Luxury means different things to different people, but high-end living usually demands high-end prices. So, to gauge which are the most luxurious condo buildings in North Beach, we’ve ranked the top 5 most expensive buildings of the neighborhood and given you a sneak peek into the kind of lifestyle you can expect in North Beach condo living. Why Choose North Beach? Bandshell - North Beach, Miami FL. Photo courtesy of MiamiAndBeaches.com North Beach is best known for its family-friendly vibe and is positioned firmly between the sensationalism of South Beach and high-end shopping at Bal Harbour. Historically, this has been the sleepy cousin to South Beach, but has been going through a renaissance of late with the addition of new constructions and planning of the city center. Away from the chaos, this laidback part of town boasts of crowd-free beaches, a great golf course, musical events at the North Beach Bandshell and scenic walks along the boardwalk.  The Best of the Best Condos...

July has been a month of many beginnings in the world of Miami pre-construction condos. Villa Valencia made its debut with a ground breaking. YotelPad started its vertical ascent. And, the condo tower at Miami Worldcenter marked its completion after four years of being pre-construction. However, some of the most shocking news came in from the developers at Le Jardin, who went ahead and filed for bankruptcy without their project actually being insolvent. Read on for details on these condo pre-construction updates and more below: Now Open One Thousand Museum – Downtown After breaking ground in December 2014, this Zaha Hadid-designed ultra-luxury tower is finally open to receive residents. Each of its 83 units are designed to maximize views, since its unique exoskeleton supports the tower with zero internal pillars. Residents will now be able to enjoy a host of spectacular amenities including its private helipad, outdoor wellness garden, yoga deck, world-class spa with relaxation...

It only makes sense that those who have served the country get some perks and benefits to make life easier. A VA home loan is one of those benefits. It is the best kind of mortgage available, since it requires no down payment (up to a certain limit), no mortgage insurance, has low interest rates, low closing costs and is easier to qualify for than any other loan out there. Veterans can use their VA home loan to finance a condo, townhome, or single-family home. However, financing a condo comes with a little twist. Since you can only use your VA home loan to finance a VA approved condo, here are a couple of things you should know:  We’ve included a complete list of VA approved condos in Miami at the end of this article to give you a jumpstart on your home owning process. If you want to see a list of VA approved condos in Miami, jump down here :) Cité - Edgewater, Miami FL What is a VA Approved Condo? A condo development submitted to and approved by the Department of Veteran...

Bal Harbour condos have always been known to be some of the finest in town. But, what’s so special about these premium addresses that makes them so pricey? We’ve listed the Top 5 Most Luxurious Condo Buildings in Bal Harbour and the outstanding amenities they have that sets them a class apart. Below are the top condos ranked from least to most expensive. Why Choose Bal Harbour? Bal Harbour has always been one of the most coveted oceanside addresses in Miami. Just like the Shops at Bal Harbour are known for showcasing only high-end brands, the neighborhood too is known for housing only the world’s finest residences. Privacy and exclusivity are a given with a Bal Harbour address. Though this ultra-luxury neighborhood has its own tranquil beachfront, it also benefits from being just a 20-minute drive away from South Beach’s spoils and the mainland’s culture and shopping destinations. The Best of the Best Condos in Bal Harbour Palace at Bal Harbour – 10101 Collins Avenue, Bal...

Move over Miami Beach, there’s a new rising star on the block. For long, Miami Beach has been the hot favorite for property seekers in Miami. Whether it’s been about purchasing a permanent residence or getting a second home, South Beach properties have always sold out like hot cakes. On the other hand, Greater Downtown (Edgewater and Brickell included) has mostly been a second-best option to South Beach and Miami Beach, possibly out of necessity, with proximity to work being the biggest motivator for local buyers. But, as we’ve been tracing luxury condo trends over the last couple of years via our quarterly market reports, we noticed a reversal. The Greater Downtown area is now emerging as the top favorite among luxury condo seekers. Here are some reasons we are seeing this new trend: Numbers Speak: Miami Beach vs. Greater Downtown Miami Over the past couple of quarters, sales trends in Greater Downtown Miami have been marching ahead, even as those in Miami Beach slowed down....

Recently, a handful of condo associations have scored massive windfalls thanks to lawsuits leveraged against insurers and developers. This is obviously great news for condo associations, and it also usually means that the associations' finances will likely be great for years to come. This in turn translates into improved living conditions for residents of those buildings, since these windfalls provide opportunities for condo associations to make major repairs and improvements that benefit residents.  Oftentimes, the amount of money they win does not actually need to be spent entirely on the issue that motivated the lawsuit (many times the repairs have already been made by the time the lawsuit is settled). This provides a great opportunity for the condo to either fill their reserves and avoid special assessments on future capital improvements and maintenance projects, or simply spend money doing awesome upgrades on various things. Cité Law Suit Settlement Cité in Edgewater In...