Homeowner Tips
October 10, 2023
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
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 […]
April 25, 2023
There was a time when hosting an open house was just a forgone conclusion. If you were going to sell a home, you had to have open houses and that was just that. However, times have changed and so have buyers’ expectations. Can’t Buyers See It All Online? This is probably the most common question we get when we’re discussing the option of hosting open houses. The answer is technically, yes. We can provide plenty of photos and even very comprehensive virtual tours online. So, if buyer’s have already found your home and want to schedule a viewing, they are not likely to be the ones you will attract with an open house. On the other hand, buyers who are […]
January 24, 2023
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
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
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
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
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
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 […]