Shakira has recently relocated to Miami with her children after leaving Barcelona, the hometown of her ex-boyfriend, Gerard Piqué.
The Colombian singer, who lived in Barcelona for eight years, explained in a farewell Instagram post that she was leaving following her breakup with Pique, 36, so she could begin “a new chapter.”
Shakira and Piqué first became acquainted while working on the music video for her song “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa),” which served as the FIFA World Cup 2010’s anthem. In March 2011, the pair announced their relationship for the first time. Last June, they made their breakup public.
Piqué, who was born in Barcelona, had a fruitful career with FC Barcelona, the illustrious team representing the city. Before the defender announced his retirement from the game in November 2022, his teams won eight La Liga championships and three Champions League trophies.
With the recent news of her departure, Shakira has been seen looking at homes across Miami and plans to spend up to $50 million for a mega-mansion.
Pictures of the glam pop diva and her brother visiting more than six potential properties in Florida’s wealthy neighborhoods were captured.
The 46-year-old is apparently renting a $15 million waterfront mansion while searching for a larger place to settle down with her kids Milan and Sasha, ages ten and eight.
U.S. Lifts Restrictions for International Travelers November 8th-Will this Change the Miami Real Estate Market?
Since the pandemic, the Miami condo market has flourished with record-breaking sales, massive tech companies making moves to Miami, and new developments being announced every day. One of the biggest variables that South Florida has always counted on was the international buyers, but due to travel regulations, foreign buyers have dwindled.
In the past 12 months, homes sales for international buyers have dipped to 31% making it the lowest since 2011, with Florida having the most sales to foreign buyers. Although Miami has seen a surge in condo sales this past year, the majority were domestic buyers.
With President Biden’s announcement of lifting travel restrictions for foreign travelers from certain areas in Canada and Countries in South America, this is big news for the real estate market itself. Beginning November 8th, vaccinated travelers can resume travel into the United States. With this, we can expect to have an increase in international buyers.
According to the Miami Chairman of the Board (MIAMI Association of Realtors), Jennifer Wollmann, with international travel resuming in the United States in November, the expectation is that foreign home buying will grow in the coming months.
According to Biz Journals, elections in Peru and Colombia are soon and South Florida may see an influx in buyers from those areas. The Senior Vice President of the Related Group, Eric Fordin has stated that he was surprised at the number of international buyers taking an interest in the District 225 project. According to Fordin, the new construction tower has over 100 buyers that are from Colombia.
Even with the increase in new construction towers, inventory remains at an all-time low for single-family homes and condominiums. Currently, there are only 631 condos in new or under construction remaining unsold.
According to The White House press release, there will be a second phase to requirements for all inbound foreign travelers in January 2022.
Hedge Fund Manager Purchases Coconut Grove Waterfront Mansion for $19 Million
Photo Credit: Toni Schrager
Heath Freeman, the Managing Director for a New York-based hedge fund management company (Alden Global Capital), recently joined the Miami luxury real estate market craze. According to county records, Freeman purchased in the gated community of Camp Biscayne of Coconut Grove.
Freeman, also known as the “Hedge Fund Vampire,” received his name from his company’s aggressive and savvy business strategy. This strategy included buying companies, making aggressive budget cuts while laying off its employees.
These companies mainly included media outlets and many have criticized Freeman’s tactics. Alden recently purchased Tribune publishing, a parent company for the Chicago Tribune, and the Sun Sentinel in May for $633 million.
Freeman purchased the waterfront mansion located at 3503 Main Lodge Drive for $19 million while financing $12.4 million through Wells Fargo. The estate was originally built in 2004 and featured a 12 seat theater room, gym, game room, elevator, and an 8-car garage.
Over the years, the 6 bedrooms, 6 bathroom property received renovations and increased the size to 9,700 square feet. The estate features 1 acre packed with wonderful amenities including soaring windows, Italian Marble and hardwood flooring throughout, an expansive eat-in kitchen, library, and a full guest suite.
Photo Credit: Toni Schrager
The bayfront estate also features a 200-foot boat dock, white sandy beach, 60-foot pool, with tropical foliage covering the property to create optimal privacy. The neighborhood itself features 18 homes in the private Camp Biscayne neighborhood. Camp Biscayne is located near Mr. C Miami, Two Park Grove, and Grove at Grand Bay.
Photo Credit: Toni Schrager
The seller of the Camp Biscayne property, David Ivler President of a Miami-based drone manufacturer, purchased the home in 2004 for $1.5 million and later deeded it to his wife in 2007. The property was originally listed for $22 million in March 2021.
Other waterfront homes in Miami have also sold for elevated prices including Spencer Kupferman, CEO of PKWare, purchasing $12.75 million estate while the previous owner paid $3.6 million.
