Once I started Googling credit card fraud at hotels, I was amazed at what I learned. For example, so many of the reservation systems at hotels are run on older computers: rife with viruses and worms and all sorts of nasty stuff, including scammers ready to grab your personal information and run with it. Yet, guests are forced to use credit cards at hotels. Not to mention, some credit card companies like Chase and Citibank credit back cash, so there is even more of an incentive to use a credit card.You'll be astounded to read what happened at the Mandarin Oriental in Miami after I stayed there for 3 hours on Christmas. You can read more in my personal blog today at this link: Credit Card Fraud by Mandarin Oriental in Miami. 02/23/2016

This gorgeous corner lot property is a huge 3 bedroom 2 bathroom single-family home located in Biscayne Park. This home features a huge open living, family & dining room space. The kitchen is also very spacious with stainless steel appliances, a double oven and a huge pantry with custom built industrial shelving for tons of storage. Off the kitchen is a large laundry room with washer and dryer. The property has temperature controls through Nest. Other features include newer roof, newer air conditioning, gas dryer and water heater, sprinkler system, hurricane shutters throughout, alarm system and garage. The outside space features a large patio ready for entertaining or just enjoying a nice evening outside with a custom-built brick oven.One of the best features is that the property is lo... 02/22/2016

We are finally being teased with renderings and a real life cocktail reception! The developers of River Yacht Club in the brickell area of downtown say it's all systems go! Below is an actual photo of where the site is on the river. Marina, club house, restaurants will all be on the waterfront.The spectacular towers will rise behind it. 02/22/2016

  Miami Heat star Goran Dragic just purchased a bay front mansion in the Bay Point section of Miami for $7.9 million. He recently signed a 5 year $85 million contract.The home sits on a 23,100-square-foot lot, and contains seven-bedrooms, six-bathrooms in 6,500 square feet of living area. It features a bay side pool, mosaic fountains and a covered cabana. 02/19/2016

Here is a shot of my work from a gallery show that was held in Tampa FL. This was part of the Ventanas y Puertas series. As you can see these paintings are "life size", the Puerta or Door is 60X82 inches in dimension.This photo below shows of some of my more abstract paintings in another gallery show in Miami 02/12/2016

The weather Gods are shining down on the 2016 International Miami Boat Show this week. Crystal clear blue skies and 75 degree temps make for a perfect day outdoors at this progressive event.The Marine Stadium on Virginia Key is this years all new extra venue so be sure to check out all the boats and excitment you will find there!This photo is an ariel of the big boats at the Miami Beach site of the show.There is a style and size for everyone come to the show February 11-15. 02/12/2016

  After a very interesting conversation with the one and only Active Rain Ambassador Margaret Rome, Baltimore Maryland this morning we discovered that we were both artists. During the conversation I was asked if I ever blogged about my artwork here on Active Rain...short answer...NO. At least not until today. So this post is for and because of Margaret.....Thank you.  This piece was created at my studio in San Miguel de Allende Mexico, where I have maintained a home since 2005. I get great inspiration from that town. This acrylic on canvas was inspired by the tile floor in my studio that has paint spilled all over it from years of "throwing" paint around. Photo below is my studio in Mexico.  02/12/2016

Eighty Seven Park hasn’t even opened for sale yet, but some big names in real estate are already chomping at the bit to invest. The Real Deal has reported that New York City broker Fredrik Eklund, the star of “Million Dollar Listing New York,” has reserved one of the units at Eighty Seven Park, two whole years before the Miami Beach condominium is due for construction. Buying pre-construction early is a great way to prove the value of the property and get the most out of your investment. As demand increases for a particular building, neighborhood or market, the value of the properties increases. Luxury Miami real estate has been on an upward climb for years now and isn’t showing any sign of stopping.   To me, Eighty Seven Park is one of the most exciting new pre-construction offerings b... 02/08/2016

Just Reduced… Experience the Distinctive Elegance of Beachside Living at The St. Regis Bal Harbour 9701 Collins Avenue #1503, Bal Harbour, FL 33154 - 4/4/1 - 3,912 Sq.Ft. - $9,975,000 Awarded the coveted Forbes five-star and AAA five-diamond awards for 2015, the St. Regis Bal Harbour is a peerless haven of oceanfront elegance, quiet unwavering taste, anticipatory service and seductive amenities. This spectacular turn key 4 bedroom/ 4.5 bath flow-through oceanfront residence offers the finest in luxury living. Professionally designed and reconfigured from the original floor plan, absolutely no expense was spared in creating this space of taste and refinement. For more info please call me at 305-695-8257!  http://www.joshsteinrealtor.com/property/9701-collins-av-1503s-bal-harbour-fl-33154... 02/03/2016

 ONE RIVER POINT-MIAMI    ONE RIVER POINT the dual-tower luxury condominium targeted to open along the Miami River in 2019, will become the skyline-defining statement of Miami's riverside renaissance. The ultra-luxury project's also has a dynamic list of amenities. Rafael Viñoly's baby will be smothered in luxury with amenities including biometric security access, a floating four-story podium with an 85-foot cascading waterfall, infinity pool, boat valet services, atmospheric lighting, on-site vault, and automated parking. Interiors are by award-winning designer Rémi Tessier. The private 35,000-square foot Sky Club - optional for residents and housed on the three-story skybridge - will feature a club garden, luxury suites, gourmet restaurant, cocktail bar, cigar lounge, Medspa (non-surg... 02/02/2016

