Zilbert's Miami Beach and South Beach Real Estate Blog

The Fairchild Botanic Garden is dedicated to the exploration, explanation and conservation of the world of tropical plants. The location is one of the first for research and education-based gardens in the entire world, and is a recognized conservation leader. The cycad and palm collections at the Fairchild Botanical Gardens are a part of the North American Plant Collections Consortium of the American Public Gardens Association (APGA).

The organization’s educational program reaches around 50,000 school children every year. The garden also hosts popular events like the Chocolate and Orchid Festivals, the International Mango and the Ramble. Plant society shows and concerts are held at the Fairchild Tropical Gardens as well, and plants are sold at the location as well. The funds go to continue the development of the gardens, as it is a nonprofit organization that relies on the financial support of 40,000 benefactors and members. The garden also has 1,200 volunteers.

The Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is 83 acres, and in addition to palms and cycads, the garden features a number of tropical vines and flowering trees. The garden is in metropolitan Miami, south of Coral Gables, and surrounded at the west and south by Matheson Hammock Park. The garden is internationally recognized for its extensive research, along with its horticulture programs, and opened to the public in 1938.

While the gardens are breathtakingly beautiful and guests come from all around to view them, Fairchild is also a museum, learning center, conservation research facility and laboratory. However, the main objective of the facility is to preserve biodiversity, and the garden staff, volunteers and scientists contribute to this objective daily. Fairchild become the home of the American Orchid Society in 2012.

Be sure to check out Venetian Goral Gables – a Zilbert Condo near Fairchild Gardens.

Events at the garden include the Plant ID Workshop, which is held on the first Friday of every month. The next session will occur on June 7, 2013 at 1pm. If you have a plant in your garden that you’re not sure about, you can bring it to the Herbarium so the scientists at the Fairchild Botanic Garden can uncover the origin of the plant. Space is limited for the event to the first 12 people who reserve their spot online.

Photos of plants are not recommended; the garden encourages guests to bring real plant specimens. The workshop will take place at the Fairchild Center for Tropical Plant Conservation in the front seminar room, which is at 11935 Old Cutler Road in Coral Gables.

Admission into the garden is $25 for adults, $12 for children between the ages of 6 and 17 and $18 for seniors. Fairchild members and children 5 and under are admitted for free. The garden is open Monday through Friday from 9:30am to 4:30pm. On Saturdays and Sundays, the garden is open to the public from 7:30am to 4:30pm. The garden is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

Moving from your home can be a stressful experience. Regardless of whether you are moving across town or two states away, it is a process that requires time, organization, and a plan.

If you are selling your home, you probably are already trying to pare down your belongings. Less clutter in your home will result in a quicker sale, easier staging and a reduction in relocation cost, due simply to volume. If you are buying your home, its best to curtail spending until the close of escrow for two reasons; less to move and your finances look better for loan qualification.

As a home seller or home buyer, it is paramount to recognize the time you will need to spend on transitioning your home. Take all deadlines and estimates seriously and make a plan early that breaks down the steps of your move.

Add Order to Your Move
Create lists that detail your timelines and milestones. Plan when your moving date is and then step through the weeks between and set specific dates when you will hire movers or pick up boxes and bubble wrap. Think about how you want to notify neighbors of your move and who might help you as your seek to sift through your belongings.

You can elect to pack up your home room by room, color coordinate labels, or enlist the help of others if you approach the move to your home with lists that are easily understood, too. Recognize that you can always call in help if needed through rental, moving and cleaning services and friends if you discover your plans are being frustrated.

It’s Hard To Say Goodbye
Though your move will undoubtably be a good thing long-term, any change can be difficult. As you consider leaving friends, co-workers, and relatives on your new adventure, try to plan a last activity where you can all connect, update contact information, and relax. You’ll find that moving can be an emotional whirlwind and having your support group invested in your success will make it easier. If you have children and pets, recognize that they are moving too and plan extra activities and decompression time for them as well.

Stay Well During The Move
Even if you’re the best planner, be prepared for the unexpected. Getting enough sleep, healthy eating, and taking care of yourself will help you adjust to mix-ups and changes. Rely on your lists to give you direction throughout all stages of your move and help you more fully enjoy and embrace relocating your home.

The Sanford L. Ziff Jewish Museum is housed in the copper-domed, restore Beth Jacob Orthodox Synagogue and opened in 1995. The facility displays art and artifacts that showcase more than 230 years of Jewish culture in Florida. A decade-long study of Jews in Florida led to the uncovering of 10,000 artifacts, mementos and photographs on display in the MOSAIC exhibit, which became the museum’s core collection in 1996. There is a running video in the museum that exhibits the achievements and struggles Jews encountered when they landed on the Florida coast.

