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Showing posts with label Aventura. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Aventura. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Office space in Aventura - now available for lease







Aventura office space for lease is at your fingertips. If your business is looking to be in Aventura, Florida the Aventura executive offices and medical center building is the perfect location in 33180. This office building offers offices for rent at very reasonable prices and it's minutes from amazing restaurants and other businesses in Aventura. You are also right on Ives Diary Road, so jumping on I95 is quick and easy.

There are many real estate brokers focused on renting offices in Aventura; however, FIP Realty is the premier commercial as well as residential real estate company in the area. The office rentals in this building are handled by FIP Realty and they will do their best to make the accommodations for your business needs.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Share Our Strength's Taste of the Nation Fairmont Turnberry Aventura

Foodies and socialites from all over South Florida will descend on Aventura this Thursday for the annual Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation Miami at the Fairmont Turnberry Isle.

Attendees will have the chance to sample dishes and drinks from top chefs and mixologists — and all to support a good cause.

Read more: Share Our Strength's Taste of the Nation Fairmont Turnberry Aventura

cross posted on miami herald aventura channel
by: Jared Goyette

Monday, May 3, 2010

Terzetto Villas Aventura

The real estate market has totally changed in South Florida, that’s no secret. By now everyone has heard of the collapse and the increasing amount of foreclosures, short sales, and properties at auction. Aventura has not been immune from this current real estate change. Several years ago the project known as Terzetto at Aventura, located at 2805 N.E. 185th St. a few blocks east of U.S. 1, had an aggressive team to promote the pre-construction sales of their condos and villas.



Read Full Article about Terzetto Villas at Aventura

Monday, January 11, 2010

Abogados en Miami, Aventura Ft. Lauderdale

¿Necesita consejos sobre cómo encontrar el mejor abogado de su código postal? Nuestro mensaje sobre la búsqueda de un abogado y en línea bufete de abogados puede guiarlo en su búsqueda. En primer lugar, es importante identificar el tipo de abogado y bufete de abogados que usted necesita.

Aquí está una lista de las distintas áreas de la ley puede necesitar una lawwyer en Aventura, Boca Raton, Golden Isles, Hallandale, Hollywood, Plantation, Wilton Manors, o en otras áreas del condado de Dade y Broward, de manejar. Por favor revise esta lista con cuidado. Administrativo, Derecho Marítimo, la adopción, Publicidad, Derecho Aeroespacial, Agencia y Distribución, Agencia de Derecho, Derecho Agrario, Resolución Alternativa de Disputas, Animal Ley, Reglamento de Defensa de la Competencia y Comercio, de Apelación práctica, el arbitraje, el arte y bienes culturales, protección de activos, Automóvil Accidentes, Aviación, Derecho Bancario, quiebra, Biotecnología, Formación de Empresas, Derecho Comercial, Litigios Comerciales, Mercados de Capitales, la jurisprudencia, Química Derecho, el apoyo y custodia de menores, Derecho Procesal Civil, Derechos Civiles, la acción popular, Derecho Comercial, Litigios Comerciales, Derecho de la Comunicación, Derecho de la Competencia, Informática y Software, Derecho Constitucional, accidentes de construcción, Derecho de la Construcción, Derecho del Consumidor, Contratos, Sustancias Controladas, Derecho de Autor, Corporativo de Finanzas, Derecho Corporativo, Derecho Corporativo Litigios, Impuestos corporativos, de crédito e hipoteca, de Defensa Penal, Derecho Penal , Derecho Aduanero, deudor y acreedor, la discriminación, divorcio, violencia doméstica, drogas y estupefacientes, de DUI / DWI, Comercio Electrónico, la Ley de Educación, decano de Derecho, Derecho Político Electoral y, Beneficios para Empleados, Empleo y Trabajo, Energía, Entretenimiento Ley, Derecho Ambiental, Derecho de Equinos, Estate and Trust, Planificación Patrimonial, la ética, la Comunidad Europea, Derecho de Familia, la Ley Federal de Finanzas, Presupuesto Procesal, Planificación Financiera, Servicios Financieros, Franquicias, el fraude, la Ley de Juego, Práctica General, Gobierno, Gobierno Contratos, la Ley de Salud, Derechos Humanos, Inmigración, importación y exportación, de seguros y reaseguros, seguros de Defensa, Propiedad Intelectual, Inversiones Internacionales, Derecho Internacional, Comercio Internacional, Derecho de Internet, empresas conjuntas, Ley de menores, Uso del Suelo y Zonificación, el propietario y , el inquilino de Derecho, Economía Legal Legal, Ética, Mala praxis médica, la Ley de Limón, Licencias Litigios locales, municipales y del Estado de Derecho, Marketing Derecho, demandas colectivas, medios de comunicación, mediación, Derecho Médico, negligencia médica, Fusiones y Adquisiciones, Derecho Militar, Accidentes de Vehículos Motorizados, vehículos de motor, las Poblaciones Indígenas, Recursos Naturales, organizaciones, Servicios Offshore, Patentes, lesiones corporales, Personal Ley de Propiedad, Derecho Farmacéutico, Ley de Privacidad, Ley de Privatización, sucesiones, responsabilidad del producto, Responsabilidad Profesional, Negligencia Profesional, Responsabilidad Profesional , Financiación de Proyectos, Derecho de la Propiedad, Finanzas Públicas, Bienes Raíces, Ley Reguladora de Investigación y Desarrollo, RICO, Ciencia y Tecnología, Valores, delitos sexuales, acoso sexual, la Seguridad Social, Derecho Deportivo, Impuestos, Derecho de las Telecomunicaciones, de responsabilidad civil, de Viajes y Turismo , Toxic Torts, comercio, comercio e inversión, marcas, Violaciónes Tráfico, Transporte, Competencia Desleal, EE.UU. Tribunales Federales, Utilidades, White Collar Crime, testamentos y testamentaria, Compensación de Trabajadores, homicidio culposo.

