Andre's Blog

1 Tbsp. olive oil
6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 2-inch chunks
2 Tbsps. all-purpose flour
1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tbsps. fresh ginger, minced
1 tsp. coriander, ground
1 tsp. cumin, ground
1 cup dry white wine or ginger ale
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup dried apricots
1 cup whole blanched almonds
1 cup pitted green olives
Couscous, cooked to package directions

Arrange chicken in a small glass bowl. Add flour and toss chicken to coat. Heat olive oil in large soup pot over high heat. Place chicken in olive oil; brown on all sides. Reduce heat to medium-low; add onion, garlic and ginger. Sauté about 5 minutes. Stir in coriander and cumin; sauté until aromatic, about 30 seconds. Add wine or ginger ale. Increase heat to high. Boil until liquid has reduced by half. Stir in chicken broth, apricots, almonds and olives. Bring to a simmer; reduce heat to low, cover pot and simmer for 45 minutes. Serve over couscous.

Makes 4 servings.

From earning your very first dollar at a neighborhood lemonade stand to investing in a retirement plan, there are a few steps along the road to wealth that many people share. How you choose to proceed from each of these landmarks, however, can determine how successful you will be in managing your money.

Not all financial decisions need to be complicated, but here are a few milestones that you will want to consider carefully:

Selecting a career - you likely didn't stay on the career path that you dreamed of as a child ... after all, few of us grow up to be pirates or fairy princesses, but choosing a career is a decision that can certainly affect your lifetime wealth.

Of course, potential earnings aren't the only thing to consider when choosing a career; you also want to think about education and training, job marketability and security, and what you enjoy doing.

Avoiding debt - you may have accumulated some debt in the form of student loans or credit cards as you were starting out on your own, but how you handle those expenses can set the course for your future wealth. Budget as much as you can toward such high-interest debt until these expenses are paid, then begin building your savings.

Buying a home - as one of the biggest purchases you're likely to make, buying your first home requires some planning. In order to avoid having the cost of private mortgage insurance (PMI) added to your monthly payments, you should plan to pay 20 percent of the purchase price as a down payment. You should also meet with a mortgage professional to discuss your income, monthly debts, credit history and assets which can help you determine how much you can afford and get prequalified for a loan.

Expanding your family - getting married and having children may not seem like a financial decision, but it certainly affects your money. Before taking the plunge, discuss your financial goals with your partner and make a plan of how the two of you can work together to achieve those goals.

Making investments - the key to investing wisely is to do your research. Weigh your potential for gain against the risk of loss before purchasing stocks or other investments

Buying a home can be a long, complicated and frightening process, and it is important to be prepared. Knowledge is power when it comes to negotiating the difficult world of home prices, interest rates and mortgage loans. For a first time home buyer, there are many factors to consider before you buy. The more information you can gather before you start shopping, the better off you will be.

Look Beyond the Price

 

When it comes to securing a quality mortgage loan, it is important to look beyond the interest rate to the true cost of the loan, both now and in the future. Read the paperwork, including the fine print, carefully, especially if the interest rate is below market rates. Upon closer inspection you may find that the interest rate is guaranteed for only a short period of time, or that it is subject to rise sharply in the future. Your mortgage loan may be the most important contract you will ever sign, and it is essential that you understand your rights and your responsibilities before signing on the dotted line.

In many cases it will make sense to hire a lawyer to review the mortgage paperwork for you. Many communities provide some sort of first time homebuyer program designed to help renters become homeowners, and these organizations may be able to provide the legal advice you need at a price you can afford.

Every Situation is Unique

 

Every homebuyer will have a different set of circumstances, and it is important for the lender to consider those factors. Some homeowners may plan to move in a year or two, and they may be able to benefit from a variable rate mortgage. Others will plan to remain in their home for decades, and those home buyers may benefit from the stability of a fixed rate mortgage and its predictable and stable monthly payment.

It is also important for those buying a first home to factor in the additional costs of the mortgage when deciding how much they can afford to pay. Things like closing costs and the high price of private mortgage insurance can drive up costs and eat into funds that would otherwise be available for home improvements, furnishings and other essentials. In some cases sellers may be willing to pay some of the closing costs, and some lenders will be able to negotiate those closing costs downward. The key is to ask those questions before the closing date arrives, and to be prepared to search for a better deal if necessary.