The primary objective of the exhibition program at the Sanford L. Ziff Museum is to promote the mission of the facility—that is, to preserve, collect and artistically interpret the Jewish experience in the state of Florida since 1763. Tolerance education and community involvement have instrumental roles in the program. The museum draws the support of both Jewish and non-Jewish communities by offering diverse exhibition topics and relating all its themes to a multicultural audience.

The types of exhibits featured in the museum must meet the facility’s mission to illustrate the diversity and rich culture of Jewish life, along with the innovative ways that Jews in Florida have influenced the history and culture of the state, the U.S., and the world. The core exhibit reveals the immigration story that all people can relate to. It explores one ethnic group and the challenges to balance the retaining of cultural identity with the pressure and necessary of assimilation in some cases. This is a challenge that all groups can understand. Similarly, the museum seeks to create a balance in the creation of exhibits that are for temporary showing, to appeal to a varied audience.

The Jewish Museum chronicles Jewish heritage through films, exhibits and lectures. The MOSAIC exhibits displays more than 500 photos and artifacts. The facility also explores the Jewish roots of Latin America. Additional events include:

• The Kickoff for Jewish American Heritage Month: Jews & Entertainment. This will take place May 5, 2013 at 2pm. There will be presentations by Professor Stephen Whitfield of Brandeis University and Marcia Jo Zerivitz, who is the founding executive director of the Jewish Museum of Florida. These professionals will explore how Jews, who makeup jut two percent of the population, had and continues to have a significant impact on the nation’s culture.
• Lunch & Learn: The German Judiciary & Nazism. This event will be May 10, 2013 at 1pm. The event will be conducted by Judge Juergen Maruhn, who will present a lecture to explain the judicial system of Germany during Adolf Hitler’s rule, and how the German government permitted decisions to be made that were against natural and moral law.
• Fryd on Fire by Carol Fryd Members Only Exhibit Opening Reception. This event is on May20, 2013 at 6pm. This is an exploration of the imagination of Carol Fryd, whose artwork depicting the cultural picture of Miami with fruit and flora.

The Sanford L. Ziff Jewish Museum is located at 301 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, FL 33139. For more information on tickets and upcoming events and exhibits, call 305.672.5044, or visit www.jewishmuseum.com.

Feel free to browse the Zilbert Blog for more home improvement tips, Miami community news & stories. Searching for real estate investment in Miami? Zilbert International Realty will help you find Miami luxury condos and homes for sale in Miami.

Home buyers everywhere are bemoaning the lack of inventory and if you happen to be in the market to buy your home, there are a few things you should know.

When you find the perfect home, make an offer.

Don’t wait, don’t bargain.

Offer your best possible price and a high deposit with all your personal details, including a fantastic story about why you want why you NEED that house to be your home!

You see, the offer you write may be your ONLY chance to win the home, your home, and you want to give it your best shot.

In a housing market, like ours, where inventory is low and homes are only staying on the market for a short amount of time, multiple offers are being submitted on each home. Most are near or at asking price and some are beyond it.

Home sellers need to evaluate several offers and if yours is one of many (your agent should be able to tell you if other parties have indicated interest), it needs to stand out. That’s where your story comes in (along with your best price offer and earnest deposit).

3 Steps to Writing the Best Offer For Your Home

1. Offer up as much cash as you can in the form of an earnest deposit with the best possible price you can pay.
2. If you need lending, get pre-approved and formalize it by including a letter from your lender as part of your offer.
3. Write a from the heart appeal that explains your feelings about the house and why you need their home to be your home. If you have a good personal story, share it as well. Some home sellers are motivated by more than price and if they can “see” you in the home, it could make a difference.

Miami Memorial Day Weekend 2013 Hotel & Party Packages

Come stay in style at the world famous Catalina Hotel and Beach Club as seen on the CW network! Three & four night stay packages available. Secure your hotel accommodations now! As a hotel guest, you can stay in the heart of South Beach in a plush hotel for 3 or 4 nights. Rates include 24-hour pool access, open bars and more!

Special rates available from:
Thursday, May 23 through Monday, May 27, 2013

Prices range:
$50 to $75 a night

Address & phone:
The Catalina Hotel
1732 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 674-1160

To purchase

Memorial Weekend Beach Bash

Join Jungle Island as they kick off the summer months and the official opening of their private beach, La Playa, with a special beach bash! Experience the deliciousness of summer this Memorial Day weekend with a BBQ lunch when you purchase a general admission ticket. Kids will love the water activities, bounce houses and more. Enjoy an array of fun things to do and see including their exciting shows and attractions!

