No wonder why Miami Beach Real Estate is still a top destination! People from all over the world relocate to Miami to either be surrounded by beauty, or to be part of it.
Miami ranked number 1 for most attractive people, number 2 for most stylish, number 3 for wild weekend and best weather but they dissed us with the second to last place in intelligence - OUCH!! (Only behind Las Vegas and ahead of our Los Angeles friends).
Miamians win the title for America's most attractive people, and second place for their stylishness. Visitors also noted the city's good weather (No. 3), but it's not the spot to see historic sites and monuments (No. 23).
Funny is how each city is ranked by visitors and residents and some opinions are so out there! Visitors ranked Miami number 4 in the Late-night/club scene while residents ranked the same category number 2.....I guess there should have also been a category for egocentric. Take a loot at the rankings.
Check out also the City Guide - which tells you what to do, where to stay and where to eat in Miami. (Including places like The Biltmore, Genius Jones and Garcia's Seafood Grill and Fish Market).
Here's other stats from the same article that I found hilarious:
Go take a look and have a good laugh and see if you agree with any of the rankings - but do NOT question Miamians being HOT!
Thank you Shailesh Ghimire, Arizona Mortgage Guru, for the heads up on the Reuter's Article.
You know I love old homes and have a passion for historic preservation. Cuban Tile is one of the popular flooring materials of the known "Spanish Mediterranean Revival" homes found in Miami - not to be confused with Historic Cuban Barrel Tile used for roofs (see article).

*photo courtesy El Nuevo Herald - FOTOSGALERIA - losas de la Habana*
Cuban Tile flooring is popular in South Florida and found in historic 20's homes as well as 30's, 40's and 50's and although the patterns are not as intricate as their historic counterparts, it's a great material nevertheless.
Trying to find the history of Cuban Tile, my mom brought me an article written by Sarah Moreno for El Nuevo Herald that gives great information from a gentleman by the name of Arturo Hernandez who has researched and documented these beautiful historic floors. Hernandez claims that Cuban Tile known also as cement tile, Encaustic Cement Tile or Hydraulic Mosaic Tile can be traced to Cataluña back to mid 19th century where The Industrial Revolution allowed for the technical innovation and mass production of these tiles that did not need to be fired. Even known architect Gaudi, designed floors with cement tiles that looked like Persian rugs.
I was also recently contacted by Lundy Wilder, a maker of cement tile who has a beautiful site that includes not only history, but also an array of patterns for modern installation.
Until the 1920's, colorful mosaico encaustic tiles were considered high-end ultimate flooring that decorated the palaces of the Tsars, the mansions of the Côte d'Azure, Gaudi's Barcelona and Berlin's official buildings. Later on, the encaustic cement tile expanded as a creative and durable flooring all over Europe, and the French, Spanish and Portuguese colonies. Around the 1950's the mosaic hydraulic lost importance and was replaced by less labor intensive, and less colorful floors. The beginning of this century, the trend for authentic products and 'green' flooring has brought attention back to the encaustic cement tile. Recent storms along the Gulf Coast have raised awareness of durable, waterproof architecture. We hope to spread the word. We have first hand knowledge of the need for sensible flooring along coastal U.S. Additionally; this type of tile flooring is perfect for high traffic areas and any place where discriminating people gather.
Cuban tile is a mixture of Portland cement, marble powder and earth pigments for coloring. The end result can be as shiny as Terrazzo floors and as beautiful as hand painted tiles. The restoration of Cuban Tile Floors can be an intricate project depending on the tile design, but I have now given you a great resource if you need to replace or compliment existing flooring with www.VillaLagoonTile.com
The material is easy to make and fairly inexpensive, does not require heavy machinery and is considered green because of the recycled marble powder and the fact that it does not require firing. The endurance is amazing - to think that all those historic homes were thinking "green" and didn't even know it!
There are many stories why cement tile is called "Cuban Tile" here in Miami and one of the theories is that Cuban Tile was entrusted as a special order to Cuban manufacturers who would hand make these tiles for residential applications in Miami. Next time you walk into a historic home in Miami or read a miami real estate description that includes "cuban tile", you will know a little about the history of Cuban Tile, how these were made and how it is possible to restore them.
Thanks again to Lundy for sharing his beautiful website, and here's a silent video on the making of cement tiles in Morocco.
Other Historic Preservation Posts:

We wanted to share a Miami real estate deal for sale now in 4 Midtown, one of Midtown Miami's new highrise buildings. This tower received its certificate of occupancy in February 2008 and people are already moving in and making this fabulous building their home.
In our opinion, a deal is when you can purchase a property for a lot less than similar properties in the same building. In the case of a high-rise like 4 Midtown, we look at the same line of units and see what these are priced at.

