in Coconut Grove

When planning your next investment, the real estate market should always come to mind. It’s the safest way to use your money! If you’re also looking to move in to a new neighborhood with your family –or only purchase a second home to go on vacation, then Coconut Grove, in Miami, Florida, is a great option. Right now, Coconut Grove is offering the best deals in the real estate market.

            One of the best things about Coconut Grove is that it’s the perfect neighborhood for your family, especially if you have small kids. Here you’ll find great schools, amazing medical attention, a great variety of entertainment options, retail, food, and so much more. Remember, real estate is all about LOCATION!

            Gables Riches is currently offering some great deals on gorgeous properties that will probably suit you and your family’s dream home. This one over here is a single-family home, with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and 1 half bath. This 1361 sqft house is located in the heart of Coral Gables, near the Coral Gables War Memorial Youth Center, the library, high school, Publix, Barnes and Noble, and so many food places such as: Season 52, Graziano’s in the Gables, California Pizza Kitchen, and so much more... You can buy it for only $560,000 (cash only).

http://www.gablesriches.com/propdetails.aspx?mlsid=A10148909

            If you’re looking for a smaller place, then this 936 sqft property will provide you with the most comfortable and cozy environment. At only $530,000, this 1-bed/1-bath house can become your home! It was built in 2002 and it’s located at walking distance from the beach. Nearby, you’ll find Greenstreet Café, Lulu in the Grove, Jaguar, Bombay Darbar, The Fresh Market, Grove Key Marina, Regatta Park, Peacock Park, The Barnacle Historic State Park, and more.

http://www.gablesriches.com/propdetails.aspx?mlsid=A10192108

            This last property is the perfect combination of luxury and coziness. With 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom, this is a great home for a family with one child. Why? Because of its location. The property is near Coral Gables Hospital, Pediatric Dental Center, and Digestive Medicine Associates. Also, it’s very close to Esc. Ivet Dade School, and it’s very near the beach. This is a great area for your kids to grow up, since you have it all nearby: health, education, and entertainment. It’s a great deal when it comes to Coconut Grove. You can buy it for $489,000.

http://www.gablesriches.com/propdetails.aspx?mlsid=A10187008

So, if you’re planning on moving or investing in Miami, then you should consider Coconut Grove as a great destination. These properties are in constant movement, so if you’re interested in purchasing one of them, but they’ve already been sold, the Gables Riches team can help you find another similar, perhaps even better deal.