Echa un vistazo a nuestro anuncio - Encontrar un abogado y en línea Law Firm.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Swine Flu Update

What's going on with the Swine Flu? We haven't heard much about this in a few months, is it gone? We're posting to remind everyone about the Swine Flu issue and to hear from readers. We'd like to know what you think about the Swine Flu and if it should be given so much attention.

Our post on the Swine Flu is worth checking out about companies that benefit from the Swine Flu. Click our link - Is Swine Flu a problem in South Florida?

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Maid Service



Sun Cleaning Maid Service & House Cleaning
101 S State Road 7 # 8
Margate, FL 33068

www.suncleaninginc.com

(954) 797-8686
(954) 255-0070

This maid service company is a professional and trustworthy team that has been in the house cleaning business for 19 years. They are now expanding to the Aventura Hallandale area and continue their maid service route in Ft. Lauderdale and Broward County.

"Many people get the feeling that their home is past the point of cleaning and it’s overwhelming. This may be true, but an outsider can see your home differently and know exactly where to start the housekeeping process. If you are located in Boca Raton, then you need a maid service in Boca Raton that will show up on time and get the job done right. The same is true for maid service and housekeeping anywhere in Ft. Lauderdale. Sun Cleaning is that maid service that will consistently give you the results you need to refresh your living space. They say, a clean home is a clean mind and it helps all aspects of your life."

Visit their feature article and view the Sun Cleaning video - Maid Service Today

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Foreclosures Aventura and South Florida


Great Deals on Homes

The foreclosure market in Aventura Fl and all over South Florida is growing. Many are waiting to see what Obama's plan will do to save their homes. In the meantime, there are many buyers that are only searching to buy foreclosure in Aventura. Aventura, FL. is packed with condos that are in foreclosure and it's causing prices to dip. If you are interested in foreclosures in Aventura or Find Foreclosures Nationwide check out websites online with a wealth of free foreclosure information.

The coupon above is a great way to test out one of the most respected and reliable foreclosure websites around. The key is to know what is going on in your area so that you can locate which bank owned properties in Aventura, REO, or short sale properties in Aventura are right for you.

Monday, February 2, 2009

Best Aventura Advertising Marketing PR Firm

The recent post on our dot com site was regarding advertising in Aventura. This has become a popular topic for business in a slumped economy. Companies are searching for ways to get the word out about their services, but want to get the best value for their marketing dollar. Many local businesses have found amazing value in our Aventura business network and the Aventura marketing using viral methods.

There are many companies that have switched their advertising and marketing strategies. They no longer use a high profile Miami marketing firm, Miami PR firm, or Miami advertising agency to handle their Aventura marketing. The marketing in Aventura can be done very effectively by utilizing certain hyper local Internet strategies.

Learn more and read full article regarding advertising to the Aventura market

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

USAJobNetworks.com Aventura Jobs unite




Recently, we were contacted by USAJobNetworks.com regarding their amazingly simple and useful widget. Typically, we are not easily impressed and excited about most new software and widgets. There’s so much on the market and everybody thinks they’re going to be the next Bill Gates, but in reality they’re just more static on the web. I know that’s harsh, but we tell it like it is; however, it was quickly apparent that USAJobNetworks.com was different. They were on to something GREAT.

