Drew Kern

May 30, 2019

Featured Midcentury Modern Listing in Coral Gables

Typically built in the era between 1945 through to the 80s, classic midcentury modern homes are characterized by open floor plans and large glass windows. The idea behind the architectural style of the time was to create a feeling of simplicity with a seamless integration of design and aesthetics both throughout the home’s interior as well as to the outdoor living areas. Other key features of midcentury modern homes include flat roofs, sliding-glass doors, expansive windows, slight changes in elevations throughout the home, and an appreciation for looking “out.” In Coral Gables, this featured mid-century listing is not to be missed, especially for those interested in this classic architectural style: 5410 Alhambra Circle – Built in 1956, this 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom […]
May 28, 2019

What You Need to Know Before Buying a Home in Coral Gables

Coral Gables, also known as “The Gables” or “The City Beautiful,” is a coveted South Florida community, and for good reason. Its location just southwest of downtown Miami mixed with its plethora of fabulous dining, high-end shops and community events make it an ideal family-friendly suburb. Moreover, it maintains the historic charm of Old World elegance with stunning home architecture reminiscent of Old Spanish style, many of which were originally constructed in the 1920s.   Coral Gables maintains such strong appeal to buyers for these and many other reasons, but if you’re looking to buying a home in the Gables, it’s important to note a few things.   All home projects go before the Gables’ Board of Architects In order […]
May 22, 2019

The Perfect Home Within Walking Distance of Downtown Gables

They say that real estate is all about location, and they’re right. What gets tricky is deciding what is a good location – often, what is perfect for one family simply isn’t for another. But every once in a while, a home comes on the market that simply has a universally perfect location – and this is one of them. Located at 1317 Obispo Avenue in Coral Gables, this 4 bedroom, 3 bath main home (with a 1 bedroom/1 bath in-law’s cottage) is just 9 blocks west of downtown Gables on a quiet street. Large Gables Lot, Exquisite Gables Home The original home was built back in 1924, but it has been lovingly remodeled – so while it has the […]
May 21, 2019

Pinecrest: Featured Listings

Frequently recognized as one of the most beautiful municipalities in South Florida, the Village of Pinecrest maintains a convenient location with large lots, mature trees and quiet streets. It’s known for its fantastic schools and beautiful natural surroundings. Take a look at the listings below to see if Pinecrest might be the perfect fit for your next South Florida home.   Featured listings in Pinecrest   5760 SW 111thTER – Completed in 2018, this brand new home boasts a 39,508 square foot lot with oak trees and an outdoor entertainment area, infinity pool, full BBQ and dining. Inside are 6 bedrooms, 7.5 bathrooms plus an additional den. Floor-to-ceiling windows throughout the home offer incredible views of the garden and pool. It […]
May 14, 2019

5 Tips to Get Your Home in Shape for Hurricane Season

Whether you’ve lived through Hurricane Andrew or are new to the area, hurricane season is a big deal in Miami. While every year we know it’s coming, it’s impossible to know just how severe the storms will be or if we’ll get one at all. Officially, hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30, so the time to prepare is now. As you make plans to get your home in shape, focus first on securing these five areas:   Windows and doors– If you don’t have hurricane shutters or impact windows, now’s the time to get serious about it. And if budget is a constraint, there are alternative options like YGrene financing that make it possible to install impact […]
May 7, 2019

How to Read a Listing: What to Look for and When to be Wary

Buying a home is one of the biggest purchases we will ever make. While it’s wise to come into the search process with an open-mind, it’s also important to bring with you a healthy dose of level-headedness because knowing when to trust your gut can be just as important as other “hard” factors when it comes to making a home decision.   Fortunately, there are other clues to help guide you toward (and steer you away from) your perfect home, and many of those initial clues can be found by taking a closer look at the real estate listing. For many of us, we begin our search online and then narrow down a selection of homes we’d like to tour […]
April 23, 2019

Staging for the Sale: Do This, Not That

Successfully staging your home is one of the best ways to sell your home quickly and for the best price. It’s often surprising to home owners how a little cleaning and design work can totally transform the appeal of your home to prospective buyers. When done successfully, you invite buyers in and encourage them to see themselves living in the home.   The best ways to stage your home   Clear the clutter – Too much clutter makes a space look small and uninviting. It can also be a big distraction. Your goal with staging is to highlight the best features of your home, but if a buyer is distracted by looking at rows of dishes and mugs, they won’t […]
April 16, 2019

3 Important Questions to Consider Before Embarking on Your Home-Buying Journey

Whether it’s your first time buying a home or you have multiple experiences with the process, there are always a few considerations you should think through before embarking on the journey. Most importantly is ensuring your financials are in order and that you have a thorough grasp on what you can afford, but just as important is making sure you are mentally and emotionally prepared to take the leap. If you’re thinking about buying a home, ask yourself these three important questions first.   What’s driving your motivations to buy? Surely there are numerous advantages to renting or staying in your existing home, so spending some time understanding what’s motivating you on your new path to purchase can be insightful […]
April 9, 2019

Why Working With a Realtor Can Save You Money

Many people think they can save money if they bypass a realtor. Perhaps they dislike the idea of paying commission fees or think they can navigate the transaction process themselves. But in this DIY era with How-To’s for pretty much everything on YouTube, working with an experienced real estate agent can still save you money, even when accounting for any kind of transaction commission fees. Here’s why:   Time is money Finding the right home or preparing your current home for a sale is time-consuming, to say the least. While you can scour the internet for listings yourself, scheduling viewings, playing phone-tag, and driving around disparate neighborhoods in disorganized fashion can be exhausting. Whereas it’s an agent’s full-time job to […]