A few years ago, while a board member of the Miami Shores Historic Preservation Board, I created, with the help of other board members, an educational brochure for our community.  The brochure included the image shown as well as a brief history of Miami Shores and its development back in the 1920's.The style popular in South Florida in the 1920's is now called "Mediterranean Revival" which was influenced by the architecture of the countries bordering the Mediterranean coast, namely Spain, France, Italy and North Africa.  Historic architecture in Miami Shores is comprised of mostly Mediterranean Revival homes and we thought it would be valuable for home owners to be able to identify different elements, learn about them and hopefully inspire them into renovating and restoring our historic... 04/19/2007

 Here in Miami Shores I get asked this question a lot?  Why aren't houses selling? Well....Today Rick came up with this great article in MSN Money called 6 Reasons Houses Don't Sell by Bankrate.com. (yes, it was Rick...no chuckles please). Make sure you read the article, our own Lenn Harley was quoted!   The 6 Reasons Houses Don't Sell, according to Bankrate.com are:1.  Your home is overpriced2.  Your home doesn't "show" well3.  You're in a bad location4.  You have a lousy listing agent (I thought this one was a little harsh but really Laughed!)5.  You are battling competition or market conditions6.  You have ineffective marketingAll sellers should be looking at this article, it is clear and to the point and will help you understand some real estate adversities.  The reason your home is... 04/18/2007

In a post entitled Miami Shores annual Marshmallow Drop , I started telling you about an incredible Miami Shores event that takes place every year in the recreation fields, the Saturday before Easter. "The Marshmallow Drop is an event every kid in Miami Shores looks forward to, no matter the age (I am so glad that I have the perfect excuse to be a part of it since I have kids).   Every year, the Saturday before Easter, a helicopter will drop over 10,000 marshmallows over the Miami Shores Recreation fields."The ANNUAL MARSHMALLOW DROP took place today, April7th, at 9:30 AM and as promised, here are some photos as well as video of the event. The first video shows the helicopter hovering above the crowd dropping marshmallows all over the field. The second video shows all the kids running o... 04/07/2007

It is a buyers' market in Miami Shores and the amount of houses for sale keeps increasing.  There have been 26 closed sales this year and there are currently 197 homes for sale.  This means that there are 22 months of inventory.There are currently 197 single-family listings in Miami Shores: Highest priced listing:  $3,950,000 Lowest priced listing : $299,500 Properties currently under contract:  18 Closed properties since 1/1/2007:  26 This graph shows the movement in different price ranges in Miami Shores.  Please note that the $200,000 and under market was omitted because there are no listings in that price range.  The highest number of sales has occurred in the $400,000 -$600,000 range price, but it is also the range price with the most inventory.  The least number of sales have been... 04/05/2007

I am proud to have been in charge of nesting 2 Purple Pelicans for the month of March for Relay for Life in Miami Shores. What is Relay for Life?  - As explained by Tammy Austin, sponsorship Chair 2007, "It is a unique event that is more a celebration than a fundraiser. The event recognizes cancer survivors and remembers those who did not survive the fight against cancer during this celebration of life that is enhanced by food, entertainment, and activities for all ages." It is an overnight event designed to celebrate survivorship and raise money for research and programs of the American Cancer Society (ACS).  In addition to the actual event, the whole community gets involved.  Both businesses and families sponsor and partner with the ACS.So what is this Purple Pelican and what does he ... 04/03/2007

1201 NE 98th Street - Miami Shores, Florida 33138FOR SALE - $ 785,000Architect's corner 1950's home is the perfect example of FORM meets FUNCTION, with large rooms and lots of closet space. This house sits on a great street East of Biscayne Boulevard, 1 block away from the bay. It has a new roof, updated electrical, updated kitchen with stainless steel appliances and Corian counters. Great-Room perfect for entertaining open up to beautiful new pool with spa and tumbled marble decking surrounded by tropical landscaping. Other features include hurricane impact French doors, hurricane shutters, converted garage serves as 4th bedroom and perfect for office, also has a cabana bathroom.....and more. In the 50's, architecture came to terms with living spaces and made them more practical and ha... 04/01/2007

The Marshmallow Drop is an event every kid in Miami Shores looks forward to, no matter the age (I am so glad that I have the perfect excuse to be a part of it since I have kids).   Every year, the Saturday before Easter, a helicopter will drop over 10,000 marshmallows over the Miami Shores Recreation fields.  This year the event will take place on Saturday April 7th at 9:30 AM.  Children run to the fields and gather up the marshmallows and can exchange them for a bag full of goodies.  There is one "GOLDEN MARSHMALLOW" and the kid that finds it wins a special surprise.This is one of those events that makes Miami Shores such a special place to live.  The anticipation on the children's faces is priceless while they wait for the helicopter hovering above to drop the loot.  A white cloud fal... 03/28/2007

