In today’s market, I have many buyers interested in purchasing a condo for sale in Miami Beach.  One of the first things I do with all of our new buyers during our initial consultation is discuss how will the property be purchased? If you are planning to purchase a condo for sale in Miami Beach with CASH, you can skip this entire article because it doesn’t apply to you. **Except for one thing, if you are planning to purchase by cash, be sure to show proof.  Most seller’s agents in today’s market will not accept cash offers without proof of cash. If you are planning to purchase a condo for sale in Miami Beach and need financing, we have a lot to talk about so stick around.  I should also mention that in this article I am only talking about condos for sale in Miami Beach not homes for sa... 07/08/2010

Thanks to the ongoing appetite of international and cash buyers, South Florida's real estate market was shielded from a national drop-off in sales.Because those buyers were not eligible for a tax credit, their desire for real estate didn't taper off after the benefit expired at the end of April, like it did for others who rushed to get in on the deal.It's true that in the two months since the tax credit expired, pending sales in Miami-Dade and Broward have fallen 2.6 percent, according to the Realtor Association of Greater Miami and the Beaches. But that decrease is relatively mild when compared with the swift drop-off in sales that took place nationally after the federal subsidy expired. The first post-tax-credit pending sales numbers, released Thursday, show a 15.9 percent decrease in... 07/07/2010

Miami Beach WARNING! Buyers, do not pay too much for your condo! Click here for more information: Miami Real Estate About Brosda & Bentley Realtors® Brosda & Bentley Realtors® is the premier Miami real estate authority for home buying, home selling, financing and property listings in Aventura, Sunny Isles Beach, Golden Beach, Bal Harbour, Surfside, Miami Beach and Downtown Miami. Whether it's a house an estate, beachfront mansion, luxurious oceanfront condo, pristine pre-construction, commercial or any other type of property, a Brosda & BentleyTM Real Estate Consultants can assist you with all your real estate needs in the Greater Miami area and the Beaches. Brosda & Bentley Realtors® is specialized in luxurious developments like Acqualina, Apogee South Beach, Continuum Towers SoBe, Fis... 07/06/2010

BY ALAN ZIBELAssociated PressNew U.S. home sales jumped in June by the largest amount in more than eight years as buyers took advantage of bargain prices, low interest rates and a federal tax credit for first-time homeowners.While home prices are still falling, the figures released Monday were another sign the housing market is finally bouncing back. Data out last week showed home resales rose 3.6 percent in June, the third straight monthly increase.Shares of big home builders soared on the news, with Beazer Homes USA up by more than 13 percent and Hovnanian Enterprises rising 8 percent. But with home prices still falling, these companies won't be making much money anytime soon. The Commerce Department said new home sales rose 11 percent in June to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3... 07/02/2010

Miami Beach has always been the favored destination for vacationing in Florida. It is among one of the most cosmopolitan and pulsating locations to live in the United States. Famous resorts, hotels, trendy cafes, restaurants, beachfront homes and luxurious condos dot the area. A lot of famous personalities such as the Hollywood A- listers as well as fashion models can be found sunning on Miami’s beautiful palm fringed sandy beaches or simply enjoying themselves playing beach volleyball. It is little wonder that Miami Beach is highly rated by both the natives as well as the tourists. If you’re thinking of spending your vacation in Miami Beach you might want to consider purchasing or renting a Miami Beach condo or a South Beach condo as an accommodation. Both the South Beach condos as wel... 07/02/2010

With the exception of Fort Lauderdale's home market, values for South Florida and Miami home values rose for May compared to last year. Home values in Ft. Lauderdale dropped by 6 percent. According to data from trade association Florida Realtors, last month Florida realtors sold 972 Miami condos which were 70 percent more than in May 2009. This is a major jump over the 571 units sold in the same month last year. However, the median sales price fell 10 percent to $126,100. Median sales price for Miami condos was the third highest sales price in Florida, following state leader Sarasota-Bradenton and Fort Myers-Cape Coral.Sales of Miami homes also rose in South Florida. There was 22 percent more Miami homes sold and 20 percent more in the West Palm Beach-Boca Raton metro area. However, the... 07/01/2010

By DARRELL A. HUGHES The U.S. Treasury Department said Wednesday it had approved five states' plans to aid homeowners in the hope of thwarting foreclosures in communities hit hard by the recession. State housing agencies in Arizona, California, Florida, Michigan and Nevada will receive a total of $1.5 billion from the Obama administration's "Hardest Hit Fund.""These states have identified a number of innovative programs that will make a real difference in the lives of many homeowners facing foreclosure," said Herbert Allison Jr., Treasury assistant secretary for financial stability.Proposals approved Wednesday include programs to help struggling homeowners who owe more than their homes are worth by reducing the principal owed on their loans; to help unemployed or underemployed homeowner... 06/28/2010

