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December 13, 2016
Sparkling twinkle lights are everywhere during the holidays, and that’s what makes the season so magical, dazzling kids and adults alike. South Florida offers many enchanting holiday lights displays. Here are six not to miss: Santa’s Enchanted Forest Celebrating its 34th year, Santa’s Enchanted Forest has been a South Florida holiday tradition for generations. It bills itself as the “world’s largest holiday theme park and free carnival” and features a 92-foot Christmas tree, hundreds of rides for all ages, and millions of dazzling holiday lights. There is also holiday music, displays, and lots of food. The park is open daily from November 3 to January 8, 2017 from 5 p.m. to midnight, including on the holidays. Miami Lantern Light Festival The […]
December 6, 2016
The holidays bring out our giving spirits, and we feel the urge to volunteer and donate to those most in need. There are so many ways to give back, no matter how much time or money you have offer. When you plan your holiday giving or volunteering, always involve the whole family to make sure everyone learns about the true meaning of the season. Here are some ways to help your South Florida community during the holidays. Help the Homeless Helping the homeless is one of the most common ways people give back during the holidays because there are many ways to help. You can serve meals, donate food or other items, and participate in homeless outreach programs. The Miami […]
November 29, 2016
The holidays are a crazy time for many, so putting your home on the market probably seems like one more thing to worry about. And, many people believe spring is the best time to sell a home. However, winter offers many advantages for sellers. Here are five reasons to put your home on the market now, and not wait until spring: There’s Less Competition There is limited competition in the market between Thanksgiving and January because many believe this is a slow time for the real estate industry. But, this is a big plus for sellers. There may be fewer homes on the market, so yours will get the full attention of everyone looking to buy. Agents Usually Aren’t As […]
November 21, 2016
For 68 years, the Junior Orange Bowl Parade, has been the signature event for the Junior Orange Bowl International Youth Festival. And, this year’s parade will be better than ever. The 68th annual parade marches through the streets of downtown Coral Gables, along Miracle Mile and Biltmore Way, on Sunday, November 27 from 4 to 9 p.m. The Parade Benefits the Junior Orange Bowl The Junior Orange Bowl is a nonprofit, volunteer organization that strives to empower youth through teamwork and competition. The group attracts more than 7,500 youth from Miami, the state of Florida and beyond, including more than 75 countries worldwide. Youth compete in athletic, academic, and cultural competitions, which collectively make up the Junior Orange Bowl Festival, often […]
November 15, 2016
Fall is here. The weather is starting to cool off, and the days are getting shorter. Pumpkins line your porch, and the Halloween decorations are up. While fall decorations add some festiveness to your home, the season is also the perfect time to tackle some home-improvement projects. While homeowners in South Florida aren’t faced with the long list of chores to winterize their homes like people in other parts of the country, there are still a few DIY projects that should be performed as the season changes. And, getting on a schedule of taking care of these things each fall will keep your home in tip-top shape. Here are five DIY projects that will get your home ready for fall […]
November 8, 2016
Buying (and selling) a home is one of the largest financial transactions you will undertake in your life. You want an expert to work with you to answer your questions, give you advice, and help you see both the latest listings to hit the market and (hopefully) see a few homes before anyone else. You also want to consider the amount of their attention they will be able to give you. If you’re looking to sell your home, ask them how many current listings they have. If they have more than a few, make sure they have a team working for them that can handle the load. If they only have a few, it’s a good idea to make sure […]
November 1, 2016
Trends come and go, and but some classic elements in house design and presentation are a safe bet to generate buyer appeal – upgraded appliances, a fresh coat of paint, and a well-manicured yard. While opinions vary based on the age of the buyer, the fact is that a home can get the attention of and even fetch a higher offer price by including some of the latest and most popular home trends. We want to give you a bit more of a leg up when it comes to preparing your home for selling so you can offer a broad appeal today’s buyers. Consider the following elements to attract today’s buyers: Tech-savvy attributes: Smart water systems that can detect leaks […]
October 25, 2016
Halloween is just around the corner, and hordes of costume-clad kids will be hitting the streets in search of candy. Miami offers an array of Halloween activities for people of all ages — parties, haunted houses, costume contests, and special events. South Florida’s family-friendly neighborhoods also provide safe and festive spaces for trick-or-treating. Coral Gables and Palmetto Bay, in particular, are top trick-or-treating spots. Here’s why: Coral Gables From a kids point of view, Coral Gables is perfect for Trick-or-Treating. There are few oversized lots, which means more homes per block and therefore more candy. What’s more, certain areas are well known for handing out the best candy (don’t worry, I won’t spill the secret here. You’ll have to contact me). […]
September 20, 2016
It’s a fact: home renovations can be pricey. But, if you plan to spend seven or more years in your home, it is certainly worth the investment to ensure you get the wind mitigation discount on your insurance. It also can be worth it to summerify your home to both keep your ac from working on overdrive and keep your electric bills way down. But what about those of us that are not sure how long we’ll be in our home? Should we just soldier through higher insurance rates and bills from FP&L? Until recently, that’s what most people did. But then the Ygrene loan program came along. Distributed through the privately funded YgreneWorks program, this loan covers just about […]