 The Pink House is one of the best known and most photographed residences in Miami. It is a symbol of modern design. It is located in Miami Shores, on Biscayne Bay and occupies a double lot with over 100' of open bay water frontage.Many factors make this house interesting, but its controversy has always intrigued me.  Designed by Laurinda Spear and Bernardo Fort-Bescia of Arquitectonica for Spear's parents in 1976, it's a series of planes and framed views together with clever climate-minded design which maximizes East/West breezes.Its color statement received plenty of attention in the late 1970's when it was built.  Neighbors were disturbed by the 5 hues of pink (which were picked not only to reflect the tropical climate, but because those colors were rarely used at the time).  The hou... 03/20/2007

Miami Shores is known mostly as a small residential area, but Downtown Miami Shores has great businesses to be proud of.  Located on Northeast 2nd Avenue From 94th Street to 101st Street, you will find all kinds of shops and places to eat as well as medical and real estate offices.   Through the years Downtown Miami Shores has gone through changes and we expect it to get better and better, especially with the redevelopment plans taking place.  Here are some of the places you can visit in Downtown Miami Shores:    New Starbucks Park Shore Drugs has been a family owned pharmacy where the employees know your name and will give you one on one service.  Casa Chameleon recently opened a home gifts store. Village Café is the place to meet, with great food and service: from business meetings to... 03/09/2007

It is a full-blown buyer's market, no matter what price range you are referring to.  We have over 20 months of inventory and still very few buyers which means that as a seller you have to take the extra step to make your property stand out.  What can you do to make it stand out?  Please follow this link to read Craig Schiller's article on staging, he's a talented and successful stager in The Chicago area.  Pricing is THE most important factor when selling a property, sellers are competing with many other properties, and buyers are looking at the best priced listings first.There are currently 183 single-family listings in Miami Shores, Florida:Highest priced listing:  $3,950,000Lowest priced listing : $329,900Properties currently under contract:  6Closed properties since 1/1/2007:  8Prop... 03/05/2007

The annual Unity Day Celebration took place yesterday, March 3, 2007 in the Miami Shores Recreation Fields.  This year is was specially significant because it was the Village of Miami Shores' 75th year celebration!The event was sponsored by the Miami Shores Mayor's Community Task Force and included an incredible fireworks display at 8:00 PM.  Unity Day has activities for children of all ages, from bounce houses to slides to a rock climbing wall.  There's also plenty of food, live music and lots of community spirit.  Local organizations sponsor individual stands spread throughout the event, including The Heidi Hewes' Woman's Cancer Association, Miami Shores Presbyterian School, The Cushman School, and more.Here are some photos of Unity Day.  It is so great to see the community get togeth... 03/04/2007

It is still a buyer's market here in South Florida but the market is surely picking up.  This can be evidenced by the amount of movement we are seeing with showings of our own listings and the amount of phone calls we are receiving with inquiries.   It's a new year and buyers that were holding off and waiting for a "market collapse" cannot wait any longer and are beginning to buy.Certain price ranges are moving better than others, we grabbed all the sales in Miami Shores, Florida in the last 6 months and arranged them by price range to get an idea of which properties are moving better.  You can see by this graph that properties priced under $400,000 are selling a lot more than those above the $800,000 range.If you are a seller, you can use this graph as your "PATIENCE MOTINORING SYSTEM"... 02/01/2007

You have heard us talk about Miami Shores, Florida a bunch of times and you are still wondering what the big deal is.   Rick and I live, work and play in Miami Shores.  It is our home and we would not change it for anything.Miami Shores has something for everyone.  Its civic buildings include, Village Hall, Brockway Memorial Library, The Police Department, The Fire Department, The field house and community center.  There are activities for all ages, including golf in the Miami Shores Country Club, 2 tennis centers, an Olympic pool, a water park (Shipwreck Cove), tot-lot, basketball courts, all kinds of organized sports including intramural and travel teams starting at 3 years of age!  There's also gymnastics, Karate, aerobics, dance, etc in the community center.Downtown Miami Shores in ... 01/30/2007

