THE REAL
S TAT E of real estate
where do you summer?
hello, summer From Miami Beach to The Hamptons and setting sail across the Atlantic to Capri, we all find a special home away from home when summer rolls into town. In the words of Sublime, “Summertime and the living’s easy.” This is the time of year to reflect and regroup, indulge and splurge and above all to enjoy our sanctuary. At Opulence International Realty our team is a direct reflection of our diverse clientele, spanning cultures from all over the world. No matter where we come from, one major thread about the season brings us all together – summer vacation is meant for fabulous destinations. Here’s a look at our favorite spots, the real estate that defines them, and the things to see / do that simply cannot be missed.
Summer in the 305 It was once a popular belief that Canadians came to Miami only to escape the “cooler” conditions they face year round, but like most foreign buyers, they’re seeking a sunshine-drenched getaway and a safe place to make an investment. Taxes in the U.S. are significantly lower than our neighbors to the north, causing an influx of Canadian money to saturate the market. But they’re not the only ones. Who wouldn’t want to pay some of the most globally competitive pricing per square foot on luxury property in the world? The South American and Canadian investor rules, snatching up everything from preconstruction to existing condos and single-family homes. To further outline why Miami’s a sound investment and an ethereal land of sunshine and good times, here’s a look at your perfect day in the Magic City Wake up in your gorgeous condo facing American Airlines Arena, the PAMM and the soon-to-be-multi-billion-dollar-row with standard setting project after standard setting project. Jump in a cab for a ride across the historic Venetian Bridge. Are you a bit thirsty, perhaps even hungry after your journey to the beach? You’ve reached Sunset Harbour - a new neighborhood right out of a fine editorial magazine. Stop in anywhere and you won’t be disappointed. Our personal favorite: Panther Coffee. Grab a cold brew and a delectable Vegan treat to re-energize. Looking for the perfect thing to wear for a dinner date later? Rent a bike from any of the convenient Deco Bike kiosks and ride a few short blocks to Lincoln Road. This outdoor mall is laden with nitty gritty South Beach History and is also home to both high-
end and budget-friendly retail. When satisfied with your fashion finds, feed your need for culture and knowledge by heading to Taschen, where you’ll find the quintessential book on Miami. Sure, it’s probably more beautiful than it is informative, but who cares? You’re on vacation. It’s time for a poolside Happy Hour at Soho Beach House. Enjoy the exclusivity by becoming a member of this world-renowned private Club. Sip on some of the best cocktails in the city while taking in the direct ocean view. Not a member yet? Preview the Soho lifestyle by popping into the bar at Cecconi’s instead: the stylish Italian restaurant on the ground floor is open to the public. As the sun sets, head back to your incredible Downtown digs and prepare for the evening ahead. No matter what you do from here, remember Miami doesn’t sleep and, chances are, neither will you.
meet me in
Montauk
Be it Southampton, Bridgehampton or Montauk, the Hamptons and summer go together like salt and pepper. The Hamptons are an American Summer Culture Institution. The affluent gleefully join together here to rejoice how excellent life is. Celebrity, CEO, and Royalty all summer in the Hamptons. No need to look far for what is the largest demographic to purchase within these exclusive towns – it’s predominantly American buyers and investors. Many of these palatial estates are passed down from generation to generation. Want to casually rent a place for a few weeks? Expect a not-so-casual price tag; just like the sales prices, the rental prices for even quaint summer cottages are astounding. The common weekly rental for a 2 bedroom in Bridgehampton is upward of $7,500 - and that’s if it is not a holiday week. As the value of these highly coveted homes grow, so does the visibility of Old Americana Culture. From Polo to Fire Island, from White Parties to Memorial Day, the Hamptons have all the elements to make it the perfect home for the summer. We’ve curated a small list of the best places to grab a treat and cool off on a hot Hamptons Summer Day: FRESH HAMPTONS 203 Sag Harbor Tpk, Bridgehampton Chef-owner Todd Jacobs combines traditional recipes with high-quality ingredients to create gelato. Expect Madagascar vanilla, Valrhona chocolate, and all sorts of locally sourced special ingredients. One flavor that sets Fresh Hamptons apart is a fruit originating in the Hamptons called pawpaw, commonly described as a cross between a banana and a mango. This is a must try!
