Buyer Information

April 23, 2024

Historic Charm in Modern Miami

Miami is an eclectic city filled with a mix of influences that create its status as a melting pot of cultures and ideas. Many different architectural styles contribute to Miami’s rich cultural heritage and vibrant built environment. Miami’s architectural diversity offers a glimpse into its storied past.  Miami Homes: Historic, Iconic, Retro Art Deco architecture with its bold colors and geometric motifs emerged in the 1920s and 1930s. Streamlined facades, curved corners, and decorative motifs inspired by the Machine Age are some of the decorative elements you’ll find in homes from this era. If this is your style you’ll love the classic examples found in South Beach. Many homes and buildings here have been preserved or revitalized. Coral Gables is an oasis […]
April 9, 2024

Ready to List? Here’s What You Need to Know

Are you thinking it’s time to list a property for sale? The Kern Team is here to represent you, but we’re also here to help you make sure you’re well-informed on the front end of any real estate transaction.   Timing Makes a Difference First, it’s important to consider market trends and seasonality if you have the ability to list your home any time. Spring and early summer tend to be the most active seasons for real estate transactions. Many buyers are eager to purchase before the start of the new school year or to take advantage of favorable weather conditions for house hunting. Here in Miami it can be beneficial to list in Spring or early Summer, but it’s important to realize […]
March 26, 2024

Downtown to Suburbs: Finding Your Miami Vibe

One of the best things about living in a metro area like Miami is that you have such a wide variety of diverse neighborhoods to choose from. If you want to be in the middle of the action, plenty might be perfect for you from Edgewater to Brickell. There are also many options for suburban neighborhoods that offer their own unique slice of Americana. Let’s look at just a few of the options that embody the essence of downtown living and suburban bliss, helping you find your ideal Miami residence. The City is Alive From the Design District to Brickell Brickell is Miami’s financial district. If you’re a professional with the goal of living closest to major business centers, this […]
March 19, 2024

Looking Into the Future of Miami Real Estate

If anything is constant in life it’s change, and thriving cities are no exception. Miami is no different. While Miami-Dade has always been known for the sparkling bay, sun-soaked allure, and dynamic energy, it has been ever changing and that’s not likely to change.  That being said: we do not have a crystal ball nor a time machine. What we do have is extensive experience with South Florida real estate. Come along with us to explore the trends and possibilities that shape the future of Miami’s real estate landscape.  Miami’s Evolving Skyline  Miami’s skyline is poised for transformation. We’re seeing a surge in the popularity of “vertical urbanism,” which is a fancy way of describing high-rise living.  Demand is high […]
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 […]