It’s Been Breached. Now What?

It’s official. Fo’ bucks.

Some economists (I can’t remember which – there are so many) predicted that the $4 mark would be the tipping point.

“What do you a call an economist with a prediction?”

“Wrong.”

I couldn’t agree more with that statement (not the “joke”). This is definitely a tipping point.

But what tipping point are we exactly talking about? Are we talking about gas prices? Or are we talking about the American people?

Are the American people ready for to change?

Remember the New Balance 992’s instead of the Mercedes Benz keys? The spacious backyard for the public green space? The 2-car garage for one assigned parking space?

Before we attempt to answer any questions, let’s take a brief look at post-WWII American history through the eyes of the generations sociologists spend lifetimes analyzing.

Baby Boomers

The first group to be raised with a television (1 set for the entire family), fought Vietnam, protested the draft, burned bras, witnessed the assassinations of Martin Luther King and the Kennedys, consumed heavy doses of Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD or simply “acid” to those who never passed General Science 3), read Truman Capote, Norman Mailer, Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac, listened to Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, Sly and the Family Stone, The Rolling Stones, The Doors, The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, and leave us with a “monumental preoccupation” for which we have to find some fixes (social security, mounting debt, etc.) fast.

Generation X

The first group to be raised by a television (at least 5 in 1 home), fought in Kuwait (and is fighting in Iraq), protests about the long wait to get a Miller Genuine Draft, burns JOB 1.25’s, witnessed the assassinations of Tupac and The Notorious B.I.G. (you think Puffy/P. Diddy/Puff Daddy had anything to do with it?), consumes methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or simply “ecstasy” to those who used to skip General Science 3), reads US Weekly, People Magazine, The Enquirer and Star Magazine, listens to what radio programmers tell them they should be listening to, is a product of Reaganomics, is filled with doom and disease, is totally lost, has absolutely no identity, stands for nothing, falls for anything and will leave a huge burden on Generation Y if the tipping point passes us by.

Sorry Gen Y. I really do like you guys. I try.

Generation ñ

See Generation X and multiply that by at least 50. That’s how lost this generation is. They can’t complain about their identity because it doesn’t even exist.

“Generation ñ.”

I can’t even begin to say that without busting out hysterically. Especially when the image that comes to mind is of he who was born in Miami to Cuban parents who immigrated – excuse me, sought refuge – in the 1960’s and feels Cuban when he wears his guayabera, plays domino and smokes boutique cigars at “Cuban-themed” parties, but couldn’t put a sentence together in Spanish (or English for that matter) if his communication skills depended on it. He has no idea why Castro’s revolution came to exist either.

Don’t tell him he’s not Cuban, though. He likes the hyphen.

Credit Generation ñ with one major contribution to local society: the birth of a dialect. Allow us to overhear a conversation in the dialect known simply as Miami:

“Bro, tu sabes, outta hand. That chick was riquisima. Yo le tire la muela and she fell for it, bro. Fer sher! She’s a major heat-up, though. She knows Susy’s sister, Jacky. But la jevita is outta control, bro…”

Excuse me while I regurgitate.

OK, where was I?

Change. Right. Change.

Why the history/sociology lesson?

Well, as you can see, history has shown that Generation X (automatically include Generation ñ when I refer to Generation X, but don’t forget to multiply it by at least 50) has taken a back seat to cocaine, crack, AIDS, divorce, single-parent households, racial injustice, xenophobia, homelessness, the political process, economic hardship, ___________. However, the time has now arrived (whether Gen Xers know it or don’t is a whole ‘nother issue) for Generation X to step up to the plate and accept the challenge for to change.

We don’t need to swing for the fences. We just need to do the little things that produce W’s. Move the runner over. Square up and lay down the bunt. Go opposite field and move the runner to third. Hit the ball hard in the air if there’s less than two outs. Consistently make the routine play.

It’s OK to flash some leather every now and then. Just make sure you make the routine play first. That’s all.

It’s station to station, boys (and girls). That guy (or girl) in the dugout is depending on you. It doesn’t matter if you hit 4th or 9th in this lineup. There’s only one common goal – and that’s to play it hard, play it right and play to win.

Welcome to the game of life. It’s only the biggest game we’ll ever play.

The first pitch was thrown earlier today. You ready to play ball?

Adrian Salgado is a Realtor Associate with RED I Realty in Miami, FL and can be reached at 305-491-7179 or SalgadoA@gmail.com

A Look at Quantum on the Bay

I got a chance to take a look at Quantum on the Bay for the very first time last week and I must say that I was pleasantly surprised. Ever since the project was announced way back when, I loved its location across the street from the renovated bayfront Margaret Pace Park at 1900 North Bayshore Drive in the Edgewater neighborhood (now marketed as Arts District) of Miami.

Location, location, location was never a concern. The product? Skeptical no more.

Developed by Pedro Martin-led Terra Group (900 Biscayne Bay) and designed by Nichols, Brosch, Sandoval & Associates, Quantum on the Bay features two 51-story and 44-story towers with a total of 454 units and 244 units respectively.

As is becoming more and more common in the newer buildings in the urban core, the artwork displayed in the lobby is more thought-provoking than decorative – a very good thing.

