HOUSING & RELOCATION GUIDE 2013-2014 2018- 2019 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction p. 2 Helpful Resources p. 3 Real Estate Agents p. 4 Tips for a Successful Search p. 5 Tips for Avoiding Scams and Foreclosed Properties p. 5 Tips for Managing Your Budget p. 6 Tips for Finding a Roommate p. 6 Tips for Getting Around pp. 7 - 8 Popular Neighborhoods & Zip Codes pp. 9 - 10 Apartment & Condo Listings pp. 11 - 20 Map of Miami pp. 21 - 22 INTRODUCTION Welcome to the University of Miami School of Law Housing & Relocation Guide! Moving to a new city or a big city like Miami may seem daunting, but this Guide will make your transition into Miami Law a smooth one. The Student Recruitment team is also ready to assist as needed. The Office of Student Recruitment has published this Guide to help orient incoming students to their new city. The information provided in this publication has been gathered from numer- ous sources, including surveys completed by current law students. This information is compiled for your convenience but is by no means exhaustive. We are not affiliated with, nor do we endorse any property, organization or real estate agent/office listed in the Guide. Features listed are provided by the property agents. We strongly suggest you call in advance to schedule an appointment or gather more information, before visiting the properties. Please note that most rental prices and facilities have been updated for 2018, but the properties reserve the right to adjust rates at any time. Once you have selected an area to live in, it is wise to examine several possibilities to compare prices and quality. The listings are organized by neighborhood, with the closest neighborhoods listed first. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you need assitance. GOOD LUCK IN YOUR SEARCH! HELPFUL RESOURCES In addition to this guide, there are other resources that may be helpful in your search. Please look over our TIPS for Avoiding Scams section when contacting private or online postings. MIAMI LAW RESOURCES Housing Day - Saturday, March 24th, 2018 Each year, Miami Law hosts this event so you can meet with realtors, and other admitted students, and also take a short tour of Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, and South Miami. This year, there are two bus tours scheduled; one at 9:00 am and the other at 11:00 am. Note: The tour does not include apartment/condo interiors. Housing Online Chats Housing chats are held periodically to answer relocation questions. Admitted Student Facebook Page Admitted students are advised to join their class Facebook Group. Here you can view posts by other admitted students, administrators, and staff regarding housing and often find roommates. Here is the link to join: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MiamiLawClassof2021/ ONLINE RESOURCES UM Off-Campus Housing Database (Note: Use is not https://public.cgcent.miami.edu/off-campus-housing/ restricted to University students) frmSearch.aspx Apartments: www.apartments.com Apartment Ratings: www.apartmentratings.com Apartment Search: www.apartmentsearch.com Best of the Web www.apartmentsearch.com Coral Gables Rentals http://www.coralgablesrentals.com/index.html For Rent.com http://www.forrent.com/ Miami Apartment Finders www.miamiapartmentfinders.com/ Miami Condo Lifestyle (Rent): http://www.miamicondolifestyle.com/english/miami- condos-rent.php Pet Friendly Condos: http://www.miamicondolifestyle.com/pet-friendly.php Realtor.com (under Home Type, select Rentals): http://www.realtor.com/ Zillow http://www.zillow.com Trulia http://www.trulia.com/for_rent/Miami,FL/ Abodo - Coral Gables https://www.abodo.com/coral-gables-fl/search University of Miami School of Law https://www.law.miami.edu/ OTHER RESOURCES “For Rent” Signs—Many places in the Gables ONLY post their vacancies on a sign in the wndows or outside their prop- erty, so consider driving around a neighborhood you like and look for a sign. REAL ESTATE AGENTS Real Estate professionals in Miami do not charge a “finders fee” when working with tenants, and many condominiums are listed through realtors. Since a real estate agent helps procure a lease agreement, the commission will come from the owner’s side of the transaction. Please Note: We do not endorse any particular agency and this list is provided for your convenience. Please look at the following list of realtors who have been helpful to our students in the past. REALTORS Areas of Realtor Phone Email/Web Page Concentration Richard Bogart, Esq. Miami-Dade County 201-747-0677 cell [email protected] JD ‘14 (Brickell) 305-329-7600 tel 305960-5285 fax Alexandra Cervera & Miami-Dade County 786-543-2288 cell agoeseke@[email protected] (Alex) Christopher Adeleke- (Alexandra) [email protected] Cervera Real Estate 305-793-0072 cell (Chris) (Adeleke) Marilu Chavez & Miami-Dade County 305-606-5938 cell [email protected] Herman Chavez (Miami, Coral Gables, (Herman) [email protected] Village Realty South Miami, Pinecrest) 305-812-1273 cell (Marilu) Marco & Jem Clavijo/ Miami-Dade County 305-301-5100 cell [email protected] Elite Real Estate As- (South Miami & 305-467-8634 cell [email protected] sociates Inc. Pinecrest) http://www.eliterealestateasociates. com Erika Di Porto, Daniel Miami-Dade County (305) 495-5593 cell [email protected] Hunt DVR Dolce Vita (South Miami, (Dan) http://www.facebook.com/hunt305 Realty Coral Gables, Pinecrest, (305) 733-4113 cell http://wwwhttp://dolcevitarealty.sef. Dadeland, Coconut (Erika) fusionmls.com/ Grove, Brickell, [email protected] Downtown, Miami Beach) Joe Higgins/Grove Miami-Dade County 786-877-6201 cell [email protected] Town Properties 305-809-6100 office www.grovetownproperties.com Dolores Longo/ RE- Miami-Dade County 305-986-3331 cell [email protected] MAX \ (Coral Gables) 305-444-7111 office Bethany Martinez Miami-Dade County 786-329-9021 cell [email protected] Cervera Real Estate www.cervera.com Eli Montag & Nella Miami-Dade County 305-710-1519 cell [email protected] (Eli) Shap/Coldwell Banker (Eli) 305-903-5515 cell (Nella) Dawn Reid/ PRMG Miami-Dade County 786-925-4123 tel [email protected] (Coral Gables, 786-504-0888 fax Dadeland, Pinecrest, Palmetto Bay) Lauryn Suarez, Esq. Miami-Dade County 954-993-1753 cell [email protected] JD ‘16 305-662-7325 office Marlene Schltz Miami-Dade County 305-396-4472 office Marlene@southfloridaproper- South Floirda Proper- (Coral Gables, South 305-384-5225 cell tiestoday.com ties Today, Inc. Miami, Pinecrest) Aric N. Williams, JD Miami-Dade County 305-766-0219 cell [email protected] ‘14 (Coral Gables, www.EsquireRG.com Esquire Realty Group Downtown, Brickell, South Miami) TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL SEARCH • KNOW WHO IS LEASING YOU THE APARTMENT Many of the complexes listed in our guide are condominiums. As such, you may be renting your apartment from a private owner as opposed to a property manager. Please make sure to read over our Tips for Avoiding Scams section for more information. • KNOW WHO TO CONTACT IF THERE ARE ANY PROBLEMS When signing a lease, make sure you know who the contact person is in case a problem arises (bro- ken appliances, parking, utilities, common area issues, etc.). Your point of contact may be the owner, realtor or a management office. • START YOUR SEARCH EARLY Prices fluctuate with market and demand changes, and tend to go up right before the start of the school year. You are advised to start looking early with negotiations typically beginning before your lease is to begin. If possible, it is wise to visit the property and surrounding areas in person, 30-45 days before signing a lease. • BE AWARE OF THE UP FRONT COSTS It is common for application fees, pet deposits and 3 months rent (first month, last month, and a one-month security deposit) be due at the time of the lease signing. • ASK QUESTIONS AND NEGOTIATE Some condo units will include cable, internet, and water, but make sure to discuss this during your negotiations. Ask about the pet policy. There are many condo associations which allow owners to have pets, but not renters. Big complexes and communities advertise their move-in specials, but the owners of private units and buildings do not. There may be ocassions where you can negotiate terms and up front costs. TIPS FOR AVOIDING SCAMS • DO YOUR DUE DILIGENCE If you do not use a realtor, reduce your risk of becoming a scam or foreclosure victim by doing a little reading, investigating and research. If you cannot secure a place in Miami in person, before sending any money you may want to ask for verifiable employment information or their photo ID. Also, these days, many people have a social media account, so look them up. • DEAL WITH QUALIFIED REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS Those on our list are recommended by students or have participated in one of our housing events. (Please see page 4 “Real Estate Agents”) • TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE FOLLOWING RESOURCES: For Verifying Property Ownership: Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser’s Website http://www.miamidade.gov/propertysearch/#/ For Foreclosure Status: Miami-Dade County Clerks Office Website http://www.miami-dadeclerk.com/property_home.asp https://www2.miami-dadeclerk.com/public-records/ For Verifying Realtor License: Department of Business and Professional Regulation www.myfloridalicense.com TIPS FOR MANAGING YOUR BUDGET If you are dependant on STUDENT LOANS for law school… • KNOW HOW MUCH YOU ARE GETTING AND HOW MUCH YOU ARE PAYING Loan amounts are based on the numbers at the following Cost of Attendance link: https://grad-prof.miami.edu/cost/law-costs/jd-cost-of-attendance-folder/index.html Once tuition has been paid, the remaining balance will have to cover all other expenses for the semester: books, rent, food, car, insurance, gas, utilities, phone, etc. • KNOW HOW LONG YOUR MONEY NEEDS TO LAST Loan disbursements are made at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters, and if applicable, at the beginning of the summer semester.