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February 18, 2025

The Ultimate Checklist for Relocating to Miami

Here at the Kern Team, we’ve helped lots of families move to Miami and start new lives, so we know how to make this process as stress-free as possible.  The key for a smooth move is organizing the many tasks lying ahead into a chronological checklist. Trust us: Scheduling specific tasks for different time frames will do wonders for your sanity as you edge closer to moving day.  The following timeline is the one we share with our clients. It will ensure that you and your family are fully packed up and ready on moving day: 8 Weeks Before Moving Day If you’re enlisting the help of a professional moving company, now is the time to start getting on-site estimates […]
February 11, 2025

How to Prepare Your Miami Home for Sale: A Seller’s Guide

If you’re planning on selling a home in Miami-Dade County, preparation is key for a quick and lucrative sale. Potential buyers are much more likely to pull out their checkbooks when they see a home that’s in great condition and ready to be sold. Yes, preparing your home for sale involves some work on your part, but a high-quality home attracts high quality offers.  With this in mind, here’s how to begin the process of selling your home and impressing potential buyers: Find a Local Real Estate Agent Step one for selling a home is finding a highly qualified local real estate agent. You may have to interview two or three agents before you find someone you feel like you […]
February 6, 2025

Our Favorite Date Night Restaurants In Pinecrest and Coral Gables

Valentine’s Day is one of the many days of the year when you’re particularly thankful to live in Miami. The Magic City is known for its plethora of romantic restaurants and wide range of cuisines from all over the world.  With so many restaurants to choose from, finding the perfect spot for you and your partner can be a challenge. That’s why we’ve curated this list of some of our favorite date night restaurants in Miami, all of which feature delicious food and an exceptionally romantic ambiance.  Without further ado, here’s where to spend Valentine’s Day with your partner this year:  Luca Osteria A boutique Italian restaurant in the heart of Coral Gables, Luca Osteria sets the mood with dark […]
January 21, 2025

4 Hidden Gems: Affordable Neighborhoods in Miami

There’s a huge misconception that Miami-Dade County is one giant playground for the rich. In reality, multiple neighborhoods in Miami are highly affordable and highly welcoming to first-home homebuyers from all sorts of economic backgrounds.  Some of these up-and-coming neighborhoods carry the same advantages as their more expensive counterparts, offering a similar quality of life for a significantly lower price tag. The only difference is most people haven’t heard of them, which is bound to happen in such a big County with so many cities, villages, and neighborhoods.  Here are four widely overlooked but highly affordable neighborhoods in Miami: Redland Named for the red clay that dominates its geological landscape, Redland (a.k.a. “the Redlands”) is a beautiful community about 20 miles from […]
January 14, 2025

Top Neighborhoods in Miami for First-Time Homebuyers

Miami-Dade County is one of the nation’s largest, both by population and by economic size, so it’s no surprise that we continue to draw new residents from across the country. And when those residents decide it’s time to turn from renters into owners, you start to realize how big Miami-Dade County truly is, so finding the right area for your needs and circumstances can be challenging. First-time homebuyers tend to have very specific priorities like proximity to schools, things to do on weekends, and of course, safety.  To simplify this process, here are a few neighborhoods in Miami that do a particularly good job of meeting the top priorities of first-time homebuyers. Buying Your First Home in South Miami/Dadeland A […]
January 7, 2025

State of the Market: Palmetto Bay

Located just South of Pinecrest is Palmetto Bay, a beautiful city that’s perfect for families with school-aged children. It’s also ideal for anyone who wants the quiet lifestyle of the suburbs without being too far from the Gables, Brickell, and Downtown Miami.  Between its plentiful green space, high quality schools, and a classic “small town” vibe, Palmetto Bay is one of the most desired neighborhoods in Miami-Dade County. Here’s what you need to know about the latest numbers on residential real estate in Palmetto Bay.  Palmetto Bay Home Sales In Palmetto Bay, there are currently 120 homes for sale, a number that has been climbing steadily since July. That’s 66.7% more homes for sale than this time last year, which […]
December 26, 2024

5 Great Ways to Ring in the New Year in Miami

We know how to party here in Miami, and not just at clubs until three in the morning. When New Year’s Eve rolls around, there are plenty of epic celebrations going on for people of all ages. So, if you’re not sure where to take your family for New Year’s Eve, we’ve got you covered with some of the most exciting family-friendly events in Miami.  Here are five great ways to ring in the new year in the Magic City: Bayfront Park NYE For the most epic New Year’s Eve celebration in town, Bayfront Park NYE is hard to beat. This roaring outdoor festival features performances from more than 30 major recording artists, including Latin Grammy-winning icons Willy Chirino and […]
December 17, 2024

How Do Negotiations Work After a Home Inspection?

Many home buyers underestimate the importance of a home inspection. This crucial step in the home buying process could have a major impact on the property’s final sales price. It’s easy to forget that what looks completely fine to the untrained eye could turn out to be serious trouble when inspected by a trusted expert.  If your inspector uncovers problems with the home, you can factor these additional expenses into your negotiations. However, you still want to be reasonable with the seller assuming you still want the home.  Before we explain how to approach these conversations, let’s go over what constitutes a severe issue in need of fixing. What is a Home Inspection? During a home inspection, a professional inspector […]
December 14, 2024

Our Holiday Gift Guide for New Homeowners

Buying a home is undoubtedly worth celebrating, but finding the perfect gift for a new homeowner can be difficult. It’s not just about figuring out which household items your friend needs most. It’s also about making their home feel more welcoming, helping them express their personality, and ultimately facilitating a smooth transition into this new space.  With that in mind, here are a few tasteful and useful gifts for that new homeowner in your life: Our 2024 Holiday Gift Guide for New Homeowners For the one from another era: Buying a home in Miami is living the dream, and nobody captured that lifestyle better than iconic photographer Slim Aarons. When house guests see this great coffee table book, “Slim Aarons: Style” […]