In June days stay long and the sun is lazy to roll into the Intracoastal, and moves slowly, hiding behind marshmallow clouds, firing up the edges. White clouds up in the sky that are no longer basking in the sun become darker and grayer, and those lucky ones to be in the way, turn pink. The wind is high and the clouds move fast getting darker and heavier. They are promising rain, though this is yet just a whisper... Street lights are still not on, and headlights of cars are like a myriad of bright bulbs on dark asphalt. Cars are long gone off the beach, but there are still people, catching the breeze. The  ocean brought seaweed, unusual for us, and the air is filled with the poignant aroma of iodine, and the ocean...   Days are longer in June... Life is longer in June...     06/08/2011

Oceans Four, part of the Oceans Complex in Daytona Beach Shores, was built in 1980. A 20-story building (the elevator shows 21st floor, but it misses the 13th), centrally located on this condo row in Daytona Beach Shores, and it different from all other buildings in the complex. In 1980 it was obviously a luxury condo. 114 units total, 6 units per floor and 3 elevators. With elevator serving only two units, it had more privacy than any other building in the Oceans. And units were much bigger than in other Oceans built before Oceans Four (Oceans One, Two, Three, Five and Seven). Two- bedroom units at 1,700 sq. ft. and 3 bdr units at 1,775 sq. ft. Laundry in unit. There is an exercise room, a social room, on-site manager. Small pets allowed. this is one  of the  most restrictive condos in... 06/05/2011

After nearly two years of repairs, Hawaiian Inn, a popular family-oriented condo-hotel in Daytona Beach Shores, is nearly completed. You can still see a half-dozen boarded rooms, but this is simply because the Special Assessments did not include paying for glass doors to the balcony, and the cost to do it varies from roughly $4K to $5.1K depending on the size. Other than that they are done with the repairs and a huge sigh of relief for everyone who are involved with Hawaiian Inn. They had to do this major work i the worst time in terms of economy, and there was a danger of people not paying and thus sabotaging the work. There were a lot of those who did not believe they would make it. But they did, and now they are good for the next 35-45 years.     Of course, at the deepest point of co... 06/05/2011

I caught this news yesterday, and it did not surprise me that today's front page of News-Journal, our local daily newspaper, started with «Former South Daytona mayor charged with bribery, making false statements». Besides being a former Mayor, Ronald Clifton is a real estate broker, and has a real estate company Enter Realty in South Daytona, and besides he is the principal of Clifton Management, Inc, the Condo Associations and HOA management company. They are managing 4 condo-hotels in Daytona Beach Area. When I stopped at one of them today to show a unit to my prospect, the paper was on the counter, as they usually have free papers there, and Ronald Clifton was looking right at you from his portrait. A few people there, who know Mr. Clifton, did not have much sympathy towards him. The... 06/04/2011

For a few days already I am getting calls about a unit in Oceanside Inn, a premier condo-hotel in Daytona Beach Shores, which was listed for $27,900. Considered a city view unit (has the view of the ocean as well) is a handicap unit with no kitchenette but much bigger bathroom. Interestingly, when it was listed for $34,900 just a week ago, I did not get calls, and when they have reduced the price, it has all changed. Was $34,900 a bad price? Absolutely not. This is not my listing. I showed the unit a couple of times, but no offers. When last Saturday I got a call from someone from someone at the bank who owns it, or their Asset Manager, who checked Oceanside Inn on Google and saw that we sell more than anybody else there, I told them that I know about the unit and that I was showing it.... 05/30/2011

The blunt of the thunderstorm was across the  Intracoastal, but you could see the lightning and still hear the sound of thunder... I was working at my computer watching the retention pond filling up with water turning it into what we call «seasonal waterfront". I did not notice when the rain stopped, and then suddenly saw the clouds lit with sunlight. It was such a metamorphose... I rushed to the roof with my camera, as I have been waiting for this moment for some time. The ocean was dark. The sky over the Intracoastal was dark, but the sun was making it through the clouds, and the colors were breathtaking. I kept shooting and every couple of minutes it looked different, so there was another batch of photos in a fruitless attempt to catch the magic of nature... By the time I was done wi... 05/28/2011

We are getting into busy season here in Daytona. Hotels get busier and busier and it is not even unusual to see a «no vacancy» sign on weekends, when Daytona is packed with tourists, locals from Orlando and other inland areas, and participants and spectators of events, which still make Daytona what it is: Daytona. Here's the shot on Saturday in the pool area of Hawaiian Inn Resort, a popular condo-hotel in Daytona Beach Shores. The resort is just getting out of the major renovation and has completed concrete restoration. All balconies are new, and there are still a couple of units front boarded with plywood. Right in time for the busy season, even though it sounds a bit funny considering two years of on and off major repairs. Done in time of crisis, it is an attest to resilience of the ... 05/21/2011