When:
10 a.m.
Saturday, May 25, 2013

Where:
Jungle Island
1111 Parrot Jungle Trail
Miami, FL 33132

Admission:
Adults: $34.95
Children ages 3-10: $26.95 (plus tax)
(Not valid with any other discounts.)

Phone: (305) 400-7000

Event website

Miami Memorial Weekend 2013 Yacht Party

Rock the yacht, shorts & stilettos edition aboard the South Beach Lady Yacht!

When:
Sunday, May 26, 2013

Boarding time: 7:30pm
Departs: 8:30 p.m. sharp!
Returns: Midnight

Where:
South Beach Lady Yacht
301 N. Biscayne Blvd.
Miami, FL 33132
(Next to The Intercontinental Hotel)

Price: $50

Event website

Phone: (718) 930-3959

Memorial Day Weekend Comedy Festival

Some of the featured entertainers scheduled that evening are: Bruce Bruce, Corey Holcomb, Shawty Shawty, Cocoa Brown and Red Grant.

When:
8 p.m.
Sunday, May 26, 2013

Where:
James L. Knight Center
400 SE Second Ave.
Miami, FL 33131

Price: $89 – $524.

Event website

Phone: (305) 350-7910

Sounds from Miami Memorial Day Weekend

South Florida VIP and IL Bacio presents sounds from Miami on Sunday, May 26, 2013, from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. No school or work Monday so no excuses! The event will be held rain or shine.

This is the 3rd annual white attire party and the best sounds of tech house from Miami! There will be two rooms and 10 DJ’s spinning live with a night full of surprises. Every year on Memorial Day, IL Bacio becomes party central for all the house heads in South Florida, and this year they have a line-up that will keep you dancing all night long!

When:
Sunday, May 26, 2013

Where:
IL Bacio
29 SE Second Ave.
Delray Beach, FL 33444

Price: $10 – $20

Phone: (561) 865-7785

Pow-TV.Net presents its 3rd annual Miami Memorial Day weekend event!

Your fun-filled weekend will feature:

• Three daytime signature theme parties
• An explosive nightlife South Beach experience
• A-List artists/celebrities
• The nation’s top DJ’S & radio personalities
• Supermodels and video vixens
• NBA & NFL Athletes

When:
7 p.m.
Monday, May 27, 2013

Where:
Catalina Beach Club
1756 Collins Ave.
Miami Beach, FL 33139

For more info: call 646-397-0882 or e-mail Powtv.Net@gmail.com

Note: All people who buy tickets through Pow-TV will be placed on a will call list and will be able to pick their passes up at the cashier on the day of the event. There are no single day passes available.

Feel free to browse the Zilbert Blog for more  Miami community news & stories. Searching for real estate investment in Miami? Zilbert International Realty will help you find Miami luxury condos and homes for sale in Miami.

The Country Club of Miami has two wonderfully manicured courses, completed with lush fairways, new greens that have recently been re-grassed and 36 championship holes. The Club showcases a Robert Trent Jones design and was founded in 1961—Arnold Palmer was the Club’s first professional. Jackie Gleason, who is the Country Clubs most famous resident and member, hosted celebrity golfers like Bing Crosby and Bob Hope. Lee Trevino won his fourth professional at the location, and Jack Nicklaus played his first professional tournament here.

The country club’s West Course is 7,017 yards and is a par-72 course with a slope of 132. It is hosted by the 1991 Senior PGA Tour National Qualifying School. The treacherous bunkers, pleasantly green, beautiful fairways and rolling greens provide a challenging adventure for any golfer. The West Course was also the original site for the former National Airlines Open. The East Course at the Country Club of Miami is 6,353 years and has a par-70 layout with a 124 slope. It requires strategy and shot placement for both beginner and expert golfers.

The new grass driving range, areas for putting and chipping and large pitching, along with PGA instructors, provide guidelines for golfers to improve their games.

The Country Club of Miami also has a spacious restaurant that can accommodate 300 guests, along with an aesthetically pleasing dining area and bar.

Choose the Country Club as the site for your next golfing event to experience the stellar service the professional staff offers. From the very moment you start coordinating your golf tournament until the last trophy is awarded and the final guest departs, the staff is here to serve. There are several hassle-free event packages that you can choose from, or you can work with the staff to create a customized package that will meet your needs. Those interested in holding an event at the Country Club of Miami are encouraged to visit the organization’s website, www.golfccmiami.com for additional information.

