We could list here the number of reasons for visiting or staying in South Florida but in this instance we’ll focus on its appeal to golfing enthusiasts.  In addition to great places to call home like the ICON condo in Miami Beach, South Florida tends to be very friendly when it comes to activities for avid golfers.

Speaking of ICON Miami Beach, not far from the building is the classic Miami Beach Golf Club.  This sprawling course has been around since the 1920s but received a massive $10 million dollar facelift making it all new again.  Today the Miami Beach Golf Club offers several challenging holes as well as a restaurant and pro shop you can use after you’ve tested your swing on the course itself.  Over in Key Biscayne you’ll find the expansive Crandon Golf Course, also known as the onetime home of the Champions Tour event.

If a permanent home at ICON South Beach sounds unappealing or inconvenient, you can always choose one of the Miami Beach hotels like the modern and very popular Delano.  Visit on any weekend evening after you’ve enjoyed your game of golf and you’ll get to meet quite an interesting collection of locals and tourists, some of who may be avid golfers themselves.

With its sunny beaches, celebrity frequented condos like ICON South Beach and thriving nightlife, the appeal of Mimi and Miami Beach is easily understood.  Yet despite this appeal and its penchant for being a celebrity hangout and a frequent backdrop, Miami does not compare to Los Angeles.

And that’s a good thing.

Miami manages to offer the glitz and glam without succumbing to the pressure that celebrities feel when in Los Angeles.  There’s no paparazzi tracking a person’s every move or staked outside their home, whether that home is a waterfront residence or a unit at a building like the ICON condo.  A neighborhood like Star Island that is well known for its celebrity denizens remain undisturbed and even today the largely relaxed vibe has gained lots of favor.

Interestingly enough, this image that Miami has cultivated is at least partially due to the arrival of celebrities.   Gianni Versace and entertainer Madonna are two of many who managed to reinforce Miami Beach’s image as a sophisticated hangout, adding to the appeal of current hotspots like ICON Miami Beach and its neighbors yet to this day the city is well known for its climate and heavy emphasis on culture.  Miami may never become the apex of entertainment like Los Angeles but that’s okay, most of us prefer it that way.

With 2009 drawing to a close, more and more investors are reaching the end of the closing phase on Miami Beach condos like ICON South Beach.  Except they aren’t purchasing just one unit, they’re purchasing several at a time leading to a surge in what’s commonly referred to as “bulk deals”.

As has been the case for some time now, these bulk deal investors are the same people who make up the general buyers purchasing single units at ICON Miami Beach, namely foreign individuals.  Since the end of October these people have been responsible for over 700,000 square feet of bulk purchases and more than 500 units.  And what’s the reason for all of this buying activity?  As you might’ve guessed, the attractive prices have been the driving factor but a surplus of low priced inventory has also contributed.

While there is still no hard evidence available in order to confidently say that the much speculated market bottom has been reached, most of these investors feel that it’s close enough to take advantage of the wealth of deals.  Are these investors buying in buildings like the ICON condo making the right decision or will these newly purchased units just sit empty?

Considered to be one of the best residential buildings in the city, the ICON Miami Beach condo has drawn oodles of praise and some big names like world famous French designer Philippe Starck.  After reading about all of its amenities and location, you may be tempted to explore what the living options are but it’s important to approach a condo purchase as you would any kind of standard home purchase.

For one, buying at the ICON South Beach condo would be the same as if you were going to buy a house, meaning you must be willing to live in the place for some time if you want to build equity and recoup whatever you spent on closing costs.

Amenities are a major selling point of condominiums, the ICON condo included.  If you’re not interested in swimming pools, fitness centers and other perks you’ll still have to pay for it as part of your association fees whether or not you make use of them.  On the other hand if you want tons of different features, a condo like ICON surpasses a house completely as most of these items would cost tons of money separately.

It’s also a good idea to take a look at the minutes of any condo association meeting.  These are very good at detailing what items are of the biggest concern to residents and what problems exist, if any.  And lastly, make sure that you know what you can and cannot do, not every Miami Beach condo like ICON allows domesticated cats and dogs.

Any first time buyers interested in purchasing a unit or penthouse at ICON South Beach are probably aware that the clock is ticking towards the end of the first time buyer tax credit the government is offering.  Taking into account its impending end in November and how long it might take to actually close on a sale, now is the time if you’re considering purchasing a Miami Beach condo.

Since most people don’t actually know what the tax credit entails, let’s take a quick look at what to expect.  For starters, any hopes of potentially using the ICON condo as a rental property or second home are moot, the unit you purchase must be your primary residence if you want to qualify for the tax credit.  There are also certain restrictions when it comes to your income (i.e.: you can only qualify if make below a certain amount) that should be taken into account.

It’s important that you don’t confuse the current $8,000 tax credit with the $7,500 one that was originally enacted.  That incentive—unlike the current one—ended in July and needs to be paid back.  If you know that you got the $7,500 credit, all you need to do is file an amended tax return for last year and then claim this new credit in order to get those extra $500.  If this $8,000 credit sounds appealing to you, time is of the essence if you plan on purchasing at ICON Miami Beach especially since we’re already heading into October.

ICON Miami Beach is not just one of the premier South Beach condos with its South of Fifth location and incredible wraparound balconies, but it's also a condo with amazing deals. From its one bedroom units with 851 square feet of living space and one-and-a-half bathrooms to its luxury three bedroom suites with 2,145 square feet of living space and three-and-a-half bathrooms, ICON Miami Beach is offering incredibly low prices for an array of luxury units.

The condo market is picking up again as Miami Beach Condos and Homes proudly announces the sale of a luxury two bedroom and two bathroom unit on the fourteenth floor. This prize of a condo closed on July 23rd for $1.1 million dollars and includes residential features such as cable and broadband pre-wiring, unique interior designs, nine-foot high ceilings, European cabinetry, marble bathroom flooring, granite countertops, Miele brand appliances, tinted and tempered glass and an elegant master bedroom. ICON Miami Beach also has amenities like a multistory lobby, concierge services, 24-hour security, valet and assigned covered parking, bayfront café, full-service business center, sauna, steam room and incredible boat dockage.  

There are currently fifty units left in the building representing all the different property types. ICON Miami Beach has as total of 289 residential units with nine distinct floor plans. Balconies on ICON Miami Beach units range from 200 square feet to an enormous 797 square feet and display panoramic views of Biscayne Bay, Downtown Miami, Miami Beach and the Atlantic Ocean either on the balcony or inside through the floor-to-ceiling windows.