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January 22, 2016
Last week I wrote about the many benefits of living in the Village of Pinecrest, currently celebrating their first 20 years as a municipality, but this week I have to turn to my home. I love Palmetto Bay, and it’s not just because I’m a long-time resident. The Village of Palmetto Bay, celebrating its 14th year as a municipality, truly is a wonderful place to live. With beautiful homes at a more reasonable price per square foot (especially when compared to other South Florida neighborhoods), A-rated public schools, great private school options, easy access to the bay and historic landmarks like Deering Estate, what’s not to love? Here’s another perk: an active Parks & Recreation Department that organizes scores of […]
January 15, 2016
One of the main motivators I hear from potential sellers when they’re considering putting their home on the market is that they need more space, whether in the form of more bedrooms, an in-home office, a garage or a spacious yard, maybe with a pool or tennis court, too. When I hear this, I immediately think of Pinecrest (and Palmetto Bay, but that’s a topic for another day). This year marks Pinecrest’s 20-year anniversary and during that time period, we’ve witnessed Pinecrest evolve from an area devastated by Hurricane Andrew to a municipality that boasts beautiful homes on sprawling lots, A-rated schools, neighborhood parks and a fully-equipped community center and public library. Looking for an opportunity to live in this […]
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 […]