HOUSING WANTS AND NEEDS CHANGING IN COCONUT GROVE

Made my Saturday visit to our Coconut Grove Coldwell Banker Real Estate office this morning to clear paperwork and while there talked with buyers who walked in to share their housing needs and to see what was on the market. This early to mid thirties couple reflected, in my mind, buyer preferences for now and the foreseeable future. They wanted about a 2,500 square foot home with 4 bedrooms and 3.5 baths. They wanted an open living/dining ,entertaining space and didn't have much use for the traditional living room. A large walk-in closet was key in the Master with a good Master bath. In a two story home they wanted the Master on the first floor. A two-car garage ranked high on their list as well. They were green-minded and talked of water efficiency and solar panels. Finally, they weren't drawn to a lot of land. You can bet though, we won't be for a loss of buyers in our charming Coconut Grove. We have two unmatchable elements; we're a waterfront community and we have those lush, beautiful trees that support our namesake, "The Grove". Coconut Grove is known world-wide and we'll always be one of the most desirable places on earth to live.

COCONUT GROVE EXPERTS,THE CHERRY GROUP, NEEDS HOMES TO SELL

Coconut Grove luxury real estate experts, The Cherry Group, has 6 homes under contract, one of which we're proud to say is closing at this writing at 2025 Tigertail for $1,025,000. Thanks to one of the most successful four months we've had, our listingbook needs new homes to sell. Coconut Grove is very ready for quality, priced-right homes for sale and so is The Cherry Group. If you you want the real Coconut Grove experts to sell your home, especially where others haven't, please give Sylvia Cherry a call at 305.992.2211 for a presentation on how we will sell your home.

REALTOR GARY HECHT GOES TO HISTORIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION BOARD

Coconut Grove Real Estate Expert Gary Hecht was appointed by The Miami City Commission to the Historic and Environmental Preservation Board. "I've been a Coconut Grove activist for most of the 20 years I've lived here", Hecht said, "But this is a Board I've always wanted to be a part of. Many of the issues that come before us are regarding Coconut Grove, because the Grove was founded even before Miami was chartered and its Bahamian roots run deep." Hecht also served on the Coconut Grove Village Council for four years, serving as its Chairman for one of those years. He said he believes being a leader in any industry should include contributions of time in service to the community. "There's a direct relationship between civic values and home values. Doing good works for the community feels good and its good for the market too."

COCONUT GROVE INVENTORY "SO-SO"

Just returned from my weekly rounds to inspect the Coconut Grove inventory of homes. Those I visited are either cool, very buyer specific and will be tough "sells" at any price while others are just nothing to write home about. When I moved to Coconut Grove over 20 years ago, buyers clamored for the castle-like 1920 DeGarmos, which I happen to love and also love to sell. But today, unless they have at least 2001 code upgrades like hurricane windows and roofing upgrades, they're tough to sell. There's not much breath in styles and values at mid to high price points in the Grove......just not much to pick from for many buyers. This is a perfect time to list if you have property in Coconut Grove. If it's nice and priced right, it'll stand out.

COCONUT GROVE THE MOST DESIRABLE PLACE IN THE WORLD

Buyers are still paying premiums to live in Coconut Grove, one of the most desirable places on earth. A small village on Biscayne Bay, Coconut Grove waterfront property prices now rival waterfront on Miami Beach. Just last week, Dutch movie director Van dee Vlugt sold his 11,000 sq. ft Coconut Grove waterfront home on Curtis Lane for $13,419,495.00. On two acres with 300 ft. of water frontage, this sale is good for sellers, driving Grove comps higher.