If you’re thinking about buying a home, you’re probably already aware of how pricey today’s housing market can be. And if you’re considering properties that are part of a homeowners association, or if you already own one, affordability can become even trickier.

HOAs charge residents fees that cover the cost of shared amenities and overall maintenance. These can cover anything from landscaping and snow removal to upkeep of things like swimming pools and, in high-rise buildings, elevators. But they also cover basics like insurance premiums — and in markets where extreme weather and natural disasters are more common, rates have been skyrocketing. Often, the HOA passes this ever-rising cost on to the homeowners in the form of higher monthly fees or larger one-time fees called special assessments. This jump in homeownership costs can have a big impact on how you manage your budget.

Pro baseball player turned record-setting Real Estate Advisor Angel Nicolas applies the lessons he learned on the diamond to help The Nicolas Group at Compass hit it out of the park when it comes to luxury residential real estate in greater Miami. For Angel and his group, the principles of teamwork, training, and tenacity prove as effective in business as they do in baseball. Ranked a top team in Florida with $1 billion in career sales, The Nicolas Group consistently delivers home runs for their clients.

The arrival of Argentine soccer sensation Lionel Messi to South Florida last summer isn’t just about more thrilling matches on the field—it’s also stirring up the region’s real estate landscape.

The buzz surrounding Messi’s move to Miami continues, and it’s evident that his presence transcends the sports scene. Alongside other major events like Formula 1 and Art Basel, the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup further solidifies South Florida’s status as an international hotspot, drawing increased attention to its real estate market.

Marketing boss Jose Dans Jr. and his wife, Heide Dans, sold their Miami mansion for $15.8 million.

Records show the couple sold the house at 5050 Pine Drive to Shayna Punim LLC, a Delaware entity with Chicago attorney Barry Shkolnik signing on behalf of the buyer.

Jose and Angel Nicolas of Compass had the listing, and Compass agent Tristian Alexander represented the buyer.

Jose “Pepe” Dans Jr. is founder and president of WOW MKTG, a Coral Gables-based advertising agency that works with clients like Budweiser, CVS, the University of Miami, Kia, and the American Cancer Society.

Angel Nicolas, the Miami-born founder of The Nicolas Group at Compass, has emerged as a powerhouse in the real estate industry. With a background as a former professional baseball shortstop, Nicolas brings a unique blend of discipline, strategy, and relentless drive to his role as a top-producing advisor. His billion-dollar career sales volume speaks to his unmatched expertise in market analysis, trend forecasting, and luxury lifestyle real estate.
An architectural marvel has entered the Miami luxury real estate market, listed for $8.499 million by Angel Nicolas and Ale Alfonzo with The Nicolas Group at Compass. Situated on an expansive builder’s acre in Pinecrest, it spans nearly 10,000 square feet, presenting an exceptional blend of modern luxury and functional elegance.
Angel Nicolas, the Miami-born visionary behind The Nicolas Group at Compass and former professional baseball shortstop, is transforming the real estate landscape in the charming hamlet of High Pines. As a top-producing real estate advisor with a career sales volume exceeding a billion dollars, Nicolas is strategically positioning himself as the dominant force in this rapidly evolving Miami neighborhood.

Take a look inside this exquisitely renovated five bedroom, five bathroom residence, nestled within the prestigious gated community of Cocoplum in Coral Gables.

Boasting 4,464-square feet of elegant living space, this move-in ready property sits on a generous 16,600-square foot lot, offering abundant space and privacy. The heart of the home is a stunning chef’s kitchen, complete with high-end appliances and sleek finishes, seamlessly flowing into open living and dining areas perfect for sophisticated entertaining.

Pickleball is everywhere.

A cross between tennis and ping pong, the racket sport is played in quick games of 11 points. It is played on a smaller court with a shorter net, and people love it.

Between August 2021 and August 2022, 14 percent of Americans played pickleball at least once, amounting to 36.5 million picklers playing last year, according to the 2023 APP Pickleball Participation Report. The report found that 8.5 million of those players got pickling more than eight times in that time span. That’s up from an estimated 3.5 million players in 2019, before the sport shot to popularity during the pandemic.
Angel Nicolas is used to being a stiff competitor in his field. The former San Francisco Giants shortstop traded the bat for the brokerage at the Nicolas Group at Compass, where he serves as founder and top advisor for luxury markets. This year, The Nicolas Group was ranked #2 large team in Miami by the Wall Street Journal, with Nicolas himself ranked among the top 1% of all Compass agents nationwide.

A fintech executive sold a mansion in Pinecrest for $10.3 million, marking a record price for the village, The Real Deal has learned.

Jesse and Karen Alvarez sold the home at 6155 Southwest 106th Street, according to a spokesperson for Compass. The deed has yet to be recorded, and the buyer is unknown.

A non-waterfront home in Key Biscayne sold for $7 million. Records show Stephan and Illiana Memmen sold the house at 625 Curtiswood Drive to Carlos Gustavo Cabrera Gomez and his wife, Ajda Petek. Stephan Memmen is a tech investor and vice president of Pulse Electronics, a San Diego, Calif.-based electronics manufacturer. Illiana Memmen is a real estate agent with Compass in Miami.
From walls of glass that display ocean views and increase natural light inside of homes, to wraparound glass balconies and glass-encased indoor sky pools, take a look at South Florida mansions that shatter expectations of glass home living.