First time buyers should also be on the lookout for any hidden fees. These small nuisance fees can add up to hundreds of dollars on closing day, so be sure to scour your paperwork for any such fees. If you are unsure about the legitimacy of any charge be sure to ask for a valid explanation. Again, an experienced real estate attorney can provide valuable insight into which fees are reasonable and which are out of bounds.

And of course first time home buyers should not lose sight of the home itself in the quest for the perfect mortgage. Any defects should be pointed out to the seller well before the closing is to take place. The costs of every needed repair should be carefully negotiated prior to the purchase, and buyers should always follow up to make sure that all requested repairs have been made. A home is a major purchase, and it is important to make sure that everything has been taken care of before moving in.

Well I have finally created a myspace page or should I say caught up to the rest of the world.  After spending the weekend meeting myspace friends and navigating the site I asked myself why hadn't I done this sooner.  See, I'm not tech savvy at all and due to this underachievement it becomes challenging trying to increase your market share living in a metropolitan area, such as, Miami-Dade. 

 For those of you who have never been to South Florida Miami is not a friendly place. From the moment you walk out the door bullets of rejection...fingers of flesh...words of fury are constantly hurled at you.  Ahh, the beauty of being a realtor in this town.  But of course meet on myspace and it's an altogether different connection.

 Over the weekend I've had people give me their phone numbers...owners invite me to their restaurant...drinks and appetizers on them.  Even a few celebrities have responded to my messages or stopped by to say, "hi".  Now I'm not short of friends nor have a lonely heart.  But as Miami's Best Realtor I believe in prospecting 24/7.  So why wouldn't I be their for the needs of myspace friends?

After doing some careful research I found that 38 percent of homebuyers use social networking Web sites to search for a home and seek advice in a neutral setting where they can develop trust before selecting a professional.

Homebuyers nowadays have a wealth of data at their fingertips but don't understand how to process the information.  Everywhere they turn someone is talking real estate whether it's the non expert news reporter, the Realtor on the radio or the post card swearing the next "Best Deal".  But after all, wouldn' t you trust the advice of a friend ;-).  www.myspace.com/SouthFloridaOpenHouse

Andre Shambley

"Miami's Best Realtor...PERIOD"

...Florida. The Sunshine State. America's own tropical delight - beautiful people with even more beautiful homes.

So, you're thinking of moving to Florida? Well, you're not alone. Approximately 1400 people are moving to the state each and every day! Making Florida one of the fastest growing states in the US.

Most of these newcomers become permanent year round residents, while others become "snowbirds". (Those who only live in the state during the northern winter months and then return home to their primary residence state when summer comes.)

Three of the top reasons for moving to Florida are for the weather, recreation & Most Important....................NO STATE INCOME TAX!!!!

They are dirty words in Florida when you string them together: "income" and "tax."

It's another good reason why millions of Americans are moving to this first-class tax haven. Warm weather isn't the only reason Florida is now the third-most-populous state in the Union (behind California and Texas). Its own constitution prohibits an income tax. The sales tax is 6%.

Not having an income tax can be a very big saving. With its Homestead protections, Florida's full-time residents over 65 have the security that their property taxes will not go up more than the rate of inflation.

Welcome to Sunny Florida!

Ingredients:

8 Drumsticks
1 cup Buttermilk
1/2 cup cornstarch
2 tablespoons salt
1 tablespoon Paprika
1 cup yellow Cornmeal
1 Cup all Purpose Flour
1/2 cup Dry Jamaican Seasoning
2 tablespoons black pepper
Red Stripe (use as needed)
Vegetable or Peanut Oil for frying

Directions:

Combine the Red Stripe and Cup Buttermilk
in a large glass bowl. Add Chicken to the bowl
and marinate in the refrigerator for 2 hours.

Combine the flour together with the cornmeal,
jamaican seasoning, cornstarch, paprika, salt and
pepper into a bowl. Mix to combine. Drain off
chicken and discard the marinade.

Toss the Chicken lightly one at a time to coat
them. You can use a zip lock bag with breading
mixture to do this.

Place the breaded chicken onto a large baking
sheet lined with waxpaper. Be sure they do not
touch each other. Place in refrigerator for 30
minutes.

