Archive for June, 2009

Best Pizza in Miami

June 18th, 2009 Categories: Dining, 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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