Real Estate
June 20, 2023
(i.e. schools, green spaces, location, etc) Sometimes you just happen upon a neighborhood that just feels right for you. That’s great, but if you’re moving to a new area, you might not be able to wait to luck into an area you love. It’s good to think through your big wants and needs for a new neighborhood to go over with your real estate team. The Kern Team is very familiar with Miami and South Florida neighborhoods. We’re from here, we live here! Letting us know the things that are important to you will help us find your home. Location & Atmosphere We’ve all heard the adage that location is the most important part of real estate. And it’s certainly true, though […]
May 23, 2023
It feels like we spend a lot of time talking about helping growing families find homes with more space, more rooms, bigger yards, more of… everything! There is definitely a time in life when upsizing everything seems like the most obvious choice, but what about the opposite? Downsizing has always been popular for empty nesters for several reasons – who wants to maintain a few extra bedrooms & bathrooms when no one is using them? When you’re looking for the right property for you, bigger isn’t necessarily better. New Season of Life The two biggest reasons most people find themselves shopping for a new home are relocation to a new place, and changes happening in their lives that they want or […]
May 16, 2023
If you live in Florida, it’s important to understand what’s been happening with property insurance here. As of January 1, 2023 several big changes went into effect following special legislative sessions. These sessions were called to address the property insurance premiums rising across Florida. A Little Background First, let’s talk about some of the things that make Florida a unique market for property insurance. Our geography sets us apart from the rest of the continental U.S. No other place is as likely to receive significant damage from hurricanes and tropical storms. Since 2017, the frequency of heavily damaging storms has increased statewide (even if we’ve been relatively protected here in Miami). As a result, insurance companies have paid out significantly […]
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 […]
April 18, 2023
The last couple of years have been a wild ride, there’s no denying that. Miami has been one of the U.S. cities that has not followed the nationwide trends as closely as the majority of the country. But are we immune from a negative trend across the States? What Makes Miami Different? One of the simplest things setting Miami apart from most of the U.S. is the size. We are the 7th largest metro area in the country. Secondly, Miami has a higher-than-average concentration of luxury homes. On top of that we are a coastal city which entices buyers from not only all over the U.S., but internationally as well. Miami is a destination city within a state that has […]
April 4, 2023
It feels like 2023 just started, but somehow Easter is already here! We’ve compiled a list of some of the best Easter egg hunts we know of all around Miami. All these public events welcome everyone no matter how you celebrate. . Miami Kids Magazine always puts on great seasonal events for families, and Easter is no exception. Their event will be on April 1st – the weekend before Easter – at Shops at Sunset Place in South Miami. The Easter Bunny himself will be on hand for photos. They will have music, games, arts & crafts, and entertainment from 11am-2pm. If you want your kiddos to have a chance to participate in an egg hunt you’ll want to take […]
March 21, 2023
Higher interest rates are affecting real estate markets nationwide, and Miami can’t escape the impact fully.. That said, we are still enjoying one of the strongest markets in the country despite some cool-down. So, let’s talk about what you need to know no matter which side of the Miami market you’re on: buyer or seller. Where are We Now? The current average interest rate for mortgages is sitting just below 6.5%, but many of our lenders can do better than that. Feel free to ask us for a recommendation. This is the highest we’ve seen rates since the end of the year in 2007, so it feels high. However, it’s worth recalling that in the fall of 2000 it was right […]
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 […]