Each Wednesday, the country club hosts an ongoing 9-Hole Golf League at 5:30pm. There is a $26 fee, which includes golf and a buffet, along with happy hour drink pricing and golfing awards. The format of the event changes each week, and golfers can pair up with anyone they select. There is no registration required.

If you’re ready to start your very own golf league at the Country Club of Miami, grab some friends and your golf clubs. Golf leagues with 12 or more players can take advantage of special rates and greens fees. You can reserve your own tee time each week. The pro shop staff coordinates prizes and contests. For more information, contact John Miller at miller1@miamidade.gov or 305-829-8456.

The venue that brought music and entertainment lovers in Miami artists like Ellie Goulding, Grace Potter, The xx and the Nocturnals was facing the very real possibility of being closed for good. It has been confirmed that two firms are competing for ownership of the property. South Beach ACE is promising to renovate and preserve the Fillmore, while Portman CMC aims to completely rebuild the property into a smaller venue for shows.

A number of entertainment enthusiasts in the area didn’t agree with the latter idea at all, as the plan would limit the amount of space available for concert-goers to enjoy their favorite artists. Sources like the Black Key Group urged those in the Miami area to do their part to keep the Fillmore up and running as is, so that a variety of recording artists will have a venue to perform shows in when coming to Miami Beach. Efforts, fortunately, have been successful. Those who want to know more about what they can do to keep the Fillmore open now are encouraged to draw inspiration from the professionals at Sweat Records, and are invited to attend the community meeting on May 13 to discuss the tentative project for the Fillmore.

According to The Real Deal, the Miami Beach theater will be spared from being demolished after one of the developers in the running for the Fillmore’s $1 billion remodeling venture succumbed to protested, which was reported in the Miami Herald.

The Fillmore Miami Beach theater was build in 1957 and was made famous when actor and comedian Jackie Gleason broadcast his variety show at the theater in the 1960s, and was named after the performer shortly after he passed away in 1987. The eponymous structure was renovated in 2007, and preservationists couldn’t seek a historic significance that would keep the building from being destroyed by the wrecking ball.

The City of Miami Beach plans on choosing a winning bidder for the $1 billion, 52-acre project to redesign the convention center and build up the area surrounding the Fillmore in June.

One of the two teams that are vying for the project, Portman-CMC, had proposed demolishing the theater to replace it with a convention center hotel, until recently. The ridicule the developer received from the public was severe. South Beach ACE, the other competing development team, has officially proposed keeping the theater.

The Fillmore was the site of the 1964 Sonny Liston vs. Muhammad Ali fight. The theater also hosted three national political conventions, in 1968 and 1972. In recent years, the Fillmore has become a well-known venue for live music.

When you arrive in Miami, remember to relax and take your time. You won’t be able to see everything the city of Miami has to offer in one visit. There are both natural and man-made attractions in the city, like lots of beaches, great places to shop, buzzing nightlife and a variety of arts and cultural excursions. So, if you’re visiting Miami for the first time, you may feel a bit overwhelmed. But, this can serve as motivation to plan another trip to the city soon. Here are a few things you can do to get a feel for the culture, diversity and entertainment of Miami.

Art Deco District

This part of Miami is filled with beautiful buildings painted in pastel color. You can take a self-guided tour of the Art Deco Historic District to learn more about one of the world’s largest concentration of architecture from the 1930s. It’s best to start the tour at the Art Deco Welcome Center at 1001 Ocean Drive. You’ll see pothole windows, nautical motifs and the relaxing front porches of hotels on the historic Ocean Drive. Stop for lunch at one of the outdoor cafes in the area so you can continue to take in the sights of the area while you enjoy your meal.

Little Havana

Little Havana is one of the best places in Miami to get a taste of Latin culture. Southwest Eighth Street, also called Calle Ocho, is home to Domino Park, where you’re bound to see a few spirited domino games while you soak up the sun and admire the palm trees. At the cigar shops in the area, you’ll witness stogies being hand-rolled by torcedores. There are several wonderful art galleries in Little Havana that will teach you more about Cuban culture, and you can pick up mementos like small Cuban flags from the souvenir shops. Cultural Fridays are another attractive feature of Little Havana. This is a monthly cultural event that showcases the creative art of the area and offers mouth-watering fare.

Cultural Displays

There are a number of locations where you can experience the culture of Miami, whether you like going to the ballet, want to attend an opera or prefer to go to a gallery. For instance, you can catch an entertaining show at the Arsht Center or visit smaller venues to enjoy modern dance, a comedy show or a theater production. History Miami and the Jewish Museum of Florida give you a glimpse into the state’s interesting past and Art Basel Miami Beach features artistic works from around the world.