If you take a look at our menu navigation bar you will notice a category labeled “jobs.” You will quickly see the menu navigation change and be replaced with Aventura sales jobs, Aventura legal jobs, Aventura medical jobs, Aventura marketing jobs, Aventura accounting jobs. This is the power of USAJobNetworks.com widgets. We now can offer our readers job listing in Aventura, FL. Many people our constantly searching different website for jobs in Aventura, with the help of the widgets we have a one stop shop for those looking for jobs in Aventura.

Read more about the job widgets by USA JOB NETWORKS .COM

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Self Storage Center Aventura




Do you need to find storage for furniture, inventory, collectibles, supplies, or other items? I'm pleased to announce the opening of a fantastic self storage center near Aventura, Florida. This is an air conditioned storage center that is exactly what you've been waiting to use. The most important feature is the convenience of the storage and the price. If you have never used a storage unit before, this is the perfect temporary location for your belongings. I found what I was looking for at Budget Mini-Storage in Aventura.





19500 West Dixie Highway
Aventura, FL. 33180
budgetmini@sentry-selfstorage.com
http://www.budgetmini.com/
305-931-6031

OFFICE HOURS
MON - FRI:
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
SATURDAY:
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
SUNDAY:
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

This storage center is a step above the competition by offering many helpful features. Here's a list of those features that make this self storage a no-brainer.


Covered truck level height loading docks



Drive through covered loading area



Truck rentals available



Business center with Internet access



Conference room available



Climate Controlled units



Month-to-Month leases



Computerized security



Packing materials available



Individually alarmed units



These are only a few of the great things about Budget Mini-Storage in Aventura. I'm confident that this storage center will have the right size storage unit you are looking to find. They have a variety of sizes to choose from, so you'll get the perfect fit.



5x5 Storage Unit



5x10 Storage Unit



5x15 Storage Unit



10x10 Storage Unit



10x15 Storage Unit



10x20 Storage Unit



If you need larger, just call and ask. The friendly staff will be glad to help you every step of the way. This storage center even offers U-HAUL trucks. Basically, it's a one stop shop for all your storage needs. Visit today and mention this blog post, you won't be disappointed.


View Larger Map

Monday, April 7, 2008

Brand Lighting services Aventura

BRAND LIGHTING SHOWROOM
"Lighting is an Art"


2930 SW 30th Ave
Hallandale, FL 33009
Call 954-456-1006
Monday to Friday 9 to 5 EST
Saturday 10 to 5 EST
Sunday Closed
E-mail sales@brandlighting.com
Website http://www.brandlighting.com/

I recently spoke with the owners of Brand Lighting, in Hallandale. They are lighting specialists that service residential and commercial clients. When I was at their showroom, they showed me several utilitarian and fashionable light fixtures. It was obvious that their slogan, "Lighting is an art," is true and can be applied to all interior and exterior spaces.

The lighting of the interior and exterior of condos in Aventura, homes in Golden Beach, and beachfront property in Sunny Isles Beach is not only viewed as a necessity, but can be a matter of style - some even consider it art. In order to elevate the visibility, functionality, and artistic style on the inside and outside of your home, you should consult a lighting professional. Brand Lighting, in Hallandale, is the place to go for this advice and all your lighting needs. A lighting company, in Broward county and Dade county, you can trust. They have countless clients in Aventura, Golden Beach, Sunny Isles, South Beach, Miami Beach, Hollywood, Bal Harbour and all over Dade and Broward county. Also, they have done business with many International clients as well as clients in Hawaii, Alaska, and South America.








VAN TEAL




Brand Lighting has a varied selection of lighting fixtures in their showroom (lighting store) near Aventura, Golden Beach, Sunny Isles, Hallandale, Bal Harbour, Hollywood, Surfside, and the surrounding areas. They have years of experience and professionalism that is recognized in the industry. In addition, their customer service is incredible. This is a family owned and operated business that does not believe in an aggressive sales strategy. Their concern is that you purchase what makes you happy. The Brand Lighting motto is "WE NEVER OVERSELL OR UNDERLIGHT."




Fine Art Lamps Chandelier

Brand Lighting has had a prominent showroom in their Hallandale location for fifteen (15) years; For over thirty (30) years they have been reputably servicing contractors, builders, designers and architects. I'm sure you've seen their sign from the west side of I95 between the Hallandale and Ives Diary Road exits. If not, take a look next time you drive by and you'll see a huge yellow billboard sign.


View Larger Map



Galileo Series in Brushed Brass/Magma Red with Round, Satin White Shade


When I spoke with the owners of the company, they told me a list of their clients both residential and commercial projects. Here's a short list of those clients.

