Want to get people moving? Set a due date. In real estate, deadlines bring results—and high returns.

Homeowners who set a deadline for offers tend to get a faster deal for more money than those without a deadline; still, due dates can be ignored.

So far this year, 58% of home listings with published offer deadlines sold above list price, according to an analysis of 37 major metropolitan markets in the U.S. by real-estate brokerage Redfin. Listings with offer deadlines also averaged 31 days on the market, compared with 61 days for listings without published deadlines. Published offer deadlines—where real-estate agents cite a specific due date for offers in the listing and marketing materials—are rare. Less than 4% of U.S. listings include a deadline, according to the Redfin data, and most of those are written in private agent-to-agent comments instead of public listing descriptions. In hot markets like San Jose and Oakland in California, more than 20% of listings in 2014 had deadlines, according to Redfin. In the 37 markets analyzed, offer deadlines are 89% more common in listings priced between $500,000 and $1 million when compared with homes priced under $500,000. "As a buyer's agent, I have been one of 40 offers. It's scary, and it's exciting," says Abby Wentworth, a Redfin agent in San Francisco. Offer deadlines are typically short—just a few days—and appeal to sellers because they can evaluate all offers at once. Setting a deadline expresses confidence in a property and price, and in some cases, can spark a bidding war. Redfin examined for-sale listings in its coverage area of 37 metro markets from Jan. 1, 2009, through April 26, 2014, excluding foreclosures, short sales and other bank-owned homes. The brokerage searched keywords like "bid," "offer" and "best" used in conjunction with words like "due" and "deadline" followed by a date or day of the week to determine listings published with offer deadlines. People tend to delay making decisions, but deadlines help them focus and act, says Dan Ariely, a professor of behavioral economics at Duke University and a Wall Street Journal contributor. The more public a deadline is, the more pressure people feel to make decisions, he adds. The problem with real-estate deadlines is that they aren't binding. Agents can accept offers at any point during the listing and many do so. "It's frustrating for everyone," says Rebecca Schumacher, an agent with Sotheby's International Realty in San Francisco. "It's an embarrassment to the agent representing those buyers, and it's not good for agent-to-agent relationships." Hannah Driscoll, a Redfin agent who represents buyers in Boston, says one of her buyers recently decided to submit an early offer for a two-bedroom condo listed for $950,000. "We hit it with everything we had—$15,000 over asking, waived mortgage and inspection contingencies, and we showed a preapproval [letter] that showed they were strong buyers," she says. After a bit of back and forth, and an additional $10,000 from the buyer, the seller accepted before the offer deadline. "It's a seller's market, and sellers can choose whichever buyer they want," Ms. Driscoll says.

BRICKELL HEIGHTS IS MIAMI'S NEW CENTER FOR THE LUXURY LIFESTYLE!

GLAMOROUS AND SOPHISTICATED, DESIGNED WITH GENIUS Prices starting at $487.00 ppsqft. AND ELEVATED WITH ELITE AMENITIES, BRICKELL HEIGHTS IS MIAMI'S NEW CENTER FOR THE LUXURY LIFESTYLE OTHERS ONLY DREAM OF......The Best Location! Brickell Heights will be located at 850 South Miami Avenue. Miami, Fl 33131 In the heart of Brickell door steps to Luxurious shopping and fine dinning at Mary Brickell Village and up and coming Brickell City Centre. Call (786) 525-9430 for more information.