Sunglow Pier is a staple in Daytona Beach Shores. One of the places where you can always find fishermen... With a restaurant Crabby Joe's Deck & Grill, it is a very popular place both with locals and tourists. Of course, with my vegan diet, I am enjoying it from the outside. It is less than 2 miles from where I live, and when I choose to go south for a walk, this is where I go. It  is next to one of the  most beautiful condos in Daytona Beach area - Ocean Villas. There are always people by the pier, you hear laughter, noise from the restaurant, kids playing on the beach. It is not yet hot, I mean Florida hot, and these evening walks are an incredible pleasure. I am doing every evening, as the days are long, and even when I work till 7 PM I still have time for an hour walk. The best time... 05/20/2011

Evenings in Daytona Beach Shores sometimes display such an array of colors, that you can only stop in awe and watch. Setting sun splits the sky and paints it gradually from ink to turquoise, clouds catch the light of the sinking sun and you have them from gray-blue to pink... And it keeps changing every minute... You are just staying and watching it... My new camera gets rightfully frustrated with me, that I still can't figure many things out. I am getting excited and just take pictures and not really checking how they come. So then at home I am deleting, deleting, deleting. This is the punishment for buying stuff which is smarter than us. But at this stage it looks like everything is smarter than I... Daytona Beach Shores is in its 51st year. I love it because I like the feel of the ci... 05/16/2011

Today we went to the beach a bit later than usual. We enjoy perfect temperatures, warm but not hot. The water in the ocean is 74, which is still cold for locals, and tourists have it all for themselves. We walked for over an hour and a half, and were coming back watching the full moon rising above the ocean. By the moment we got to the Atlantic Ave, the moon was already high enough and was shining over the condominium buildings in the Oceans Complex in Daytona Beach Shores. It just started getting darker and the scenery was gorgeous. I did not have my quite heavy camera with me, and I decided to go home, grab the camera and come back and take a picture. It was less than 15 minutes later that I was back with the camera, but the light has changed, it was darker. I still took the photo, bu... 05/15/2011

Oceans Six is one of newer Oceans buildings in Daytona Beach Shores. This direct oceanfront U-shaped 17 story 120-unit condominium was built in 1993, which means that it has sprinkler system, as they became mandatory, I think, in 1988. One outdoor and one indoor pool. Social room, exercise room, sauna, on-site property manager representing the Association. No units on the ground level, 8 units per floor, split evenly between 2 bdr and 3 bdr units. Outside corridor system. Building is in great shape, clean and well maintained. Underground parking. 2 bdr units are 1,540 sf, and 3-bdr units are 1,668.Larger than in older Oceans One, Two, Three, Five and Seven... Exceptional views of the ocean and the Intracoastal. The Association Fee is the same for each unit no matter whether it is a 2 bd... 05/03/2011

My wife takes my daughter and our grandson Shane to our community pool in the condo where we live. She comes back relaxed after swimming her 10 laps, but it is not all. She was talking to another agent living in our condo building. She works for the developer, and Olga learns that they have dropped the price for their 2 bdr condos in their last building. It sounds enticing and next morning I am calling the agent, a drop dead gorgeous Russian girl, and a few hours later we meet and she shows us the property. And saying that I am impressed is an understatement. (Both by the condo and the girl- LOL) I had three out-of-state condo buyers last week. I showed the condos to them. We have submitted an offer and are negotiating the deal now. And it is all because of women. Aren't they wonderful?... 05/01/2011

I love Googling condominium development and then go to Developer's site and read about the condo. One of the best condominiums in Daytona Beach Shores and in greater Daytona Area is Ocean Vistas. Built in 2007 by Ambling Land & Resort, this 11-story 108- unit gorgeous building is one of the few really luxury condos in Daytona area. Double entryways, 8' doors and windows, kitchens with island, wine cooler, hood... Beautiful granite countertops, balconies size of an older condo, craftsmanship... everything here is first class. I am looking at the website and it says «*Priced from the $500's» and then there is a disclaimer that «offer subject to change without notice». And sure it did change. Just take a deep breath and look at the prices. Out of 13 units for sale 8 are under $500K.    Cal... 04/24/2011

