A Miami-Area Mansion With a Swarovski Chandelier for Every Room—Including the Walk-in Closet—Lists for $47 Million
The Mediterranean-style waterfront home spans over 12,000 square feet in the gated Gables Estates community
2 min
A waterfront mansion in Coral Gables, Florida, with a Swarovski chandelier in almost every room is up for sale asking $47 million.
The Miami Mediterranean-style home spans over 12,000 square feet on Arvida Parkway in the gated Gables Estates community. It was built in 2004, but the home’s red-gabled roof, arched windows, and columned exterior recall the grand Coral Gables estates of the 1920s.
The home, located on a 0.8-acre parcel with 225 feet of water frontage, includes seven bedrooms, an oceanfront pool, a dock and a wine cellar that can hold 2,700 bottles. In the rear of the home, every room has French doors that open to bay-facing loggia with views of Key Biscayne in the distance.
“The beauty of this property is where it sits,” said listing agent Maria Marin-Sanchez, who relisted the house alongside Gabriela Dejar of One Sotheby’s International Realty last week. “You can see the bay from almost every room in the house except the wine cellar and one bedroom that faces the front.”
The home was initially listed in March at the same price with a different brokerage and was removed from the market in May.
Interior features include marble flooring, an updated kitchen, unique tray ceilings in every room and Swarovski-encrusted chandeliers, many of which are included in the sale. There are chandeliers in the foyer, the sitting room, both dining rooms, at least one of the bedrooms, two in the kitchen, plus a few unlikely places, such as the primary walk-in closet and wine cellar.
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In addition to the yard, a covered outdoor space spans over 2,000 square feet and includes a grill and multiple lounge areas.
Gables Estates, a gated community of 192 waterfront homes on a series of canals, is the most exclusive community in one of the wealthiest neighbourhoods in the country. The typical home in Gables Estates sells for more than $20 million, making it the most expensive enclave in the country, according to a Bloomberg analysis of Zillow data.
The sellers purchased the home, located on a peninsular cul-de-sac, in 2012 for $10.215 million. A neighbouring home is currently on the market for $57 million, while billionaire Mike Fernandez, CEO of MBF Healthcare has amassed an 8-acre spread at the end of the peninsula for more than $36 million.
The couple are looking to sell because it’s a large house for two people, Marin-Sanchez said.
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Australia’s housing market defies forecasts as prices surge past pandemic-era benchmarks.
First-home incentives can still form part of a long-term investment plan if used strategically.
3 min
Australia’s home prices continue to grow, and while that makes them great investments, they are also some of the most unaffordable in the world.
That’s why first-home buyer schemes such as the First Home Owner Grant, the First Home Guarantee, and stamp duty concessions have become so valuable.
These programs are designed to reduce upfront costs and fast-track people into homeownership.
But the question many aspiring investors are now asking is can these schemes be used as part of an investment strategy? These government initiatives aren’t designed for investors, but they can still play a key role in your long-term investment journey if used strategically.
What the schemes actually allow
Every first-home buyer incentive in Australia is created to support owner-occupiers, not investors.
Whether it’s a cash grant, reduced deposit requirement, or a stamp duty discount, the catch is always the same in that you must live in the property for a set period of time. For example, the First Home Owner Grant often requires you to live in the property for at least six to twelve months, depending on the state.
The First Home Guarantee allows you to purchase with just a 5 per cent deposit without paying lenders’ mortgage insurance, but again, you’re required to live in the property for at least one year.
Likewise, state-based stamp duty concessions are only available for properties intended as a principal place of residence. If your intention from the outset is to buy a property solely for rental income, you won’t be eligible. However, if you’re open to living in the property initially, then transitioning it into an investment, there’s a path forward.
A strategy that works
Rentvesting has emerged as one of the most practical ways for first-time buyers to take advantage of these schemes while also laying the groundwork for a property portfolio.
The concept is simply, buying a property in an area you can afford (using the first-home buyer schemes to assist), live in it for the minimum required period, and then rent it out after fulfilling the occupancy condition.
This approach lets you legally access the benefits of first-home buyer schemes while building equity and entering the market sooner. Instead of waiting years to save a full 20 per cent deposit for an investment property, or getting priced out altogether, you get your foot in the door with reduced upfront costs.
Once you’ve satisfied the live-in requirement, the property can become an income-generating asset and even serve as collateral for your next purchase.
What to look for in a rentvestment property
If you plan to eventually convert the property into an investment, you need to think beyond your short-term living experience. It’s essential to buy a property that performs well both as a home and as a long-term asset.
That means looking at key fundamentals like location, rental demand, and growth potential. Suburbs with strong infrastructure, access to employment hubs, good transport links, and low vacancy rates should be high on your list.
A balanced price-to-rent ratio will help ensure manageable holding costs once the property transitions to an investment.
Established low-density areas often outperform high-rise apartment developments that flood the market with supply and limit capital growth. And ideally, your property should offer scope for future improvements, whether that’s a cosmetic renovation, granny flat addition, or potential to subdivide down the track.
Mistakes to avoid
There are a few common missteps that can undermine this strategy. The first is selling too soon. Some grants and stamp duty concessions include clawback provisions if you offload the property within a short period, which could see you lose the benefits or even owe money back.
It’s also a mistake to let the lure of a government handout sway your purchasing decision. A $10,000 grant doesn’t justify compromising on location, growth prospects, or property fundamentals.
Another pitfall is failing to consider the financial impact once the property becomes an investment. Repayments, tax treatment, and outgoings may change, so it’s important to stress-test your position from day one.
Lastly, beware of buying into oversupplied areas simply because they’re marketed to first-home buyers. Not all new builds are good investments. If hundreds of identical properties are being built nearby, your long-term growth could be seriously limited.
With the right approach, your first home can be the foundation for an entire property portfolio. It starts with using available government support to lower your entry cost.
From there, you occupy the property for the required time, convert it to an investment, and leverage the equity and rental income to fund your next purchase.
Many of the most successful investors today began with a single, strategically chosen property purchased using these exact schemes. By buying well, you can turn your first home into the launchpad for long-term wealth.
Abdullah Nouh is the Founder of Mecca Property Group (MPG), a buyers’ advisory firm specialising in investment opportunities in residential and commercial real estate. In recent years, his team has acquired over $300 million worth of assets for 250+ clients across Australia.
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