In Aventura they did the lighting in the original Q Lounge at the Waterways. They worked with the developers of Portsview, Harborside, and Marina Cove. In addition, Brand lighting has worked with Baby Stars and the post office in Aventura Waterways Shoppes. Also, they did lighting design for Aventura Town Center building, Fresh Market, Country Club Estates, Golden Gate Estates and many other prestigious developments.

Bal Harbour Shops - Bulgari, Cartier, Oxygen, Roberto Cavalli, Sergio Rossi, Yves Saint Laurent
Furniture - Campaniello
Restaurants - Joe's Stone Crabs Miami Beach, Forge Restaurant Miami Beach, Fulvio's Hollwood
Art Galleries - Peter Lik Gallery, Rubell Family Collection
City - 12 Metro Rail Stations

This is only a quick glance at their client list. When you visit the showroom ask them to tell you about their experience and I'm sure you'll conclude their right for your job.

You can find any type of lighting at Brand Lighting's showroom in Hallandale. Visit their showroom and you'll be impressed at the attention you'll receive. It's really the best customer service in the business. This is essential to help you discover the correct lighting for your home or business. Take a look at the list below and you'll see most of the types of lighting fixtures and brands they carry.






Mazzega Riflessi



Brand Lighting will advise you on your Kitchen Lighting, Bathroom Lighting Fixtures, Bedroom Lighting, Ceiling Fans and Lights, Ceiling Light Fixtures, Chandeliers, and all other indoor and outdoor lighting.

Here are some of the most popular light companies.

Tech Lighting, Fanimation, Fine Art Lamps, Holtkotter, Hubbardton Forge, Modern Fan, Minka, Terzani, Van Teal, George Kovacs, Nulco, Estiluz, Mazzega, Leucos, Access, James Moder, Lightolier, Artemide and many other fine brands.

A popular light fixture is the one in the first photo above. It's called Stacking by Leucos Stacking. It's designed by David Rockwell and is a human-scale floor lamp inspired by Japanese lacquered stacking cups. It is comprised of individual cylinders of colored glass stacked to form a radiant decorative column. Stacking is offered in four distinct color combinations using multiples of amber, tobacco, white, smoked and mirrored glass. Contact Brand Lighting and ask them about it.

I highly recommend you visit the Brand Lighting showroom to speak with the professionals and you'll understand why this should be your only stop for all your lighting needs.

Sunday, April 6, 2008

CineMeeting Invitation for Real Estate Professionals

We at the City of Aventura blog would like to extend an invitation to all of the real estate professionals in Aventura, Sunny Isles, Golden Beach, Bal Harbour, and all of its surrounding areas. The invitation is to a CineMeeting called “Meeting the Market Challenge in 2008”. There will be a live telecast of panelists that every real estate professional should not miss! This is an event that every real estate broker should strongly recommend to their realtor associates to register for.
The featured panelists are: Brian Buffini, Chairman & Founder of Buffini & Company, America’s largest Real Estate Training and Coaching Company; Terry Watson, Founder & President of Watson World, Inc.; David Bach, Founder & President of FinishRich Media; Cara Heiden, Co-President, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage.

The event will be taking place at the AMC Aventura 24- Auditorium # 20, on Thursday, April 17th at 4:30PM.
19501 Biscayne Boulevard (The Aventura Mall).

The way to register is by clicking here and once at the webpage, click on the “attend a free local event” banner on the left hand side, and follow the registration process for Real Estate Professionals.
Seating is limited, so make sure to register as soon as possible.
We look forward to seeing you there!

Thursday, February 28, 2008

The Future of Healthy Living



I recently had the pleasure of running into an old friend of mine, Dr. Vladimir Turovsky of the Center for Integrative Medicine here in Aventura, and when I heard what he has created at his Biscayne Blvd. Clinic, I knew I had to share it with all Aventura residents.

It is apparent that residents of Aventura take healthy living seriously. Whether it’s the Country Club Drive circle that is always bursting with people running, walking, cycling, and rollerblading; or that we have not one but two health food markets, it is clear that the residents of Aventura have a conscious mind toward a healthy lifestyle. Yes, we strive to be physically fit and we enjoy fine meals, but how aware are we that our moods and our emotions are key factors, along with nutrition and exercise, in preventative medicine?

Since 1995 Dr. Turovsky has been helping people relieve pain and suffering with Oriental Medicine including acupuncture, physical therapy, natural herbs, and other remedies. His clinic welcomed and rehabilitated many people who were ailing after treatment in western medicine like pharmaceuticals, surgeries, etc.