MAY-2014 Newsletter by Lazaro Lopez, PA

National market update April Existing-Home Sales Show Modest Improvement Behind Gaining Inventory WASHINGTON (May 22, 2014) – Existing-home sales increased for the first time this year in April, while inventory meaningfully increased and home price growth moderated, according to the National Association of Realtors®. Monthly sales gains in the West and South offset a modest decline in the Midwest while the Northeast was unchanged. Total existing-home sales, which are completed transactions that include single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, rose 1.3 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.65 million in April from 4.59 million in March, but are 6.8 percent below the 4.99 million-unit level in April 2013. Forecast for Housing and the Economy Suggests Gradual Improvement through 2015 Housing activity was sub-par in the first quarter of this year, dampened in part by severe weather patterns, but an uptrend is expected with healthy underlying demand over the balance of the year and through 2015, according to presentations at a residential real estate forum here during the Realtor® Party Convention & Trade Expo." Read more National housing indicators Existing home sales (April) 4.65* Existing home median price (April) $201,700 Housing Starts (April) 1,072,000* New home sales (April) 384000* *Seasonally adjusted annual rate. Source: NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Sales of new single-family houses in April 2014 were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 433,000. This is 6.4 percent (+/- 15.9%)* above the revised March 2014 estimate of 407,000. How much is your home worth? Get a real-time report on the value of your home. Start now If you are interested in determining the value of your home, click the “Home Evaluator” link for a free evaluation report: http://Lazaro.housingtrendsenewsletter.com/homeworth.cfm Sound decisions can only be made with accurate and reliable information, and I am happy to be a trusted resource for you. Thank you for the opportunity to provide you with this monthly eNewsletter, and I look forward to answering any questions you may have and to the opportunity to be your REALTOR® in the future. Sincerely yours, Lazaro Lopez, PA Fortune International Realty 1390 Brickell Avenue Suite 104 Miami FL 33133 305-400-6393 | 786-525-9430 Lazaro@fir.com

Miami Developer Melo Group proposes two Miami rental projects

Miami developer Melo Group wants to build a pair of rental apartment buildings near the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts. Melo is slated to present the latest design for Melody Tower to the city’s Urban Development Review Board on Wednesday, according to a written announcement from a company spokesperson. The developer plans to construct a 36-story mixed-use rental building at the 245 Northwest 14th Street site, which is adjacent to the Arsht Center. “With the Arts & Entertainment District building momentum as a world-class cultural epicenter in the Southeast, one thing is still lacking – a luxury residential community that serves young professionals who work in the area,” Melo principal Carlos Melo said. “At Melody, professionals seeking an urban lifestyle will enjoy a family-friendly atmosphere in a walkable neighborhood that will attract much-needed restaurants and retail to the district.” Melo is also proposing a 36-story, 650-unit apartment tower four blocks west of the Arsht Center. The company has not given a name to the project. It plans to ask city commissioners for a zoning change to allow the 36 stories on the site.

On global scale, Miami luxury home prices puny...

Miami is officially a first-class place to live now that it was named for the second consecutive year in Christie’s International Real Estate report detailing the top 10 luxury properties in the world for 2013. And the company this city keeps is certainly impressive, featured along with Cote d’Azur, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, New York, Paris, San Francisco, Sydney and Toronto. Yet realtors say Miami stands out on this list because its luxury properties have attributes second to none. Homebuyers get more for their money in Miami with prices per square foot so much lower than the other luxury markets, said Ron Shuffield, president and CEO of EWM Realty International. For example, Miami’s average square foot price for luxury homes was $559 in 2013 compared with $4,683 in London (the highest on the list) and $829 in San Francisco (the lowest of the ten markets profiled). Several things distinguish Miami from the other markets: our cultural offerings, the beautiful weather and the values we offer. Luxury properties – defined by most Miami realtors at $2 million and higher – are aligned in value similar to fine art and high-end collectibles as opposed to the general housing market, he said. Miami is a multi-cultural community on a gorgeous coastline with beautiful weather year-round. It is home to the best nightlife, beaches, sport teams and restaurants in the world, and we have no state income taxes. These factors appeal to individuals to live here and companies to headquarter here. Luxury residential homes in Miami solld at a faster pace in 2013 than in 2011 and 2012. The people who are buying such luxurious housing are coming from Latin America as well as other parts of the US. There are a growing number of people who want to be here because of our lifestyle, economic uncertainty in their countries and the strength of our currency and educational system.

Lincoln Road retail building fetches $34.5M

A Lincoln Road retail building traded for $34.5 million, the same price Romero Britto’s nearby gallery commanded last week, The Real Deal has learned. New York-based JSRE Acquisitions acquired the 716-720 Lincoln Road property on Wednesday, exactly one week after Britto’s 818 Lincoln Road gallery was purchased by a Montreal-based company. JSRE picked up the 6,943-square-foot building through a company called 718 Lincoln Owner. No financing was recorded. Thai Investment Group of Miami is the seller. Ronald Felton signed the deed as president of the company. It owned the 7,500-square-foot South Beach property for 21 years before selling it to JSRE. The building was originally constructed in 1936. It located between the H&M and Forever 21 stores. Cache and American Apparel occupy the two retail spaces in the building.

