The aftereffects of the real estate downturn haven’t necessarily been all bad.  While at one point the Miami Beach real estate market was booming with homes that seemed to get bigger and bigger, affluent homeowners are now downsizing to something a little more modest.  Nowadays builders are focusing on building and promoting residences that they describe as “opulent yet efficient”.

There may be a slightly larger number of buyers out and about exploring Miami Beach real estate but ask any real estate agent with a good grasp of existing trends and conditions and they’ll tell you that many of these buyers are looking for luxury at discounted prices.  As a result, leading South Florida builders such as Kenco Communities have already starting showcasing their new proposed multi-bedroom homes available for a little more than $1 million.

Recent surveys by the National Association of Home Builders show that nearly all builders have switched to designing smaller homes.  As to whether these new designs are being embraced remains to be seen.  Do you expect to find luxury Miami Beach real estate at discounted prices when browsing the market?

Just north from where you’ll find the Miami Beach condos lies the comparably tiny village of Bal Harbour, an area that more than makes up for what it may lack in size with its affluence.  Like Miami Beach there’s a collection of Bal Harbour condos that are just luxurious.  Among them is the dramatic Majestic condo, a 22 story building right by the eastern coastline.

The Majestic does share one of the qualities of Miami Beach condos in that it’s got a wonderful location that offers direct beachfront access.  Everything else about the Majestic is unique, from the cozy café on the premises to the hair salon and the glass domed entrance that makes a bold statement.  Like in any high end condo, you can also expect swimming pools that overlook the oceanfront, billiards, tennis, cabanas and a cutting edge fitness center.

With a name like Majestic, the living experience nearly emulates what royalty would live like and that’s precisely what you’ll get when you check out the Majestic residences available with two to four bedrooms.  Granite kitchen countertops, ten foot ceilings, marble bathrooms, huge balconies looking out onto the Atlantic, Majestic is a royal paradise.

Depending on whom you ask buying Miami Beach condos is now a safer bet than it was last year.  Clearly things aren’t yet on a complete upswing but there’s a little more guarantee in terms of knowing that the steep month to month declines in values of 2009 are over.  So what exactly should you look out if you plan on moving into a condo?

A very important factor when checking out Miami Beach condos or any condo are the homeowners and the association.  In other words, take a good look at how many homeowners within a building are actually current on their fees.  If there are too many people who aren’t or are paying beyond the due date that could spell trouble for the building down the road.

Financing is obviously a major factor in buying any type of Miami Beach real estate.  When it comes to condominiums, you also want to closely examine an association’s reserves as that can determine how easily you’ll be able to obtain said financing.

Nowadays with Miami Beach condos, a high degree of diligence is required as opposed to buying a home.  Make sure that you’ve given yourself plenty of time to thoroughly do your research before buying a unit in a building that could face problems in the future.

It’s only been about a month or so since Art Basel took place in Miami Beach yet art aficionados have even more to look forward to.  In what could be considered yet another reason to choose Miami Beach condos, the Miami International Art Fair organized by art collectors David and Lee Ann Lester opens today over at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

Unlike Art Basel, the Miami International Art Fair focuses more on showcasing the work of artists here in South Florida and those throughout Latin America with artwork available at prices that are geared more towards budget conscious buyers.  The show features more than seventy unique exhibits and also has daily panels where various art topics are discussed.

The Miami International Art Fair doesn’t have the momentum of Art Basel but organizers are hoping that its rich Latin artwork and focus on promoting the work of fellow South Florida residents will attract a big audience.  If you’re looking for something to do near Miami Beach condos this weekend, here’s another reason.

This unusually chilly weather may not be doing South Florida any favors in terms of attracting people to consider Miami Beach real estate but for those who can overlook this uncustomary change in climate, there are some great deals available.  If you’re only looking to stay for a while, the South Beach Marriott is offering two attractive packages.

Anyone looking to vacation in the city and explore the possibility of Miami Beach real estate may wish to look into the South Beach Marriott’s “Buy Two Nights, Get One Free” or “All-Inclusive South Beach Package” deals.  The former lets you stay an extra night while the latter ensures that you enjoy the South Beach experience to its fullest with meals, beach chairs, internet access for taking care of business, and a bottle of wine available to you for a low rate.  Considering the location, the $274 starting rate is relatively inexpensive.

The South Beach Marriott is right on famous Ocean Drive and is also home to the popular Deco Blue Restaurant Bar.  If you’re entertaining the possibility of purchasing or investing in Miami Beach real estate, these deals are being offered until the last day of the year.

So you’re deciding between staying a couple of nights in Miami Beach or perhaps plunking down the funds for a down payment on Miami Beach condos.  Instead of having to choose between the two, you may wish to consider something like the Bentley Beach, one of the few residential buildings that also offer hotel accommodations.

To explore Bentley Beach is to view the stunning design and craftsmanship that goes into building Miami Beach condos.  Yet what really sets this building apart is the fact that it’s also operated by Hilton, a household name when it comes to high end hotels and resorts.  As a result, you can enjoy quite a number of features that include standard hotel amenities like a swimming pool as well as exclusive access to the Bentley Beach’s Spa 101 and the beach club that has direct access to the sunny sands of South Beach.

There are studios, one bedroom and two bedroom units when exploring what’s available at the Bentley Beach, ensuring that you have lots of options to choose from.  On top of all the excellent features, the building is right on Ocean Drive within the highly popular South Beach area.  Bentley Beach represents the finest in Miami Beach condos, a stylish experience for those who like to enjoy the comfort of a beachfront escape in one of the liveliest cities in South Florida.