Author Archives: timallen

2 Tourist Spots You May Actually Like

Miami is one of the most popular travel destinations not only in the country but throughout the entire world. Each year thousands of tourists flock to Southern Florida’s Magic City. What’s not to love? With perfect weather (save the occasional tropical storm or hurricane), great food, and a vibrant culture full of happy people, it’s no wonder the number of tourists in Miami continues to increase every year.

However, with tourism comes what locals may refer to as “tourist traps” – venues such as restaurants, beaches, or buildings/attractions that draw a large number of tourists. Locals surely avoid them at all costs. Even so, there are a ton of restaurants across the city that has been dubbed “tourist traps” that locals living at Continuum South Beach may actually like. Be sure to add them to your list of places to spend Friday night.

Scarpetta by Scott Conant: This Miami Beach restaurant opened in 2008 at the Fontainebleau Hotel and has been known to host many celebrity sightings. Spaghetti with tomato and basil, short rib agnolotti, and duck and foie gras ravioli are some of the famous dishes Scarpetta has to offer. – and did we mention an incredible view of the water?
Sugar Factory: This one is obvious, especially since there is a Sugar Factory in nearly every major metropolitan city in the United States, but hear us out – everyone deserves to have good food and fun sometimes. Cocktails here will be served to you smoking, but on ice, and many of their dishes offer a colorful palette – like their pancakes – and hearty dishes that will satisfy both a sweet and savory craving.

Miami is full of hidden gems. Check out the Continuum Condos for Sale blog to discover them all!

Second Annual Entertainment Months Kicks off in Miami

The two-month program known as Miami Entertainment Months has begun in Miami and will last until November 30 and will showcase a multitude of events and activities that represent Miami’s diverse entertainment scene. Promotions, BOGOs, and more are included – enjoy live music, theatre performances, sporting events, outdoor attractions, liver entertainment, and so much more!

The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB), who is in charge of the event, has chosen to emphasize optionality. This year’s Entertainment Months will feature events that showcase the “Outdoor Explorer,” “Thrill Seeker,” and “Social Butterfly.” Events will be held both indoors and outdoors to accommodate for social distancing.

David Whitaker, the President and CEO of the GMCVB, says of this year’s festivities, “Miami Entertainment Months allows for us to maintain and continue the momentum of our very successful summer season and capitalize on the incredible line-up of events and entertainment schedule in the next two months…“This program showcases the variety and diversity of experiences and the amazing institutions and organizations that bring these performances to life.”

Miami Entertainment Months is included within the Miami Temptations, a series of seven programs designated to highlight the vibrant life of Miami. Other events include Attraction and Museum Months, Miami Spa Months, Miami Hotel Months, Miami Spice Restaurant Months, and Miami Arts, Culture & Heritage Months.

For more information on this year’s Miami Entertainment Months, visit the GMCVB online.

Continuum South Beach offers luxury Continuum condos for sale. For more information and to view availability, please visit us online.

Moving Soon? Here’s What to Know About Earnest Money

Moving is a fun and exciting experience, especially if you have found the perfect home at Continuum South Beach. After that, there is a lot to think about, especially regarding the actual purchasing process. In some cases, you may need to utilize earnest money to ensure you can purchase the property.

When making an offer, the earnest money will help get it off the market, making it difficult for buyers to place multiple offers on different homes, reinforcing the level of interest in the property. The deposit may be used later to cover parts of the closing costs and down payments once the offer officially closes. You will not always be required to use earnest money, but the likelihood increases if the market is especially strong.

The hotter the market, the more you may need to use towards your earnest deposit, but because this amount can be used for other costs when acquiring the home, there is not much of a downside other than needing the money earlier than you might usually need to. A real estate agent can help you determine the best amount to offer the seller, though, in most places, the standard is one to five percent of the purchase price.

These deposits may seem like yet another expense that comes with purchasing a home, but it helps protect your purchase.

Continuum South Beach is one of Miami Beach’s finest places to live, with breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean. For more information about Continuum Condos for Sale, please visit us online.

Self-Employed? You May Consider This Mortgage Option

Since 2010, borrowers have been required to fully document income and assets on their mortgage applications thanks to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. While this does not impact W2 wage earners too much (since they can still use their gross earned income to qualify), anyone who is self-employed – from solopreneur start-ups to being the head of your own business – will have to enter the borrowing process differently.

Self-employed borrowers are required to qualify based upon their net income from their tax returns. This makes it more difficult to borrow. Reducing net income through tax deductions reflects a lower net income, making it more difficult to qualify.

