Homeowner Tips

January 24, 2023

Upsizing? What to Consider When Buying a Bigger Home

Anytime you start thinking about shopping for a new home, it is an exciting time. People move for many different reasons, and when they do, it’s not uncommon for them to be looking for an upgrade of some kind. A growing family is another very common reason people start shopping for larger homes.  If your current home is starting to feel cramped, upsizing to a bigger home may give you just the breathing room you’re looking for. But before doing so, be sure to first think through some of these more practical parts of moving into a bigger home. Bigger House, Bigger Bills It might seem obvious that a larger house will come with a larger price point. However, it’s […]
January 17, 2023

Moving to Miami: What Neighborhoods to Look at for Your New Home

If you are planning a move to Miami, let me be the first to welcome you! It is such a wonderful and unique city, so learning a bit about the different neighborhoods will be an important step in your search for a home. I have more than 25 years of experience selling real estate locally and am a native of South Florida. Helping people find their dream home here is something my team and I love to do!  Each neighborhood in the Miami area has its own style and personality. Let’s talk about a few of those areas and their individual qualities. Coral Gables  This family-friendly suburb is packed with charm! Known as “The City Beautiful,” its unique 1920s and […]
December 14, 2022

Looking to Build New? 5 Things to Consider when Looking for Land

Building a new home from the ground up is a wonderful opportunity to create your dream home. Of course, finding the right location is at least half of the challenge. Shopping for land is a very different experience from being in the resale or pre-built housing market. This is far from a comprehensive list of things to consider, but it’s a good start to prepare you for the market. Location, Location, Location Searching for the right location to build a home is a bit different than finding a home in a desirable location. When you’re shopping for a house so much of what makes a location attractive is related to the existing homes and infrastructure. If you want to build […]
December 6, 2022

How Will Insurance Changes in the State of Florida Impact Homeowners?

Here in Florida we have seen some significant and immediate changes to laws regarding homeowner’s insurance policies in 2022. Two bills were passed and became effective immediately when they were signed by the governor in May. These are available to read in their entirety if you want to do a deep dive. We are all still learning more about these, and some of the impacts won’t be clear until we have a chance to see how they apply over time. In the meantime, let’s talk about what the landscape looks like today. The Upside Let’s start with the good news. New laws are in place to attempt to reduce fraudulent claims. Fraud especially related to roof claims has been a large factor […]
August 2, 2022

State of the Market: Palmetto Bay + Pinecrest

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 […]
December 14, 2021

What Upgrades Can You Do To Increase Property Value Before Listing Your Home?

Home renovations can be costly undertakings. Faced with the current market trends for the increased demand for home renovations from homeowners as a direct result from families spending more time at home, mixed with the increases in materials costs, even the smallest upgrades can seem like big ticket items.  So, what happens if you are a homeowner looking to sell your home but want to find ways to upgrade your home in order to increase your property value before listing? First, it’s important to know that many smaller projects are not necessary to undertake before selling your home. In fact, we may even recommend against making any changes before listing at all. With the Miami market in such demand as […]
April 20, 2021

Move-In Ready vs. Fixer-Upper: Which Home Purchase Is Right For You

Buying a home is one of the biggest life decisions you will ever make. And for most people it’s the biggest financial decision as well. If you’re at this stage, you’re ready to make this decision, or at least begin the process. At this stage a lot of people are also asking themselves the question: should I buy a fixer-upper or a move-in ready home? It’s a great question. One that doesn’t necessarily have one black and white answer. The truth is, very few homes are going to be perfect from the get-go. They’ll require your personal touch, maybe some paint and TLC and all the furnishings and décor that make a home. But some houses are going to need […]
March 16, 2021

Buying a Second Property for Rental Purposes

Real estate investment remains one of the best forms of speculation and in Miami this holds true. With real estate investments you can typically receive a predictable cash flow, a steady appreciation in value, equity buildup and many great tax benefits. If you’re deciding to buy a second home in Miami for rental purposes, it can be quite the sound investment.   In addition, even throughout the COVID-19 pandemic Miami population has continued to grow and real estate prices continue to rise. In fact, as more and more jobs went remote, young professionals and families have been making the move to Miami, mostly from northern cities, to enjoy the warmer weather and the lifestyle that our city brings. If you’re […]
November 10, 2020

Looking to Rent Out Your Home? Tips for Setting Up a Rental Property.

The choice to rent out your home is a personal one that involves assessing your comfort level for risk, responsibility, and potential mishaps along the way. But there are also many rewards to consider, especially in terms of the financial gains you could stand to earn. If you’ve decided to rent out your home, here are some important things to know as you set up your rental property. Determine how much you will charge for rent – The market will dictate what you can realistically expect to earn in rent from tenants. To determine your rate, check comparable listings in the neighborhood or talk to a realtor. If your home will be used more frequently for short-term rentals rather than […]