As one of the top luxury real estate markets in the world, Miami has become the playground of the rich and famous. Celebrities and business moguls alike invest in Miami real estate to get their own piece of Magic City’s incredible vistas, beautiful beaches, and nightlife.  Those who seek a secure home with all of the latest technology and furnishings will find all of that and more in most Miami luxury buildings and developments, in addition to privacy and unobstructed ocean views. However, that kind of prestige comes at a heavy price tag, and in some areas of the city, it is not unusual to pay upwards of 10 Million Dollars for a home. So which areas in the city boast the best amenities? The following neighborhoods are just a few popular destinations for those who seek to join the Miami elite.  South Pointe

1. (South Beach)

Located at the far end of the world famous Miami Beach is South Pointe, better known as South Beach.  A popular neighborhood for those looking to take in Miami’s world famous nightlife. The area is known as one of the most affluent areas of Miami, and thus is home to many celebrities. The current average listing price for a home in South Pointe is $2,516,716, and the area is almost entirely walkable, with most housing only steps from upscale dining and the beach.  

1. Downtown Miami

   

Downtown Miami is split into two major districts, Downtown and the Brickell Financial District. The area is a culturally rich, urban center that has seen immense growth over the last few years, thus attracting many young professionals to the area.  In fact, the Brickell District is one of the fastest growing financial hubs in the country. Real estate in Downtown Miami ranges from affordable old fashioned studios to multi-million dollar newly-constructed condo and penthouse towers. The stars in Miami are everywhere, even in its architecture. “Starchitect” Zaha Hadid constructed his first residential tower in the United States.  The current average listing price for the Downtown Miami Area is $1,694,105.

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  Coconut Grove

  

Coconut Grove is a quiet, historic neighborhood of Miami, known for its exquisite 20’s style homes. It is a great place to raise a family.  According to local Miami Real Estate agent, Ines Hegedus-Garcia, “Coconut Grove is not only home to the best private school in South Florida, Ransom Everglades, but also has some amazing single-family homes.” The area is safe, private and pricey, with an average listing price of $1,081,997.

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Mexico is struggling with a number of serious problems, including failed real estate developments along the Baja coastline–just south of the San Diego border. From the northern tip of Tijuana’s coastline down to Ensenada, Baja beach areas are spotted with the rusting remains of failed high rise condo projects.

And one of the biggest failures is the Trump Ocean Resort Baja just north of Punta Bandera, where unwitting U.S. investors thought they were buying into one of the safest investments possible: A beach condo development offered by none other than Donald Trump and his family.  Up to 600 buyers paid 10 to 30 percent down on condos ranging from $274,000 for a 485-square foot studio to nearly $3 million for a 2685 square foot penthouse.

Today,  infuriated real estate investors have lost millions of dollars–with scant chance of getting anything back.

Some people refinanced homes in 2006 to come up with the $100,000 to $1 million deposits–which were subsequently and legally spent by the developer. Today, all that remains is an aging billboard with a large photo of The Donald, a shuttered sales center and showroom, a parking lot and a number of excavation holes and standing construction equipment.

This year, parents are warning kids not to head to Baja for Spring Break.  Mexico’s drug violence has escalated and kidnappings are all-too-frequent.  These tourist fears coupled with the global economic meltdown make real estate speculation investment in Baja a risky proposition.

In 2009, our family will remain in Southern California for Spring Break.  And until Mexico gets drug violence under control, we join countless others in avoiding a border crossing.

Call it a protest–or just protective parenting instincts.

The post Trump’s Baja Luxury Resort Fails appeared first on Luxury Home Digest.

Investors are moving back into the San Diego real estate market with impatient wallets. And luxury real estate investors are no exception.

They are seeking well-priced foreclosures, pre-negotiated short sales and most favored of all: Real estate investments with income streams.