Saint Rose of Lima Church's annual carnival is happening right now in Miami Shores.  Starting Friday,  January 26, 2007, to Sunday, January 28.    This is a very special community event because parishioners and school families volunteer their weekend to put the carnival together.  People attend not only from Miami Shores, but also from other schools and other areas in Miami.  The funds raised in the carnival go towards a school and parish fund used to maintain and refurbish the St. Rose of Lima facilities.    Community spirit is visible everywhere, booth sponsorship banners are placed all over the carnival, bazaar with all kinds of great stuff for sale, volunteers preparing food and manning booths with different games, 50/50 raffle, wine and beer tent, silent auction with items donated ... 01/26/2007

I have to tell you about an incredible property that just SOLD in Miami Shores for $1,020,000.  Historians, Architects, Builders and everyone with a slight interest in design and history should be interested in this single property and I will tell you why.First I need to disclose that it was not our listing, and that's why I can be so objective about this home's importance.  This home was designed by Wahl Snyder, one of the most important architects to bring modern architecture to South Florida. "Wahl Snyder is renowned as the architect who introduced the split-level house (1939) and townhouse designs (1964) to the Miami area. Snyder's architectural hallmark was a keen interest in bringing the outside world into a house's living space. Many of his designs feature open garden spaces with... 01/04/2007

This past Sunday, December 10th 2006, The Miami Shores Heidi Hewes Chapter of the Woman's Cancer Association held its 15th annual "Homes for the Holidays" walking tour. It was a huge success and all for such a great cause. A group of friends of mine and I made it a tradition to go together to this yearly event.  We would meet in someone's house all dressed up and ready to go, and would enjoy looking at holiday decorations, architectural styles and chatting with hundreds of locals.  If you have ever been to one of these walks you know how fabulous they are, if you have not, I hope to be able to do the walk justice with my description.The organization, every year, asks for 5 or 6 Miami Shores residents to volunteer their home for 3 hours.  These gracious homeowners not just open the door ... 12/14/2006

Overview of the single family market in Miami Shores, FL:Currently on the market:  176Currently under contract:  27Closed in the last 90 days: 22Lowest Priced Listing:  $325,000 Highest Priced Listing:  $3,950,000Overview of the condo market in Miami Shores, FL:Currently on the market:  32 Currently under contract:  11 Closed in the last 90 days: 8 Lowest Priced Listing:  $189,499 Highest Priced Listing:  $610,000Visit http://www.yourpropertypros.com/ www.miamism.com for more information about Miami Shores Real Estate. ***The photo is of our oldest son wakeboarding next to Sunset Island in Biscayne Bay.  Look at the beautiful homes in the background........and yes.... he caught air!*** 12/12/2006

821 NE 99th Street - Miami Shores, FL 33138FOR SALE $ 650,00 **REDUCED**Charming home in private area of Miami Shores within walking distance to Country Club, Golf Course and Tennis Center. Imagine yourself in this 4 bedroom / 2 bathroom home that has been meticulously cared for. Features include hardwood floors throughout, large bedrooms with lots of closet space, split bedroom plan with master suite on one side and 2 bedrooms with bathroom on the other, wood blinds in every room, updated electrical, large 4th bedroom over the 2-car garage is perfect for an office or playroom. Large eat-in kitchen, Family room with wood beamed ceilings overlooks beautiful heated pool and fenced in backyard. This house is perfect for the buyer who enjoys Tennis and Golf. Imagine walking over to the coun... 12/12/2006

For anyone that lives in or around Miami Shores, you know that the holidays are filled with special events where the community gets together to share and enjoy.  If you have never been to these events, we encourage you to join in.  If you miss any, you can look forward to next year.  We apologize if we missed any events and would be happy to include them once you contact us.December 1 - Tree Lighting Extravaganza at the Miami Shores recreation fields at 6:30 PM.  Join hundreds of residents watch as Mayor Al Davis lights up The Miami Shores Christmas Tree, representing holiday cheer! Special appearance by Santa Claus himself as well as the Miami Shores Fire Department with sirens and all!December 3 - Children performing "Christmas Musical" at Baptist Church.  6:00 PMDecember 7 - 22nd Ann... 12/07/2006

1132 NE 105th Street - Miami Shores, FL  33138FOR SALE $875,000FLORIDA WATERFRONT BUYER'S DREAM! 85' on deep-water canal of sought-after Miami Shores, one block away from Biscayne Bay with one fixed bridge w/ a high clearance.  This distinctive Mid-Century home features large gourmet kitchen with granite counters, striking stone and hardwood floors, split bedroom plan, uniquely designed sunny Florida room with generous window seating, new roof, windows and circular driveway with brick pavers, and not to mention endless possibilities to add on and grow on its oversized 12,835 square foot lot.    Lovingly cared for and updated throughout, this beautiful Florida home can be the perfect get away from the hussle and bussle of the city.  Located in very private area of Miami Shores, within wa... 12/01/2006