HOME BUYING INFORMATION

May 27, 2025

Buying or Selling In Gables by the Sea

Gables by the Sea is situated directly on Biscayne Bay, this gated waterfront enclave contains approximately 360 custom-built homes located just off the scenic, tree-lined Old Cutler Road. A small but highly exclusive community, Gables by the Sea is known for its beautiful, park-like landscaping and direct access to Biscayne Bay, with some of the best schools in the nation located nearby.  Single-family homes in Gables By the Sea were built between 1957 and 2018. In terms of architectural styles, Gables By the Sea contains everything from charming one-story homes to Spanish-style residences to massive Palladian-style estates featuring large decks, expansive balconies, resort-sized pools, and unparalleled waterfront views. These luxury homes offer large lots and a level of privacy that’s […]
May 20, 2025

State of the Market: Pinecrest

Located just 12 miles from Downtown, Pinecrest is consistently ranked among the most desirable neighborhoods in Miami-Dade County. It’s famous for its lush greenery, oversized lots, quiet streets, and close access to the some of the best schools in the United States.  Here’s what you need to know about how Pinecrest’s Residential Real Estate market is currently looking: Inventory and Sales in Pinecrest In January 2025, there were 127 homes for sale in Pinecrest, or about 14 months worth of inventory. That’s more inventory than any month of 2024, and a key indicator of a buyer’s market. Inventories higher than anything we’ve seen since 2019 has been the case for several other popular neighborhoods of Miami, particularly Coral Gables.  Sales […]
May 13, 2025

A Miami Realtor’s Guide to Pre-Sale Home Preparation

When you are about six months away from putting your home on the market, it means it’s time to start preparing for showings. This is when any issues that may deter potential buyers or lessen your home’s perceived value need to be identified and resolved.  To simplify this process, we’ve created a step by step guide for maximizing the appeal of your home. Once you’ve figured out exactly what kind of work needs to be done, everything else – like cleaning and staging – becomes much less stressful.  Here’s how to get started:  Schedule a Walk Through Six Months Before Listing Your Home Step one is to schedule a walk through with your Realtor to identify any reason a buyer […]
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 […]