Take a look at the porto-cochere entry, the lobby and the artwork:

While at the building, I got to show a customer the following 594 SF studio unit located on the 25th floor of the South Tower:

The architects truly maximized the use of space in this unit. Although the kitchen cabinet space is not great, the fact that a studio has a walk-in closet more than makes up for the lack of cabinet space. Besides, who cooks these days? Nowadays, kitchens are more decor than culinary.

The Lounge:

At this point, my customer was feeling it.

The Pool Deck:

Compared to other projects in the Central Business District and Park West neighborhoods of Miami, the pool area doesn’t really floor me. However, it more than serves its purpose.

The Fitness Center:

The fitness center is hot butter for your breakfast toast. If fitness center is high on your list of must-have amenities, then this is a building you need to definitely check out.

I expect Quantum on the Bay to perform very well over the long haul. The fact that it is within walking distance of the Performing Arts Center, steps away from the burgeoning scene currently transforming Biscayne Boulevard and located across the street from one of the few public green spaces in the area makes it a highly desirable location.

By the way, because Margaret Pace Park is the only thing that stands between Quantum on the Bay and Biscayne Bay, those sweeping panoramic bay and city views will never be obstructed.

Adrian Salgado is a Realtor Associate with RED I Realty in Miami, Florida and can be reached at 305-491-7179 or SalgadoA@gmail.com.

Foreclosure Opportunities at Neo Lofts

There are currently 2 foreclosure opportunities at Neo Lofts that caught my fancy this morning. They are both bank-owned properties (not to be confused with a “pre-foreclosure” or “short sale”).

The first one, unit 710, is located on the north side of the building and features 703 sf of living area along with 86 sf of open balcony space. Take a look at the MLS listing for unit 710.

The other unit, unit 1702, is located in one of just three lines that have a direct eastern exposure to the Miami River and the Downtown Miami and Brickell skylines. The unit features 867 sf of living area along with 156 sf of private open balcony space. Take a look at the MLS listing for unit 1702.

Interlude: The 02 line in Neo Lofts is one of my personal favorites in the building.

If you’re interested in seeing any of these units, please feel free to contact me at 305-491-7179 or SalgadoA@gmail.com.

Adrian Salgado is a Realtor Associate with RED I Realty in Miami, FL and can be reached at 305-491-7179 or SalgadoA@gmail.com

Numbers Don’t Lie

26,391.

11,393.

For those big into numbers, the first number is the total amount of mortgage foreclosure filings in Miami-Dade County in 2007.

The second?

That’s the number of mortgage foreclosure filings in Miami-Dade County for the first three months (Jan – Mar) of 2008.

Any questions?

Adrian Salgado is a Realtor Associate with RED I Realty in Miami, FL and can be reached at 305-491-7179 or SalgadoA@gmail.com

Bye Bye O.B. – The End of an Era

I’m at a loss for words.

Another local landmark fell victim to heavy machinery and I was left to witness it all by my lonesome. Well, the demolition crew was present, but they were too busy sharing jokes, laughing and taking the O.B apart to notice that I was there.

An unfortunate middle-aged gentleman sporting a wide toothless grin was there as well. He was just too busy looking for his next fix to notice that a historic moment was taking place right before his glassy eyes.

Emptiness.

That’s the only word I can use to describe the feeling I had this morning. I looked around as if to share some words of solace with someone – anyone, but no one shared my sense of urgency. Cars zoomed by, pedestrians hurried to the bus stop and las viejitas swept the sidewalk.

I could go on and on and on about what the Orange Bowl meant to me. The memories that it created. The fun that it inspired. But it’s not about me. It’s about the demolition of yet another landmark at a time when this city struggles most with creating an identity…

Ah, f*#k it. Nobody cares about that.

What’s your greatest O.B. memory?

I want to know.

Adrian Salgado is a Realtor Associate with RED I Realty in Miami, FL and can be reached at 305-491-7179 or SalgadoA@gmail.com

Real Estate Diary – A Day in the Life of a Realtor Vol. 3 (The Sunoco Episode)

As if it weren’t painful enough to pour gas these days.

I stopped at the Sunoco gas station located at 200 SW 57 Ave this morning to experience rape at the pump once again. I usually leave my windows open so that I can, at the very least, enjoy some music while I’m being violated. However, this morning Ben Gibbard’s voice on Death Cab For Cutie’s Plans was no match for the voice of a white female in her mid-30’s who I hope to bring home for dinner one day.

I noticed her 5/6- year old son pumping gas into her car (as she lounged in the driver’s seat with the driver’s side door open) in the pump next to mine and thought to myself “que hombresito”.

His mother disagreed.

As I concentrate on the numbers on my pump, watching them escalate into the $30’s and $40’s (by this time blood stains can be seen on the floor directly beneath me) , I am startled by the loud shrill of the boy’s mother’s voice:

“C*jones m*ric*n, porque siempre tienes que tocar lo que no debes de estar tocando. Rep*nga! Eres un m*ric*n!” (word for word – no lie).

The curious boy apparently lowered the lever and stopped the pump before the tank was full, giving her good reason to unleash a barrage of niceties at her beloved son. The boy didn’t seem to mind. He cracked a smile and jumped into the back seat of his mom’s car. Just another day in the __________ household.

I took his name down and gave him my business card. Twenty years from now he’ll either be un rial estay, un morgish broquer or un aprayso.

Never too early to establish a professional relationship.

Adrian Salgado is a Realtor Associate at RED I Realty in Miami, FL and can be reached at 305-491-7179 or SalgadoA@gmail.com