Since I know Dr. Vladimir personally, I can share with you that he decided to become a Doctor of Oriental Medicine when he saw firsthand how acupuncture and proper diet helped his mother overcome serious health issues that brought her in and out of the hospital for months. There was no denying the positive change in his mothers’ health and quality of life. That’s when Vladimir realized that alternative health care is complimentary to western medicine and, in some cases, preferable.

As he explains, most people see acupuncture therapy as a last resort, something to try when all else fails! If they had only come to him as one of their first options of medicine, they may have not needed to suffer as long as they did. In fact, there are early warning signs of illness that we should be mindful of. Addiction and urges towards an unhealthy lifestyle (smoking, overeating) are symptoms of emotional unrest that if left unchecked will lead to serious health complications.

With this in mind, Dr Vladimir teamed up with several like-minded professionals, therapists, nutritionists, even a minister, to offer a comprehensive preventative health care clinic right here in Aventura. Their mission is to heal the hurt before it becomes chronic or irreparable. Services include a two-hour smoking cessation treatment and they guarantee you’ll walk out of the clinic a non-smoker. They also have had great success with weight reduction, even offering an appetite suppression treatment for those who “just want to lose a few pounds”. And there are no unwanted side effects with their therapies as nothing synthetic is introduced into the body.

For those of you who are afraid of needles, they now use state of the art lasers to treat a variety of conditions, including cravings for nicotine, fat, and sugar. Classical Acupuncture and Laser Therapy help the body be and do what it’s supposed to, naturally.

The clinic still treats pain and ailments but hopes to expand its reach into the healthy living community and to educate the public on the benefits of taking care of our moods and emotions before they cause disease in the body. They even offer a 20 minute anxiety/stress relief therapy. Workaholics can schedule one on their lunch break.
Their combination of consultation and treatment make for unparalleled service and professionalism. The moment you meet Vladimir and his partners, you feel their warmth and heartfelt desire to assist you in living the best life possible.
For more information, please visit their websites:

http://www.smokefreelc.com/ or http://www.weightlosswithlaser.com/
You can also visit their physical location: 20636 Biscayne Blvd.



Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Mortgage Mistakes for Aventura Residents to Avoid

Happy new year to all of Aventura, South Florida. At a time of year when people decide to change their lives in some positive way with a resolution, I thought I would share an article with all of you residents of Aventura that will hopefully be a resolution for all in regards to mortgages. Whether you already own a home in Aventura, or are looking to make a home in Aventura you should always make sure to make important decisions regarding your financing. I found an interesting article regarding 8 mortgage mistakes a person can make, and thought to share it with all of our Aventura readers.
Feel free to contact me through our email for any assistance in your residential financing needs.