4 Midtown was designed by John R. Nichols of Nichols Brosch Sandoval & Associates, Inc. architects and planners, based in Coral Gables, Florida - and its concept is:
Midtown's urban design is reminiscent of New York SoHo district with a Miami Twist. The pool deck is a true urban oasis nestled seven stories high. The architecture with it's wide expansive opening that emphasizes the panoramic views of Downtown and Biscayne Bay. With a modern minimalist lobby, and custom finishes that pay attention to detail.

3301 NE 1st Avenue, unit 2615 - Miami, Florida 33137
Priced at $425,000 $400,000
Unbelievable bay and city views from this 26th floor new, and never lived in Midtown 4 condo. Full-amenity building just South of Miami's Design District, centrally located close to Miami Beach, Downtown Miami and both airports. Two bedroom, two bathroom condo with split bedroom plan, high ceilings, Italian kitchen, porcelain tile floors and wrap around balcony overlooking Biscayne Bay.
Similar units in the same line are priced as follows:
Unit 2615 is being sold for $45,000 under pre-construction price, and although the seller is selling for less than he paid, this sale is not contingent on lender approval.







Even for experienced Miami Realtors, visiting new condos is always exciting. I for one love to check out the finishes and the preliminary design flaws. Then I tear them apart with my clients, from finish choices to distribution problems.
This week I had the pleasure of visiting Marina Blue, designed by none other than Arquitectonica. Located at 888 Biscayne Boulevard, in what Miami Realtors refer to as ˜the gridlock, because it is right across from the American Airlines Arena, Bayside Marketplace, The Center for Performing Arts, the new Museum Park, and the exit to I-395 that takes you to Miami Beach. I have to admit that the traffic is always a little intense, but what else do you expect for downtown Miami?
I figure if you dont want the action, excitement and traffic, this may not be the building for you. On a positive note, you do have the People-Mover right behind the building that takes you through downtown Miami and possibly to the talked about Wholefood Market Place that is rumored to be built nearby. The concept of this grouping of buildings which include:
The Marquis, Ten Museum Park, 900 Biscayne and Marina Blue
Is Green Urbanism - walkable communities close to everything, close to the action and with good public transportation.
I admit I was impressed with the finishes and the scale of the spaces. The lobby was austere and grand, the hallways were not finished, doors not painted (but we expect that from a newly finished building) and the common areas almost completed. The skybeach, although a sexy concept, in my opinion will not last long. (the wind is always powerful and to keep the sand off the interior common areas is going to be tough) - I hope they prove me wrong.

Heres some pictures of the pool areas and their views:



We saw a one bedroom unit on the 5th floor and even that one had an amazing view:



The kitchen finishes were not impressive and the choice of granite not my favorite, but the master bath was great and left nothing to be desired (with marble floor and counters, double raised sinks with designer faucets, bidet, and huge shower called a ˜wet room).
Lastly, here’s a picture of the lobby (I have to tell you that the concierge was a little nervous to be included in the photo). The use of stone, exposed concrete, wood and light was absolutely perfect!! (there are some unfinished planter looking thingies that don’t need to be there, I’ll see what they turn into).

Here are the developer specs for the building:
MarinaBlue is a spectacular 60-story curvilinear landmark featuring spacious 1, 2, and 3-bedroom floorplans, including gorgeous penthouses and lofts¦ all complemented by world-class amenities, including the unique and extraordinary SkyBeach.
Amenities and Services:
SkyBeach Features:
Residence Features:
Custom Kitchen and Bath Features:

According to the FBI, Florida is amongst the top 10 mortgage fraud states in the United States. It is our duty to report it and put a stop to it. Mortgage Fraud is a felony and playing the ignorant role is no longer acceptable. We hear nightmares about Miami Real Estate, and some people don't report it because they don't know how.
As per the FBI:
"Mortgage Fraud is defined as the intentional misstatement, misrepresentation, or omission by an applicant or other interested parties, relied on by a lender or underwriter to provide funding for, to purchase, or to insure a mortgage loan"

(please read the link to the FBI website because it is informative and educational)
The Office of the Mayor has formed a Mortgage Fraud Task Force whose mission is to reduce mortgage fraud and prevent victimization of individuals and businesses.
You can fill-out THIS FORM, and it will be routed to the Miami-Dade Police Department, Economic Crimes Division and either handled directly or forwarded to the proper law enforcement department on a case by case basis.
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
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