Drew Kern
January 8, 2016
It’s an important time of year for Florida homeowners: homestead application time. When you own a property as your permanent residence, you may be eligible to receive a property tax exemption of up to $50,000 and reap one of the many benefits of homeownership. If you don’t apply between January 1 and March 1, you will lose your eligibility for the year and miss out on substantial savings on your real estate taxes. In order to qualify, you must meet certain minimum criteria as of January 1: –You must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident. –You must own the property. –You must occupy the property as a permanent residence (to the exclusion of all others). There are several benefits […]
December 30, 2015
This year has flown by, and I sincerely hope it has been a good one for you and your loved ones. I would like to thank my family, friends, clients and peers for your support and inspiration in making this a spectacular year. As the sun sets on 2015, Miami continues to rank among the most important real estate markets in the world. What makes Miami unique is its global appeal, enticing both domestic and international buyers with its mild weather, world-class dining, burgeoning arts scene and beautiful beaches. People want to live here and that’s a great thing for real estate. In keeping with recent years, resales of single-family homes remained strong through the third quarter of 2015, indicating […]
December 18, 2015
Yes, we’ve all heard the news: the economy is performing well so interest rates are on their way up. After the economic downturn of 2007-08, the Fed took drastic measures to bolster the economy, such as reducing the price banks pay to borrow money to near zero, which in turn lowered borrowing costs for homeowners, among other things. For the first time in nearly a decade, the Federal Reserve approved a quarter-point increase in its benchmark lending rate earlier this week. What does this mean for homebuyers who plan to finance the purchase of a home with, for example, an adjustable-rate mortgage or a HELOC? Although interest rates will not be skyrocketing overnight, they are expected to start climbing gradually, […]
December 11, 2015
If you’ve been hankering to live the Grove lifestyle, my new listing–3045R Orange St, #B3–is just perfect for you! Smack-dab in the heart of the Grove, this contemporary 2-bedroom, 2.5-bath tri-level gem is located in the gated Atrium in the Grove community. The first floor features an updated eat-in kitchen and formal dining room, while the second floor boasts an ensuite guest bedroom, an open family room with an additional convertible bedroom area, a wet bar and a half-bath. The grand master bedroom/loft is located on the third floor. Additional highlights of this spectacular property include volume ceilings, abundant natural light, wood floors, a rooftop terrace and a ground-floor deck and patio. Truly a perfect home for entertaining and enjoying […]
December 4, 2015
Out-of-town friends always ask me, “How do you get in the holiday spirit in Miami?” Temperatures hover in the low- to mid-80s, locals parade around in their summer best and, yes, some of us continue to enjoy a lazy afternoon or two by the pool well into the “winter” months (if it isn’t raining, that is). Life’s rough, isn’t it? That being said, I have to say Miami is a magical place over the holidays. And one of the more enjoyable ways to get into the holiday spirit is to explore our neighborhoods and take in the holiday lights on display. Wondering where to go? Here are some festive places in and around the greater Miami area that are sure […]
November 27, 2015
Now that we’ve had our fill of Thanksgiving turkey, it’s time to turn our attention back to real estate. One of the questions I hear most often from homeowners as they prepare to put their home on the market is, “What can I do to increase my chances of a sale?” This is a great question, and the answer I give surprises a lot of people. My response, in a nutshell, is that aesthetic repairs are not necessarily as important as those addressing the more stringent lender requirements and inspection hurdles. Most of us have seen enough shows on HGTV to know that there are many easy, relatively affordable ways to increase a home’s curb appeal before listing: sprucing up […]
November 20, 2015
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
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
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 […]