Homeowner Tips

March 24, 2026

State of the Market: Pinecrest

Hailed for its quiet, lush streets and peaceful vibe, Pinecrest is one of the most coveted neighborhoods for families in South Florida. Like a lot of family-friendly parts of Miami-Dade, the Pinecrest real estate market saw a lot of activity towards the late spring and early summer of 2025. Since then, however, the market has remained in a state of flux, with the advantage leaning towards buyers. So, if you’re looking to snatch up a reasonably priced home in Pinecrest, time is of the essence.  How many homes are for sale in Pinecrest? Pinecrest is one of the smaller villages of Miami-Dade County, so you’re not going to find as much inventory as, say, Coral Gables or Kendall. In December […]
March 17, 2026

Spring Cleaning Tips That Boost Home Value

Spring is the perfect time to freshen up your home, especially if you’re thinking of selling. A clean, fresh-looking home can make a huge impression on potential buyers. Everybody wants to see a home that appears well-maintained and ready to live in.  With that in mind, here are a few spring cleaning tips to give your home’s perceived value a big boost: Enhance Curb Appeal Your home’s exterior is your second – and arguably your most important – opportunity to impress potential buyers (first is photos of your home as almost all home searches start online these days). If they don’t like what they see, it can color their judgment for the rest of the tour.  So, it’s certainly worth […]
August 5, 2025

Questions a Buyer Should Ask About a Property Part I

As a real estate team, a big part of our job is preparing our clients for the home-buying process. That includes knowing which questions to ask potential sellers, so you can make sure that a home you buy is going to be perfect for you for years to come. After all, when you look at a beautiful home online it’s easy to start envisioning your life there, but you have to look at all the details about the home – and the neighborhood – to get the full picture.   That’s why we’ve created this guide for the most important questions you should learn the answers to about a property you are interested in. We’ll start with questions related to the […]
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 […]
December 14, 2024

Our Holiday Gift Guide for New Homeowners

Buying a home is undoubtedly worth celebrating, but finding the perfect gift for a new homeowner can be difficult. It’s not just about figuring out which household items your friend needs most. It’s also about making their home feel more welcoming, helping them express their personality, and ultimately facilitating a smooth transition into this new space.  With that in mind, here are a few tasteful and useful gifts for that new homeowner in your life: Our 2024 Holiday Gift Guide for New Homeowners For the one from another era: Buying a home in Miami is living the dream, and nobody captured that lifestyle better than iconic photographer Slim Aarons. When house guests see this great coffee table book, “Slim Aarons: Style” […]
January 16, 2024

Buying a Miami Vacation Home? What to Look For.

Is there a better vacation destination than Miami? We’ll admit to being biased, but we think this is the best city for living and vacationing. Buying a vacation home is a way to do both. People are drawn here for many different reasons; vibrant nightlife, gorgeous beaches, and a rich culture are a blend of all the people who have made their lives here over time. The idea of a vacation home is exciting, and The Kern Team is here to guide you through the process.  What Does Your Ideal Vacation Look Like? One of the most important considerations when looking for your vacation home is the location. Miami is full of unique neighborhoods that each have their own personality. Your […]
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 […]
October 10, 2023

Ways to Make Sure Your Home is Ready to Show at Its Best

Listing your home for sale is a big step, especially if you’re a first-time seller. Working with experienced Realtors like The Kern Team means having help through the whole process. When it comes time to get your home ready to show at its best, you’ll be the one taking the lead.  Take a Step Back  Start at the curb in front of your home and do a walk through trying to see your home through the eyes of a prospective buyer. Curb appeal matters and you should consider it a part of getting your home ready for regular showings and open houses. It probably goes without saying that the yard should be neatly cut and edged. Make sure all landscaping has […]
May 9, 2023

What is the Difference Between a Realtor and an Agent?

If you haven’t spent much time around the real estate industry you might think the terms “Realtor” and “real estate agent” are interchangeable. However, that’s a common misconception. The distinction is well-known among within our industry, but we’re here to lift the veil to make sure you know what the differences are. We like transparency! How do You Become a Real Estate Agent? Real estate agent refers to everyone who has been licensed to sell real estate. This includes sales agents and brokers. In order to become a real estate agent here in Florida you’re required to complete 63 hours of pre-licensing classes – either online or in the classroom – and pass the exit exam following your completion of […]