HOME BUYING INFORMATION

March 11, 2025

State of the Market: Coral Gables

Always in demand, the Coral Gables real estate market remains strong. The proximity to all of Miami-Dade County while having quiet tree-lined streets is just one of the reasons why.  While no one knows what the future holds, there is a long list of people who want to live in the Gables.  Inventory and Sales December 2024 was a neutral market, with 173 units available for sale. That’s 4.9 months’ worth of inventory, which is fairly close to the 6-month threshold that indicates a healthy market.  After taking a brief dip towards the end of the year, sales climbed back up to 35 units sold in December 2024, which is a little higher than average for Coral Gables.  Compared to […]
February 25, 2025

Understanding Property Taxes in Miami: Everything You Need to Know

As one of the most desirable places to live in the entire world, it’s no surprise that Miami-Dade county has a high cost of living. The many rewards of being a Miami resident are reflected in our city’s property taxes, which vary by city. Understanding how property taxes are calculated in Miami is crucial for your financial readiness, especially if you’re planning on moving to paradise Here’s everything a potential homeowner needs to know about property taxes in Miami: Overview of Property Taxes in Miami In Miami-Dade County, property taxes are collected to fund essential public services like schools, libraries infrastructure maintenance, and emergency services. Since Miami is known as a particularly safe and attractive place to live, property taxes […]
February 18, 2025

The Ultimate Checklist for Relocating to Miami

Here at the Kern Team, we’ve helped lots of families move to Miami and start new lives, so we know how to make this process as stress-free as possible.  The key for a smooth move is organizing the many tasks lying ahead into a chronological checklist. Trust us: Scheduling specific tasks for different time frames will do wonders for your sanity as you edge closer to moving day.  The following timeline is the one we share with our clients. It will ensure that you and your family are fully packed up and ready on moving day: 8 Weeks Before Moving Day If you’re enlisting the help of a professional moving company, now is the time to start getting on-site estimates […]
January 21, 2025

4 Hidden Gems: Affordable Neighborhoods in Miami

There’s a huge misconception that Miami-Dade County is one giant playground for the rich. In reality, multiple neighborhoods in Miami are highly affordable and highly welcoming to first-home homebuyers from all sorts of economic backgrounds.  Some of these up-and-coming neighborhoods carry the same advantages as their more expensive counterparts, offering a similar quality of life for a significantly lower price tag. The only difference is most people haven’t heard of them, which is bound to happen in such a big County with so many cities, villages, and neighborhoods.  Here are four widely overlooked but highly affordable neighborhoods in Miami: Redland Named for the red clay that dominates its geological landscape, Redland (a.k.a. “the Redlands”) is a beautiful community about 20 miles from […]
January 14, 2025

Top Neighborhoods in Miami for First-Time Homebuyers

Miami-Dade County is one of the nation’s largest, both by population and by economic size, so it’s no surprise that we continue to draw new residents from across the country. And when those residents decide it’s time to turn from renters into owners, you start to realize how big Miami-Dade County truly is, so finding the right area for your needs and circumstances can be challenging. First-time homebuyers tend to have very specific priorities like proximity to schools, things to do on weekends, and of course, safety.  To simplify this process, here are a few neighborhoods in Miami that do a particularly good job of meeting the top priorities of first-time homebuyers. Buying Your First Home in South Miami/Dadeland A […]
January 7, 2025

State of the Market: Palmetto Bay

Located just South of Pinecrest is Palmetto Bay, a beautiful city that’s perfect for families with school-aged children. It’s also ideal for anyone who wants the quiet lifestyle of the suburbs without being too far from the Gables, Brickell, and Downtown Miami.  Between its plentiful green space, high quality schools, and a classic “small town” vibe, Palmetto Bay is one of the most desired neighborhoods in Miami-Dade County. Here’s what you need to know about the latest numbers on residential real estate in Palmetto Bay.  Palmetto Bay Home Sales In Palmetto Bay, there are currently 120 homes for sale, a number that has been climbing steadily since July. That’s 66.7% more homes for sale than this time last year, which […]
December 3, 2024

State of the Market: South Miami

The South Miami housing market remains fairly competitive, with plenty of homes on the market but fewer homes sold compared to the past six months. Inventory is up by nearly 40% in South Miami, a stronger sign of a buyer’s market that we haven’t seen since before COVID. From a seller’s perspective, this suggests you should make sure your home doesn’t stay on the market for too long. South Miami Home Prices In September of 2024, the median listing home price in South Miami was $557 per square foot, putting it in the same range as nearby Coral Gables. That’s also 6.1% increase since August 2024, but within the same general ballpark as the summer and spring. How Quickly are […]
November 26, 2024

What is a Seller’s Market?

If you’re thinking of buying or selling a home, it’s important to pay attention to your local housing market to see if your area is currently in a buyer’s or a seller’s market. This can give you an idea of how to approach each process and give you an advantage over other buyers or sellers.  In a seller’s market, the demand for homes exceeds the supply. Based on the basic laws of supply and demand, this gives sellers the upper hand because it means that buyers have fewer houses to choose from. Under these conditions, homes typically sell very quickly, and sellers typically receive multiple offers over asking price.  Here are a few more ways to tell you’re in a […]
November 19, 2024

The Importance of a Home Inspection Before Buying

Buying a home is a complex process with many steps. One of them is getting your dream home inspected by a licensed professional. Some home buyers may feel tempted to skip this step because they think it will speed up the purchase process. Or, they just don’t want to pay for it.  But the truth is, a home inspection can save you from making a catastrophic mistake by unknowingly purchasing a home in need of major repairs. Before delving into more reasons to get a home inspection, let’s break down what a home inspector actually does: What is a Home Inspection? The purpose of a home inspection is to alert you of any potential safety hazards or usability problems in […]