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April 26, 2022
It can’t be stressed enough – if you’re buying a home, knowing what financing you can qualify for is the first step to getting the house you really want. One of the worst sensations (especially in this market) is to find your dream home, get your offer accepted…only to lose it when the financing falls through. If you are planning to get a mortgage to finance your new home purchase, getting pre-approved (not just pre-qualified) is an essential step to not only get the result you want, but also to line you up to get your offer accepted. Here’s our take on why it’s so important to be pre-approved for a mortgage when buying a home: First, You Don’t Need […]
April 19, 2022
We’ve said it before, but location really is the most important quality in real estate. This is true regardless of property size or square footage. Where you live truly does affect so many aspects of your living experience, so it’s no surprise that selecting the right location is one of the most important components of your home search. Location Affects Your Lifestyle It’s crucial to consider your daily quality of life and needs – are you an active person who wants to be close to trails or running routes? Do you prefer to have a larger yard with room to entertain or have a pool? Your neighborhood should offer you access to these important lifestyle needs or aspirations. School Districts […]
April 12, 2022
Buying a home will probably be the most important financial decision you will make in your life – if that doesn’t put the pressure on to get it right, we don’t know what does! Unsurprisingly, home-buying will stir up some serious stress – which just isn’t good for anyone making a big decision. Even in a competitive market like South Florida’s, you can still get ahead of the curve and alleviate any built-up stress with a sound strategy, an experienced realtor, and a few key items in-place. Find the Right Realtor Anyone in the market for a new home can benefit from hiring an experienced realtor, especially first time home-buyers. Realtors are going to save you a lot of time, stress, and […]
April 5, 2022
House-hunting can be a stressful, albeit-exciting venture. If you’ve started the process of looking for a home – congrats! You probably have a lot of factors on your mind about what makes a home ideal, such as the neighborhood, size of the home, natural lighting, and floor plan. A lot of times we have a general idea about what we’re looking for in a home, but more often than not, the less-exciting factors get brushed aside, even if they can make a big impact once you’re all moved in. Not to worry – we’ve compiled four crucial things you should consider before moving forward in your home-buying process. Outlets This may be the most overlooked factor while home-buying. Having outlets […]
March 29, 2022
When looking to buy or sell a property, one of the first things to consider is what the comps are for recent sales in the area. As for Miami, the numbers still show a seller’s market. In Palmetto Bay specifically, we’re seeing very little supply – only about 40 active listings ranging from 3 bedroom homes in the mid $400s near US-1 to estates abutting the Deering Nature Preserve asking $2,500,000. Recent sales have mostly ranged from $325 a square foot to $375 a square foot. The median listing home price is sitting right around $875,000 in early 2022, which is up over 29% in the last 12 months. Homes in Palmetto Bay have been selling right around asking price in […]
March 22, 2022
For what seems like time immemorial, the world over has been looking to invest in waterfront condos in Miami. And the truth is there is a valid reason, so much so that we tend to split Miami’s real estate market into segments – single family homes and condos – and see demand for one segment really doesn’t affect the other. In fact, political instability abroad and the strength of the dollar are important factors to consider when looking at Miami condos. If you’re looking for a short answer, yes – condos are a good investment in Miami. However, like anything in real estate, there are many factors you should consider before diving into a serious investment. Here are some of […]
March 15, 2022
For many empty nesters, there comes a time to face the impending question: keep the family home or downsize to something smaller? Like any real estate investment, there are a lot of things to think about when downsizing to a smaller home. Here are a few questions to ask yourself before deciding whether or not to downsize: Lifestyle With the kids out of the house, you now have the freedom to decide how you want to live your life. Before downsizing, it’s important to think about what you do – for instance, if you’ve been commuting to work an hour plus each way to be near the kids’ school, and if your hobbies are near your home. It’s not uncommon for empty […]
March 8, 2022
Buying a home is often be the most important financial decision people will make in their lives – which is why it’s important to do your research and get the details right the first time. After working in Miami’s real estate market through all the booms (and busts) of the last 20+ years, we figured it would be a good idea to share some tips that will help you navigate this difficult (but very exciting process): Start Saving Up Early for Your Down Payment: While there are some options to buy a home with little or no down payment (the most common ways are through the VA for veterans or through an FHA program), most buyers in Miami are buying a […]
February 15, 2022
Flood zones are defined as areas that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) determined to be at a higher risk of flooding or heavy rainfall – and it should come as no surprise that these zones are just about everywhere in Miami. When buying a home or property in Miami, there are some things you should know about flood zones, risk, and overall flood safety that will make your life a lot easier: Know Your Zone It’s crucial to find out exactly what flood zone your home falls in so you can be as prepared as possible should any unfortunate situation arise. Different flood zones correspond to different risk levels – for instance, if you live in ZONE AE, your home is […]