Author Archives: consultcorey

Three Bedroom Paradise at Portofino Tower

The experience of calling South Beach your home is perhaps rivaled only by the incomparable privacy of Fisher Island, the upscale community visible from South Beach. With South Beach condos like the Murano at Portofino, Apogee, and the Yacht Club at Portofino all providing great experiences, it’s difficult to choose which is the best one to live in. If you’re looking for the absolute best views however, you can’t go wrong with the soaring Portofino Tower.

As one of the tallest buildings in all of Miami Beach, the Portofino Tower’s southernmost location means the most glorious vistas of the majestic Atlantic Ocean plus the Miami Beach cityscape and more will always be visible as soon as you wake up. To fully enjoy the experience we’re highlighting Unit #2005 within the Portofino Tower. This is a stunning three bedroom, two bathroom residence with over 2,300 square feet of living area and it has not one but two balconies. Set down a small table, grab a comfy chair, and get ready to imbibe a breezy ambiance that is simply extraordinary.

The Portofino Tower has got a swimming pool, fitness center, and plenty of other amenities to complement its fantastic South Beach location. You’ll always be in the heart of all the action and the Portofino Tower is the perfect way to experience it all.

This update is presented by Miami Beach Realtor Tim Allen of Blackstone International Realty, specializing in the Portofino Tower.  If you are interested in Miami Beach condos such as the Portofino Tower South Beach condos for sale, call Continuum expert Tim at 305-588-2451 for information on sales and rentals.

Miami Beach’s Strict LEED Requirements

How important is climate change to you?  Are you the type that likes to reduce their carbon footprint as much as possible?  If you happen to be a Miami Beach resident, the city is looking to do just the same and will be penalizing future builders that don’t step up their efforts to become “greener”.  How so?  With a new ordinance that went into effect last month, builders planning on erecting any stricture that’s larger than 7,000 square feet must abide by new green building standards or they’ll be required to shell out for a five percent fee based on the structure’s cost of construction.

Had Miami Beach implemented the new ordinance about six years ago, the city could have generated roughly $60 million dollars that could have been used towards green initiatives, including installing electric vehicle charging stations or contamination clean up efforts.  Since these projects typically involve millions of dollars, the five percent fee is considerable.

Miami Beach’s ordinance is stricter and more ambitious than any other jurisdiction in all of South Florida.  These structures are required to have no less than a LEED gold certification if the builder wishes to avoid having to pay the five percent fee.

There is some debate that the ordinance could put the brakes on an already slow market, but there is no denying Miami Beach’s efforts to become environmentally conscious are ambitious and welcoming.

This update is presented by Miami Beach Realtor Tim Allen of Blackstone International Realty, specializing in the Portofino Tower.  If you are interested in Miami Beach condos such as the Portofino Tower South Beach condos for sale, call Continuum expert Tim at 305-588-2451 for information on sales and rentals.

Feng Shui and Home Staging

We all know that staging is a critical step in boosting the odds of selling a home.  Properly staging a home means ensuring that the furniture and décor provide a neutral yet welcoming feeling that attracts buyers and makes them feel at home.  Despite its simplicity there is a lot that goes into the process, and the feng shui technique can certainly help.

In Chinese culture feng shui is commonly used for buildings and home décor, designed to promote a balance of health, good fortune, harmony, and tranquility.  One of its fundamental principles is space.  When staging a home, it’s important to be aware of any spaces that might be constricting or blocking a path.  Is a table too close to the wall? It should be moved.  Minimalism is highly important in feng shui as it’s believed it allows the mind to be at ease.

The use of colors is another important principle of feng shui as a balanced color scheme creates harmony.  If the furniture has neutral colors like gray then the walls should have colors that pop like orange or blue, for example.

Nature is also used in feng shui as it’s believed that plants will clean the air of a home and reinforce a healthier ambiance.  A house plant for example, gives the feeling of inviting and warm.

Have you ever tried using feng shui in your home?

This update is presented by Miami Beach Realtor Tim Allen of Blackstone International Realty, specializing in the Portofino Tower.  If you are interested in Miami Beach condos such as the Portofino Tower South Beach condos for sale, call Continuum expert Tim at 305-588-2451 for information on sales and rentals.

Downtown Miami and Miami Beach

Miami Beach and Downtown Miami are practically right next door to each other, separated by Biscayne Bay and roadways like the MacArthur Causeway.  Considering the appeal of both of these areas, have you ever stopped to wonder how they differ? Let’s take a look.

Downtown Miami’s music week is marked largely by the annual Ultra Music Festival which continues to grow in popularity and draws a cast of young attendees.  Over in Miami Beach however, these young attendees usually spend music week lounging and partying by the pool at one of the trendy condos or hotels like Hyde Beach.

In terms of living situation, you’ll find people renting a unit at a building like Icon Brickell while telling a little white lie and saying they own.  Meanwhile, a Miami Beach resident might say he or she owns an Icon South Beach unit when really they’re just renting at the Flamingo.  Speaking of real estate, you’ll pay $50 million for a duplex penthouse at a building like the upcoming 1000 Museum while a combined unit penthouse at the Faena in Miami Beach commands $60 million.

When it comes to staying active, Downtown Miami residents can be found working out at the Equinox while Miami Beach residents arguably have a broader range of options, including Citi Bike, taking a hearty walk through Lincoln Road or a swim in the ocean.
This update is presented by Miami Beach Realtor Tim Allen of Blackstone International Realty, specializing in the Portofino Tower.  If you are interested in Miami Beach condos such as the Portofino Tower South Beach condos for sale, call Continuum expert Tim at 305-588-2451 for information on sales and rentals.

