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August 1, 2023

How to Determine the Asking Price for My Home

There’s a saying in real estate: no one knows the current market rate better than someone in the market to buy a home right now.  Deciding on what price to ask for your home involves considering several factors. The first step is to choose an experienced local Realtor team – ideally after interviewing multiple Realtors. Working with agents takes the guesswork out of most of these factors for you. We provide you information about the current market as well as the other homes both currently listed and recently sold in your neighborhood, and help you understand how that applies to your home’s ideal asking price. Set Your Goals It might seem like the goal is always to get the most […]
July 25, 2023

Successfully Split Up Real Estate During a Divorce

A term we’ve been hearing lately is “ethical uncoupling.” It sounds a little fussy, but it is also a good way to describe what a divorce is meant to do. Separate your lives leaving each one as intact as possible while being fair about what each partner will leave the relationship with. This includes any real estate owned within the marriage. Good News: The Kern Team Can Help We want to be clear that we’re not attorneys and are not here to give you legal advice. As Realtors we can offer our expert advice on real estate matters only. What we can tell you is that our experience tells us the simplest way to split up real estate during a […]
July 18, 2023

Coordinating a Home Sale During a Divorce

Home sales involve a lot of pieces and moving parts, but if you’re going through a divorce, there are a few extra things that need to be coordinated correctly to make sure everything goes smoothly. Working with a Realtor who is experienced in this situation is a must. Where Are You in the Process? Every situation is a bit different, so deciding when the best time to sell your home is something both parties should discuss with their attorneys.  If you already have your divorce settlement agreement in hand it will give direction as to how funds will be distributed once your home closes. It’s a good idea to have both of your attorneys look over the final contract before […]
July 18, 2023

Selling Your Home in a High Conflict Divorce

Divorce is messy. When there are assets that need to be divided up it gets messier. And when those assets are relatively illiquid and have sentimental value that is likely higher for one party than the other, the propensity for contentious arguments rises considerably.  The most important thing when you’re involved in a high-conflict divorce and dividing up assets that include real estate is to work with one agent who is experienced in selling homes during a divorce. Don’t Hurt Yourself to Hurt Your Soon-to-be Ex It’s happened before — one party is willing to take a loss as long as it hurts their soon-to-be ex more than it does them. The truth is there’s no value in reducing the sale […]
July 4, 2023

How to Pick a Realtor While Getting Divorced

There are simple ways to ensure that selling your home while in the process of getting divorced doesn’t add to your stress levels. We already know that in can be beneficial to expedite a divorce settlement to sell the home before the settlement is finalized. The best way to accomplish this is to pick the right realtor.  Here is what you need to know when picking a realtor while getting divorced: Finding a Realtor Experienced Working With Divorcing Property Owners  The reality is that homes are often the most valuable asset a couple owns. Even when it isn’t the most valuable, it is still high up on the list and commonly the most contested asset during divorce proceedings. In a […]
June 20, 2023

What Makes a Neighborhood Right for You?

(i.e. schools, green spaces, location, etc) Sometimes you just happen upon a neighborhood that just feels right for you. That’s great, but if you’re moving to a new area, you might not be able to wait to luck into an area you love. It’s good to think through your big wants and needs for a new neighborhood to go over with your real estate team. The Kern Team is very familiar with Miami and South Florida neighborhoods. We’re from here, we live here! Letting us know the things that are important to you will help us find your home. Location & Atmosphere We’ve all heard the adage that location is the most important part of real estate. And it’s certainly true, though […]
June 13, 2023

Selling in Summertime: What to Expect

Some places are far more impacted by seasonal changes than others. Yes, our weather in Miami is gorgeous year-round and people’s habits don’t change much based on the season. So while Miami truly isn’t a four-season city like, say, Boston is – it is still important to consider the season when looking to list your home. Here’s why:  Motivated Buyers We find that buyers tend to be motivated to move quickly in the summer months. This is mostly true for families with school-aged children. They want to find a home in their desired neighborhood and get the deal done and closed quickly so they can settle in to their new home before school starts.  This means listing your property at the […]
June 6, 2023

State of the Market: Coral Gables

Coral Gables’ central location, leafy streets and abundance of, well, everything makes it easily one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Miami. This is old Miami – established in the ‘20s – and the vintage feel is everywhere! Plenty of greenspace, and veryaccessible. Coral Gables is dotted with parks and fountains that add a feeling of peace and relaxation everywhere you go.  A Neutral Market Let’s talk about what creates a “neutral market.” It’s mostly related to the amount of housing inventory available and how long it’s expected to remain available. In other words, supply and demand. In a buyer’s market there is at least 6 months’ worth of inventory – plenty of homes to choose from. A seller’s market […]
June 1, 2023

School’s Out! Our Favorite Summer Family Events in Miami

The beginning of summer vacation always feels like there will be plenty of time to get out and do fun things before the kiddos go back to school, but then it’s always over again before we know it! Planning some events to look forward to ahead of time is a great way to avoid letting these days slip away! Here are some of our favorite summertime activities in Miami for 2023! Frost Museum of Science Summer Camps  Okay, to be fair, this one is just for the kids. But their weekly day camps just look so cool that we just had to include it! Whether your kids are into dinosaurs or space or something in between they will find a […]