Seller Information

March 4, 2016

The Drew Kern Team is #1

2013       2014       2015  On to 2016! For the third year in a row The Kern Team is #1 for home sales in Palmetto Bay, both in terms of the number of homes sold and dollar volume. I am honored by this recognition, and am thankful to my clients who have trusted my team to handle their home buying and selling needs. And as a resident of Palmetto Bay, you can see I truly take pride in my community. Whether you are buying or selling a home, if you are looking for the Palmetto Bay real estate expert I hope you will contact me. Total Sales in Units               Total Sales by $Volume ($,000)
February 12, 2016

Quick Tips to Prepare Your Home to Hit the Market

Getting top dollar in the least amount of time is my number one priority when I list a property for sale. In order to achieve this, however, I can’t stress enough how important it is for the homeowner to get the property in the best possible condition prior to it hitting the market. A month or so ago, I wrote about some big-ticket items that are often overlooked but that deserve a homeowner’s consideration before listing. (In case you missed it, you can still catch my blog “To Fix or Not to Fix Before Listing?” ) The reality is that homes with great curb appeal, that are clean and well-maintained, sell more quickly and for a higher amount. Here’s a […]
November 27, 2015

To Fix or Not to Fix Before Listing?

Now that we’ve had our fill of Thanksgiving turkey, it’s time to turn our attention back to real estate. One of the questions I hear most often from homeowners as they prepare to put their home on the market is, “What can I do to increase my chances of a sale?” This is a great question, and the answer I give surprises a lot of people. My response, in a nutshell, is that aesthetic repairs are not necessarily as important as those addressing the more stringent lender requirements and inspection hurdles. Most of us have seen enough shows on HGTV to know that there are many easy, relatively affordable ways to increase a home’s curb appeal before listing: sprucing up […]
September 18, 2015

Why “FSBO” Means Proceed with Caution

  For Sale By Owner. We’ve all passed a home with a handmade sign on the front lawn or stumbled onto a self-listed charmer on the website forsalebyowner.com. Maybe you have even wondered whether you really need to enlist the services of a realtor as you prepare to put your home on the market. I can understand the appeal, of course: avoid paying commission and conduct the sales process on your own terms. As tempting as the unaided approach may seem, it comes with significant risks—for both buyers and sellers. Buyers of a FSBO listing assume all the risks that come from working with an uneducated seller: Will they disclose everything they should about the home and its condition? Is […]
May 4, 2015

What a Strong Dollar Means for Miami Real Estate

If you’ve traveled anywhere in Europe or Latin America in the past few months, you’ve enjoyed the dollar’s strength against many foreign currencies—a departure from years past, when our bucks didn’t stretch far in cities like London, Paris, and Rio de Janeiro. The dollar still lags behind in regions like Great Britain, Japan and China, but virtually everywhere else in the world, U.S. currency is very strong. So what does that mean for foreign buyers, who account for a substantial part of the Miami real estate market? If you look at market data comparing financial real estate data from 2015 and 2007, you get a sense of how changes in official foreign currency rates have affected prices for those buyers […]
April 10, 2015

The Trouble with Online Real Estate Estimates

If you’ve spent any time in the home market—buying or selling or “just looking”—you’ve probably been to Zillow’s website. Its trademarked Zestimate tool seems like a handy way to research homes in a given area; you can compare similar properties on the same street or from neighborhood to neighborhood. But what many people don’t realize is just how inaccurate its automated estimates can be. As a real estate professional, I have experienced the disappointment and frustration Zestimates can cause when outcomes don’t match the estimated amounts. One recent article reported that Zillow’s official nationwide “median error rate” is 8 percent, but studies of specific markets show error rates that are often much, much higher—for example, 19.9 percent in Manhattan; 11.6 […]
December 16, 2014

2014 in Review

As we say farewell to 2014 and usher in the New Year, it’s a great opportunity to gain some perspective on the ever-changing real estate scene. The big picture is that the market for South Florida remains extremely active for both buyers and sellers, with sales holding strong and steady. But there were a few noteworthy changes over the past year: 20% INCREASE in the number of homes for sale. A substantial jump from the same time last year. 16% INCREASE in prices in Miami Dade County. This equals strong appreciation for most homeowners. 27% INCREASE in inventory for the condo market. 12% INCREASE in the average price per square foot for condos. This indicates we’re heading toward a more […]
June 25, 2014

Million Dollar Listings in Pinecrest

The Village of Pinecrest is one of Miami’s most highly sought after neighborhoods. Buyers come from all over the world for Pinecrest’s schools and location. Interested in a larger home in Pinecrest? Below are several of my listings. These listings offer a wide array of features that would work for buyers simply looking for land to build their home, or a brand new, well appointed, luxury estate. 10949 SW 59 Court : Stunning Mediterranean home in sought after Sanctuary in Pinecrest; a private enclave of just 12 homes. Enter this gorgeous 5 bed/4.5 bath estate through the wrought iron, ivy covered pergola. Formal living and dining rooms. Gourmet kitchen w/ subzero refrigerator, chef’s island, and stainless & gas appliances.  Soaring […]
June 19, 2014

Highest Number of Million Dollar Homes Sold in 12 Months

   The numbers are in! There were 14 homes sold in the Village of Pinecrest during the month of May. This is the highest number of million dollar homes sold in any month over the last year. I have four amazing homes in Pinerest listed of $1 million dollars. Click here to see more information on these listings. Interested in seeing one of these listings? Contact us to schedule an appointment!