So-called bargains in sub-marginal areas may not be the wisest real estate investment move anywhere. Perceived bargains in outlying markets may be nothing of the sort, and we persistently advise our clients to stay with blue chip real estate investments especially in volatile economic times.

We just received a whisper from La Costa Resort and Spa in balmy Carlsbad, California that buyers of their Villas will receive up to $125,000 at closing for leasing their properties back to them for two years. And of course, there is always the option of using their condos too.

This is a very limited offer, as only 10 La Costa Resort Villas whole-ownership, luxury condominiums remain. Each is fully furnished (just pack a toothbrush) with designer decor and high-end amenities throughout, and is located on the grounds of the world-class La Costa Resort and Spa.

Low out-of-pocket expenses enable resort ownership for minimal cost.

One-bedroom luxury condos start at $594,825, while two-bedroom units list for up to $1,033,000. With 75% financing, buyers can claim ownership with considerably low out-of-pocket expenses of up to $125,000. Plus, La Costa management will also waive monthly fees for two years to save La Costa Villa buyers even more.

A bonus of complimentary Villas Signature La Costa Sports Membership, valued at $16,500, is also included.

If you are interested in this exceptional value, please call Mike or Roberta Murphy for additional information at 760-402-9101 or 760-402-9102. We are including some luxury spa treatments for our buyers as well.

The post La Costa Villas Offer Big Investor Bonus appeared first on Luxury Home Digest.

Any verbiage I add to this photo would probably be superfluous, since this chatty picture already exceeds the expected thousand words.

Hats off to someones clever recycling of mobile homes.

Not sure if the intent was green construction, but the designer certainly managed to minimize the footprint of this little mobile home park.

I also wonder about the relation of people who live here. And what about plumbing? Or high winds?

Finally, hope this upwardly mobile community isnt anywhere near the path of tornadoes.

Thank you Ronnie Sellers, fellow ANTS investor and bonsai guru in North Carolina, for the photo. He is especially fond of the red shipping container with the attached solarium.

Embarrassing Note: Just discovered this photo is from a movie set. The onlookers are cropped out of the photo. Still a clever arrangement!

Read also:

Off the Grid and Low-Impact Homes

6 Ways to Shave Your Carbon Footprint

The post A Novel Green Mansion appeared first on Luxury Home Digest.

by Roberta Murphy

More and more people from around the world are choosing to spend at least part of their lives in coastal Costa Rica–and more than a few decide there just might be no better place to spend the rest of their lives.

Why?

1. A warm climate, beaches, mountains, jungles–and breathtaking biodiversity. The people and government of Costa Rica are committed to preserving Costa Rica’s clean air, beautiful beaches and precious flora and fauna.

2. Costa Rica has one of the oldest and most stable democratic governments in the Americas. In fact, this peace loving nation has twice won the Nobel Prize for its peacekeeping efforts.

3. Costa Rica is a peaceful nation and has no standing army; it was disbanded in 1949.

4. The people are generally fond of foreigners and welcome them to Costa Rica. American’s included.

5. The cost of living is very reasonable–especially once one owns a home in Costa Rica. Taxes on a $500,000 home, for example, may run only $500 per year.

6. Good medical and dental care is not only widely available, but are also very reasonable. Many travel here for cosmetic procedures that cost a fraction of what might be charged in Europe or the U.S. And what a lovely place in which to recover!

7. Costa Rica has a highly educated population. The government currently spends around 27 percent of its budget on education. The literacy rate in Costa Rica is at 93 percent.

8. Costa Rica is only about the size of West Virginia, but has wonderful coastlines with 132 miles along the Atlantic, and 631 miles of prime Pacific beaches (especially in Guanacaste) and coastline. The interior is graced with farmland, mountains and jungles.

The reason for my recent keen interest in Costa Rica is that we will have been selected to help represent the Azulera developers in the sale of the long-awaited and luxurious Hyatt condos and resort village that are being developed along the breathtaking Guanacaste coast.

But details of that venture will come–sooner rather than later. Say tuned!

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