SURF LODGE 183 Edgemere St, Montauk On Montauk’s Fort Pond, nowhere close to the masses along the highway to the Hamptons, the Surf Lodge embodies a nostalgic feeling of what a seaside getaway should be. This is the sort of place where classic surf movies come to life. With the choice of 3 bars, Surf Lodge is the quintessential spot to grab a few cocktails at sunset and nosh on incredible bites by a world-class chef. They take “getting away” to a whole new level.
SANT AMBROEUS 30 Main St, Southampton From creating delightful gelato since 1982 on Madison Avenue to 10 years later opening its Southampton location, this gelato shop has seen incredible success. With over 20 flavors and 30 years experience, you cannot go wrong. The combination of tradition and variety makes Sant Ambroeus a New York institution.
Capri, Italy From the times of Homer’s Odyssey to present day, Capri has always been a source of inspiration and one of Italy’s top summer locations. Sirens and the wealthy alike summer in Capri because the water is cool, the air is aromatic and the views are to die for. Buying a home is easy so long as you have the cash to back up your whims. In Italy it’s common to do a cash deal with no lawyers involved. A 3 bedroom historic villa with a view of the clear blue sea will go for anywhere between $4,500,000 to $6,000,000. At those price tags, don’t expect palatial homes either - Europeans as a culture do not require as much space as Americans, so typically you get less square footage than in the states for the same prices. With homes built on sides of mountains and lemon trees cascading over any given eatery, summer here is nothing short of paradise and any investment, no matter how high in price, is worth it. The purveyor of understated elegance is seduced by food, ambiance and sea. Here are our top picks for summering in Capri: STAY J.K. PLACE CAPRI Via Prov. Marina Grande 225, Capri Voted the most Romantic Hotel in Europe numerous times and featured in endless luxury travel magazines, this is a place fit for a king with very discerning taste. The balconies are enormous, unveiling endless views of blue dancing waves. Trust us on this one. EAT RISTORANTE AURORA Fuorlovado 18, Capri Make no mistake that there is no such thing as a bad meal in Capri, but there is nothing quite like this spot. In the summer the courtyard has a celestial body of melon-sized lemons casting shade on the outdoor dining. The seafood dishes are amongst the freshest in the world and the homemade pasta is perfection.
Buying high Each summer destination boasts unique real estate: high-in-the-sky condos in Miami with sweeping views, sprawling oceanfront estates in The Hamptons, cliffside villas overlooking the sea in Capri. So who’s selling higher in 2014?
SAIL Make your way to the Piazzetta, get an open-air tax and have them take you to the nearest marina. Set up your personal Gazzo and sail away. Watch amateur and professionals alike dive off sky-high cliffs into the deep blue. Call ahead and ask your captain to stock up a day’s worth of champagne and treats - you’re not sailing back to shore anytime soon. SEE If you don’t have a summer love, the Grotto de Amore may just be the place to find one. Drift away in the mythical aura of this breathtaking grotto. We can’t guarantee that you’ll finally find that special someone, but one thing is certain - this is where Capri will steal a piece of your heart.
$145 MILLION
$57.1 MILLION**
$20.5 MILLION
The Hamptons
Capri
Miami Beach
62 Further Lane
Praiano, Salerno 84100
2068 North Bay Road
**Property is pending sale and is projected to close.
Again and again, Miami proves itself to be a city offering luxury living at some of the most competitive pricing for property above $1M. There’s no place we’d rather be. When it’s time to buy property in Miami, we’re at your service. And we keep it real. front cover image © Trey Ratcliff - Stuck in Customs, www.stuckincustoms.com
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