Archive for November, 2007

Looking Out Of The Fish Bowl

November 27th, 2007 Categories: Palmetto Bay, South Florida Living

While driving around Palmetto Bay today in my usual real estate related activities, I found myself on Old Cutler Rd., right smack in front of Sean Taylor’s home. I knew he had been shot, but I had not heard that he had died. When I saw the countless reporters set up with their cameras across the street from his house I knew this must have changed. I extend my condolences to his family and fans.

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Unsuccessful Real Estate Auction - Part II

November 27th, 2007 Categories: For Sellers, Real Estate Chatter, Redland Real Estate

I wrote about an unsuccessful real estate auction in the Redland about two weeks ago. I commented that the fact that it was not an absolute auction was the primary reason for it’s being a flop.

Last week I had the opportunity to attend another auction in the Redland. This one was different in that it was an absolute auction. When the public thinks ‘auction’ they think whatever’s being sold will be sold to the highest bidder. I, personally, think it’s a gimmick to give them anything but. But that is just my opinion. When an auction is not absolute, I think it’s just a ploy to spark more interest in the property and hopefully get it sold. There’s nothing wrong with the marketing premise, in itself. I still have issues with calling it an auction. Maybe we just need to educate the public that an auction isn’t always what they think it is.

Last week I attended the absolute auction hoping to see some action and see a property get sold to the highest bidder. The property is a larger-than-most, but older and well-kept home in the Redland area. It’s right smack in the middle of the Redland and sits on 2.5 acres of tropical paradise, well manicured yet plenty of flora. Adjacent to the property is a natural hammocks, designated as such. Beneficial to the property is that most of it has a property tax benefit because of the hammocks and the property pays about a third of what a similar property without the tax benefit would pay. With the issue of property taxes being so high in Florida, this by itself is a huge benefit to the property.

On top of the tax benefits, an acre of land in the Redland sells for about $180,000, although many would like to have you thinking it’s a lot more than that. Right now, that’s about the going price (albeit not the asking price). And even though on a single property lot an additional acre isn’t technically worth the same as the 1st acre (simply because you can only build one home on it, whether it’s one acre or five) let’s give it the benefit of the doubt and do what the county property appraiser does and calculate each square foot as being worth the same. That means the land on this parcel is worth $450,000 by my calculations.

The auction was to open at $489,000. And it was going to sell to the highest bidder. Period. Seeing how the land alone was worth just $39,000 less I figured it would be like getting the structure almost free if you could buy it at the opening bid. By the way, the county property appraiser has the structure valued at $213,000, so it’s not as if there wasn’t a lot of wiggle room there.

The winning bidder would be responsible for a 10% buyer’s premium so if he won the bid at $500,000, he’d have to pay $550,000. No matter, this home was priced right, so a good deal could still be had.

Upon arriving at the property I recognized a couple from the last auction. I guess I wasn’t the only curious one. I struck up a conversation with them as we waited for the proceedings to begin. Twenty minutes after the bidding was supposed to begin we realized they weren’t going to have an auction. Of the several parties that were there (perhaps 4) none of us were registered to bid. I was dumbstruck by this fact.

Here was a prime property in the Redland available for sale at way less than market price and no one was bidding.

Is the market in South Florida that bad? Or had the auction not been advertised fully? My opinion tells me it’s the former. I had personally found the auction online but because I specifically looked for auctions. I wasn’t searching as a home buyer. The couple I met said they had seen it advertised in the local papers. So it had been advertised. Exactly how much, I wasn’t sure.

That day I went home shaking my head and thinking that the local real estate market may be in for a really looooooong adjustment. Hmmmmmm………

Unsuccessful Auction Part I

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Punchy Friday’s Back!

November 24th, 2007 Categories: Entertainment, Punchy Fridays, South Florida Living

Due to the holiday I almost forgot my entry. Here’s my latest Punchy Friday submission a day late. I post this with a little trepidation, lest I be perceived as one who can afford to buy such toys with her commission check. Just for the record, I can’t. I saw this beauty on the Florida Turnpike and snapped a picture. And the fact that I was on the Turnpike should dispel any rumors that I never leave the Redland. I do. =)

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Ruth Vander Zee Book Signing

November 23rd, 2007 Categories: Entertainment, South Florida Living

One of the many benefits I’ve gained by living in the Redland are the friends I’ve made. One such dear friend is Ruth Vander Zee.

