Drew Kern

August 20, 2024

State of the market: Coral Gables

Coral Gables is one of two zip codes that saw Miami’s highest jumps in typical home values compared to just a year ago. Coral Gables homes saw a 14% increase in their typical home values compared to last year. The only other zip code in Miami-Dade County to see the same jump was Homestead, bookending the entirety of the market County-wide. Coral Gables home prices The median listing home price is at $1,091 per square foot, though this will probably net you a well-maintained home rather than a new build or a home on a large lot. In June 2024, the median sale price was at $1,798. How quickly are homes selling? Coral Gable homes had an average of 67 days […]
August 13, 2024

Best areas in Miami for a Condo with a View

Picture it—you’re home from a long day at the office. You take your shoes off, get comfortable and you head to your new condo’s balcony to take in some fresh air and you are met with a stunning view of the ocean or the sunsetting over Miami.  Sounds nice, right? It can be real. Here are five of the best areas in Miami for a condo with a view. Bal Harbour Located at the northern tip of Miami Beach, Bal Harbour packs a lot of extravagance into its one square mile location. Noted for its wide variety of luxury shopping, it’s the views that’ll really take your breath away. To the east you have the Atlantic ocean, but you can’t […]
August 6, 2024

Our guide to Miami schools: Magnet schools

The Kern Team knows that education is important. And Miami-Dade County is home to some of the best public magnet programs in the country. Whether you’re moving in from another city, or a local looking for something new, here’s a list of some of the best charter schools Miami has to offer. Ben Sheppard Elementary Neighborhood: Hialeah Gardens Grades: pre K – 5 Student-to-teacher ratio: 14:1 Website: https://www.bensheppardelementary.org/ Serving grades pre K – 5, Ben Sheppard Elementary is located in Hialeah Gardens, northwest of MIA. The school offers a magnet STEM program with an emphasis on developing students’ ability to communicate about sciences, both verbally and in writing.  Coral Reef Senior High School Neighborhood: Richmond Heights Grades: 8 – 12 Student-to-teacher […]
July 23, 2024

Prepping your Miami home for a sale

Making the extra little effort when selling your home can go a long way. Following these tips when selling can set you up for success—and better offers. Make a repair plan Every home will go through wear and tear. Small things, like little chips or dings, may go unnoticed. But larger problems, especially visible ones, can affect how buyers see your home. To avoid this, you should identify repairs that should be done and make a list. This is something we do with our clients ideally six months before they intend to put their home on the market.  We’ll go over the details that buyers will ask about and make sure you don’t overspend on items that will not improve […]
July 16, 2024

Moving to Miami? When to consider a condo vs. single family home

Buying a condo vs buying a single family home may seem like an odd comparison. But there’s plenty of comparisons that can be made, from what you’d be buying to the application process. So what exactly are the differences? And should you buy a condo vs. a single family home? Read on below.   What’s a condo? A condominium, or “condo” for short, is a privately owned individual unit within a community of units. The owner of a unit typically owns the interior of that unit and some exterior elements. Common & shared areas such as pools, garages, gyms, hallways, etc. are owned collectively by the condo owners. Condos can be found in high-rises, apartment-style complexes and even (surprisingly to most) […]
July 9, 2024

Our guide to Miami Schools: Charter Schools

The Drew Kern Team knows that education is important. And Miami-Dade County is home to some of the best public charter schools in the country. Whether you’re moving in from another city, or you already live in paradise and are looking for new options for your kids, here’s a list of some of the best charter schools Miami has to offer. This list is in no particular order – the reality is the best school for one student is not necessarily the best for another, but we want to highlight good schools in different neighborhoods so parents know what options they have.  Best Miami Charter Schools Pinecrest Preparatory Academy Neighborhood: Kendall Grades: K – 5 Student-to-teacher ratio: 19:1 Pinecrest Preparatory […]
July 9, 2024

Hurricane Season 2024: How to Prepare Your Home in Advance

Hurricane season is from June 1st to November 30th. Before storms start rolling in, make sure you have a plan to prepare your home in advance. But what does a hurricane season checklist look like? Don’t worry. The Kern Team has you covered.  Hurricane season checklist Before hurricane season starts, here’s a few things you can do to prepare your home inside and out.  Review your insurance policy Before storms hit your home, review your insurance coverage before you file any claims. Plenty of policies come with exclusions. Before hurricane season hits check in with your insurance company about your policy and any additional coverage you may need. Don’t forget that there are no policies written when there’s a named […]
June 28, 2024

5 Fourth of July Activities in Miami

There’s no better way to celebrate America’s birthday than to spend it in Miami. There’s a variety of options to celebrate the 4th of July, but here are 5 of the best party options to choose from.  Miami Beach’s Fire on the Fourth Time: 3:00 pm – 9:00 pm The annual Fire on the Fourth celebration is back with a dedicated family zone, food trucks, live entertainment, followed by evening fireworks and drone shows that’ll really light up Miami Beach.  Key Biscayne 4th of July Parade and Fireworks Time: events start at 11:00 am The July 4th Fireworks celebration features a parade starting at Crandon Boulevard, flying jets, marching bands and a barbecue on the Village Green, followed by fireworks […]
June 18, 2024

Moving? Here’s an Easy Checklist to Ensure Your House is Ready For You To Say Goodbye

Why should you have a checklist? Moving is more than just dumping everything into boxes and then driving to the next place. There’s a number of factors to think about—including doctors, service providers, schools, and plenty of others. Here’s a handy checklist to keep you on the right track to have a successful move.  Two months before the move Set a budget for the move Make sure you’re aware of all moving expenses you’re going to face. Having a dedicated moving budget can save you a big hassle down the road.  Schedule a mover If you’re moving out of state, you want to schedule with your mover about two months out to make sure it goes smoothly (usually one month […]