Infinity pools are deemed supreme for a reason; their borders elapse, creating the illusion of a limitless horizon that coalesces with the blues of the sky and the natural environment.

You’ll have to see this beautiful penthouse to believe it. It sits in the heart of Coconut Grove, but once you’re inside, you might as well be in the sky.

Angel Nicolas is an unstoppable force in the real estate industry and a Compass 2020 Top Producer. Angel’s team was ranked #4 in Florida by WSJ RealTrends, with over $204 million in sales in 2021. As a former professional athlete, Angel brings his clients and his team the same motivational endurance every day as he would on the field.
Miami breathes real estate, and besides its people and vibrant culture, real estate beautifies the city and makes it extra magical. From high rises to luxury condos and magnificent mansions, Miami has one of the hottest markets in the country.
Russell Weiner, the billionaire founder of Rockstar Energy Drink, sold two North Palm Beach homes for more than $48 million — $15 million, or 45 percent more than he paid to acquire the properties from Swedish model Elin Nordegren just one month earlier.
A contemporary minimalist interior with a delicate balance of white and neutral tones, this mesmerizing home in Coral Gables serves upscale tranquility like never before.
The high-intensity, nine-week fitness training, nutrition and recovery program found new audiences in the pandemic, and luxury agents say it gives them the kind of discipline needed to succeed in real estate
Known as the “City Beautiful,” Coral Gables lives up to its name – an idyllic neighborhood made up of meticulously manicured streets shaded by Banyan trees and influenced by early 20th century Spanish architecture. A pocket of serenity in the middle of a sprawling metropolis, the area blends hints of historic old-world charm with new city vibes. Top real estate advisor Angel Nicolas, founder of The Nicolas Group at Compass, calls Coral Gables home and has been selling real estate in the area for nearly a decade. No one knows the city beautiful quite like him. From the best restaurants to outdoor retreats, Nicolas shares his ultimate guide to Coral Gables.

The full-floor penthouse’s asking price is $24 million. That includes all the furniture, a 10,180 square-foot space, six bedrooms and seven-and-a-half bedrooms. It’s located in Grove at Grand Bay, a development that was designed by architect Bjarke Ingels. Grove consists of two 22-story towers that spiral toward one another; the penthouse in our sights is in the southern spiral. That’s an important distinction, according to listing agent Angel Nicolas, because a Mr. C Residences just broke ground nearby and will eventually block the north tower’s view. Oops.

Just as in his playing days, Nicolas knows that teamwork is the key to success, and it’s that focus that has helped The Nicolas Group to become one of the top-producing teams in all of Compass Florida. Find out how he learned that it’s more about the client than the agent when it comes to creating winning outcomes.

Designed by acclaimed architect Gabriel Lopez, the striking 7 bed, 8.5 bath residence is a modern masterpiece. Find glass walls and sleek horizontal lines seamlessly running throughout the home allowing for an abundance of natural light to seep into the space. A stunning glass spiral staircase serves as a statement focal point of the home. 

Pinecrest, Florida has long been a desirable destination for people looking to call South Florida home. The city is one of the areas in Miami where family values and community activities like farmers’ markets, picnics and park playdates still happen every week. This area is one of Florida’s most popular choices for luxury real estate projects due to its cozy neighborhoods, lush green spaces and quiet roads.

I was a professional baseball player, personal trainer, a valet in college and I also worked in construction and roofing.I was born in Miami, but I grew up in the Dominican Republic. I moved back to South Florida when I was 12 and lived there up until I went to college in Tennessee. I’ve also lived in New York, California and Chicago.

Since the onset of the pandemic, Miami has been the focus among high-profile buyers and investors clamoring to scoop up property in the bustling real estate market. The historic demand and diminishing inventory has bred some fierce competition across South Florida – forcing realtors to pivot in order to deliver for their clients. 

Since the onset of the pandemic, Miami has been the focus among high-profile buyers and investors clamoring to scoop up property in the bustling real estate market. The historic demand and diminishing inventory has bred some fierce competition across South Florida – forcing realtors to pivot in order to deliver for their clients. 

Offering 10,180-sq. ft. of interiors and 6-beds, 7.5-baths, the penthouse showcases exquisite interiors by renowned designer Steven G. Featuring floor-to-ceiling glass, the generous living area captures majestic views of the Miami skyline, Biscayne Bay, and the many sailboats on the water.

A private equity executive and a fashion designer paid $22 million for a waterfront mansion in Gables Estates.

This decked out penthouse, with a little ’60s modern flair, features its own plunge pool, a pair of offices and a two-story children’s playroom—and it comes with a private temperature-controlled four-car garage.

This decked out penthouse, with a little ’60s modern flair, features its own plunge pool, a pair of offices and a two-story children’s playroom—and it comes with a private temperature-controlled four-car garage.

This decked out penthouse, with a little ’60s modern flair, features its own plunge pool, a pair of offices and a two-story children’s playroom—and it comes with a private temperature-controlled four-car garage.

Didn't find what you were looking for? Check out our off market listings!

For the luxury markets and elite clientele Angel has served, he has proven himself as a performer time and time again.