This is the third post about Opus Condominium in Daytona Beach Shores. The first one Opus Condominium in Daytona Beach Shores. A Short Glimpse at even Shorter History is, as you can see, about the history, and the second one - Opus Condominium at a Glance - is more about the features. This one presents the price list, and shows which units are already gone, and what and for what price is available. Please, note that on line D there is no unit 1104. Not a mistake. They simply combined two direct oceanfront units and made it a large (nearly 4,000 sf) penthouse.  Call me  386-405-4408     if you are interested in condos in Daytona Beach Shores or in greater Daytona area     04/24/2011

This direct oceanfront 11-story condo in Daytona Beach Shores is the latest (and for now last) condominium development in Daytona Beach Shores and in greater Daytona area. The condo project changed hands after it was built, the name has changed from Islamorada to Opus Condominium, and the sales started just recently. Here are some facts about Opus Condominium. Location: 2071 S Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach Shores, FL 32118 Units: 53 5 units per floor. 2 units (model C and D) are 3/3 direct oceanfront. 1,951 sq. ft. Association fee $430 a month. Units B and E are 3/2 oceanview units (B- North, and E- South). 1,814 sq. ft. Association fee $390 a month. Unit A is a 3/2 on the West side of building, 2 balconies. 1,730 sq. ft. Association fee is $365. Amenities include heated pool & Spa, fitn... 04/24/2011

When on March 22, 2007 the announcement «Islamorada Condominium in Daytona Beach Shores starts construction» was made, it did not make waves. We had several luxury condos coming up, and Islamorada with its only 53 condo units was not the biggest blimp on the radar even in small Daytona Beah Shores. Turned out it was the last condo to be built on the Beachside. Its timing was terrible, as in 2007 real estate market started showing first signs of slowing down, and by the time the construction was completed, the developer – Volusia Properties – was already in big trouble. The building was standing empty waiting for the end of legal ramblings. I remember going to the auction on behalf of my clients, but Wachovia bank was discounting the price from $24,367,964.74 (the amount of judgment) to ... 04/24/2011

My wonderful clients bought a gorgeous oceanfront condo in Bella Vista in Daytona Beach Shores just recently, and Jonny & Lola (names changed), now proud condo owners, share their excitement with their relatives and friends. Last weekend their relatives came for a couple of days. They said they were interested to see what they could buy here, and Jonny asked me to show them a few units on the ocean. So, here I am, in the unit, and I see them coming. After the introduction, Jonny turned to me and said «OK, now they are in your hands, do the tour». Oops, I don’t do tours. I do not understand why I need to walk with people depriving them of an opportuity to discuss pros and cons of what they see in privacy, and instead do something like this: «This is the Master Bedroom. Here is a sliding ... 04/22/2011

Oceanside Inn. I have an affection for this condo-hotel Resort in Daytona Beach Shores. People here are nice and professional. In my opinion this is an example what you can do from an older rundown hotel from the concept to implementation. This is James Dion, General Manager of this resort. He works for a company called Integra, which operates several resorts both in Florida (2 of them in Orlando) and in the Caribbean. Integra is running hotel rentals, they operate the Front Desk, so when you walk in the lobby, these are the people that greet you. Oceanside Inn also has a company that is managing the Association, but they are not on the resort's grounds. In Oceanside Integra not only the hotel operator, they are also the owners of the commercial space on the first floor, so they have ve... 04/15/2011

What is a better way to start a week than to sneak upon the roof of a high-rise in Daytona Beach Shores armed with a camera with telephoto lenses and then hold your breath watching the birth of the new day? The sun is lighting the horizon and is moving up, and you suddenly notice that you forgot to take pictures and you start pushing the button again and again, as every second you think that it is better than a moment ago... It is the time when day and night are still together. The street lights are still up but it is no longer dark; a few cars are hurrying along the Atlantic Ave., vacationers are standing on the beach waiting for the sun to come, joggers are like  sharp dark figures against the silver light of the waves in the cool and crisp morning air. A few more minutes and the chan... 04/11/2011

It is one of my New York limo driver stories. I was taking 3 beautiful young models and their mentor the airport. And she told them this story and she said it was a true story. I do not know about the models, but I believed her. They were on a swimsuit shoot for the calendar on an exotic island. Scene at sunrise. The photographer tells the model when she had to be there, and she came just a couple of minutes late. The photographer and his assistants were already packing the lights. He told her that she was late and told her when to be there tomorrow. She started arguing with him. Everything was so perfect and she hated getting up early. She was a star and demanded attention. Unimpressed, the photographer pointed to the sun and said «I can wait, but the sun wouldn't. Sun is the boss. So,... 04/02/2011