Tag Archives: South Beach

Apartment vs. Condominium

When in the market to find a new place to live, an apartment or a condominium is a great place to start.  An apartment is a building that is completely owned by a single owner, most times a corporation, and individuals are able to rent or lease the individual units.  A condominium is different in the sense that it is a unit that the renter actually owns while the rest of the building and the common areas are owned equally amongst all the other condo owners under an association umbrella.

Apartments: Ownership is not the only difference that an apartment building shares with a condominium.  The features and advantages also differ between the two.  When a resident rents an apartment they have more flexibility and a few options available that condominiums don’t provide.  For instance, when an occupant rents an apartment they can choose what type of lease they would like, be it short-term or long-term, as well as sometimes having the option to rent month to month.  Thus giving tenants the flexibility of being able to move out without substantial financial repercussions.

Condominiums: Besides the fact that purchasing a condo means the occupant owns the unit, there are other advantages to buying a condominium rather than renting an apartment.  One of the biggest advantages of a condominium purchase is affordability.  Contrary to popular belief, condos are rather affordable, with the exception of properties located in highly desired areas.  Hence, procuring a condo in a reasonably priced area is a great first step for first time buyers looking to own a home.

Tim Allen a South Beach expert in Miami and Continuum condos for rent, brought this update to you.  To learn more about the Continuum condos for sale contact him at (305) 588 2451.

Neighborhood Spotlight: The Ancient Spanish Monastery

The historic Ancient Spanish Monastery is one of Miami’s hidden gems.  Located at 16711 West Dixie Highway, this monument is a beautiful representation of classic Spanish architecture.  Originally called ‘The Monastery of Our Lady, Queen of the Angels,’ this beauty was constructed in the year 1133 AD in Sacramenia, which is near Segovia in the northern part of Spain.  Later in 1141, eight years later, the Monastery was completed and dedicated to the Blessed Mother.  However, in 1174, the Monastery was renamed ‘The Monastery of St. Bernard de Clairvaux,’ in honor of his canonization (i.e. recognition by the church as a saint upon his passing).  Bernard was a Cistercian monk and mystic, as well as the founder and abbot of the Abbey of Clairvaux, thus making him one of the most influential church leaders of his time.

After having occupied the Monastery for around 700 years, the Cistercian monks experienced a downfall via an 1830s social revolution.  Thusly, the Monastery’s Cloisters were captured, sold, and converted into a granary and stable.  Nevertheless, in 1925 William Randolph Hearst restored honor to the beautiful establishment, with the purchase of the Cloisters and the Monastery’s outbuildings.  The Monastery was so valued that Hearst took numerous steps to ensure that the shipping of the structure, to the US, was handled with great care.  Each structure was dismantled piece by piece, wrapped in protective hay, and packed in more than 11,000 wooden crates, each numbered for identification.  Unfortunately, Hearst’s financial problems caused the shipment to remain in a warehouse in Brooklyn, NY for 26 years.  After Hearst’s death in 1952, two entrepreneurs purchased the shipment to use as a tourist attraction.  19 months and $20 million dollars later the Monastery’s construction in North Miami Beach was completed.

Tim Allen, an expert in real estate in South Beach, brought this neighborhood spotlight to you.  To learn more about the Continuum Condos for Sale contact him at (305) 588 2451.