Colombia’s Connection to Miami

Foreign countries continue to be a major driving factor in the real estate market, and Latin American countries are among the biggest when it comes to buyers. In fact, for 17 of the last 19 months Brazil had held the top position in searches for South Florida real estate. However, Colombia is now making strong strides itself and has usurped Brazil as the top country for two straight months. This shift in position represents a strong connection between Miami and Colombia.

Although Colombia came in top place when it comes to Miami real estate searches in January, the nation actually falls down to third place in the percentage of actual South Florida home buyers, coming in behind Venezuela and Brazil.

Colombia’s connection to South Florida is also evident with the upcoming Trump International Hotel & Tower set to debut in the country’s capital city of Bogota. This building represents the third time the Trump organization has extended its efforts into South America.

Also worth nothing is the upcoming mixed-use building set to make its debut in Miami’s Edgewater neighborhood that’s being built by the development firm of Prodesa. With the firm of Arquitectonica overseeing the design, the 19-story building will comprise 372,932 square feet.
This update is presented by Miami Beach Realtor Tim Allen of Blackstone International Realty, specializing in the Portofino Tower. If you are interested in Miami Beach condos such as the Portofino Tower South Beach condos for sale, call Continuum expert Tim at 305-588-2451 for information on sales and rentals.

Useful Real Estate Apps

The majority of people kick start their home search online. Whether it’s through a website or a smartphone app, it’s much easier to do research from the comfort of your own home. Let’s explore some of the best apps used by real estate agents, buyers, and sellers that you might want to check out yourself.

Most of us are aware of sites like Trulia or Zillow and their apps are certainly quite popular. However, Redfin arguably has an advantage over these thanks to it ease of use. You can find out information such as how much a home was sold for just by standing in front of it and entering the address or touching an icon. It also tends to have the timeliest and most accurate information which is updated every fifteen minutes. The app also makes it easy to search for open houses.

Sellers looking to prep their home for a sale or existing homeowenrs that want to do some home improvement may want to check out Houzz, an app that provides design recommendations and a large collection of high-resolution photos that users can filter by keyword.

Homesnap makes things even easier by pulling up information on a home simply by taking a picture of it. You’ll be able to view property tax records as well as interior photos if the home is listed. All pictures are stored for future reference and are mapped out.
This update is presented by Miami Beach Realtor Tim Allen of Blackstone International Realty, specializing in the Portofino Tower. If you are interested in Miami Beach condos such as the Portofino Tower South Beach condos for sale, call Continuum expert Tim at 305-588-2451 for information on sales and rentals.

Great Events at This Year’s South Beach Wine & Food Festival

The South Beach Wine & Food Festival officially kicked off today and it is promising to be the biggest and best one yet. With events happening right here in Miami Beach and beyond, food and drink aficionados have lots of events to choose from, more than 75 in fact. If you’re trying to narrow down your options, we have a few highlights to consider.

Celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis will be making an appearance at the Delano Hotel tomorrow from 7 pm to 10 pm as the host of the Barilla’s Italian Bites on the Beach. Try some of her orzo meatball skewers or stay for the rigatoni stuffed with ricotta and prosciutto being prepared by local chef Nunzio Fuschillo.

Rachael Ray is hosting the tenth version of the Amstel Light Burger Bash taking place on the beach right behind the Ritz-Carlton on Friday at 10 am. Celebrities like Mike Piazza, Natalie Morales and Neil Patrick Harris will be stopping by to determine who wins the coveted Very Best Burger Award this year.

If you’re looking for something skewed towards the family, the Fun and Fit as a Family event is happening at Jungle Island on Saturday and Sunday. Kids will be learning the foundations of adopting a healthy lifestyle taught by chefs that have appeared on the Food Network. There is a food garden, beach sports, and an interactive kitchen.
This update is presented by Miami Beach Realtor Tim Allen of Blackstone International Realty, specializing in the Portofino Tower. If you are interested in Miami Beach condos such as the Portofino Tower South Beach condos for sale, call Continuum expert Tim at 305-588-2451 for information on sales and rentals.

Check Out the Portofino’s Most Opulent Penthouse Unit

The iconic and world-renowned Portofino Tower is one of Miami Beach’s signature fine living establishments. Located on 300 South Point Dr, within the exclusive South of Fifth area of South Beach, it soars over the city and ocean at 44 stories, making it one of the tallest buildings in the area. Subsequently, it offers unparalleled views, and its untold luxury makes it the premier fine-living destination for residents from all over the world. There is no denying it’s units are the cream of the crop, in particular the incredible PH-3.

This Portofino Penthouse is the pinnacle of luxury living. This state-of-the art mansion in the sky has it all: nearly 6,000sq.ft of interior space, 5 bathrooms, 4 bedrooms, 3 levels, 2 parking spaces, and 1 Rooftop Pool. Every finish, fixture, appliance and electronic system is custom and brand new. Soaring high above its SoFi neighbors, this residence offers 360 degree views of the ocean, South Beach and Miami Skyline. To top it off, a private elevator, Security System and floor-to-ceiling windows complete this opulent home.

Portofino Tower’s wide range of world-class amenities includes a swimming pool, tennis courts, fitness center, full-time concierge service, recreation room, and elegant four-story lobby. Its exclusive clubhouse is considered one of the finest in the city, offering a range of spa treatments, recreational activities, and more. As one of South Beach’s only gate-guarded condos, you can enjoy your paradise niche with the utmost peace of mind and privacy.

Best of all Portofino Tower’s ultra-exclusive South of Fifth locations allows you access to the most chic and upscale attractions in the city. Some of the best clubs, boutiques, and restaurants can be found right around the corner, to say nothing of the world-famous beachfront that is just a short walk away.

For more information on Portofino Tower Condos for Sale, contact Tim Allen by calling 305-588-2451.