HOME BUYING INFORMATION

November 19, 2019

Coral Gables: Featured Listings

“The City Beautiful” is without a doubt one of the most coveted communities in South Florida. Its Old-World elegance blended with tropical South Florida style make Coral Gables a perfect place to call home. If you’re looking for a home in this highly sought after community, check out these featured listings. Then, give me a call at 305-329-7744 to schedule a tour. 3800 Granada Blvd – A home not to be missed for its historic charm paired with modern amenities. Built in 1924 and sitting on nearly an acre of land overlooking the Biltmore Golf Course, this 7,882 square foot home has 7 bedrooms, 5.5 bathrooms, and masterfully planned living spaces. Its Spanish influence can be felt throughout the home […]
November 12, 2019

Don’t Forget to Factor in These Costs When Purchasing a Home in Florida

Buying a home can come with some unexpected costs, especially if you’re a first-time home buyer or even if you’re just new to a market. In Florida specifically, many home buyers are taken by surprise when they’re hit with the added costs that comes with wanting to live near the water. Below are a few examples of additional costs you should be sure to factor in when searching for a home in the South Florida market. 1. Flood zones – In Florida, there’s no escaping King Tides, hurricanes, and severe storms. And because of that risk, those of us who choose to live here have to pay a premium on things like homeowners insurance. But more than that, there’s an […]
November 5, 2019

3 Important Questions You Should Ask a Realtor Before Hiring Them

Unless you’re unusually lucky and the very first house you see ends up being “the one,” you’re going to be spending a fair amount of time with your real estate agent as you search for potential properties. And even if you do decide to go it alone during some of your house hunt, you’re going to want an experienced professional by your side when it comes time to negotiating and closing the deal. While there are a lot of skills and experiences that will make a realtor qualified to work with you, a big part of finding the right fit comes down to just that – fit. As you assess potential buyer’s agents, it’s important to keep in mind things […]
October 22, 2019

Why Tech-Savvy Home Buyers Still Need a Real Estate Agent

In this day and age, many home buyers question the value of hiring a real estate agent. The same way that Uber has put taxi drivers out of work and the internet has left the phone lines of travel agents’ hanging dry, many are surprised that the role of a realtor hasn’t dramatically suffered due to technology. It used to be that agents were the keepers of a ton of information that consumers couldn’t obtain on their own. Now, buyers have access to endless data, from demographics to neighborhood crime rates. Searching for a new listing is as easy as downloading an app, entering a desired location and filtering out the best homes that fit your needs. But while technology […]
May 28, 2019

What You Need to Know Before Buying a Home in Coral Gables

Coral Gables, also known as “The Gables” or “The City Beautiful,” is a coveted South Florida community, and for good reason. Its location just southwest of downtown Miami mixed with its plethora of fabulous dining, high-end shops and community events make it an ideal family-friendly suburb. Moreover, it maintains the historic charm of Old World elegance with stunning home architecture reminiscent of Old Spanish style, many of which were originally constructed in the 1920s.   Coral Gables maintains such strong appeal to buyers for these and many other reasons, but if you’re looking to buying a home in the Gables, it’s important to note a few things.   All home projects go before the Gables’ Board of Architects In order […]
May 21, 2019

Pinecrest: Featured Listings

Frequently recognized as one of the most beautiful municipalities in South Florida, the Village of Pinecrest maintains a convenient location with large lots, mature trees and quiet streets. It’s known for its fantastic schools and beautiful natural surroundings. Take a look at the listings below to see if Pinecrest might be the perfect fit for your next South Florida home.   Featured listings in Pinecrest   5760 SW 111thTER – Completed in 2018, this brand new home boasts a 39,508 square foot lot with oak trees and an outdoor entertainment area, infinity pool, full BBQ and dining. Inside are 6 bedrooms, 7.5 bathrooms plus an additional den. Floor-to-ceiling windows throughout the home offer incredible views of the garden and pool. It […]
May 7, 2019

How to Read a Listing: What to Look for and When to be Wary

Buying a home is one of the biggest purchases we will ever make. While it’s wise to come into the search process with an open-mind, it’s also important to bring with you a healthy dose of level-headedness because knowing when to trust your gut can be just as important as other “hard” factors when it comes to making a home decision.   Fortunately, there are other clues to help guide you toward (and steer you away from) your perfect home, and many of those initial clues can be found by taking a closer look at the real estate listing. For many of us, we begin our search online and then narrow down a selection of homes we’d like to tour […]
April 16, 2019

3 Important Questions to Consider Before Embarking on Your Home-Buying Journey

Whether it’s your first time buying a home or you have multiple experiences with the process, there are always a few considerations you should think through before embarking on the journey. Most importantly is ensuring your financials are in order and that you have a thorough grasp on what you can afford, but just as important is making sure you are mentally and emotionally prepared to take the leap. If you’re thinking about buying a home, ask yourself these three important questions first.   What’s driving your motivations to buy? Surely there are numerous advantages to renting or staying in your existing home, so spending some time understanding what’s motivating you on your new path to purchase can be insightful […]
April 9, 2019

Why Working With a Realtor Can Save You Money

Many people think they can save money if they bypass a realtor. Perhaps they dislike the idea of paying commission fees or think they can navigate the transaction process themselves. But in this DIY era with How-To’s for pretty much everything on YouTube, working with an experienced real estate agent can still save you money, even when accounting for any kind of transaction commission fees. Here’s why:   Time is money Finding the right home or preparing your current home for a sale is time-consuming, to say the least. While you can scour the internet for listings yourself, scheduling viewings, playing phone-tag, and driving around disparate neighborhoods in disorganized fashion can be exhausting. Whereas it’s an agent’s full-time job to […]