If you’re looking to relax and reconnect with nature, Deering Estate’s Nite Hike & Campfire is a surprisingly good way to unwind. On scheduled nights, they’ll open up the locked gates to allow in a select few lucky adventurers.
Just before dusk, the group heads down to the water to look for peaceful manatee and schools of fish that tend to use the lagoon as their playground. Then, as the sun creates wonderful hues as it sets, it’s off to the more natural areas of Deering Estate’s 444-acres. On the night I attended, Jared was our expert guide, with Christine in tow. Humble and knowledgeable, Jared explained everything we saw and pointed out the things most people would easily miss.
As we unlocked the gate that allowed us access to some of the usually hidden acres at Deering Estate the moths start appearing, including the huge Pharaoh moth. We learn about the Gumbo Limbo trees that can survive without leaves since it’s bark can photosynthesize. It is also a natural antiseptic.
Jared walks us down a path to look at spider-webs and marvel at the nature Charles Deering left. He reveals that the path was actually the old railroad path with a few stakes still poking out of the ground.
The evening discovery included facts about the canal system and native and invasive plant species.
“The cycle of life is always evolving,” explained Jared. “Hurricane Irma did significant damage to our canopy, so now ground cover plants are flourishing. This will reverse as our trees regain their leaves and the ground once again becomes heavily shaded.”
Man-made structures were not so evolved. The raised “boardwalk path” was completely destroyed that used to take visitors over the swampy areas of Deering Estate. We are entranced with new nature knowledge and make our turn back at Cutler Creek.
We listened for great horned owls and eastern screech-owls along the way, but it wasn’t until we were beside a crackling campfire enjoying complementary s’mores that Jared literally called the owls to us. Defending their territory, they dove from all directions to give us a glimpse of their beauty.
April 11 and May 9 are the next two dates for this fun event (runs 7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.). $15 per person; Free for Deering Estate Foundation Members. Call the Deering Estate Ticket Office at 305-235-1668 ext. 233 to reserve your spot.
Old School Real Estate
In an age of litigation, privacy breaches and identity theft, the residential real estate world is no longer the friendly place it once was. In fact, as of two years ago when new Federal regulations went into effect, buyers and sellers are not even allowed to be at the closing table together to exchange keys and a smile. That is why this story is so remarkable.
Marty and Pearl lived in Tree Tops, a hidden 6-home community in Pinecrest just south of Kendall Drive. Non-remarkable, except that they were the designers of the community and moved in to their dream house in 1980, a mere 38 years ago! Marty, 91-years old, had finally been convinced by his kids to move to a place with less maintenance requirements. The treehouse-like home had 24’ soaring ceilings and more than its share of stairs. Suffice it to say, Marty and Pearl were attached to their home and really nervous about making a move.
Shortly after putting their home on the market with me, Marty took the initiative to place his own ad in the Pinecrest Tribune to sell his house “with” me. The title of his ad was ‘Once in a Lifetime.’ It was this ad and Marty’s persistent, bubbly personality that let me know this was not going to be your typical real estate transaction.
Happiness attracts happiness. And sure enough, that is exactly what happened here. Jack and Tomasa walked in for a showing one day and I immediately got the feeling this was a match made in heaven. I soon learned that Jack and Tomasa not only liked the home but knew one of the other homeowners in the community.
A purchase contract was signed after a short negotiation period and then the old-school aspects of this sale started to reveal themselves.
Marty and Pearl organized a meet-and-greet with the other community residents and Jack and Tomasa invited Marty and Pearl to a few lunches here and there. They negotiated some furniture items to stay. The buyers allowed the sellers to take some built-ins and appliances that they would be throwing out anyway. In short, they were being friendly humans toward each other, instead of paranoid strangers.
Although they still couldn’t be at closing together, they did something much more important. They became friends.
I was proud to be a supportive part in this old-school lesson to all us “younger folk.” Too often, we wake to be defensive and protective instead of welcoming. These senior buyers and sellers got it right. Real estate can be pleasant, friendly and productive. Here’s to more ‘Once in a Lifetime’ real estate deals for all of us!
Real Estate Update
As of March 24, the Pinecrest market remains soft. Homes listed over $1M are at 20 months of inventory, indicating a strong Buyers’ market. A healthy market has 3-6 months of supply. No matter where you live, let me assist you with local expertise, realistic expectations and guidance to get you to wherever ‘next’ is. It’s easy to get started at miamihal.com/myvalue.
Hal Feldman (MiamiHal) is a Realtor with RE/MAX Advance Realty. You can contact him with your story ideas or real estate questions at www.MiamiHal.com, Hal@MiamiHal.com or www.facebook.com/MiamiHal.
