Grove News Category

WELCOME TO COCONUT GROVE LEBRON!

lebronheat

According to the Miami Herald today LeBron James has purchased the home located at 3590 Crystal View Court.  Rumors swirled a few months ago that he bought in Hughes Cove in South Coconut Grove but now we have confirmation of his purchase in North Coconut Grove.  I wrote about the home on Crystal View Court as a great option for LeBron back in July when we found out  he was coming to Miami in this post:  We Got Him To Miami, Let’s Get Him To Coconut Grove.  

Crystal Court

RealList reports that the home was purchased by Suite 823 Investments, Florida Inc.   Suite 823 is the headquarters for LeBron James Cleveland marketing company.  I was in the property on Crystal View Court when it first came on the market and the home is certainly fit for a King.  The home boasts 12,178 square feet of living space on a 19,941 square foot lot.  There are 6 bedrooms, 8 baths, infinity pool and enough dock space for two 60′ yachts.  

Crystal Court

CrystalCourt2

This is great news for Coconut Grove and will certainly bring a lot of attention and press to the area. 

WELCOME TO COCONUT GROVE!!

Written by Riley Smith | Leave A Comment

Gardening In Coconut Grove

Coconut Grove Vegetable Garden

One of my favorite things about living in Miami is that when the rest of the country is outside shoveling snow from the sidewalks, we can be out enjoying the warm sunshine. 

About a month ago I called up Dylan Terry (a native and long time resident of Coconut Grove) of Ready-To-Grow Gardens to install 3 raised garden beds in my backyard – see photos above.  We chose a place that got plenty of sun and within a matter of weeks we were up and running with heirloom tomatoes, Chinese long beans, red/green/purple bell peppers, malabar spinach, arugula and many others.  We have roughly 75 vegetables growing in the 3 beds.  

We were initially concerned with the flock of peacocks that roost in the tree above the vegetable garden (in the past they have destroyed countless pepper and tomato plants).   But so far we have managed to outsmart them with some netting wrapped around the sides of the beds.

Dylan has also installed the public edible garden located outside Arquitectonica in the center Grove.   In fact, one of my associates who lives near Arquitectonica is always walking over to snip an herb or two for his dinner.

As you know, I sell real estate in Coconut Grove.  If you are interested in buying or selling real estate and are looking for a realtor here in the Grove please don’t hesitate to contact me on my cell at 305.342.1623 or send me a note here.

Written by Riley Smith | 1 Comment »

Coconut Grove Realtor’s Newest Competition!

I am always checking my search engine rankings to make sure my blog ranks in the top 5 positions for most Coconut Grove Real Estate terms (and it typically does).  Today I googled “Coconut Grove Realtor” and some new Buiness Place Pages appeared for realtors in Lexington, New York.   Either it is a temporary glitch in Google, or there is a new Coconut Grove neighborhood in Lexington which us realtors are going to have to compete for placement on that page.

I’m not concerned that someone will hire an agent from Lexington, New York to buy a house in Coconut Grove.  But I am concerned that the first page of google which used to be dedicated solely to realtors in Coconut Grove, FL will be shared with realtors from Coconut Grove of Lexington.  

Below is a screen snapshot of Google’s results for “Coconut Grove Realtor”.  You will first see the Sponsored Advertisement Results in the blue box.   Next are the businesses listed A through G, which are all in New York.  Then as the regular results for “Coconut Grove Realtor” start you have Coconut Grove Realty’s website first and my blog The Real Estate Coconut in second position.

CoconutGroveRealtorGoogleSnap

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Reminder: Coconut Grove Real Estate Talk On Monday!

Coconut Grove Real Estate Talk

Don’t forget my Coconut Grove Real Estate Talk will be held on Monday, November 15th at 7:00 pm at Greenstreet Cafe.  Come, listen and ask questions.  I will be discussing a range of figures and statistics regarding real estate here in Coconut Grove.   If you are wondering where our real estate market is headed or how we have fared since 2009  then you should not miss this informative event!  A must for anyone buying or selling in the Grove in the near future.

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Coconut Grove Named Miami’s Safest Neighborhood

Policemen On Tigertail Avenue, Coconut Grove

Many out of town clients and local buyers have the perception that Coral Gables is a safer area than Coconut Grove.  Well now I can tell them with certainty what I have always believed to be true, that Coconut Grove has less crime than the City of Coral Gables.  I am proud to announce that Coconut Grove was just named “Miami’s Safest Neighborhood” according to a report by WalletPop.  The data is based on information collected from NeighborhoodScout.com and the FBI.  You can read more about the report on the South Florida Business Journal.

I recently took the photo above on Tigertail Avenue - a group of local police officers biking through the Grove.

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Coconut Grove – More Than Just Coconuts

Coconut seedlings

Today I thought I would post some recent population and household statistics for Coconut Grove (33133).   Source: Claritas, 2009.