Pour oil in 2-3 inch deep skillet. Heat oil to
355 degrees F. (check with frying thermometer).
Add the chicken 2 at a time.

Fry each for at least 4 minutes on each side or
till they are golden brown Remove each piece of
chicken and place on paper towel to drain oil.

Transfer to an oven safe platter once the oil is
drained. Put in an oven set at 200 degrees F. to
keep warm. Once all of the chicken is cooked, it
is best to serve immediately.

Sergio Pino has joined the growing number of South Florida homebuilders that have created so-called opportunity funds. The money would be used to generate private capital to purchase land in Miami-Dade County for when the housing market rebounds.

"Some day, after doomsday, housing will be in demand again," he said. "We want to stockpile valuable land. This fund will make that possible."

Pino, president of Century Homebuilders, said the new fund already has raised more than $100 million. Its goal is $500 million.

"Normal sources of capital for housing are plugged up, so we're growing some capital right here," he said.

Fund managers will concentrate on areas of Miami-Dade that already have schools, a strong employment base and good infrastructure.

Among early projects that could benefit from the new fund is Doral Grand, a Century Homebuilders mixed-use plan zoned for 4,600 homes, according to Pino.

The new fund has the same board of directors and management team as the Century Partners Group that Pino founded in 1997.

In August, West Palm Beach-based condo builder Kolter Group announced the creation of a joint venture with international investment titan Och-Ziff Capital Management Group LLC (NYSE: OZM).

The pair plan to acquire $1 billion of residential assets across the southeastern U.S.

The new venture will target the acquisition of residential communities, as well as equity and debt interests in residential property. The venture is scouting for deals on everything from raw land to completed condos.

Kolter followed the Related Group in jumping into the distress-buying arena.

Earlier this year, Miami-based Related received $1 billion from Philadelphia-based real estate private equity firm Lubert-Adler to begin the hunt for real estate deals. And in April, Aventura-based Sky Development and Hallandale Beach-based SunVest USA announced a new joint venture called Skyvest Real Estate Opportunity Fund I LLC, designed to take advantage of the opportunities in the troubled real estate market.

At that time, the company said it planned to look for opportunities in Florida, as well as eight other states, and would go after both commercial and residential properties.

Recently, an excited first-time homebuyer spent some time telling a real estate agent what she wanted in a home. They also discussed financing. Immediately afterwards, the agent took her new client out and showed her...

...two homes.

One was perfect.

Instead of making an offer right away, the buyer went home and called her friend. The friend had a real estate license. The buyer and her second agent presented an offer on the home, leaving the first agent totally in the dark.

After all, the first agent hadn't worked "too hard."

Which made me think about what really makes a real estate agent valuable, among other things.

Knowledge of inventory was near the top of the list.

It sounds boring and unexciting. Bookish, even.

You see, the reason the first agent knew which houses to show her potential client was because she had previewed those properties. That's one of those things agents do that you don't know about. They go out on their own, by themselves or with other agents, and look at property after property after property. They know what models are located where, how long they've been on the market, which ones have listing agents that are easy to work with, and more. They know all kinds of things that you don't know they know.

Not only that, the agent had been previewing properties for what "seems like forever" - so she immediately knew which houses to show the soon-to-be-excited buyer. She had been to those homes and/or model matches for those homes - for quite some time.

She knew her inventory.

The friend did not know the inventory. Otherwise, the buyer would have gone to her friend first, right?

It's like wandering around the aisles of a drug store not knowing which over-the-counter cough syrup is best for your particular ailment. Who would you rather ask? The clerk at the register or the pharmacist?

Either way, you're walking out of the store with a cardboard box filled with thick sloshy liquid.

So what you're really hiring in an agent is knowledge - and not just knowledge of inventory. Knowledge of lots of things that you don't even know you don't know. They make it seem easy, but that's because they want it to seem easy. If agents told you how hard it was, you would be even more nervous about shelling out hundreds of thousands of dollars.

After all, it is only the most expensive purchase you've ever made in your life.

But it's only a house, right?

And everyone knows that a Schedule 1 item on a termite report must be repaired prior to closing, which Schedule II items do not. And all those other little details.

By the way, the first agent and the listing agent talked to one another because she expected to present an offer shortly. No details, of course - just the name of her client and to expect the offer.