8 big mortgage mistakes and how to avoid them
You can borrow too much or prepare too little. You can misjudge terms or overestimate your credit. With so much at stake, it’s no wonder so much can go wrong.
By Liz Pulliam Weston
Applying for a mortgage can be a daunting experience.
It's not enough that you're agreeing to take on the biggest debt of your life, one that represents two to three times your annual income. You're also confronted with piles of paperwork, flurries of fees and a tidal wave of terms, from amortization to title insurance, whose meaning is fuzzy at best.
"Whether it's a professor at Stanford or a ditch digger," said San Francisco mortgage broker Leon Huntting, "most people don't understand the loan process."
In this confusing and pressure-filled atmosphere, it's easy to make some mistakes. Here are some common ones that lenders and mortgage brokers see, and what you can do to prevent them.
Not fixing your credit
Mortgage brokers say they're confounded at the number of buyers who apply for a mortgage with their fingers crossed, hoping their credit will allow them to qualify for a loan.
Before you even think about applying for a mortgage, obtain copies of your credit report and your FICO credit score. Your FICO score is the three-digit number that's used in 75% of mortgage-lending decisions. You can order your FICO score on the Web for a fee of $14.95, which includes a copy of your credit report.
Doing this at least six months in advance should give you plenty of time to challenge any errors on your report and ensure that they're removed by the time you're ready to apply for a loan. You can also see the legitimate factors that are hurting your score and do something about them, such as paying off an overdue bill or paying down credit card debt.
Not looking for first-time home buyers' programs
These programs, typically sponsored by state, county or city governments, often offer better interest rates and terms than you'll find among private lenders, said mortgage consultant Diane St. James. Some are tailored for people with damaged credit, while most can help people with little saved for a down payment.
Some of these resources are listed on St. James' educational Web site, ABC Mortgage Consulting. You can also call the housing agencies for your state, county and city to see what they offer.
Not getting pre-approved for a loan
Many first-time borrowers confuse being "pre-qualified" with being "pre-approved." Pre-qualification is a pretty casual process, where a lender tells you how much money you probably can borrow based on how much money you make, how much debt you already have and how much cash you have for the down payment.
Getting pre-approval, by contrast, is a much more rigorous process and involves actually applying for a loan. You typically submit tax returns, pay stubs and other information. The lender verifies the information and checks your credit. If all goes well, the lender agrees in writing to make the loan.
In a hot or even warm real estate market, the house hunter who is only pre-qualified is a cooked goose. Home sellers and their agents give much more weight to offers being made by buyers who already have a loan lined up.
Borrowing too much money
Many people take out the biggest loan they possibly can, figuring that their incomes will eventually increase enough to make the payments comfortable. But few first-time buyers have any clear idea of how expensive homeownership can be. Not only will you shell out more for mortgage payments than you probably did for rent, but you'll also need to cover property taxes and homeowners insurance, as well as higher bills for utilities, maintenance and repairs than you faced as a renter.
Lenders are perfectly willing to let you overextend, knowing that you'll probably forgo vacations, retirement savings and new clothes for the kids rather than default on your mortgage.
"Mortgage money … is way too easy to get," said Ted Grose, president of the California Association of Mortgage Brokers. "People tend to overbuy … and that can really stress family life. It's also a formula for foreclosure."
Instead of going to the edge of affordability, consider limiting your housing costs -- mortgage payments, property taxes and homeowners insurance -- to 25% or so of your gross income. That's a much more sustainable level for most people, financial planners say, than the 33% lenders are typically willing to give you.
Not shopping around for rates and terms
Mortgage broker Allen Jackson of Bristol Home Loans in Bellflower, Calif., sees too many borrowers with decent credit getting stuck with loans meant for people with poor credit. So-called "subprime" loans are often more profitable, so less ethical mortgage brokers may push them.
If the borrower doesn't know what the prevailing interest rates are for someone with their credit standing, Jackson said, they can easily pay thousands of dollars more than they need to. You can see a listing of loan rates by credit score at MyFico.com, and a comprehensive listing of prevailing rates and fees can be found in MSN Money's Banking area.
Even people with a few dings on their credit can often qualify for better loans than they're typically offered, said Grose of 1st Mortgage Advisors in Los Angeles. He believes most of the people being shunted into government loan programs, such as Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans, would pay less if they used mortgages now being offered by private-sector lenders.
Paying junk fees
Lenders can boost their profits by adding on a variety of fees. Some may be legitimate, some may be inflated and others may be pure fluff. Lenders may charge for "document preparation," for example, when all that involves typically is having a computer spit out a form. Or they may charge $150 for a credit check that cost them $15.
The time to challenge junk fees is not when you're about to sign the loan papers. Use a mortgage broker or call a number of lenders to compare their loans. Ask about the interest rate, the "points" charged to get that rate (each point is 1% of the total loan amount) and any other fees the lender charges. Then you can compare terms.
Once you've selected a lender, you'll be given a good-faith estimate of closing costs, which should include any fees being charged. Ask about each fee, and try to negotiate down the ones that seem excessive.
If the lender won't negotiate, "take that estimate to someone else," St. James said. "I'll bet they can beat it."
Unfortunately, this doesn't absolutely guarantee you won't face junk fees when it comes time to sign the loan. Many borrowers complain that they still face higher costs than were originally estimated, and so far the federal government has done little to prevent the practice. You can try challenging junk fees at this point, but most likely you'll have to bite the bullet and pay the fees to get your loan.
Not planning for closing costs
The day you're scheduled to get your loan, known as closing, you'll also be expected to write a check for a number of expenses, which typically include attorney's fees, taxes, title insurance, prepaid homeowners insurance, points and other lenders' fees. Together, these are known as closing costs, and the total can be eye-popping: somewhere between 2% to 7% of the selling price of the house.
"Usually, when people see the closing costs, they're like a deer in the headlights," said mortgage broker Hunting, who works for Pacific Guarantee Mortgage. "It's much more than they ever think it's going to be."
Plan for closing costs by getting a good-faith estimate from your lender as early in the loan process as possible. Make sure you have the cash on hand (or rather, in your checking account) and that it doesn't "disappear" before closing because of sloppy bookkeeping or a last-minute emergency.
Not having enough cash on hand after closing
After borrowing too much, and scraping together every last dime for closing costs, many home buyers have nothing left in the bank to pay for anything unforeseen happening --and something unforeseen always happens.
"It costs so much just to move in," Grose said. "Then the water heater breaks."
Some people are so tapped out by the process, Jackson said, that they're not able to make their first mortgage payment on time. That's why "more and more lenders are requiring [borrowers have] three months' reserves after closing," Jackson said.
That's a smart idea for borrowers, anyway. Having three months' reserves, which means a fund equal to three months' worth of expenses, will help you handle the added costs of homeownership with much less stress.
Liz Pulliam Weston's column appears every Monday and Thursday, exclusively on MSN Money. She also answers reader questions in the Your Money message board.

