To live on Ocean Drive is to live in the pinnacle of luxury and there are arguably very few Miami Beach condos that will allow you to enjoy such an experience in a more opulent way than 1500 Ocean Drive.  This stunning building designed by renowned architect Michael Graves stands right on the famous street at sixteen stories and more than 100 lavishly appointed units.

Since 1500 Ocean Drive is essentially a South Beach condo, its amenities are of the most optimum.  Beyond the standards like around the clock security, concierge and valet, the building has a large sundeck area that contains a huge heated pool plus a sizzling Jacuzzi.  You’ll also notice the billiards room plus the other rooms designed for hosting social or business events.  To top it all off you can enjoy a relaxing massage in the comfort of your own residence or participate in yoga and Pilates classes.

1500 Ocean Drive is also among the most flexible Miami Beach condos, offering an almost equal variety of standard bedroom floor plans with one to three bedrooms or stunning penthouses with up to five bedrooms.  Expect to be dazzled and amazed when you choose to live in this unbelievable Miami Beach condo.

Don’t be surprised if you happen to see a greater number of Miami Beach real estate for sale than what you have before.  Although prices have yet to appreciate to what some would agree is a considerable amount, it seems that there’s been enough positive signs springing up as of late to sway more homeowners towards selling their Miami Beach condos.

Until last month the number of properties up for resale was experiencing a steady decrease, according to Florida Realtors.  Market analysts believe that the upcoming winter tourism season has convinced a greater number of homeowners that it may be the right time to try their hand at finding prospective buyers willing to purchase something like Miami Beach real estate at an acceptable price range.  It also helps that the U.S. dollar remains weak.

Miami-Dade alone makes up nearly forty percent of residential resale property, followed by Broward County at 32 percent and Palm Beach at 31 percent.  Does this mean we may see a surge in buying activity come year end?

The third quarter of 2009 brings some good news for Florida and Miami Beach real estate.  In a continued sign of improvement in the housing market, sales of existing single family homes in the state increased to more than 44,000, a substantial 30+ percent increase from 2008.

Surprisingly, it was also Miami that saw the most improvement when it comes to markets like Miami Beach condos.  Existing condo sales rose 43 percent, a figure that again, is another improvement in comparison to last year.  On the other hand, prices for condos are still going down, dropping to about $138,000 from $219,800.

What’s causing the year over year improvements in home sales?  It’s the same factors you probably know of: foreclosures, lower prices and the government’s first time buyer tax credit.  Speaking of which, it has since been extended so you now have more time and opportunities than ever to explore the countless amount of Miami Beach homes that are out there.

The twenty story W South Beach is one of the most recent Miami Beach condos to emerge in the city, as well as one of the most upscale hotels often favored by celebrities.  The W brand has a globally recognized reputation for its so-called “Whatever/Whenever” service that strives to cater to a person’s every need regardless of what time it is or what that need might be.

Beyond its unique services, W South Beach has many features that set it apart from neighboring Miami Beach condos.  For starters, every single one of the rooms within the building has a balcony that overlooks the oceanfront so you won’t need to worry about having to sacrifice those gorgeous views that South Florida is known for.  W South Beach is also the first condo to have a Mr. Chow franchise, a popular and upscale restaurant chain found in New York, London and Beverly Hills.

The rooms and residences of W South Beach are also impressive.  For example, the “Wow Suite” is a huge 6,100+ square foot room with a trio of bedrooms and bathrooms as well as a terrace on the rooftop.  Everything about W South Beach reinforces luxury and comfort, make sure to stop by and see for yourself why its reputation extends throughout the world.

Is Miami’s Design District set to usurp the appeal of Miami Beach real estate?  While there’s little doubt that a place like South Beach will easily hold onto it status as South Florida’s top hotspot, the Design District may be giving it a run for its money more than it ever has before.

It’s surprising to know that barely six years ago the Miami Design District was all flat streets and just a pair of restaurants, not exactly a place in which to spend an afternoon or evening.  Today the district is full of bars and multiple restaurants, independent boutiques and plenty of art and design obviously.

Interestingly the huge growth of the Design District can be attributed to a group of South Beach “defectors� who chose to seize upon the lower rent and creative freedom.  Of this group, Michael Schwartz opened the now popular Michael's Genuine Food & Drink.  Jonathan Eismann is the man behind the Pacific Time restaurant and Ken Lyon has both the Fratelli Lyon Italian restaurant and the ultra contemporary Driade furniture and design store.

Is it time to choose Miami condos over Miami Beach condos?  That’s all a matter of personal needs and taste but there’s more reasons than ever to choose in a home in South Florida.

When exploring Miami Beach you may have come across an assortment of residential land masses to the west of the city.  Of these islands, one of the most notable is Star Island.  Like the neighborhood’s name implies, Star Island contains several Miami Beach homes that are owned (or were once owned) by celebrities.  Musician Lenny Kravitz, entertainer Madonna, baseball player Alex Rodriguez, singer Gloria Estefan and actor Will Smith are some of the many household names associated with Star Island.

Considering that Star Island is the home of box office stars, musicians and more, the Miami Beach homes on the island are all large and generally within the multimillion dollar range.  It’s not uncommon to find homes with over 18,000 square feet and more than seven bedrooms.  As you’d expect, boat docks practically come standard here.

Star Island has a guardhouse which gives it the illusion of being private but you can always stop at the gate and see the neighborhood for yourself.  It’s a wonderful place to visit before or after checking out nearby Miami Beach.