Lifestyle

Category: Law, taxation & tips

  • Severe Storm Tips You Need To Know If You Live in an Apartment

    Severe Storm Tips You Need To Know If You Live in an Apartment

    When living in an area that experiences extreme weather, it is essential to be prepared and know how to keep yourself and your family safe. This is especially important if you live in an apartment because it most likely won’t have a shelter or other safety features that are found in single family homes.  Hurricanes and tornadoes are dangerous weather events that can cause significant damage—use the following tips to stay safe if you encounter extreme weather while living in an apartment:

    Stock Up on Emergency Supplies

    One of the best things you can do to prepare for a hurricane or tornado is keep emergency supplies on hand in your home. Make sure you have flashlights, extra batteries, a portable battery operated radio, water (3 gallons per person), a first aid kit and medication, canned, non-perishable or dehydrated food and a manual can opener, a car charger for your cell phone, and a bag containing protective clothing and sleeping linens.

    Stay Alert

    When a hurricane is predicted to affect the area where you live, pay attention to the news and weather apps so you know when you can expect extreme weather. Tornadoes are not as easy to predict and track as hurricanes, but if atmospheric conditions become favorable for tornadoes alerts and warnings will be issued. You won’t be able to stay safe if you don’t know what is going on with the weather!

    Know How to Stay Safe in Your Apartment

    Where is the safest place to be during a hurricane? If the storm is extremely powerful, it is probably in your best interest to evacuate and travel inland or go to a designated hurricane shelter. If there are no evacuation orders, you can ride out the storm in your apartment. In order to stay safe, you will need to secure your windows with thick masking tape or boards to prevent them from shattering due to high winds and flying debris. During the storm, the safest place to be is in a central room without windows, such as a bathroom or closet.

    In the event that a hurricane causes an outbreak of tornadoes, you need to know how to stay safe during a tornado in an apartment. Stay in a central room without windows, and lie down on the ground. Use pillows, blankets, and even your mattress to cover yourself so you are not injured by falling debris.

    Hurricanes and tornadoes can be very scary and stressful events, but knowing what to do can go a long way in ensuring your safety. Don’t wait—get prepared now so you have a plan in the event of severe weather.

  • Top 6 Reasons to Move to Miami

    Top 6 Reasons to Move to Miami

    “I’m moving to Miami,” says everyone who has ever survived one blustering, bitter winter day. We hear it every year and still each winter, watch our news feeds burst with claims of abandoning the north for better days toward the equator. We laugh, sometimes in January, from our penthouses with cocktails in hand at the idea of our closest friends waddling in vertical sleeping bags up to an air-tight hallway that someone branded as a lobby. Snow falling at their feet as often as we run our fingers through our hair in the low-seventies breeze.

    Besides the soul-sponging indulgence of getting a laugh at my tundra-bound friends, if someone asked me, “why move to Miami?”, I could sum up the rationale in six points.

    The Real Estate

    Miami luxury real estate is certainly something over which to gush. It is not attainable for everyone, and frankly, that is part of its appeal. But luxury Miami is not solely reserved for the highest price tags assigned to the best corners of grid-locked streets. Luxury real estate here is the actual luxury. Architecture ranges from historical to modern and glows under an artist’s touch. Furniture isn’t too nice to sit on; it’s so exquisite and lush that you want to stay cooped up or sprawled out on it forever. Windows stretch for days and eliminate the need for fine art (hypothetically, hypothetically…) with their insane blue views of the sky and the sea. Boat lined harbors and wide-brimmed hats speckle the scene with just enough movement to remind you of the wind and chatter whisking about the day. Miami views are not tantalizing. They are approachable. The sun outside casts warm kisses along the shore and invites you outside to shop or dine any time of the day. Lux living in Miami is actually where life is as good as it gets.

    Fashion and Shopping

    On more than one hand, I count the times I shopped until I dropped. Literally, made it home only to plop on my bed, bags still around my wrist. I suppose the copious cosseting of a closet could be one reason to not migrate south, but if you can control your addiction, you’ll thrive in this fashion capital. Bold designers, boutique traders and luxury artists dabble in new creations daily. Streets are quite literally lined with the world’s most famous designers and local artists that never bother to stretch farther than home.

    Nightlife

    If you have not seen photos of all-aged livelihoods boasting hand crafted cocktails amidst postcard views with a famous DJ in the background, you need to move here yesterday because you are living under a rock. Miami nightlife is a top destination and consequently, never sees a night with festivities raging until the sun is ready to rise.