The buyer did present an offer, but with the wrong agent. This took the listing agent by surprise. Like many industries, real estate agents have a code of ethics they are supposed to obey. At the same time, agents don't always know what their clients are up to. Anyway, imagine how negotiations went, if they went anywhere at all. Plus, there were other problems that will be saved for another article.

Which isn't really the point. The point was that you hire an agent because of training, knowledge, experience, problem-solving ability, connections, their ability to communicate...and lots of other neat stuff.

The moral I promised?

You don't know what you don't know.

Which is why you hire people that will cover the blanks you know about, as well as the ones you don't. That is where you find the true value of a real estate agent.

Real estate prices cycle through highs and lows. Tracking the following market indicators will help you decide if it's a good time to invest in real estate in your area.


Job Growth

People go where the jobs are, and home prices follow jobs. A strong local job market is a sure sign of a healthy real estate market. While the Wall Street Journal gives you insight into the nation's overall economy, check your local newspapers for statistics in your area.


Housing Inventory

The housing inventory is the number of houses for sale at one time in the area. If there are more houses than buyers, prices tend to fall and if there are more buyers than houses, the opposite happens. Also look at the number of months or days it is taking to sell a home. If it's less than 60 days the market is considered hot.


Number of Repos on the Market

A repo is a house that has been taken over by the bank because the owner failed to meet the loan payment—in other words, it's a foreclosure. The more foreclosures in your area, the weaker the real estate market.


Number of Multiple Offers on Homes

Multiple offers are when two or more buyers "bid" at the same time for the same house. It's a sure sign of a hot market, usually resulting from a limited inventory creating the need for buyers to compete on price for the same property.



To learn about the local conditions in our market, please don't hesitate to call 305-788-6643 or send an email AndreShambley@Keyes.com. I will be happy to get you the information you need.

Why Sunny Isles Beach?

· Before Sunny Isles was incorporated into a city in 1997, J. Milton & Associates had already invested over $1 billion in real estate development. JM&A is planning to invest an additional $800 million to $1.5 billion in real estate in Sunny Isles Beach within the next 5 to 7 years.

· Sunny Isles Beach, the city of sun and sea, is located on a barrier island in the northeast corner of Miami- Dade County, bounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the east and the Intracoastal Waterway on the west. It is located midway between downtown Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Golden Beach lies to the north and Bal Harbour and Haulover Park are immediately to the south.

· Visitors can fly into either Miami International or Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International airports, or cruise into the Port of Miami or Port Everglades and be in Sunny Isles Beach within 20 minutes.

· Almost one million vacationers visit Sunny Isles Beach annually to enjoy the 2 ½ mile-long fine sand beach and outdoor amenities such as water sports, boating, fishing, and tennis as well as the abundant shopping, dining and entertainment options nearby. The landmark fishing pier is a local favorite while the beautiful Samson oceanfront park provides a children's play area and space to relax, meet friends and enjoy the sunrise.

· The city is building parks, improving the infrastructure and laying the groundwork for future redevelopment.

· The emphasis of most of the redevelopment is on residential condominium construction. The city is steadily replacing outdated motels with luxury residential oceanfront development. Much of the residential construction is not for year-round occupancy, however the statistics show a steady growth in young families who desire to be near the ocean.

· Even now when the economy is going thru a change and the real estate is temporarily not promising our developments in Sunny Isles can still fit the tourism, second and primary residence purpose.

· Major developers from all over the world like Trump, Related and Turnberry have and are still investing and developing in this small yet rapidly growing city.

· There are several major hotel chains in Sunny Isles Beach; Rosewood -Aqualina, Ocean Point, Trump, Sonesta and The Meridien and there are many more to come.

· In the past 10 years there have been over 20 towers 30 to 58 stories high developed in Sunny Isles Beach.

· There is an opportunity for only 22 additional projects coming up on the ocean side in the next 5 to 10 years, so there is limited availability for land before it becomes obsolete.

· Sunny Isles Beach has over 6 billion dollars in real estate taxable revenue that is being reinvested within the city to build roads, schools, libraries, public parks and the City of Sunny Isles Towne Center.

· It is estimated that the real estate taxable revenue will grow to $9 billion by 2010.

· JM&A is currently building, in cooperation and planning with the city of Sunny Isles Beach, St. Tropez Condominiums and the City of Sunny Isles Town Center, located in the heart of Sunny Isles Beach.

