Best Pizza in Miami

June 18th, 2009 Categories: Dining, Homestead, The Redland

My family’s search for really good pizza in Miami has ended. Finally.

They’re a little hard to please in the pizza department. The kids were born in NYC, undisputed king of the pizza, and not without merit (many have ventured guesses that it may, in fact, be the water?).  So they were a little spoiled when it came to pizza.

We’ve been searching for that perfect piece of dough, sauce & cheese combo in Miami for almost eight years.  Today I can confidently state that our search is over. We came close once before, but we were in Ft. Myers Beach on vacation so that didn’t count.

Don’t get me wrong.  We’ve had good pizza in Miami. The kids always sized it up, though, and came to the conclusion “yeah, but it’s not as good as New York pizza.”  Alas, when those words were uttered, the search continued.

Last week, instead of summing up our new find with those words, they “mmmmm, mmmmm’d” their way through the pie, while rolling their eyes in delight.  When finished, they proclaimed, “THAT was good!”  The best they’ve had in Miami. Period.

The winner of their kudos was found in the most unlikely of places.  A gas station. Yes, a gas station. Corrina’s Pizza is located inside the quick-mart at a gas station on Krome Avenue and 272 Street. I don’t even remember which gas station it is. Not important.

Corrina’s doesn’t sell just pizza. They’ve got a full line-up of hot subs (including my all-time favorite eggplant parmigiana), baked pasta dishes & Italian dinners.  But with such good pizza I’ve yet to make it to that part of the menu. =) I love their Special Deluxe pizza (pepperoni, sausage, mushroom, onion, green pepper, olives & garlic).  One slice makes a whole meal.

And their prices are pretty darn reasonable. A large pie is $10.95 (and it is large). A slice is $1.95 (I remember paying 35 cents as a kid in NYC…my age is showing). Hot subs are $5.95 while their restaurant counterparts charge $2 or $3 more for the same thing.  The dinners are $4.95 - $8.95, again much less than their competitors.

So, if you’re lucky enough to live in the Redland / Homestead area, or find yourself taking a drive “out to the country” make sure you stop at Corrina’s for a slice of pizza.  They do have a seating area so you can eat it nice & crispy.  Even if you live “in the city” it beats a flight up to NYC.

• Corrina’s New York Style Pizza
• 27200 SW Krome Ave., Homestead, FL 33031
• 305.242.2772
• *Closed Sundays until football season so plan your visit to the Redland on a Saturday!
  

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Closing Process Explained

June 17th, 2009 Categories: For Buyers, For Sellers

I get lots of questions about the closing process from Miami home buyers.  Today I came across a neat video from the folks over at Federal Title that explains the process simply, while totally entertaining you.

So, instead of having your eyes glaze over as I explain the closing process, spend two minutes watching this neat video.  Kudos to the folks at Federal!

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Miami Real Estate Is Hot, Hot, Hot

June 16th, 2009 Categories: Market Trends

I’ve not been writing a lot in the blog lately.  I’m swamped with work.  (no complaints here).  Not only is the exclusive listing at Graceland Estates keeping me super busy, I’ve got my buyers keeping me busy too.

The real estate market has definitely gotten hot around here. Everyone I speak to is just as busy as I selling Miami homes.  In fact, there are so many buyers out there that each time we prepare an offer on a property we are competing with other buyers and find ourselves in multiple offer scenarios.

This means we’re losing out on homes and having to keep looking.  It also means that homes are selling for more than asking price, when priced right to begin with.  I’m referring mostly to REO’s (bank-owned real estate).  Right now, foreclosures are what most buyers want. Although I’ve definitely seen a trend away from that in the homes we’re selling at Graceland.  Buyers are so fed up of presenting offer after offer, only to be told that another offer was accepted that the option of buying a well-priced new construction home is looking better and better each day.

Still wondering if it’s time to jump back in the market and buy that home? Don’t wait any longer.  Mortgage rates are trending back up, but still low.  Getting in now makes perfect sense.

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Like Being Separated At Birth - Sort Of

April 14th, 2009 Categories: Random Thoughts

I’ve been meaning to tell this story for months now, but business got in the way. I’m still swamped selling real estate, but I made some time this morning to finally get the story told.

I’ve added a link to my blogroll and it merits a story of its own. The link is to a “sister” site, “The Blog That Ate Manhattan.” It’s a witty, informative and authoritative site.

The blog belongs to Dr. Margaret Polaneczky. Yeah, you might be thinking “hey, a Realtor has time to waste spend on a blog. but shouldn’t a doctor be busy saving lives?” If so, you’re not getting this blogging thing. It gets under your skin and you make time for it, regardless of what else is going on in your life.

Read the rest of this entry »

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Greed.

March 17th, 2009 Categories: Real Estate Chatter

I’m so tired of the greed. Everyone needs to make a living. But charging fees to a client that isn’t your own because your client is not paying it, is WRONG.

I have a buyer who’s been looking at foreclosures. Today we found one he’d like to make an offer on. When I saw who the listing agent is, I cringed. I’ve dealt with them before. They’re the kind that stipulate in the Broker’s Remarks : DO NOT CALL OUR OFFICE TO FIND OUT IF YOUR OFFER WAS RECEIVED. Gee, I thought that’s what offices, phones and staff were for; to provide customer service.

Anyway, that’s not my beef with them today. When I looked further in the remarks it states that the buyer “must pay a $325 compliance fee for maintaining records and files.” The only reason they are charging my buyer this is because their seller won’t pay it to them!

My buyer is already agreeing to pay my brokerage firm our administrative charge. Why should he get hit with a double whammy and have to pay the seller’s side of the listing office fee because the seller refuses to pay it?

By the way, we’ve been on the other side of this as well and we do NOT charge buyers of our REO listings our administrative fee even though the seller (bank) is not paying us. We waive it because it’s the right thing to do. The seller is sending many listings our way, and we are going to show them our appreciation for those listings by charging our administrative fee to the buyer?! No. That would be wrong.

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Coral Gables’ Carnaval on the Mile

March 4th, 2009 Categories: Coral Gables, Entertainment

The city of Coral Gables is hosting it’s 9th annual “jazztronomical arts festival” this weekend. If you’ve never experienced it, you’re missing out!

The Carnaval on the Mile is well regarded as a fun time for all and a premiere showcase of Latin Jazz. The event takes place on the famed Miracle Mile in Coral Gables the first weekend in March. Miracle Mile is the mile from LeJeune Road to Douglas Road on what would otherwise be Coral Way. It’s a mile long walk of exclusive shops, restaurants, cafes, the Miracle Mile Theater and more.

There’s plenty for the family to do starting Friday, March 6th and the activities continue on Saturday and Sunday. Art displays, sculptures, crafts, lots of food and drinks and lots of live performances all weekend long.

The event is free as are all the performances.

Wear comfy shoes and get ready to shake el eskeleto!

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