home buying

June 4, 2019

5 Can’t-Miss South Florida Summer Festivals

With the summer sun heating up, that doesn’t mean we have to slow down completely. There are still plenty of can’t-miss summer festivals that are sure to please no matter your interest or age. So why not make the best of the heat by looking forward to some fun? Here are five South Florida festivals you should be sure to check out this summer: Redland Summer Fruit Festival Hit up the Redland Summer Fruit Festival on June 22-23, 2019 for the unofficial kick-off of fruit season. Aside from showcasing all the best of South Florida fruit, you can also sample wine, seasonal treats, smoothies, and more. There is also a kids’ activity area with a petting zoo, pony rides, and […]
May 28, 2019

What You Need to Know Before Buying a Home in Coral Gables

Coral Gables, also known as “The Gables” or “The City Beautiful,” is a coveted South Florida community, and for good reason. Its location just southwest of downtown Miami mixed with its plethora of fabulous dining, high-end shops and community events make it an ideal family-friendly suburb. Moreover, it maintains the historic charm of Old World elegance with stunning home architecture reminiscent of Old Spanish style, many of which were originally constructed in the 1920s.   Coral Gables maintains such strong appeal to buyers for these and many other reasons, but if you’re looking to buying a home in the Gables, it’s important to note a few things.   All home projects go before the Gables’ Board of Architects In order […]
May 21, 2019

Pinecrest: Featured Listings

Frequently recognized as one of the most beautiful municipalities in South Florida, the Village of Pinecrest maintains a convenient location with large lots, mature trees and quiet streets. It’s known for its fantastic schools and beautiful natural surroundings. Take a look at the listings below to see if Pinecrest might be the perfect fit for your next South Florida home.   Featured listings in Pinecrest   5760 SW 111thTER – Completed in 2018, this brand new home boasts a 39,508 square foot lot with oak trees and an outdoor entertainment area, infinity pool, full BBQ and dining. Inside are 6 bedrooms, 7.5 bathrooms plus an additional den. Floor-to-ceiling windows throughout the home offer incredible views of the garden and pool. It […]
May 14, 2019

5 Tips to Get Your Home in Shape for Hurricane Season

Whether you’ve lived through Hurricane Andrew or are new to the area, hurricane season is a big deal in Miami. While every year we know it’s coming, it’s impossible to know just how severe the storms will be or if we’ll get one at all. Officially, hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30, so the time to prepare is now. As you make plans to get your home in shape, focus first on securing these five areas:   Windows and doors– If you don’t have hurricane shutters or impact windows, now’s the time to get serious about it. And if budget is a constraint, there are alternative options like YGrene financing that make it possible to install impact […]
May 7, 2019

How to Read a Listing: What to Look for and When to be Wary

Buying a home is one of the biggest purchases we will ever make. While it’s wise to come into the search process with an open-mind, it’s also important to bring with you a healthy dose of level-headedness because knowing when to trust your gut can be just as important as other “hard” factors when it comes to making a home decision.   Fortunately, there are other clues to help guide you toward (and steer you away from) your perfect home, and many of those initial clues can be found by taking a closer look at the real estate listing. For many of us, we begin our search online and then narrow down a selection of homes we’d like to tour […]
April 16, 2019

3 Important Questions to Consider Before Embarking on Your Home-Buying Journey

Whether it’s your first time buying a home or you have multiple experiences with the process, there are always a few considerations you should think through before embarking on the journey. Most importantly is ensuring your financials are in order and that you have a thorough grasp on what you can afford, but just as important is making sure you are mentally and emotionally prepared to take the leap. If you’re thinking about buying a home, ask yourself these three important questions first.   What’s driving your motivations to buy? Surely there are numerous advantages to renting or staying in your existing home, so spending some time understanding what’s motivating you on your new path to purchase can be insightful […]
April 9, 2019

Why Working With a Realtor Can Save You Money

Many people think they can save money if they bypass a realtor. Perhaps they dislike the idea of paying commission fees or think they can navigate the transaction process themselves. But in this DIY era with How-To’s for pretty much everything on YouTube, working with an experienced real estate agent can still save you money, even when accounting for any kind of transaction commission fees. Here’s why:   Time is money Finding the right home or preparing your current home for a sale is time-consuming, to say the least. While you can scour the internet for listings yourself, scheduling viewings, playing phone-tag, and driving around disparate neighborhoods in disorganized fashion can be exhausting. Whereas it’s an agent’s full-time job to […]
April 2, 2019

Ready to Make an Offer? Be Sure You’ve Done These 5 Things First

Searching for the perfect home can be a long journey for some, so when you finally find the right one, it can be tempting to jump right in to making an offer. While competitive markets can require us to act quickly, you want to be sure you’re prepared by taking care of these five things first.   Get pre-approval from a financial lender– Before making an offer, it’s essential to have all of your financials in order and have enough on reserve to cover your deposit and closing costs. In Miami, when you’re often competing with cash-only offers, securing pre-approval is 100% necessary before you make an offer. You should have this stage complete before you begin looking at homes. […]
March 5, 2019

Coral Gables Featured Listings

If you’re looking for charm, sophistication, and casual elegance, look no further than “The City Beautiful.” Unique and stunning architecture is the name of the game, and the city’s civic leadership helps ensure the community is always looking its best. When conjuring up images of Coral Gables in your head, think original 1920s-era Old Spanish-style homes complete with intricate details, arched doorways, elaborate fireplaces, and more. Its location is also unbeatable – just southwest of downtown Miami. If you want to learn more about the Gables and its residential real estate history, check out these blog posts: The Chinese Village The Dutch South African Village The French Normandy Village The French Country Village The Italian Village   Featured listings in […]