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January 9, 2024

Exploring Iconic Miami Architecture

Miami is a city not just known for beaches, we also have some of the most iconic architecture in the Southeastern United States. We also have some of the most iconic architecture in the southeastern US. A story of diverse communities, innovation, and design is told through the buildings and the commitment to preserve them. Let’s go on a little tour of some of our unique architecture.  Freedom Tower Miami’s Freedom Tower is a National Historic Landmark that stands prominently in Downtown Miami, right on Biscayne Bay. It is a symbol of freedom and democracy, and a testament to the our connection to the Cuban diaspora. This Mediterranean Revival-style building started out as the printing facility and HQ for the Miami […]
January 2, 2024

Finding Your Ideal Miami Neighborhood: Little Gables

A neighborhood we get asked about commonly is Little Gables. For those that don’t know, Little Gables is surrounded by Coral Gables on three sides, and the city of Miami to the north. It exists as a quirk of a fight in the 1920s between John Stadler – who owned most of the land that is now Little Gables but then was a fruit orchard – and George Merrick, the founder of the Gables. Stadler didn’t want to sell the land to Merrick and so the area never got incorporated into the city of Coral Gables and is still unincorporated Miami-Dade County.  Many homeowners are attracted to Little Gables because it has a lot of the perks of the Gables […]
December 19, 2023

Miami Residential Market Forecast for 2024

Over the past few years, Miami’s real estate market has been somewhat unique when compared to the average trends across the US. 2023 held some surprises that we didn’t see coming at the end of 2022. Everything else we’re about to tell you is our best prediction based on our experience as well as what we see other experts saying. Beware of any market forecasts that claim to know exactly what will happen and when – we haven’t seen anyone with a working crystal ball yet! Slow and Steady is the Name of the Game in 2024 We’re not anticipating any big or fast changes on the horizon. Expect to see home prices increasing gradually through at least the first […]
December 12, 2023

Make Next Year Your Last Year to Rent

Maybe it’s because we’re in real estate, but a common conversation we have with people in January involves them telling us that this is going to be the last year they rent.  With that in mind, we wanted to compile a little bit of advice for people who are gearing up to enter into homeownership and getting out of the rental cycle.  A Home is a Solid Investment While you’re renting you’re essentially investing your money in your landlord’s real estate without getting any long term return. On the flip side, each mortgage payment you make is like adding money to your home’s equity piggy bank. It may seem like a little at a time, but it does add up […]
December 5, 2023

Holidays Miami Style

We keep tabs on things going on all over Miami, so if you’re looking for some holiday fun we can help you out. We might not have a white Christmas, but Miami knows how to celebrate the season. Let The Kern Team be Your Guide to Local Holiday Events Christmas on 15th Avenue  Everyone loves a parade and this one has been bringing the holiday cheer to the heart of Miami for 16 years now. The parade starts at 11am on December 16th, but if you want to find the best viewing spot we recommend getting there early. Lights, food, music, and even get some face time and a photo with the big guy himself. That’s right, Santa will be there! […]
November 14, 2023

Finding Your Ideal Miami Neighborhood: Dadeland

One of the under-recognized aspects of Miami (at least from people not from here) is how many different types of neighborhoods exist in Miami-Dade County. From Aventura to Homestead, you have literally every option available: from farming & country estates to high rise condos with direct ocean access.  If you want to live in a park-like setting with large green yards, and plenty of common greenspaces that’s available. If you prefer a historic area with vintage architecture, Miami has it.  If you want to live centrally with easy access to everything Miami-Dade County has to offer, but still have a yard and some space, Dadeland might be exactly what you’re looking for. Chic City Living Dadeland is a unique mixed-use […]
November 7, 2023

Perks of Buying a Condo in Miami

Miami is a great city to live in. We have some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, vibrant culture, and lots of booming businesses just to name a few things. There are also plenty of options when it comes to what kind of home you choose. We talk about single family homes a lot, and there are some amazing homes here, but choosing the condominium life has some great perks for full time residents, snow birds, and investment buyers.  Condo Living in Miami is More than Ocean Views When you think condos in Miami, most people will think of high rises with stunning views of the water. But there are plenty of condos across Miami-Dade that are more […]
October 24, 2023

What is Pre-Approval & Why is it So Important?

Ready to start the process of buying a new home? One of the best steps you can take to strengthen your position as a serious buyer is to go through the process of pre-approval now. Having a pre-approval letter saves you time, and lets sellers know that any offer they receive from you is backed by the ability to obtain the necessary funding.  What Exactly Is Pre-Approval? The short answer is that it is a lender’s preliminary assessment that determines the highest amount of money they would be willing to lend you for a mortgage. A final loan can’t be secured until you’ve chosen a specific property, but going through the parts of the process related only to your finances […]
October 17, 2023

When to Consider Schools in Your Home Search

There are so many factors to consider when you start trying to narrow down your search for a new home. Proximity to work, lot size, taxes, just the overall feel of an area are all things to look at. If you already have children, schools are likely  near the top of your list. If you haven’t considered the schools in the neighborhoods you’re interested in here are some things to think about. Impact on Families Families with school-age children will no doubt already be thinking about the educational opportunities they’ll have in a new area. If your children are not yet old enough for school, moving near a great school will mean plenty of young families living nearby.  Even if you haven’t started your […]