Monday, December 24, 2007

Aventura Scent: The Power of Scent

I am not a scientist by any means, but I’ve been interested, and have researched the different ways scents affect people’s emotions, thoughts, and even actions. There are so many different ways that Aventura residents can use scents to positively shape things in their lives.
People don’t realize how strongly they are affected by different smells. The olfactory sense, which is the sense of smell, is interpreted by the part of the brain that is concerned with our emotions. Our emotions affect our thoughts, and therefore our actions. Even if a person is not conscious of it, the smell of something will affect their emotions. Smells are processed by the limbic system of the brain. This is an older, primitive part of the brain used to detect danger, fire, poison, or prey. Because the smell is recognized in the limbic area, it translates to a feeling or emotion and very often to a reaction. Scent has been an increasing tool being used in marketing because of its proven positive affects on sales.
You may be asking yourself why I’m interested in this, and the answer is simple. I want to live, work, and play in positive environments. I also want to share my thoughts about this subject to hopefully help Aventura residents become more successful at home, and in business, because success breeds happiness!
Having a friendly aroma has a positive, appealing, and emotional effect.
Let’s start making Aventura smell better!
Add some aromas to any part of your life and see (smell) the positive effects it has!

Here are some links to articles that I have read, and where my information is from.

http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=51943
http://www.unilever.com/ourbrands/aroundthehouse/articles/incorporatingthepowerofscent.asp
http://www.brandweek.com/bw/news/leisuretrav/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002726460

Sunday, December 16, 2007

Real Estate in Aventura

Another great article submitted by an Aventura resident. You send it, we post it...

Real Estate in Aventura

There have been several posts on this Aventura Florida blog relating to real estate in Aventura. I decided to review each of the Aventura real estate posts and concluded that there is not a post regarding the decision to buy or sell real estate in Aventura. That’s when I knew taking the time to submit an article would have value. The goal of this article is to provide readers a highly rated destination on the topic of Aventura Florida real estate.

The City of Aventura Florida Blog is the key website for you to educate yourself when making a decision to invest in or sell Aventura real estate. Selling a home in Aventura Florida is a choice that is usually made by owners that wish to upgrade their current Aventura condo, while some return to their home country or state. Buying real estate in Aventura can be tricky and must be done carefully. The City of Aventura Florida Blog provides the most comprehensive Aventura real estate analysis which has been created to educate the residents of Aventura Florida who either own, rent, are buying, or selling real estate in Aventura.

I was impressed with the post regarding Florida short sales. It’s a great overview of short sales in Florida. This will prove to be relevant as pre-foreclosures, foreclosures, lis pendens, and short sales in Aventura are increasing daily. Furthermore, the various posts about the mortgage industry in Florida are very helpful. This article should be just as valuable for Aventura Florida residents.

If you are looking for an exciting place to live, Aventura is the right place. There are many amazing restaurants in Aventura. Also, there are plenty of shopping options available at the Aventura Mall. Those families looking for a great school, Aventura has a charter school that is highly rated. Aventura Florida is a city that has it all and is a perfect place to call home. When you are searching for Aventura real estate or any Florida real estate it’s advised that a professional real estate agent assist you in the process.

I have put together a short list of great links that are very helpful when doing research about the City of Aventura in Florida. I recommend that these links be added to the sidebar of this website. If you agree, please send an email to the blog contributors.


Aventura City Map


Aventura Building Permits


Aventura City Commission


Aventura Community Development


Aventura Community Services


Aventura Programs


Aventura City Contacts


I hope that these Aventura city links are useful for the residents of Aventura. These links are key areas on the website that I visit on a weekly basis. Sorry I had no time to take cool pictures of Aventura, but since most of you live here you know what the city looks like. I anticipate that this Aventura city overview will be helpful and give you some insight and valuable content regarding Aventura Florida.

That’s all I got for my first article submission, hope you liked it.

– Jerry Goldschmitz, Aventura resident since 1999

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Aventura Votes!