The Everglades

If you’re a nature lover, Miami is the place to visit. The Everglades is one of the U.S.’s national parks, and you can plan a camping trip there or enjoy a day trip. Airboat rides through the park and hiking can be enjoyed at the park, and you’ll see animals that thrive in Florida, like alligators or tropical birds. During your camping trip, visit the Miami Metro Zoo and Parrot Jungle to see vibrant, exotic animals you won’t soon forget.

Feel free to browse the Zilbert Blog for more home improvement tips, Miami community news & stories. Searching for real estate investment in Miami? Zilbert International Realty will help you find Miami luxury condos and homes for sale in Miami.

Cuba Nostalgia is a yearly 3-day festival in Little Havana, a quiet neighborhood in Miami, Florida. The Cuban-Americans celebrate Cuba before the time it was taken over by the Castro regime. The festival is known to host a database to reconnect those who escaped from Cuba as children, which was during the Operation Peter Pan.

The said festival in Miami has already reached its “Quinces”, and this year’s celebration is dedicated to the above named celebration since this is very important to their culture. On the start of the event, which will be on the 17^th of May to the end at the 19^th, visitors from all over Florida can enjoy exhibits of the “Quinces”. There are also dress competitions, Cuban exhibits, artists and vendors, traditional foods and beverages of Cuba, live entertainment and so much more.

The 2013 Cuba Nostalgia will be celebrated at the Fair Expo Center. It is a wonderful family event and somehow the best way to enjoy the weekend in Miami for May.

What to Expect

• Exhibits: There will be countless exhibits all throughout the event.  You will find these all over the venue. These exhibits include the stamps, photographs, paintings, prints, posters, flags, jewelry, yearbooks, and so much more. If you would like to see a complete list of the exhibits, please refer to the official website of the event.
• Art: Fine Cuban art galleries feature classic artists like Lam, Pelaez and Portocarrero. This also includes contemporary artists like Calzada, Mijares, and Bermudez. Aside from that, there will be artists who will showcase their work in different forms of media.
• Memorabilia: Cuban Memorabilia from different professional collections will be on exhibit for sale. These include photographs, prints, paintings, stamps, posters, vintage recordings, magazines and newspapers, cigar rings and boxes, maps and postcards, coins, currencies and medals, sports, and so much more.
• Music: The best of Cuban music will be heard throughout the event. And some of which will be sold by vendors. Cuban rhythms will fill the air, which is a totally unique experience and the goal is to recapture the yesteryears of Cuba.
• Books: A bookstore will be set up within a reproduction of the Old Havana building with the best picture books of Cuba.
• Food and Beverages: Pan con Lechon, Media Noches, croquetas, tamales, mariquitas, and completa, these are just some of the best Cuban foods served by the Mambo Café. You can also quench your thirst with the traditional Cuban soft drinks like the Cawy, Materva, Jupina, and more. Of course, get a bottle or can of Coca-cola; the first Coca-Cola plant outside the United States was said to be built in Cuba.

Event Details

• What: Cuba Nostalgia 2013
• Where: Fair Expo Center, Coral Way and SW 112^th Avenue
• When: May 17-19, 2013
• Admission Fees: $12 for Adults and $6 for Children below 12 years old
• Official Website: www.cubanostalgia.org

Feel free to browse the Zilbert Blog for more home improvement tips, Miami community news & stories. Searching for real estate investment in Miami? Zilbert International Realty will help you find Miami luxury condos and homes for sale in Miami.

Current market conditions may be tempting you to sell your home while demand is high and interest rates are low. However, before jumping into the sale of your home, you may want to spend a few minutes consulting with a local real estate professional, like me, to make sure you understand contingencies and what they mean in terms of the order in which you sell your home and purchase another.

You may have several choices, from an early listing and rent back option to a quick sale or placement of a contingency.  A trusted real estate agent can explain the differences between each and determine which is the best alternative for your home sale.

No matter what you decide to do, many decisions will need to be made. Plan for higher than usual expenses as you navigate through dual transactions, since you could be supporting both households for a brief amount of time. Knowing housing market trends and comparable neighborhood sales  will help you to feel more comfortable with the process of selling your home and also give you a ballpark estimate on possible proceeds.

Deciding To Buy Your Next Home

Once you have an estimate on the sale of your house, you can start looking for your new one. You’ll need to determine where you want to live and the size home you are seeking, as well as put together a wish list for your new home. If you are relocating to an area far away, seek a real estate agent and/or mortgage lender referral from friends or family or ask me for suggestions, as well.  Different areas require varied strategies in home buying, so a local expert is always your best bet for finding the right home when you are making a big move.