However, there are still borrowing options to consider when thinking of Continuum condos for sale. Bank statement loans is a program that requires business owners to provide 12-24 months of bank statements as proof of income. Lenders will look at average monthly deposits to determine qualifying income, however, assets will still be fully documented.

In a bank statement loan requirement, borrowers are required to be self-employed for a minimum of two years. You may also be asked to show a business listing, business website, and a statement from your accounting department to verify your business and how long it has been in operation. Good credit scores will also help.

While specific loan terms will depend upon the lender, most will have an average of 10-20% down. High credit scores or larger average monthly bank statements may result in a lower down payment requirement. Assets such as 401Ks, retirement accounts, stocks, and any owned property may be factored in.

Considering Continuum South Beach? Visit us online to see the best of living in Miami Beach.

September Events in South Beach

September in South Beach Miami means many options to explore, wine and dine, and spend time at events that will make living in Miami feel like a vacation. Due to its gorgeous weather, Miami is at the center of the hustle and bustle all year round, from sporting events to concerts to one-of-a-kind dining experiences. Mark your calendars for these events you can quickly get to from Continuum South Beach!

From now until September 20, enjoy Miami Spice, Miami’s number one eatery showcase. Restaurants will show off their signature dishes from award-winning chefs. 3-course meals for lunch and dinner come in a packaged deal so you can get a taster of Mimi for a great price. Luxury dining sets for lunch run $28, and dinner sets will be $42.

Love marine life? The Sea Turtle Nesting and Release Program, made possible by the Miami Dade Parks programs seeks to educate Miami about the importance of sea turtles in the area. Miami Beach is one of the largest nesting grounds for sea turtles, with hatching seasons falling on Miami’s busiest time – May through October. You can learn all about their life, their habits, and their threats. Watch them hatch and find their way back to the sea at Haulover Park (Wednesdays) and Crandon Park (Fridays).

In the Miami Design District, explore the art of Miami on weekends for free. Art murals, outdoor exhibits, galleries, and architecture can be viewed upon with admiration for the rich culture of Miami. On Sundays, The Market will have locally sourced produce and food along with living entertainment.

Want to experience events like this all year round? Check out Continuum condos for sale!

Preparing to Buy Your First Condo

The housing market has been hot throughout 2021, and rent prices in major cities have increased, so many are turning to homeownership instead. Apartmentlsit.com recently stated that the first part of the year saw the fastest growth in rental prices since 2017 – an 11.4% national rent index increase from January alone. While it can feel like homeownership is far off with high rental prices, there are practical ways you can prepare for homeownership – condos included!

If you have your sights set on home or condo ownership in the future – check out Continuum condos for sale. We are centrally located on South Beach, close to some of Miami’s best bars, restaurants, beaches, and activities.

You can start saving money right now, even if it is a small amount. Per what fits into your budget, set money aside in a dedicated account for your down payment every month. Having it in a separate account will keep your money separate and remove the temptation to spend it on something else. Breaking up a large financial goal into smaller pieces can make large numbers more manageable.

You will also want to work on your credit. The average credit of a home/condo buyer is 716. If your score is below that average, you can improve your credit through numerous channels before making that big purchase. Consolidate and reduce your debt, pay bills on time, and use your lines of credit responsibly.

These steps may seem small now, but they will get you on your way to purchasing your dream home at Continuum South beach.

The Best Restaurants in South Beach (Fall 2021)

South Beach has a diverse mix of restaurants and bars. While you may have been to tourist destinations several times, these restaurants offer a fresh taste of the authentic experience of dining near Continuum South Beach. There are hundreds of places you could choose for Friday night dinner, but here is a list of some of the best.

Osteria Morini (1750 Alton Rd): Located on Collins Canal in the Kimpton Palomar South Beach. Osteria Morini is owned by the same people who own Marea (Michelin-starred) and Ai Fiori. Dishes are inspired by Italy’s Northern region of Emilia-Romagna. If seafood salad, prosciutto, ricotta gnocchi, or squid ink pasta are your thing, definitely check this place out.
Bodega Taqueria y Tequila (1220 16th St): Enjoy thirteen different tacos and six different mouth-watering burritos. Traditional al pastor or a unique camaron BLT are some local favorites. They even offer a vegan chicken option.
Joe’s Stone Crab Restaurant (11 Washington Ave): For over 100 years, this restaurant has served delicious seafood in South Beach. 2021 saw a new addition to the restaurant, with a 1,400 square foot outdoor dining area. With a sea breeze and top-notch seafood, can you really ask for much more out of a dining experience in South Florida?
RED South Beach (801 South Pointe Dr): If steak is your idea of an excellent meal, check out RED South Beach’s steaks and sides. You won’t be disappointed. Be sure to try the Kansas City bone-in strip or the lobster macaroni and cheese.

