house hunting

July 2, 2019

How to Navigate Long-Distance House Hunting

Shopping for a house when you live the same area is tough enough, so if you find yourself in the position of having to shop for a home hundreds or thousands miles away, the challenges can feel almost insurmountable. But fear not. Navigating a long-distance house hunt doesn’t have to feel impossible. In fact, it can be quite achievable if you commit to some good planning and the outset and get paired up with a local realtor who knows the area inside and out. It’s also helpful to keep these considerations in mind. Define Your Wishlist While it can be difficult to have everything on your wishlist, one of the best places to start any house hunt is by defining […]
June 18, 2019

Featured Listings in Palmetto Bay

Palmetto Bay, also known as “The Village of Parks,” is a charming, family-friendly neighborhood just south of downtown Miami. With fabulous recreation activities and environmental preservation programs at its six+ park facilities, the community takes great pride in the many opportunities it has for residents to enjoy its beautiful surroundings. Not to mention, it’s public and private schools are top-notch. If you’re looking for a home in Palmetto Bay, check out these listings for a glimpse into what the Village can offer you: 17651 SW 81st CT – This 5-bedroom, 4 bathroom house is 3,786 square feet and located on a quiet cul de sac near Bill Sadowski Park. It features marble flooring throughout with vaulted ceilings, spacious living areas and […]
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 […]