Gables Gate Tower builders get $27M loan

The developer of the Gables Gate Tower apartment complex in West Miami received a $27 million construction loan. Banesco USA provided the Estates Cos. and Mattoni Group with the financing for the 206-unit complex, according to Miami-Dade County records. The developers started construction on Gables Gate in January. Apartments range in size from 750 to 1,250 square feet. Gables Gate is being developed on 2.1 acres on Southwest 67th Avenue between Southwest 21st and 22nd streets. Planned amenities include a pool, gym and club room. The Estate Cos. and Mattoni hope to finish the project by spring 2015.

Island Gardens mixed-use development on Watson Island

The planned $640 million Island Gardens complex is to include a five-star luxury hotel, a four-star lifestyle hotel, fractional ownership residences, high-end retail and waterfront dining set on 6.5 acres of publicly accessible and landscaped open space, in addition to a marina for mega-yachts and super-yachts. The anticipated summer groundbreaking and has landed a sweet deal to host a new event as part of the annual Miami Yacht & Brokerage Show. A key part of Flagstone Property Group’s proposed $640 million Island Gardens’ mixed-use project on Watson Island is a deep water marina for mega-yachts and “super-yachts,” to be called Deep Harbour.

Downtown Miami Property draws huge interest!

The brokers marketing a waterfront property adjacent to downtown Miami’s EPIC Hotel & Residences say they’ve already received two offers exceeding $100 million. A company tied to EPIC developers Ugo Colombo and Diego Lowenstein want to sell the 1.25-acre parcel at 300 Biscayne Boulevard Way, as previously reported by The Real Deal. CBRE began showing the site to potential buyers about a month ago. Since then, 90 groups expressed interest in purchasing the property, CBRE’s Robert Given told the Daily Business Review. Given and Gerard Yetming, the brokers leading marketing efforts, won’t respond to the initial offers until all bids are made. “We’re looking for the best combination of pricing as well as the quality of the developer,” Given said. Only nine Miami properties have sold for at least $100 million in the city’s history, according to the Review. That includes the Related Group’s $104 million acquisition of 444 Brickell Avenue in December 2013. [Daily Business Review] — Eric Kalis

Housing Trends eNewsletter- Lazaro Lopez

Housing Trends eNewsletter- Lazaro Lopez




National market update

Existing-Home Sales Remain Soft in March

WASHINGTON (April 22, 2014) – Existing-home sales were essentially flat in March, while the growth in home prices moderated, according to the National Association of Realtors®. Sales gains in the Northeast and Midwest were offset by declines in the West and South. Read more

Vacation Home Sales Surge in 2013, Investment Property Declines

WASHINGTON (April 2, 2014) – Vacation home sales rose strongly in 2013, while investment purchases fell below the elevated levels seen in the previous two years, according to the National Association of Realtors®. Read more

National housing indicators

Existing home sales (March)

4.59*

Existing home median price (March)

$198,500

Housing Starts (March)

946,000*

New home sales (March)

440000*

*Seasonally adjusted annual rate. Source: NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.

National economic indicators

Home ownership

4th Qtr 2012

+65.4%

4rd Qtr 2013

+65.2%

The homeownership rate in the fourth quarter 2013 was 65.2 percent, down 0.2 (+/- 0.4)* percentage points from the fourth quarter 2012 rate of 65.4 percent. The homeownership rate in the Northeast was lower than its corresponding fourth quarter 2012 rate, while the rates in the Midwest, South, and West were not statistically different from the rates a year ago.

New home sales

February 2014

-4.5%

March 2014

-14.5%

Sales of new single-family houses in March 2014 were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 384,000. This is 14.5 percent (+/- 12.9%) below the revised February 2014 estimate of 449,000.