Experience the best of South Beach year-round with Continuum condos for sale. Find your new home with us online, or call us at 305.306.6302.

The Benefit of Having a Gym in Your Condo Building

Most apartment complexes and condo communities have a wide range of amenities, from pools to security to a concierge desk and even a gym. These amenities are often factored into the overall cost of the unit and can leave renters and purchasers alike asking, will I even use this?

Communities like the one at Continuum South Beach are a great way to have everything you need in one convenient location. The gym is no exception and is probably one of the amenities you will use the most. Continuum condos for sale have access to some of the best residential gyms in Miami. Living here, you’ll get a four-story health club and spa, three clay tennis courts, an olympic gym, professionally hosted exercise classes and a resort-style sauna. Trust us – you’ll definitely use the gym.

When you have a gym on-site in your living community, it gives you more of an incentive to go. Many people never go to the gym because they don’t want to commute any more than they already have during the day for work. It’s very easy to forgo gym plans when you get home and lay down on the couch. After that, getting in the car can seem like a hassle. However, if the gym is less than a mile away, you can ditch that excuse and get moving!

You’ll also save money by not having a monthly gym membership. Fitness centers with saunas, pools, locker rooms and exercise classes can cost much more than ones that only offer open floor equipment. Plus, if you’re interested in attending a class, you may be required to pay an extra fee per class. With a gym on-site, you can save a considerable amount of money every year.

To learn more about the living community at Continuum South Beach, visit us online.

Moving to Continuum South Beach? Here’s How to Pack up Your Kitchen

Nothing says welcome home quite like a good kitchen. At Continuum condos for sale, you’re sure to spend tons of time in your kitchen. They come fully equipped with granite countertops, a sub-zero refrigerator and freezer, Miele cooktops, conventional ovens and dishwashers, and wine coolers in select units. However, before you get to the fun part of unpacking all your belongings into your new home, you have to first pack up from your old place. Follow these tips to ensure everything makes it safely!

For appliances and pots and pans, it may be a good idea to distribute them among other boxes with items that are not heavy. When piled together in a box, they can end up being extremely heavy, causing boxes to break and tear and cause more of a hassle when transporting from one place to the other. You can also pack other kitchen items inside of lidded pots and pans for optimal storage.

Make sure you pack any sharp utensils, such as knives carefully. Wrap them several times. You don’t want to reach into a box and be surprised! Clearly label these items, too, so when you unpack at Continuum South Beach, you know to handle them with caution.

For fragile items, you will want to make sure you have extra protection. Line the bottom of boxes with wrapping paper, bubble wrap, towels, or blankets. Use packing paper for each individual item, stacking them carefully on top of each other. Don’t cram them into the box, as this can cause unnecessary pressure and lead to breakage. In the box, pack more of the soft material to absorb shock and avoid breakage – do this at the top and in between the cracks. It will take up more space, but it will be worth it when everything arrives in one piece.

4 Things to Know When Moving to Miami

Miami is easily a place that people come to visit and leave wanting to live in. There are a hundred reasons Miami is so great – from the beaches, to the weather, to the food – and a ton more for why it is a great place to live. While the city ranks high for the most fun places to be, there are other things to consider before making plans to move to any of its neighborhoods, including Continuum South Beach.

Miami (and all of South Florida) is affordable. Food, cars, rent, and houses for sale are at pretty low prices compared to other large metropolitan areas in the country. Since there are many options for where you live, work, and play, the cost of everything remains relatively low.
Many businesses are open late. Since Miami nightlife ends pretty late, most restaurants and convenience shops are open late too. That’s great news if you’re a night owl – you won’t be hard-pressed to find somewhere to eat.
Miami is a big city. You probably already knew this, but Miami is quite large. There are many areas worth visiting that aren’t popularized by tourism. If you move to Continuum condos for sale, consider exploring the many neighborhoods nearby to get a true taste of the city.
Consider the rainy season. While the city boasts about its year-round good weather, there are plenty of heavy thunderstorms to go around. Hurricanes are also common, so moving to Miami means you need to be educated and prepared for the weather changes.

All in all, Miami is a great place to live, work, and play! If you’re ready to start your life in America’s sunniest city, visit Continuum South Beach to find your dream home right there on the beach!