  GASP... MIAMI GOT COLD (BRIEFLY) When snow pummeled the Northeast and Midwest and temperatures plummeted recently, we in Miami were still in good shape — relatively. While some of you were up to your necks in snow, we were enjoying some brisker weather in the low 50s for a few days. But it didn’t last long. We’re back in the high 70s.   FEATURED LISTING: THAT MIAMI SKYLINE NEVER GETS OLD I’ve got a condo that will blow you away. The building is called Murano at Portofino and the unit I have for sale is #901. It’s without a doubt one of the best units you can buy in all of Miami. This full-service luxury residence has everything, from a private elevator to two huge, private terraces. The view opens up to the Miami skyline and Biscayne Bay. I can’t recommend enough that you come and ch... 02/02/2016

Investors are continuing to recognize the growing value of Miami properties as buyers flock to one of the latest waterfront condominiums to hit the market. Elysee Miami, at 700 N.E. 23rd St. in the Edgewater neighborhood, has been quietly selling some of its units in the 57-floor tower expected to begin construction in April. According to an article in The Real Deal, developers say sales are already showing the great promise for luxury condominiums in this part of the city. From the report: So far, “whisper campaign” pre-sales for Elysee have been better than expected, Boren told TRD, declining to provide figures. Nearby, the developers’ Biscayne Beach, a 52-story, 399-unit tower on the bay on Northeast 30th Street, is now 98 percent sold, he said. Construction is up to the 34th floor, ... 02/01/2016

 Watson Island in MiamiChalks airlines will soon  operate seaplanes from Watson Island again! These iconic planes flew from here starting back in 1926. Operation ceased in 2007 after a crash. The new headquarters will house all passenger services, customs and restaurant and have a rooftop garden for events. There will also be a 340 ft  tall "lighthouse like" tower. I for one can not wait to take off again to Bimini on one of these flights! 01/29/2016

Looking to buy an apartment in Brickell? Rise Brickell City Centre has some of the best values in the Miami neighborhood, and unit 1808 is the best value of them all. Not only is it priced at $644 per square foot, but this one-bedroom unit has 17 stories of air beneath it from which you can soak up your views of the city and Biscayne Bay. Rise Brickell City Centre, once it’s complete, will be one of two centerpieces of the Brickell building boom, which is turning Miami into a world-class city and global economic powerhouse. Many of the units in Rise have already been purchased, but there are still condos available. Prices range from the low 600s to $2.68 million. Unit 1808 is listed at $632,900, which is on the low end of prices for Brickell units, especially of its size. No. 1808 is a ... 01/25/2016

Why Now Is The Time To Buy Miami Real EstateThe Florida Chamber of Commerce predicts that this number will grow to nearly 26 million by the year 2030. That’s an incredible amount of growth – up to about 1,000 people per day in this year alone! Read entire article - click image above.To learn more about exciting Miami real estate trends, bookmark our blog and visit often. You can also follow us on social media, where we bring you serious Miami real estate facts, tips and trends with an entertainment twist - like where to eat or where to go in Miami.We love photography - so always enjoy great pictures of Miami and the beaches. 01/22/2016

Miami Worldcenter Mall Downsized  The mall at Miami Worldcenter will be smaller than originally planned after the developer shelved the big-box retail model with Macy’s and Bloomingdale's as anchors for a “high street retail” concept. The 27-acre project on the north side of downtown Miami is one of the biggest in South Florida with residential, hotel, retail and other uses planned. Miami Worldcenter Associates is the master developer and it brought in partners for specific building. Forbes Co. and Taubman Centers are its retail partners.     01/17/2016

  Berkowitz's Fairholme Capital Art Museum The City of Miami planning department has finally gotten its act together and approved Bruce Berkowitz's new Fairholme Capital headquarters and art museum for 2626 Biscayne Boulevard. The structure is designed around two seminal and world-renowned pieces of art by James Turrell and Richard Serra and, along with containing office space for Berkowitz's hedge fund and foundation, will contain a full-fledged art museum featuring his collection, open to the public and I am cool with that!  01/16/2016

 300 Biscayne Condo  300 biscayne blvd way via CBRE This grassy plot of land at 300 Biscayne Boulevard Way neighboring the Epic Hotel in Downtown Miami will  be home to a luxury condominium that will break ground next fall. The lot sold in 2014 for a staggering $125M to the Coto family (Coto Supermarkets in Argentina), the 1.25-acre parcel was once the site of the proposed 609-foot Epic East in 2004. 01/15/2016

Holliday Fenoglio Fowler, L.P. (HFF) announced today that it has secured a $25.2 million loan for the refinancing of Dadeland Centre II, a 113,691-square-foot, Class A office property in Miami, Florida. Working on behalf of the borrower, The Green Companies, HFF placed the 10-year, fixed-rate loan through New York Life Real Estate Investors. HFF arranged refinancing for Dadeland Center I, an adjacent building controlled by the same owner, earlier in 2015. Dadeland Centre II is located at 9150 South Dadeland Boulevard, within walking distance of the Dadeland South Miami Metrorail station, which provides access to downtown Miami and the greater Miami area including Coral Gables, Brickell Financial District and the Miami International Airport. The property is highly accessible and visible ... 01/11/2016

Many people have trouble keeping their expensive tubs pearly white. I’ve devised a routine that takes very little effort and will ensure that your tub stays in mint condition. These tips can be used for tubs of any kind no matter what material your bathtub is made out of. Keep in mind that potential buyers often look at the condition of your bathroom when considering an offer on your home!On a daily basis:A daily shower spray – This is more of a maintenance step but it really helps to keep soap scum and hard water stains at bay. Just spray once a day after your last shower. What I like about these products is how simple they are to use. Very little effort, just spray and walk away.On a weekly basis:Bar keepers friend – This product has been a game changer for me. Not only is it super ch... 01/11/2016