    Dining

    The Caribbean influence is one of the best treats in Miami culture. Tasty Cuban restaurants dazzle taste buds on the reg and alter the course of culinary interest for life. Luxury dining is everywhere, sometimes hidden in the walls of streets; other times within Gianni Versace’s old mansion. Celebrities trail the migration of the world’s best chefs to the city, and you can believe the word meal will be removed from your vocabulary. We are talking a kitchen craft and hospitable retreat as many times a day as you desire.

    Entertainment

    Oh, the host we are! From the most prestigious food and wine festivals to performing arts and world-renown installations and sculptures in everyday use, there is never a day that goes shy of the bustling, artistic offerings of the city’s entertainers. Don’t feel like heading out on the town tonight? No worries, just watch the light show from your wall-sized window amidst the city’s skyline.

    So are you ready to make the move before the umpteenth episode of bitterness in your life? When you are, get in touch with VIAC for a top-shelf luxury real estate agent. We look forward to leading you into the high life Miami.

  • Keep Your Apartment Safe During Hurricane Disasters

    Keep Your Apartment Safe During Hurricane Disasters

    Extreme weather, like hurricanes and tornados, are common in many coastal cities, like Miami. At VIAC Miami, we know that your home is where you feel safe. Unfortunately, natural disasters can threaten your home and safety. This year, Hurricane Matthew has reminded us that it’s smart to be prepared.

    There’s no worse feeling for those who have ever returned home to a storm-torn community after a hurricane. Taking caution during a weather emergency could help you save your most valuable assets, including your life. What to do varies depending on where you live. For those in high-rise apartments, there are several steps to be prepared during a severe storm. 

    What can I do to prepare for a hurricane? 

    Preparing for a hurricane begins before hurricane season. Don’t wait until the last minute to think about a plan. Follow these tips to prepare your apartment for a hurricane. 

    1. Stay away from windows. Remove all art and mirrors from the walls. Store special mementos in a safe place.
    2. Ensure you have access to emergency updates. If you’re advised to evacuate, and can safely do so, it’s important to follow.
    3. Keep an emergency kit for disasters. In the kit, consider including food and water for a couple days, basic first aid, flashlights, and a backup battery for your phone. 
    4. Sync up with your neighbors. At the onset of hurricane season, ask your neighbors what their plan is in the case of a hurricane. Let them know yours so you can account for each other.

    Where is the safest place to be during a hurricane? 

    Weather conditions are extreme before and after a hurricane makes landfall. Extreme flooding and wind speed up to 140 mph have been associated with many of the worst hurricanes in history. If you live in an apartment, most weather experts advise immediate evacuation during a hurricane. Travel inland, up in elevation, and away from the coast. 

    Intense hurricane strength can cause tornado outbreaks. In 2004, Hurricane Ivan spawned over 100 tornadoes that killed at least 8 people. Though tornadoes are different than hurricanes, you should take similar precautionary steps.

    Unlike hurricanes, tornado warnings can come with as little as 15 minutes notice. Knowing how to stay safe during a tornado will allow you to act fast.  

    Tornado Safety Tips

    1. Check with your apartment to see if they have a community tornado shelter available. If so, that is your best option for ensuring your safety. 
    2. If a shelter is not available, head to the lowest floor. Do not stay in the upper levels of a high-rise. 
    3. Go in the smallest room, like a bathroom or closet, preferably without windows.
    4. To avoid injury from falling or flying debris, squat down in the center of the room. Use a protective shield, like blankets or pillows, to cover your head.  

    Returning Home After A Disaster

    If your apartment is hit by a hurricane or tornado, proceed home with caution. Assess any damage carefully. Be on the lookout for falling debris or loose material. Upon entering, if you smell gas, call 911 immediately. If power is out, use a flashlight, but do not light a candle.  

    Many hurricane-related deaths occur from drowning after the storm has passed. If surrounding streets are flooded, do not proceed. Turn around and return when it’s clear.

    Will renters insurance cover weather damage?

    Consult with your VIAC Miami real estate agent to see if renters insurance is right for you. An insurance policy could cover damage from the effects of disastrous weather. 

    The moment you see an ominous storm on the evening news, make sure your family knows your disaster plan. By taking precautionary steps all year long, you’ll be ready when hurricane season hits.

    Stay informed with safe living tips from the luxury real estate experts at VIAC Miami.

  • Tips for Finding Your Dream Home

    Tips for Finding Your Dream Home

    You’re ready to plant your roots and invest in a piece of luxury real estate in Miami where you can raise a family or spend the upcoming years of your life doing as you please. Luxury real estate can come in many forms to different people, some people are looking for a gorgeous home right on the water or on a golf course or even in the middle of a large piece of property to ensure the utmost privacy. Whatever your situation and interests may be, for those with the financial means to live in luxury, there are a few tips to help you find the home of your dreams.

