HOME BUYING INFORMATION
September 27, 2022
A Home’s Location in Miami You’ve heard it before – location, location, location! The question is which location factors are most important for you and your family? Let’s go over a few. School districts are likely at the top of your list if you have children, but even if you don’t, it should still be a consideration. Desirable school districts drive prices into higher brackets which might be a deterrent on the buying end, but it will also give you an opportunity for higher resale value later. Proximity to grocery stores, shopping centers, outdoor activities like biking trails or marinas, and other public use spaces is also good to keep in mind. A neighborhood close enough to access these amenities easily, […]
September 13, 2022
As we move into the fall of 2022, the Coral Gables market is continuing to trend upward. Fall of 2021 into winter of 2022 saw pricing swings in both directions. However, we are back on the steady upward track we were seeing for much of last summer. The median sale price in the area is $950K, which is up 8.6% year over year. Homes are being sold in about 32 days on the market compared to 63 days during this same period last year. The number of homes sold, however, is down 35.4%: 104 homes were sold in June of this year, while it was 161 in June of 2021. What Does It All Mean? The data suggests we are […]
August 2, 2022
Heading south on US-1 has been a growing trend in real estate for the past couple of years. Because of this, the state of the real estate market in Palmetto Bay and Pinecrest has been leaning heavily towards the sellers since early 2020. Now, as interest rates are rising, what’s most interesting is how little has changed. Currently, there are 112 properties for sale in Pinecrest and 91 in Palmetto Bay. Housing Inventory in Palmetto Bay & Pinecrest The level of inventory is up from last year, but still well below pre-COVID levels of inventory (low inventory typically drives up prices). Homes in Palmetto Bay are currently selling with a median sale price of $1,017,000and Pinecrest homes are going for a median price of $2,623,000. These are both still […]
July 19, 2022
There’s no doubt why Miami is a very desirable place to live. With the tropical weather, beautiful beaches, and amazing restaurants, what’s not to love? All these factors – plus the business climate in South Florida – are reasons the real estate market in Miami remains strong. Prices have been rising steadily over the past few years and that has been leading to a common question we get – what is the next ‘It’ neighborhood in Miami? Before we dive in – to be clear, there are many neighborhoods that are attracting a lot of developer attention like Allapattah for which there is a strong argument to be made that it will be the next ‘It’ neighborhood. We’d rather talk […]
July 12, 2022
Real estate is always about location. Neighborhoods are – in a way – defined by their surrounding schools. There is a strong correlation between the quality of the schools nearby and the demand for homes within a given neighborhood (read more about that here. This is why it’s crucial to do your research on districts when house hunting. Even if you don’t have kids, school districts should still be carefully considered when buying a home. Commute Times Near Schools in Miami When looking at a home near schools, we always encourage our clients to check out the neighborhood during drop-off and pick-up times. If you don’t have kids, you may discover that certain streets are not ideal due to school-related traffic. […]
June 28, 2022
Looking for your dream home can be a long, emotionally charged journey. So, when you finally find “the one,” you’ll need to jump right in and make an offer – and while it’s important to act quickly, it’s crucial to be smart and thorough when doing so. To ensure a smooth process, there are a few things you should do now so when you find the perfect home, you are prepared to come to the table with the strongest possible offer, especially in a competitive market like this. Get a Preapproval Letter for Your Mortgage This should be completed before you begin looking for a home. Sellers give preference to buyers who have pre-approval letters because it shows that you are a serious and qualified buyer. Although the […]
June 14, 2022
In the market for a new home? For first-time homebuyers (and even experienced homebuyers), touring homes can be an exciting, yet daunting experience. While home-touring should be fun and exciting, it’s important to keep a detailed eye when touring a home – oftentimes, there can be issues hidden beneath the surface. We pride ourselves in our detailed walkthroughs – our goal is to save you time, stress, and headaches. Here’s what we look for when we tour a new home: Floor Plan – One of the most important qualities of a home is that it meets your needs – which is why we spend time researching the floor plan of each home we tour. While it’s easy to change cosmetic appearances […]
June 7, 2022
It’s no surprise Miami attracts people from all over the world – the beautiful waters and sunny weather make for the perfect place to settle into a vacation home (or a forever home!) If you’re looking for a vacation property in South Florida, here are some recommendations for top areas to begin your search: Miami Beach A fashion and entertainment capital, playground for celebrities, and oasis for travelers, Miami Beach is the ultimate vacation destination. From 5-star restaurants to gorgeous beaches, there is an unending variety of attractions that will leave visitors and vacationers wanting more. The area is the perfect combination of luxurious and fun. Most vacationers and beach lovers prefer to walk or ride a bike as their main mode of transportation – and with […]
April 26, 2022
It can’t be stressed enough – if you’re buying a home, knowing what financing you can qualify for is the first step to getting the house you really want. One of the worst sensations (especially in this market) is to find your dream home, get your offer accepted…only to lose it when the financing falls through. If you are planning to get a mortgage to finance your new home purchase, getting pre-approved (not just pre-qualified) is an essential step to not only get the result you want, but also to line you up to get your offer accepted. Here’s our take on why it’s so important to be pre-approved for a mortgage when buying a home: First, You Don’t Need […]