Pinecrest, Florida Real Estate Market

For the first time in the last five years, repeat buyers and investors in the Pinecrest, Florida area outnumber first-time buyers as sales leaders once again in the region's housing market.  As a result, prices of bank-owned developments and properties doing business as short sales are being bid up by multiple offers and cash buyers in many Pinecrest neighborhoods, according to a recent current market conditions survey.  The numbers reveal that there is a current ratio of 58% to 42% of repeat buyers as compared to first time buyers.  This reflects an increase of 10 percentage points over this time last year, and a staggering 24 points as compared to six months ago.  In a balanced market of supply and demand in real estate, it is usually the case that repeat buyers lead by a two-thirds ratio.

In other survey data provided by real estate agents and professionals in the second quarter of 2011, 53% of respondents reported that their customers are getting over 95% of their asking prices, on average.  Plus, 60% of survey respondents stated that they received multiple offers and 52% reported zero to 10% appreciation in the past year.  Moreover, 77% indicated that real estate listings are taking more than 60 days to sell. The buyer-seller ratio is 53% to 34%, slightly favoring sellers.  This re-emergence of repeat buyers and competition from cash-rich investors is boosting sales activity significantly.

As such, there are great opportunities for buyers in the form of discounted properties such as foreclosures and short sales.  In addition, motivated sellers are pricing appropriately their properties for sale.  In other words, now and over the next couple of months can be seen as the best time to buy.  For sellers, it should be noted that if they are somewhat short when they sell, they are likely to make up the difference when they purchase their next home.  Pinecrest, Florida home shoppers should also be aware that when upgrading or downsizing, there is the option of taking advantage of the homestead exemption. This is just one of the benefits when considering purchasing a property.  Appreciation at steady and typical levels is forthcoming in the medium and long term.

Top Pinecrest, Florida Restaurants

Pinecrest, Florida is home to many fabulous restaurants and eateries for casual or fine dining, both indoors and out.  Sushi Rock Suniland, at 11293 South Dixie Highway in Pinecrest is a proven winner among locals and visitors.  The sushi is always fresh and the service is attentive and fantastic.  Whether you prefer to sit at the sushi bar or enjoy table service with the entire family, you will not leave disappointed.  One popular dish is the tuna tataki, with a huge portion of beautiful tuna slices that are gorgeously arranged and melt in your mouth.

Another excellent option for fresh seafood is Sushi Rock, where sushi is the star.  The talented chefs know their craft and they do it perfectly.  The atmosphere is eclectic, with a little bit of fun.  The music is not typical Japanese, so diners may catch a tune or two from the 90’s.  The servers recommend that diners start with some fragrant green tea or house Sake.  The Shrimp shumai is delectable, warm and delicate.  Sushi Rock features traditional rolls but they will also do custom rolls to your liking.

Pizza lovers should definitely check out Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza, at 10205 South Dixie Highway in Pinecrest.  As soon as you enter Anthony's, you are greeted with a traditional old Miami feel updated with modern luxury.  The smells will be the second thing guests notice, as the ovens are right out in the open for the most authentic pizza taste.  The décor features icons such as the Godfather and Sophia Loren, and countless others ranging from notorious celebrities to classic rock stars.

There are numerous tables in the main dining room, as well as the featured front center table which is huge and visible right upon entering.  It offers a bird’s eye view of the entire restaurant.  Any dish on the menu will be fantastic, but many visitors swear by the Meatball & Ricotta pizza with fresh ricotta and chunks of well-flavored meat.  All salads are also crisp and fresh, with dressings made in house.  The servers are attentive, fast, friendly and polite.

Fun Activities and Historic Landmarks of Pinecrest, Florida

Pinecrest, Florida is an area where both residents and visitors enjoy many varieties of activities and attractions.  Animal lovers will love the Everglades Alligator Farm, at 40351 Southwest 192nd Avenue in nearby Homestead, Florida.  Guests of all ages can discover the mysteries of the Everglades at this attraction, which is South Florida's oldest alligator farm.  Located at the main entrance of world famous Everglades National Park, the attraction is home to more than 2,000 alligators.  You can learn more about these astounding creatures as you glide skim the waters on a guided airboat tour.  Alligator, snake, and wildlife shows are performed hourly.  The Everglades Alligator Farm is also home of the famous 14 foot "Grandpa" alligator.  Plus, this attraction has an entertaining staff of Airboat drivers, Alligator Experts, and even Snake handlers

Another spot to enjoy the outdoors and beautiful Pinecrest weathers is the Deering Estate at Cutler.   Located along Biscayne Bay, the spacious Deering Estate at Cutler is an environmental, archeological and historical preserve.  Visitors can paddle on a canoe ride or stroll along one of the butterfly trails or nature guided tour.  There are also daily tours of the historic houses – the Stone House and Richmond Cottage, as well as naturalist lead tours of the lush natural areas where fossil bones have been found as far back as 50,000 years.  Also located onsite is a cultural and educational facility that features classes and programs for children and adults, as well as teacher training and research opportunities.

Foodies and gardeners will love Pinecrest’s Fruit and Spice Park, which is the only tropical botanical garden of its kind in the United States.  The park exhibits 500 varieties of fruits, vegetables, spices, herbs, nuts, and other plant specimens from around the world.

Finally, another outdoor attraction is the Miami-Dade EcoAdventures, located near Pinecrest in Miami.  Part of the nationally renowned Miami-Dade Parks system, it is one of the largest networks of parks, beaches, wildlife-landscapes, wetlands, and recreational gems in the entire United States.  Masters of outdoor discovery, adventurers, educators and stewards provide entertaining and educational information on the fascinating subtropical South Florida ecosystem.

