Drew Kern

November 20, 2015

Let’s Eat, Miami!

I’ve decided to venture into new territory today and dive into some really great food. Since Thanksgiving is just around the corner, favorite recipes and meal prep are a hot topic in my office at the moment. My team and I are huge fans of this holiday (and of eating), so we wanted to share with you some of our go-to Thanksgiving recipes. Seems odd to be getting recipes from a real estate blog, right? Trust us, you’ll thank yourself for giving these a try. And after you’ve had your fill of dirty mash and pecan pie, contact me to discuss current listings and explore South Florida’s hottest neighborhoods.   Lauren’s Unbelievable Brie Serves 8 Ingredients: 1 sheet frozen puff […]
November 13, 2015

Thanksgiving Giving in and Around Miami

The other day I read that over 46 million people in the United States (about 14.8%) are in poverty, including 15.5 million children under the age of 18. I’ll admit it: I was shocked when I read that statistic. The first thought that came to my mind was, “What can I do to help?” I firmly believe in the importance of giving back to the community, which is why I cherish my involvement with Big City Mountaineers and Miami Children’s Health Foundation. Now that we’re entering the season of giving thanks, it’s a perfect time not only to appreciate all that we have to be thankful for, but also to share what we do have with those who are less […]
November 6, 2015

What’s Going On in Coral Gables: Food, Wine & Spirits Festival

Prospective homebuyers considering the Coral Gables area should not miss the upcoming Food, Wine & Spirits Festival. The sixth edition of this annual event, which has evolved into a sophisticated, well-run week of foodie fun and celebration, takes place November 9 to 15 in downtown Coral Gables (on Giralda Ave between Ponce de Leon Blvd and LeJeune). It’s a perfect opportunity to get a taste of the enthusiastic and diverse community that makes up the perennial favorite of the southern Miami suburbs. The first component of the event is the Food, Wine & Spirits Week (Nov. 9 to 13), with an interesting lineup of tastings, VIP dinners, new product intros, even a beer fest taking place each night (from 7pm […]
October 30, 2015

Have a Safe and Happy Halloween in Miami

Halloween in Miami is a whirlwind of dance parties, costume nights, and theme cocktails on the party scene, but away from the nightlife, Miami’s southern suburbs offer some of the safest, most enjoyable trick-or-treating streets around.   Try the storefronts of Coral Gables’ Miracle Mile for a safe, all-in-one-place trick-or-treating destination. Enjoy story time at Books & Books, a photo booth at the Leica store, and live performances at the Actors’ Playhouse, plus plenty of parking at the surrounding garages.   Soak in beautiful views of Biscayne Bay while walking the equally beautiful streets of Palmetto Bay with your little ghouls. The Village of Parks is extremely family-oriented, so you can feel safe bringing your little ones here for some […]
October 19, 2015

A Big Charity Event for Big City Mountaineers

Time does fly…. I am honored to say that this marks my 13th year hosting the BNI Charity Golf Tournament, which takes place on Friday, October 23. This event is dear to me for many reasons. First of all, 100% of the proceeds from the tournament go to the Big City Mountaineers. For those of you who are not familiar with this organization, Big City Mountaineers is a non-profit that was founded in 1989 by my father, who firmly believes that nature is a powerful teacher. The organization’s mission is to provide urban teenage youth in need of positive adult mentoring with a challenging and safe wilderness experience led by qualified adult volunteers. Believe it or not, through these expeditions, […]
October 16, 2015

Check Out These Great Halloween Events

  Miami is a city that loves Halloween—for both kids and adults. Whether you want a safe place to trick-or-treat with the family, a world-class haunted house, or an all-out wild party, you’ll find the perfect spooky event in the Magic City for this October 31. (For those more in search of a real estate-themed trick-or-treat outing, contact me and we can tour South Florida’s hottest neighborhoods.)   FOR FAMILIES Spooky Zoo Nights at Zoo Miami October 30 and 31, 2015; 7 to 11 p.m. The zoo is full of safe, exciting Halloween fun for the whole family. The main event, Spooky Zoo Nights, features Dr. Wilde’s Creepy House, a spooky tram ride, and haunted trails throughout the zoo for […]
October 9, 2015

I Salute Coral Gables, the City Beautiful

As many of you know, this year marks Coral Gables’ 90th anniversary. On April 29, 1925, its original charter was approved by the Florida legislature, and thanks in no small part to the extraordinary vision of founder George Merrick, today the City Beautiful is a vibrant, historically rich, multicultural destination, home to more than 49,000 residents. Due to my involvement with the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce and the fact that my office is located in Coral Gables, this city is like a second home to me. It is a true gem: ideally located close to Miami International Airport and Downtown Miami; comprised of neighborhoods that skew urban and also neighborhoods that appeal to those searching for a more suburban […]
October 1, 2015

What’s Next for Downtown Gables?

  If you read the real estate coverage of the Miami Herald with any regularity, you have probably taken note of the big development plans on the horizon for the historically quiet suburb of Coral Gables.   Among the 16 proposed and approved new, high-density projects announced for the highly desirable enclave are the Mediterranean Village at Ponce Circle, a million square feet of hotel, condos and shopping across 6.7 acres south of the Mile on Ponce de Leon Boulevard; 33 Alhambra, a proposed 16-story residential tower to be built on the block behind the historic Coral Gables Elementary School; and the Collection Residences, a 10-story building with 270 luxury condos and 40,000 square feet of ground-floor retail.   This […]
September 18, 2015

Why “FSBO” Means Proceed with Caution

  For Sale By Owner. We’ve all passed a home with a handmade sign on the front lawn or stumbled onto a self-listed charmer on the website forsalebyowner.com. Maybe you have even wondered whether you really need to enlist the services of a realtor as you prepare to put your home on the market. I can understand the appeal, of course: avoid paying commission and conduct the sales process on your own terms. As tempting as the unaided approach may seem, it comes with significant risks—for both buyers and sellers. Buyers of a FSBO listing assume all the risks that come from working with an uneducated seller: Will they disclose everything they should about the home and its condition? Is […]