· The development will be composed of six towers with approximately only 72 residences per tower. Each tower will consist of luxurious penthouses, town homes, and lanai units overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway. The Towne Center will include an array of upscale shopping boutiques, restaurants and café's. In addition, it will also include parks, waterfront boardwalks, a full service marina and an amphitheater. This exclusive community will continue our vision of meeting the needs of our primary and secondary homebuyers.

· J. Milton & Associates is an experienced development company that has been in business over 45 years in South Florida building over 20 thousand residences and has grown to a net worth of $1.5 billion.

· As a vertically integrated operation, the development division performs its own land acquisition and land planning, construction, financing, sales and marketing. Every step of every project is subjected to rigorous value engineering, and top management is involved in every decision. This hands on involvement and meticulous attention to detail are hallmarks of JM&A development philosophy.

· As one of South Florida's largest residential property owners and managers, and a pioneer and leader in luxury condominium development, JM&A is well positioned to sustain and expand its record as one of Miami's most successful private real estate developers.

Why South Florida?

· According to the latest national Association of Realtors, Florida is the top U.S. destination for international buying making up 26% of U.S. home buying transactions.

· International buyers are now recognizing the benefits of buying property in South Florida now. Recent market adjustments offer buyers the lowest interest rate in over 15 years and healthy rates of appreciation due to demand from U.S. migration to South Florida and foreign buyers.

· Miami International Airport has the third highest international passenger traffic in the United States, with 110 million visitors annually. Miami International Airport is known as the "Gateway to the America's" offering more flights between The U.S and the major Caribbean, South and Central American countries than all other U.S airports combined. Most flights are direct and under 3 hours.

· Europe is only an 8-9 hour direct flight away from South Florida.

· South Florida serves both business banking and tourism. The visitor industry is the number one moneymaker injecting $13.5 Billion into the local economy each year.

· Because of the political and economical unsteadiness in South and Central America, Miami next to New York, has become the second largest international banking industry. Hosting over 150 financial institutions and over $61 billion in deposits, almost half of these are South American banks.

· Miami is the largest pleasure cruise ship port in the world.

· Miami-Dade County ranks 5th in the world among telecommunications centers.

· The Miami Free Zone is the world's largest privately owned and operated foreign trade zone. It is also the only FTZ whose charter is held by a chamber of commerce (Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce).

· The U.S. market has become much more attractive due to the fall of the dollar and the rise of the Euro and Pound. International buyers get much more value for their monies when purchasing in the U.S.; therefore, making the real estate market even more enticing.

BUYING NOW MAKES ABSOLUTE SENSE

The weak dollar will strengthen within the next 3 years. The change of the presidency and all the attention given to the economy currently will be the catalysts. An example of the effect of the dollar strengthening is as follows:

Currently €100,000=$155,000

Estimating that in 3 years the dollar would reach a more stable position of 1€ =$1.10. This would increase the current value of the €100,000 to €140,000 representing an additional 40% increase.

Real estate is the most secure form of investment in South Florida and Miami has become a stable place for investors to shelter their monies.
Real Estate in South Florida

The current real estate recession in South Florida is isolated to areas that have used poor planning as part of their growth. The areas of concern are Downtown Miami and Brickell. These two neighboring areas have created over developed communities in the effort of fast-tracking their development growth. Due to the over-development, prices have dropped in these areas and throughout South Florida.



THE LOWEST PRICE IS NOT THE BEST DEAL

Although these two neighborhoods present the best price, it also brings the most concern in trying to carry the costs of operating these buildings and establishing a resale value that will appreciate.


THE BEST VALUE

All products in South Florida are currently being discounted. The best value is in a product, which is located in cities with beaches, and cities that are young and have appreciation of real estate as part of the improvement plan. The City of Sunny Isles Beach meets both criteria as it is in surrounded by water with incredible beaches and marinas.

The City of Sunny Isles Beach is a young city established in l997 with a development plan that is supported by major developers such as The Related Companies, Turnberry Associates, Donald Trump and J. Milton & Associates. Billions of private equity dollars have been invested in this 2-½ mile-long beach city. To receive more information about Sunny Isles visit the web page at www.sibfl.net or contact me @ AndreShambley@keyes.com.