As a follow up to my November 8th post about the property tax ballot, I wanted to share some pertinent information with all our readers in Aventura and its surrounding cities. We will have an opportunity to have our voices heard on January 29th, 2008, whether or not we are for or against the property tax reform. I was able to find a very clear explanation of what exactly Aventura, and all Florida residents, will be deciding. I want to emphasize that I do not think this reform is the ultimate solution, but I do oppose the notion to vote against it, with the hope that by doing so the State Government would be forced to come up with a better solution. My opinion is that we need relief now, and we are going to have the opportunity to make that happen January 29th. Once that is accomplished, we should continue to apply pressure for another, more appealing amendment. Lori Parrish at the Broward County Property Appraiser’s office highlights the main points of the property tax reform proposal, with the addition of an explanation of the proposal from The Florida House of Representatives, on the Broward County Property Appraiser’s website.

Click here for the explanation of the proposal



Friday, November 16, 2007

A Passion for Aventura Lifestyle

With Aventura being one of the top ranked cities offering quality
living, luxury real estate, and attracting upscale business, you
can expect the successful and wealthy to make this a top choice to
make their home. Beyond the 24hr service of living in an upscale condo and elite amenities, or being part of a waterfront community lies a fundamental drive for this lifestyle which the successful can attest to, and that is Passion. It is not just for how you live, but what you do in life and how you accumulate abundance and wealth. Successful people thrive on their passion (it’s a constant mindset) and follow their natural energy. They don’t have to forge on to work or feel dissatisfied with their career. Passion is a process rather than goals which are about outcomes. More and more society is seeing younger entrepreneurs. Kids are doing things that they truly enjoy without any judgments from the world, and then it becomes a million dollar passion. Passionate people are visionaries that blow their dreams out of proportion and engulf the lives of others and dare them to live theirs as well.
“Pursuit of passion is so basic and intimate to life.” (a quote from Dr.Hagrlin a world authority on unified quantum field theories). In the book The Passion Test by Janet Bray Attwood and Chris Attwood. If you’re interested in what your passions are I suggest taking The Passion Test it will help you identify yours and put you on the road to a fulfilling life. It’s one that I use myself and for my clients that I coach.

- Contributed by Amanda Arcilla

Thursday, November 8, 2007

The Property Tax Issue

What does the property tax ballot mean to you?

The City of Aventura has been one of South Florida’s hottest real estate spots. It has become one of the most sought after places to live. Aventura boasts an “everything is at the tip of your finger” type of living, with everything from groceries, libraries, entertainment, the Aventura Mall, and more at walking distance from your home.
Aventura residents, and all Floridians are faced every day with the property tax issue. The debates over the property tax reform have been going on for over a year now, yet nothing has been done! Finally there will be a property tax ballot that all Florida residents will have an opportunity to vote on. This issue affects all Aventura residents, whether a homeowner or a renter, and the future homeowners and renters. The issue has been debated for way too long, and we all need something to be done. It may not be exactly what people want as a reform, but it's a start.
Here is how some housing industry groups feel about the forthcoming ballot.

Saturday, November 3, 2007

Traffic in Aventura

The traffic in Aventura has been an issue of major concern once the city hit its growth spurt. I live here all year and know what streets to avoid during certain times. I've been stuck on Biscayne Blvd., in front of Loehemann's, in the afternoon for easily a half hour to discover I've only moved three blocks. I never drive around The Venture condos in late afternoon. Once the Aventura Charter school lets out in that area, the cars are gridlocked around the corner - it's a mess. There are plenty of other intersections that are a must to stay away from during certain hours.

The City of Aventura is well aware of these problems and takes the congestion very seriously; however, condo construction managed to continue at a rapid pace. This will definitely be a topic worth exploring in more detail.

The reason I bring up the traffic in Aventura today is because I received an email from one of our readers concerning a specific location. This spot is a cause of some frustration to this Aventura resident and he deserves to be heard. Please take a moment to read the email he sent me. I added a few photos of the area, sometimes seeing a location helps you remember. Who knows, maybe others feel the same way?


Received on Oct. 29th 2007 -

Hi guys: about the traffic light at 178th & Bisc.--

Southbound on US 1 and 178th I've seen dozens of cars make u-turns against a red light to US 1 northbound or left turns into Point East during both daylight hours and night time.

(This location is a few blocks from Houston's Restaurant and Morton's Steakhouse)




The northbound traffic sometimes is heavy, I'll admit, but most of the time there is ample opportunity to make the turns safely against a red light that is inordinately long.

Not being a traffic engineer, but certainly being a card-carrying mavin, I would suggest removing the turn signal as it presently is and replacing it with a flashing red arrow, meaning "stop, and when traffic permits, turn".

'T would sure save a lotta frayed nerves.

Thanx for the opportunity to get heard.

Seth Lefkow