Miami-Dade's existing condo sales in May were up more than 70 percent compared with the same month last year. Backed by a multibillion-dollar private equity firm in New York, a team of Miami investors and strategists launched Lionheart Capital this year looking to scoop up choice South Florida condos at rock-bottom prices.In its first deal, the firm plunked down $120 million this month to buy up 146 units at the 2700 North Ocean Drive towers on Singer Island in Palm Beach County.It marked the 50th bulk condo purchase in South Florida in the last two years, according to analysis by Peter Zalewski, a principal of the real estate consultancy Condo Vultures.New figures released Tuesday by the trade group Florida Realtors indicate that investors like Lionheart may be getting into South Flori... 06/24/2010

Condo sales soared by 70% in May 2010 compared to May 2009. Sales of existing single-family homes rose 22%.Sales in the Greater Miami area beat national sales of existing single-family homes, which increased 19.2 percent from May 2009, according to the Realtor Association of Greater Miami and the Beaches (RAMB). Compared to May 2008, condominium sales in Miami increased 131% and sales of single-family homes rose 115%. Median sales prices posted a month-to-month gain, and both residential inventory and the time a home stays on the market decreased. "International buyers continue to fuel the current market resurgence," said Oliver Ruiz, 2010 RAMB Residential President. "Sixty percent of sales happening now involve international buyers and mostly cash transactions ... This is resulting in ... 06/23/2010

Icon South Beach South of 5th Miami Real Estate Condos | Luxurious Condos 450 Alton Road is synonymous with prestige, style and the highlife of Miami Beach. ICON, is located on a seven acre site that contains 1,000 linear feet along Biscayne Bay at the Miami Beach Marina. The condominium, which was built in 2004, is 423 ft (129 m) tall and has 42 floors. It is located in the "SOFI" (South of Fifth Street) neighborhood. ICON contains two tiers, one rising 35 floors and the other 40 floors.Amenities at ICON include an elevated infinity edge swimming pool, heated lap pool, spa, bay front cafe, and social rooms. The tower contains nine units per typical floor featuring one to three bedroom floor plans. ICON's Penthouse 2 contains three floors, 7,270 square feet and a private rooftop swimmin... 06/22/2010

Cristina Miranda never wanted to live in a condominium but after she walked into one at the Gables Club with sweeping views of the sparkling Biscayne Bay, Fisher Island and the Miami skyline, she changed her mind.With no regrets, Miranda sold her Coral Gables house of 30 years that she had shared with her now late husband, and bought the nearby condominium for $2.5 million in March.``I always said I was going to die in my house,'' Miranda said, taking in her new view from the 5,200-square-foot condo. ``But when I saw this, I fell in love with it.'' Miranda's purchase is part of what some real estate experts are calling a ``miniboom'' in high-end condo sales in Miami-Dade County this year.Countywide, 135 condos priced at $1 million or more sold during March, April and May this year, almo... 06/21/2010

The Senate voted 60-37 on Wednesday to extend until the end of September the deadline for completing home sales and still qualifying for a popular home buyer's tax credit.Only buyers who signed contracts by April 30 could take advantage of the extension. Without it, buyers must close the deal by the end of June to get the $8,000 first-time credit or the $6,500 credit for certain people who already own homes.The amendment was added to a bill that would extend the law that provides extra unemployment benefits.Senate leaders had hoped to pass the bill by the end of the week but were struggling to round up enough votes to overcome opposition by Republicans and some Democrats. The National Association of Realtors estimated 180,000 buyers are at risk of not closing in time to receive the cred... 06/18/2010

Miami helicopter tours over Miami’s beautiful beaches Sightseeing from a Helicopter Over Miami! Miami things to do The only way to truly appreciate Miami's beauty is up close in a helicopter……. Fly gracefully over Miami's breathtaking beaches in our Blue Robinson Helicopter. The only way to truly appreciate Miami's beauty is up close in a helicopter. We will fly towards the coast line to Gables States were you will see some of the most beautiful celebrity homes in the country. We continue to sail along the coast to Coco Plum, Coconut Grove, Downtown Miami and through Government cut where you will be flying over the cruise ships and then over the homes of some of South Florida's most prestigious residences, then over to South Beach, Miami Seaquarium and Key Biscayne. Share this adventure... 06/18/2010

