selling
October 29, 2024
There are two types of letters you can get from a bank when you’re looking to buy a home: a pre-qualification letter and a pre-approval letter. Pre-qualification gives you a ballpark estimate on how much you’ll be able to borrow to buy a home, whereas a pre-approval is more detailed and says exactly how much you will be able to borrow. You should have a pre-approval letter before you are ready to make an offer on a home. Why You Need a Pre-Approval Letter to Start the Buying Process For many first-time buyers, once they get their pre-approval letter from a mortgage banker, the process begins. While you can make an offer on a home with just a pre-qualification letter, it […]
October 22, 2024
Open Houses are used by sellers to get a lot of foot traffic and hopefully get an offer or two. For first time buyers, Open Houses are different – especially if you are not 100% sold on the home before you walk in the door. They are a great crash course in learning how to look at homes for sale. And if you’re coming into town from out-of-state, they are a great chance to see a lot of homes in a small time frame. Here’s how we tell our clients to use Open Houses to find the right home. Get a Feel For the Neighborhood For many first-time buyers, once they get their pre-approval letter from a mortgage banker, they typically go […]
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 […]
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 […]
March 14, 2023
The simple fact is that we are unlikely to see mortgage interest rates head anywhere near where they were pre-2022 anytime soon. So, what does this mean for sellers? Here – in the Miami market at-large – it doesn’t mean that we expect to see any shortage of buyers. No, the demand is still there, but what we will see change is a shift in competition. The golden hour of buyers competing with each other has mostly expired. Instead, it will be sellers competing to offer buyers the most bang for their buck to make those higher interest rates worth it. Price Competitively Let’s start with pricing – how do you know what price is attractive enough to buyers without […]
August 16, 2022
If you live in Miami, impact windows are a must. Impact windows are made of impact-resistant glass and are held in place by a strong frame. They are designed to help protect your home from damage during a severe storm or hurricane. What’s more – not only will they protect your home and your family during hurricane season, but they will also help keep your energy bills low by keeping your home cool in the summer. Here are some other reasons why impact windows and doors are so important if you are buying or selling a home in Florida: They Increase the Value of Your Home If you are selling your home, impact windows will increase the value of your home. […]
February 12, 2016
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 […]
June 25, 2014
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 24, 2014
The Coral Gables single family home real estate market has certainly remained very active. Last month was a great month for sellers. In the month of May, there were 272 homes for sale. This is the lowest number of homes for sale this year. 67 homes went under contract, and that is the highest number of homes going under contract this year. That would already be impressive, but what really shows the market is the number of homes that sold. 56 homes sold last month, which is the highest number of homes sold in any month this year. This is a huge jump from the 27 homes that sold in January. Interested in selling? Now is the time! Contact me […]