REAL ESTATE

Casa Casuarina files for bankruptcy protection

The embattled owner of Casa Casuarina placed the property in Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings as he fights creditors’ efforts to foreclose and to obtain a court-appointed overseer.

PROPERTY TAXES

Miami-Dade tax roll up 3.39 percent

While most municipalities in Miami-Dade County posted growth in their property-tax rolls for 2013, a few areas continue to struggle

REAL ESTATE

U.S. home prices rise in May by most in 7 years

U.S. home prices jumped 12.2 percent in May from a year ago, the most in seven years. The increase suggests the housing recovery is strengthening.

Home loans

U.S. mortgage rates jump to 2-year high

U.S. mortgage rates have suddenly jumped from near-record lows and are adding thousands of dollars to the cost of buying a home.

PROPERTY INSURANCE

Citizens’ board OKs rate hikes for 2014

The board of Citizens Property Insurance Corp., approved rate hikes for next year, with overall statewide rates set to rise 7.5 percent.

La Gorce mansion in Miami Beach fetches $30 million

A Mediterranean-style estate on La Gorce Island sold for $30 million. The fancy home has a kitchen for the chef and another for the owner.

Key Biscayne nearly recovered from ‘07 market crash

A seven-mile drive from downtown Miami — the epicenter of South Florida’s condo crash — over the Rickenbaker Causeway and a series of bridges leads to a residential real estate market that is practically completely recovered from the real estate crash of 2007.

FORECLOSURE BATTLE

Condo association beats bank in million-dollar foreclosure battle

After a big bank was 10 days late in filing a foreclosure, a Miami-Dade court ruled an Aventura condominium association gets to keep a $1 million unit.

South Florida existing home sales and prices rose in May

The median prices for existing single-family homes and condominiums in South Florida continued to rise in May and sales volume increased, underscoring housing’s recovery.

HOMEBUILDING

Lennar makes foray into Nashville market

Miami-based Lennar Corp. acquired homesites in Nashville, marking its entry into another new market.

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE

South Florida still under a cloud of foreclosures and negative equity

While South Florida’s housing market has been bouncing back, the region still faces high levels of foreclosures and underwater mortgages.

Miami Beach

Raw sewage leaks on Meridian Avenue in Miami Beach

Residents say raw sewage has been spilling onto sidewalks intermittently during the past year.

North Dade zoning board postpones action on new church

Some neighbors oppose a new church on Memorial Highway in unincorporated Northeast Miami-Dade County.

Black in Time

Rehabilitated apartment buildings are a great fit for historic Overtown

The celebration of St. John Community Development Corporation’s opening of two newly rehabilitated, affordable, multi-family apartment buildings combine old and new designs contributing to Overtown’s eclectic architectural heritage. St. John Village, 1410 NW First Place and 1731-41 NW First Court, are affordable rental units.

Real estate

Good news for Miami-Dade: Property values are increasing

The forces driving the increase in property values may be from corporations buying homes to rent out, not from individuals purchasing homes to own, some say.

LUXURY REAL ESTATE

Grove at Grand Bay condo to break ground

Terra Group expects to break ground on the Grove at Grand Bay, its ultra-luxury condominium in Coconut Grove, June 5. Two glass and steel towers are designed to twist as the floors rise.

MIAMI-DADE

Miami-Dade public records go mobile

Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts Harvey Ruvin is launching mobile access to a host of court records in a bid to ease access and cut costs.

SOUTH FLORIDA REAL ESTATE

South Florida’s luxury home market sizzles

As South Florida’s housing market recovers, the luxury end is rock and rolling, as demonstrated by the $30 million sale of Yankee slugger Alex Rodriguez’s home.

North Miami-Dade

North Dade zoning board to consider proposal for new church

County staff recommends that the board approve the church but reject a request to allow three apartments for church personnel.