Source: U.S. CENSUS BUREAU

ONE PARAISO, THE MOST LUXURIOUS HIGH-RISE COMING TO EDGEWATER

ONE PARAISO comes to satisfy the growing demand for the chic and cultural, new Edgewater neighborhood in Downtown Miami.

This luxury tower will be the tower located closest to the bay featuring 53 floors with only 6 units per floor, private elevators, foyers and unobstructed bay views. It will feature 1, 2 & 3 bedroom models equipped with top of line appliances and finishes. SOME OF THE FEATURES AT ONE PARAISO 5 Acres of waterfront property Landscape by world renowned landscape architect Enzo Enea Units Feature private foyers and elevators Unobstructed Bay Views featuring views to Biscayne Bay and Miami Beach from all units Waterfront restaurant & beach club by Michael Shwartz of Michaels Genuine Food and Drink Marina and Watersports NOW TAKING RESERVATIONS. RESIDENCES IN THE PREMIUM TOWER STARTING IN THE $600’s. For more information or to reserve your unit contact me today. (786)525-9430. Please email me back with your phone number or email and best time to call you. Lazaro Lopez, PA Fortune International Realty Lazaro@fir.com (786)525-9430 http://www.MiamiPropertyConsultant.com

MIAMI IS OFFERING SOME OF THE FINEST AND SOPHISTICATED LIFESTYLES IN HIGH-END RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE

Nine at Mary Brickell Village and Midtown Miami Residences lead the way. “NINE-Life Resident Perks Program” has been designed to offer generous savings on products and services just outside their front door. Merchants in Mary Brickell Village have agreed to offer special discounts for residents to easily splurge, including Brother Jimmy’s BBQ, Studio LX, LA Fitness, Brickell Jewelers, Joanna Paige, Toscana Divino, Toni & Guy Hairdressing, ATIK Shop, and Taverna Opa.

CONTACT ME ABOUT THE “NINE-Life Resident Perks Program” and the “4 Midtown Penthouse Platinum Program”, a premier amenities package, available only to Midtown penthouse buyers. CONTACT: Lazaro Lopez,PA Fortune International Realty (786) 525-9430 http://www.MiamiPropertyConsultant.com

Brickell-Heights; Best VALUE, best LOCATION, best POSITION, best VIEWS!

Best VALUE, best LOCATION, best POSITION, best VIEWS in Brickell’s pre-construction market! Prices starting at $487.00 / sq.ft. Brickell-Heights

Nestled between Mary Brickell Village and the upcoming Brickell City Centre, a 5 million square foot commercial center that will cater to clientele with refined taste. Brickell Heights will be in the middle of it all. PAYMENT STRUCTURE 10% of purchase price – NOW! 10% of purchase price (30 days from contract) 20% groundbreaking (2nd quarter – 2014) 10% top off (3rd quarter – 2015) 50% closing (3rd quarter – 2016) CONTACT: Lazaro Lopez, PA Fortune International Realty 786) 525-9430 http://www.MiamiPropertyConsultant.com

THE LATEST NEWS FROM MIAMI PRECONSTRUCTION AND SOUTH FLORIDA REAL ESTATE

THE LATEST NEWS FROM MIAMI PRECONSTRUCTION AND SOUTH FLORIDA REAL ESTATE The Latest News from Miami Preconstruction INTRODUCING SLS LUX IN BRICKELL

The next evolution of style, luxury and service. Just steps away from upcoming Brickell CityCentre, Miami’s newest and most extravagant shopping and lifestyle destination, SLS LUX offers residents ultimate access in an oasis of exclusive privileges. Sophisticated designer interiors, original works of art by contemporary. LIVE THE LUX LIFE Sky residences with 10-foot ceilings Fully furnished residences with private elevators 3 levels of amenities at 9th, 44th and Sky Roof including all imaginable uses. World class art including monumental Botero sculpture, extensive facade murals by Fabian Burgos and light installation on facade by Ana Martinez. Interiors and all common areas by Yabu Pushelberg All units completely finished with luxury hard flooring options. CONTACT: Lazaro Lopez, PA Fortune International Realty (786) 525-9430 http://www.MiamiPropertyConsultant.com