South Beach Miami homes for sale are located in the 33139 zip code.   The area of Miami Beach that is considered South Beach Miami real estate is approximately 23rd street down to 1st and from the ocean to the Biscayne Bay.  Primarily this area is concentrated with South Beach Miami condos for sale but there are also little nooks and niches of single family home neighborhoods throughout South Beach. Most of the single family home neighborhoods are located just off the beach on small man made islands like the Venetian Islands, Star Island, Palm Island & Hibiscus Island. In South Beach there are also small little blocks just north of 17th street and off of Espanola Way that are home to a few South Beach Miami Homes for sale.   In between some of the multi-family homes throughout the beac... 06/17/2010

Frustrated home buyers trying to complete short sales or get flood insurance stand to benefit most from an extension, which has not yet passed Congress, but is being pushed by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.Reid, who is up for re-election, said last week that buyers should have until the end of September to complete their deals because of delays beyond their control. As it is now, buyers who signed contracts by April 30 must close by the end of June to get the $8,000 first-time credit or the $6,500 credit for certain people who already own homes. Only buyers who signed contracts by April 30 could take advantage of an extension. The Senate is expected to consider Reid's measure this week.Short sales, in which sellers unload homes for less than they owe on their mortgages, often... 06/16/2010

Capri South Beach is located in the South Beach neighborhood of Miami Beach.  It is one of the most popular boutique South Beach condos for sale.  It is located directly on Biscayne Bay. Capri South Beach rentals are also popular choices for luxury renters seeking more of the small building feel. 06/16/2010

Low taxes, warm sunshine and deep discounts on real estate. No wonder IRS data shows the wealthiest among us are headed south.America's wealthy like warm weather and low taxes. That's the takeaway from IRS data, analyzed by Forbes, on moves between counties. We looked for counties that the rich are moving to in big numbers.Topping the list: Collier County, Fla., which includes the city of Naples. Tax returns accounting for 15,150 people showed moves to Collier County from other parts of the country in 2008, the latest year for which IRS data is available. Their average reported income: $76,161 per person--equivalent to $304,644 for a family of four. Although slightly more taxpayers moved out of Collier County than into it, the departing residents' average income came out to just $26,128... 06/14/2010

88 La Gorce Island in Miami Beach's guard-gated, La Gorce Island closed this week for $16M.  Additionally, 40 La Gorce Circle sold this week as well for $7.4M.  Miami Beach Real Luxury Estate Begins to Show Signs of Life    88 La Gorce Circle was built in 2008.  It has 17,200 interior sf, 10 bedrooms, two docks, and a five car garage.  The original list price was $25M.  It sold for $16M and was on the market since November 2008.    40 La Gorce Circle was on the market for 5 days.  Original list price was $7.9M and sold for $7.4M Check out Miami Beach real estate here More on La Gorce Island Homes for sale here Related Reading Miami Beach Luxury Real Estate Percolates; La Gorce Island Estate Sells for $16M 06/12/2010

The data I am going to compile for South Beach Condos for Sale in June 2010 is based on the MLS data. South Beach is a neighborhood of Miami Beach from approximately North to South: 23rd street down to 1st street of the Miami Beach island and also from West to East:  the Biscayne Bay side to the Ocean. View South Beach Condos for Sale in a larger map In the MLS (the real estate database) there are currently 1543 South Beach Condos for Sale listed. 37 of these condos for sale in South Beach are foreclosures. 275 of these condos for sale in South Beach are short sales (100) are approved short sales. 1224 of these condos for sale in South Beach are regular sales. 319 condos are currently under contract. Over the last 90 days there were 292 sales. Of the 640 condos currently under contract ... 06/12/2010

Fort One Real Estate Investments, an investment fund with roots in Miami and Washington, D.C., said it has completed transactions in Miami Beach totaling $52 million.In a news release, Fort One said it has closed on the purchase of the 48 remaining unsold condominium units at the Capri South Beach Condominium ($31 million); the acquisition of the ``Pelican'' parking garage in South Beach ($11 million), plus the two commercial/retail units at The Strand in South Beach ($10 million). The fund was represented by Adams Gallinar, whose founding partners are Bob Adams and Mike Gallinar. The transaction was structured as a short sale, with I-Star Financial being the successor to the original lender, Fremont. I-Star Financial provided mortgage financing on the Capri project, and Sabadell United... 06/10/2010