Total Population Of Coconut Grove? 22,872 (Projected 5 Year Growth: 7%)

  • Male to Female Ratio: 49.3% Male, 50.7% Female
  • Total Adult Population? 83% (Median Age is 43)
  • Race Origin: 48.9% Non-Hispanic White, 31.3% Hispanic, 17.3% Non-Hispanic Black, 1.1% Non-Hispanic Asian, 1.4% Non-Hispanic Other
  • Education: 21% have had some college, 51% have graduated from colllege
  • Marital Status: 34.1% Single (Never Married), 38.5% Married, 27.5% Divorced/Separated
  • Language Spoken At Home: 63.1% English Only, 29.3% Spanish, 7.7% Other
  • Occupation Status: 60.9% Employed, 3.4% Not Employed, 35.5% Not In Labor Force
  • Occupation: 21% Executive/Managerial, 33% Professional and Specialty, 23% Sales and Clerical

Total Households In Coconut Grove: 10,932 (Projected 5 Year Growth: 8%)

  • Household Income: 36% Earn Over $100,000, 10% Earn Between $75,000 – $99,999, 16% Earn Between $50,000 and $74,999
  • Median Household Income: $69,970
  • Average Household Income: $126,734
  • Current Housing Units: 43% Occupied By Renters, 56% Occupied By Owners
  • Median Home Value: $651,154

I know the numbers, I analyze the market, my clients make better decisions.  If you would like to buy or sell real estate in Coconut Grove and are looking for an experienced realtor, please don’t hesitate to contact me at 305.342.1623 or send me a note here.

Written by Riley Smith | Leave A Comment

A Great Weekend In Coconut Grove

 Blue Sky

The weather has turned and Coconut Grove has come alive again.  I tried to take advantage of the cooler temperatures and get outside as much as possible over the weekend.  The best part about it was that I never had to leave 33133. 

On Friday night my wife and I met some friends at Gibraltar (Grove Isle) for drinks.  We sat outside on the Bay next to their firepit as the sun went down.  I highly recommend this for out-of-towners looking for a spot to unwind with great waterfront views. 

On Saturday my daughter went to see Mr. Nick at The Kampong as part of their Kids Music Series.  If you haven’t been to The Kampong then you should definitely take the time to visit this tropical oasis in Coconut Grove.  For a schedule of guided tours of The Kampong, click here.

Sunday morning we were at Greenstreet early for our usual breakfast.  The crowds packed in for brunch, it reminded me of the cafes in Europe buzzing with energy.   To finish the weekend we had dinner on our deck for the first time since spring. 

To top it all off, the Dolphins beat the Packers.

As you know, I sell real estate in Coconut Grove.  If you are interested in buying, selling, renting or building please give me a call at 305.342.1623 or send me a note here.

Written by Riley Smith | Leave A Comment

Save The Date – Coconut Grove Real Estate Talk

Grove Real Estate Talk

I will be holding another Coconut Grove Real Estate Talk on November 15th, 2010.  Come, Listen, Ask Questions.  This is an open forum where I will give a synopsis of the various segments of our market here in the Grove and my predictions on where things are heading. 

Mark your calendar for Monday, November 15th, 7:00 pm at Greenstreet Cafe.  Complimentary appetizers and beverages will be served.  This is a free event that is open to the public.

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Did LeBron James Buy In Coconut Grove?

Hughes Cove

There were rumors swirling over the weekend about LeBron James buying a home in Coconut Grove’s exclusive gated community of Hughes Cove.  The home that he is purportedly interested in is not officially on the MLS.  It is a waterfront home located at 3309 Devon Road and features 4 bedrooms, 4 full baths, 2 half baths, 9,622 square feet of living space on a 13,922 square foot lot.   The home was on the market back in 2007 priced at $7,650,000.

Hughes Cove

Hughes Cove is an extremely private community and currently home to auto tycoon Ronald Esserman, developer Jorge Perez along with many other high profile Miamians.   Above is a picture I snapped last year of the main road in Hughes Cove along with the community’s small harbor.

We would be thrilled to have LeBron here in Coconut Grove and would welcome him with open arms.  Keep in mind these are only rumors and there has been no confirmation of any sale.

There is one home that is currently on the MLS in Hughes Cove, to view photos and information click here.

Written by Riley Smith | 2 Comments »

1621 Micanopy Avenue Open This Sunday!

1621 Micanopy Avenue

If you are out and about this weekend be sure to stop in our open house at 1621 Micanopy Avenue from 2:00 – 4:00 pm. 

This is a great house on a wonderful, quiet street.   The home is fully gated, sits under towering oak trees and has unsurpassed quality of construction and finishes.  Other special features include CGI impact glass, custom woodwork, a chef’s country kitchen that opens onto an informal dining room, even a mud room with “cubbies” for the whole family.  It is a split bedroom plan with 2 bedrooms, 2 baths downstairs and 3 bedrooms, 2 baths upstairs including a master sitting room, playroom and 2 balconies.

Details Include:

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