Ruth is the author of critically acclaimed books, Erika’s Story, Mississippi Morning, Eli Remembers & Always With You.

Ruth will be having a book signing for Eli Remembers at Books and Books in Coral Gables this Sunday at 4:00 PM.

This is a wonderful opportunity to meet this talented writer and exceptional person. Speaking to Ruth is like sitting down to tea with an old friend from the very first time you speak with her.

• Ruth Vander Zee
• Eli Remembers
• Sunday, 11/25/07 4:00PM
• Books & Books
• 265 Aragon Avenue
• Coral Gables, FL
• 305.442.4408

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Happy Thanksgiving

November 22nd, 2007 Categories: South Florida Living

Happy Thanksgiving from The Blog That Ate Miami.

I have much to be thankful for and pray that it is the same for you.

Warm regards,

Maggie Dokic

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All I Want For Christmas…

November 21st, 2007 Categories: The Redland

I see them all the time. Riding their bikes they look like any other boys across America two-wheeling around town. Except they’re not riding for fun. Some are barely past the boy stage. Others left it a long time ago.

I’m referring to the farm workers I see all around the Redland riding their bikes to and from work. The other night as I drove west on 200th street I passed two of them, one after the other. It was pitch black and they seemed to come out of nowhere. Of course, they had been there but I just didn’t see them until they came into the realm of my headlights.

I was struck by the notion that anyone who might have had too much to drink could have killed one of them. Or both. The thought still pops into my head when I see another on this mode of transportation.

As dangerous as it may be to ride a bike at night on the dark, agricultural streets of the Redland, they’re thankful to have a way to get to work. Some aren’t so lucky and have to walk. I saw two ladies and a child walking in the rain one evening and backtracked to pick them up. Part of me wanted to help them and another part was troubled that they had taken a ride from a stranger. We hear so many bad things.

I had my mother and daughter in the car with me and even so, they thought twice before getting in the car with us. I rejoiced at that secretly. They had been waiting for their ride when it started raining. The ride was late and they headed to Krome on foot. It was at least a mile and a half away.

Just today Dad brought a migrant worker to the house to pick out a bicycle for himself. He had given him a ride in the past and knows that this man walks about 3 miles each way, each day. We have some unwanted bikes and knew it would make a difference to him to be able to cycle to work and not have to walk. I fixed him a sandwich while they looked at the bikes.

It turns out he had a bike in the past but it had been taken from him. Stolen would be my guess, although he didn’t call it that. As I looked at the grown man pedal away on a bike that had belonged to my then-twelve-year-old nephew I hurt for him and those like him.

Working for pay that I’m sure is less than most Americans will work for. And back-breaking work at that. Some like to whoop it up on the weekends and head down to Homestead for a little beer and a little dancing. After working hard all week, I can’t say I really blame them. Some have no way to get there and have their beers closer to home. Others don’t drink and just keep to themselves.

I’d love to get bicycles for all of them. And give them jackets with reflective decals to keep them safe. And while I’m wishing, I’d like dedicated bike lanes too. I can dream, can’t I?

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Knaus Berry Farm Reopened

November 21st, 2007 Categories: Entertainment, South Florida Living, The Redland

Knaus Berry Farm opened up for the season in the Redland last week. I stopped there over the weekend (which, of course, means Saturday since they are closed on Sundays) and it was like they never closed.

The place was packed with cars. The line to get a milkshake was enough to make the Dairy Queen down the road green with envy.

I have to admit that I didn’t bother buying anything. The line was too long and their baked goods are good but I can stop in during the week when it’s less busy.

Knaus Berry Farm is often, and erroneously, referred to as “the Amish Farm.” They’re not Amish, they’ll point out if you ask. They’re German Brethren. They’ve been here for years and are quite the attraction. They sell homebaked goods as well as produce and their milkshakes are thick enough to stand a spoon up in (and you may want to use a spoon to get them going and save your facial muscles the workout).

They are open for business mid November to right before Easter and then leave us until the next year (notice a trend? They like to miss hurricane season. lol) They are closed on Sundays.

• Knaus Berry Farm
• SW 160th Ave & 248th Street
• 305-247-0668

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