    Know Your Priorities

    Before hiring an agent or even looking at listings, it’s a good idea to list out a some of the top priorities you are looking for in your luxury home. A few things that you may want to consider looking for are a great location for convenience to town or seclusion for privacy, great school district for the children, great views/waterfront, yard space, gated community or security system, home gym/theaters, or studios. Write down the main important features you are looking for in your new luxury home, and this will help the agent you eventually start working with tremendously by taking some of the guesswork out on their part.

    The Importance of a Local Agent with Expertise

    It’s crucial to develop a good relationship with a luxury-buying agent because the high-end home process is slightly different than the rest of the real estate industry. The high-end homes tend to be a bit more restricted and limited concerning open houses and necessary appointments that need to be made. A local agent with experience in luxury homes will know that the process is different. Often luxury homes, especially of higher profile individuals, will not be listed to protect the seller’s privacy, and this is another reason having an agent that specializes in the local luxury market is very important.

    Don’t Judge a Home by the First Few Pictures

    More often than not, large homes are do not show well in photographs. It’s just how it is. If the house sounds good but you are turned off to how the pictures look, it’s recommended that you take the time to investigate a little deeper before turning the page. Search Google Earth to see what’s around the home or even go for a drive to see the home for yourself.

    Miami and the surrounding neighborhoods are filled with luxury homes and estates, covering just about every imaginable price range. These tips are good to keep in mind when you finally decide on making that next big purchase of your life. For more information on Miami luxury real estate visit Viac Luxury Real Estate in Miami Beach.

  • How Brexit Could Affect the Real Estate Market in Miami

    How Brexit Could Affect the Real Estate Market in Miami

    The world shook last month when the U.K. voted to leave the European Union. Its affects on the countries involved and remaining globe were somewhat muddled, but they continue to surface with prominence in a vast array of market contributions.

    Rather indirectly, the Miami housing market is affected. London ranks amongst the top in global real estate, and its departure from the EU saw whiplash in property prices, plunging severely. This means that Miami moves up in the global rankings, and continues to become an even more attractive international location in which to purchase.

    A more attractive purchase destination should attract more foreign investors. Right now, Miami has the most stable real estate market in the country, which makes it the easy choice for buyers leaving London and the U.K. for new opportunities.

    It’s too unpredictable to claim that London will fall to instability, but the unknowns surrounding the departure from the EU leaves too much up in the air for investors. It’s no longer a safe market, and Miami beams with security and stability. Already, there’s a project, Miami Worldcenter, set to be completed 2018. It’s already attracted investor-buyers from 35 different countries.

    Investors from all over the world have sought Miami property for years. Some of its most appealing attributes are its favorable weather, international access location, buzzing lifestyle, global business market and multicultural family affinity. Traditionally, the Florida Realtors Association saw annual climbs in real estate values of four to 10 percent. Most recently, the value increases tipped into the teens. Even with these increases, the Miami real estate market still offers some of the most affordable options amongst the world’s top cities.

    So what does this mean for the rest of Miami and south Florida? Experts predict an influx of foreign investors, bringing international, well-educated, wealthy people to the area. Property purchases will be amongst top activity, but we’ll also see the establishment of new businesses, creating jobs for locals and immigrants alike, which will be increasingly important for the population increase in downtown Miami.

    Only time will tell the validity of Miami’s upcoming housing market boom, and we’re curious to see how the change unfolds. VIAC will be there every step of the way, so tune in for the latest on Brexit and, as always, all things Miami real estate.

  • France Is the No. 1 European Country Searching for South Florida Real Estate

    France is the No. 1 European country searching for South Florida real estate

    source : therealdeal.com

    Invest now with VIAC Luxury Real Estate

    viac-miami.com

  • Get Your Citizenship by Investing in Skyrise Miami Tower

    GET YOUR CITIZENSHIP BY INVESTING IN SKYRISE MIAMI TOWER !!

     

    It will rise higher than any structure in Miami, standing at the center of Biscayne Bay. Like the Statue of Liberty, SkyRise tower will be the gateway to U.S. citizenship—not for the tired, poor, huddled masses, but for foreign investors who have at least a half a million dollars to pay.

    “A significant portion of our funding will come from the EB5 federal immigration investor program,” said developer Jeff Berkowitz, standing on the parking lot from which the tower will eventually rise. “It becomes a very short cut approach for a potential immigration investor to get their green card. All they have to do is get their source of funds vetted by homeland security.”

    source nbcnews

    viac-miami.com