Climate and Storm History of Pinecrest, Florida

The village of Pinecrest, Florida experiences what is termed a subtropical monsoon climate by the Köppen climate classification.  With this climate, it is similar to that of Miami and most of the surrounding South Florida metropolitan area.  This means that summers are hot and humid, with high temperatures averaging between 88 degrees and 92 degrees Fahrenheit.  The all time high temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit was recorded on July, 21 1942.  Low temperatures in the summer on average fall between 70 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.  In general, low temperatures in Pinecrest at all times of year are about 5–15 degrees cooler than coastal Miami, mainly because of its inland and rural location.

Meanwhile, winters in Pinecrest are mild, but on average are slightly cooler than nearby cities adjacent to the Atlantic coast.  In winter, the area experiences cold fronts that bring cooler weather patterns for short periods during the months from November to March.  In the farm areas lying west of downtown Pinecrest, frosts and freezes may occur 5–10 times per year.  High temperatures in the winter months average between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and lows typically fall in the range of 47 and 57 degrees.  The lowest temperature ever recorded in the Pinecrest area is 26 degrees Fahrenheit, which was recorded on December 13, 1934.  This was actually recorded at Homestead Air Force Base, some 10 miles east of Homestead, Florida.

Summer is the season in Pinecrest when most of the year’s average rain falls.  The village has a wet season that typically lasts from mid-May to early October.  However, the dry season sees little if any rain, and most of it comes with the passing of cold fronts.  Snowfall is extremely rare in the Pinecrest area, and has only been recorded once.  At Homestead Air Force Base, on January 20, 1977, the farthest south that snowfall has ever been reported in the lower 48 United States was recorded.

Hurricanes do pose a slight threat to the Pinecrest area, though not as much as Miami and the coastal regions.  While not located on the immediate coast, Pinecrest has been affected by hurricanes before.  The only recent strong storm was Hurricane Andrew, in August 1992, which devastated much of southern Florida.  In many areas, it took 5 to 10 years to fully recover.  Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma also brushed by in 2005, but did not pass directly over Pinecrest.

City of Pinecrest, Florida: General Information

The city of Pinecrest, Florida is a suburban village located in Miami-Dade County.  The city is governed by a five member Village Council, and functions under the Council-Manager form of government.  As of the 2000 U.S. Census, there were 19,055 people, 6,250 households, and 5,062 families residing in the village.  The population density was 2,527.8 inhabitants per square mile, and with 6,403 housing units, Pinecrest has an average density of 849.4 per square mile.

Children under the age of 18 were living in 47.6% of the 6,250 households, and 70% were married couples living together.  Females headed 8.7% of households, and 19% of Pinecrest residents were non-families.  Individuals lived alone in 15.1% of all households, and 4.9% of Pinecrest had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.04 people, while and the average family numbered 3.39.

In the village the population was spread out with 31.4% under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 25.5% from 45 to 64, and 10.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 93.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.4 males.  The median income for all households in Pinecrest village was $107,507, whereas the median income for a family was $122,526.  Females had a median income of $35,806, and were edged by males with a median income of $88,091 versus for males.   Per capita income for Pinecrest was $51,181, with about 2.4% of families and 4.1% of the population falling below the poverty line.

As of 2000, speakers of English as a first language were 58% of the population, while Spanish made up 35%.  This is likely due to the fact that the same census figures show that Pinecrest had the thirty-fourth highest percentage of Cuban residents in the US, with 13.7% of the populace.  Also, it had the ninety-second highest percentage of Colombian residents in the U.S., at 1.78%, and the thirty-fifth highest percentage of Nicaraguan residents in the US, at 1.2% of its population.

History of the City of Pinecrest, Florida

The history of the city of Pinecrest, Florida dates back to the early 1900s, when Miami pioneer and railroad tycoon Henry Flagler made use of the region as planning base during the construction of the Overseas Railroad to the Florida Keys.  By the 1930s, Pinecrest and the region continued to grow with new residents and tourist arriving as the popularity of the area increased as a tourist destination.  The Pinecrest community began to evolve around one of the first tourist attractions established in the vicinity:  Parrot Jungle and Gardens.  However, Pinecrest would not officially be incorporated until the late 20th Century.

Parrot Jungle was founded in 1936 and over the years became a world famous tourist attraction.  The idea for Parrot Jungle began when the attraction’s founders became motivated to develop a tourist sigh were birds could be observed flying free, without the limits of cages.  Parrot Jungle was built as a nature trail which wound through the coral rock canyons and hammock land, both of which were indigenous to the area.  All the natural plants that inhabited the area were left undisturbed.  Parrot Jungle opened in December 1936, welcoming about 100 visitors who each paid 25 cents admission to see and hear information about the area’s birds, trees and flowers.  On December 17, 2002, the Village of Pinecrest purchased the Parrot Jungle with the aim of developing the site; on March 8, 2003 the Pinecrest Village Council dedicated Pinecrest Gardens and officially opened it to the public as the Village’s newest municipal park.

During the 1950s and 1960s, the Pinecrest area flourished with residential development.  Particularly noteworthy to Pinecrest’s history was the construction of ranch-style houses on 1 acre (4,000 m²) lots which was very popular during this time period.  The development of single-family structures on larger than normal lots served to lay the foundation for the Pinecrest community’s rural and lushly landscaped residential character.

Increasing growth with the arrival of new residents, as well as local issues that developed, during the 1990s inspired a movement to incorporate the area.  The Village of Pinecrest was officially incorporated on March 12, 1996, and the movement‘s pioneers were elected as mayors for the first three terms of the new city.