Buyer Information

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 […]
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 […]
May 23, 2023

Downsizing: What to Look for in a Smaller Property

It feels like we spend a lot of time talking about helping growing families find homes with more space, more rooms, bigger yards, more of… everything! There is definitely a time in life when upsizing everything seems like the most obvious choice, but what about the opposite? Downsizing has always been popular for empty nesters for several reasons – who wants to maintain a few extra bedrooms & bathrooms when no one is using them? When you’re looking for the right property for you, bigger isn’t necessarily better. New Season of Life The two biggest reasons most people find themselves shopping for a new home are relocation to a new place, and changes happening in their lives that they want or […]
May 16, 2023

What You Need to Know about Changes in Property Insurance in Florida

If you live in Florida, it’s important to understand what’s been happening with property insurance here. As of January 1, 2023 several big changes went into effect following special legislative sessions. These sessions were called to address the property insurance premiums rising across Florida. A Little Background First, let’s talk about some of the things that make Florida a unique market for property insurance. Our geography sets us apart from the rest of the continental U.S. No other place is as likely to receive significant damage from hurricanes and tropical storms. Since 2017, the frequency of heavily damaging storms has increased statewide (even if we’ve been relatively protected here in Miami). As a result, insurance companies have paid out significantly […]
May 9, 2023

What is the Difference Between a Realtor and an Agent?

If you haven’t spent much time around the real estate industry you might think the terms “Realtor” and “real estate agent” are interchangeable. However, that’s a common misconception. The distinction is well-known among within our industry, but we’re here to lift the veil to make sure you know what the differences are. We like transparency! How do You Become a Real Estate Agent? Real estate agent refers to everyone who has been licensed to sell real estate. This includes sales agents and brokers. In order to become a real estate agent here in Florida you’re required to complete 63 hours of pre-licensing classes – either online or in the classroom – and pass the exit exam following your completion of […]
May 2, 2023

State of the Market: Pinecrest

Pinecrest is one of our favorite neighborhoods. You’ll find many mid-century ranch homes on large lots and gorgeous natural scenery plus some of the most stunning mansions in Miami-Dade. Just north of Palmetto Bay and only about 20 minutes from downtown Miami, there’s a reason leafy Pinecrest is so in-demand: it is great for young families (boasting fantastic schools) and those that are looking for a little space to spread out while still being close to it all. Great Opportunities for Buyers The end of 2022 saw more homes on the market in Pinecrest than we’ve seen in years. However, the price per square foot is up – the average at the end of 2022 was $868 in Pinecrest. Price […]
April 25, 2023

Are Open Houses Valuable When It Comes to Selling Your Home?

There was a time when hosting an open house was just a forgone conclusion. If you were going to sell a home, you had to have open houses and that was just that. However, times have changed and so have buyers’ expectations. Can’t Buyers See It All Online? This is probably the most common question we get when we’re discussing the option of hosting open houses. The answer is technically, yes. We can provide plenty of photos and even very comprehensive virtual tours online. So, if buyer’s have already found your home and want to schedule a viewing, they are not likely to be the ones you will attract with an open house. On the other hand, buyers who are […]
April 18, 2023

Is Miami Immune to the U.S. Market Correction?

The last couple of years have been a wild ride, there’s no denying that. Miami has been one of the U.S. cities that has not followed the nationwide trends as closely as the majority of the country. But are we immune from a negative trend across the States? What Makes Miami Different? One of the simplest things setting Miami apart from most of the U.S. is the size. We are the 7th largest metro area in the country. Secondly, Miami has a higher-than-average concentration of luxury homes. On top of that we are a coastal city which entices buyers from not only all over the U.S., but internationally as well. Miami is a destination city within a state that has […]