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Your Realtor Works Hard to Schedule Appointments: Please Be Punctual
- Be Considerate, Be On Time
I know some of us Realtors make what we do seem so easy that a monkey can do it, but believe it or not we go to a lot of work just to arrange showings. When you want to go see homes it takes coordinating various schedules (the listing agent, selling agent, and seller) in order to set up a time that is convenient for you, the buyer. Today I went to show one of my listings. The buyer’s agent had requested that I show it at 12:30 and we had confirmed she was on time at 11:30. I got to the house a little early to turn on lights and make sure everything was in order so it would be shown in it’s best light. By 12:50 the buyers still hadn’t arrived, so I called the agent. There was no answer so I left a message saying that Iwas leaving. I started turning off lights and locking up the house. When I was walking out the door at 1:00, I got a call saying they were running late (Really?!) and could I wait until 1:30. Since I had a home inspection down the street at 2, I told her I could but that I had to leave by 1:45. They got to the house “on-time” and as the buyers were walking around the house, their agent was on the phone scrambling to salvage the rest of the showings. When another agent responded that he would not wait for them, they were more than 45 minutes late for his showing, the buyers looked at their agent and said, “Well, I guess some people just aren’t interested in making money”. Again, REALLY?! Sitting around waiting for people has never made anybody any money….. and this was for a rental!
Friday Night in Miami & Nothing To Do? Impossible!
There is always something to do in Miami, but with busy schedules and so many different options, it is easy to get into a rut or have Friday creep up on you. Here is a short list to kick off the weekend. Some of these events are free and others have a charge.
Wine tasting at Atelier Monnier in Pinecrest 6-9 p.m. FREE
Scenes of Modern America Exhibition at Wolfsonian Museum 6-9 FREE
Cultural Season Kick-Off at Vizcaya Coconut Grove 6:30 – 9 FREE
Movie and Martini’s at Pinecrest Gardens 6:30 p.m.
Champagne Tasting at Wolfe’s Wines in Coral Gables 7-9 p.m
Opening of Miami City Ballet at Arsht Center 8 p.m.
Miami Environmental Film Festival various times and locations
The Incredible Dog Show Bicentennial Park
House of Horror 6:30 t0 midnight
Investors Taking Advantage of Strong Rental Market
Over the last several months I have written about different signs, see blog links below, that the real estate market is changing. Today’s Miami Herald article, Rents rise as overseas buyers invest, talks about some of the reasons why.
More Proof Miami-Dade’s Housing Market is Turning Around
Investors Are Taking A Bite Out Of Inventory
Miami Real Estate – Commercial Construction Also Picking Up
Miami Real Estate: More Signs the Market is Improving
Miami Real Estate: The Market is Changing
Food Glorious Food….
Modern Meals: Remaking American Foods from Farm to Kitchen now through December 31 at the Frost Museum
Fairchild Edible Garden Festival October 22 & 23
Pinecrest Farmers Market Every Sunday
University of Miami Food Day October 24
Smarty Dogs Spotted Throughout Pinecrest
In an earlier post I mentioned the Village of Pinecrest’s art in public places campaign to raise money for the public schools in Pinecrest. Please consider joining the other sponsors and sponsor a dog. Stay tuned for future blogs regarding Smarty Dogs and other art in public places.
Smarty Dogs at the Pinecrest Community Center
More Proof Miami-Dade’s Housing Market is Turning Around
Preparing For Construction On Ponce De Leon
Investors Are Taking A Bite Out Of Inventory
I had a buyer call me today wanting to buy a 2 bedroom 2 bath in Kings Creek for under $90,000. I told her there weren’t any on the market in that price range at the moment. She responded, “What happened to all of the inventory”? I explained that investors were snapping up the lower priced units, usually foreclosures and short sales, and turning around an renting them.
At every single one of EWM’s weekly office meetings over the last several months, we have been selling and renting more than we have been listing. Inventory has been decreasing steadily and the pickings right now for buyers are slim. That may turn around if the back log of foreclosures come on the market, but the banks are also getting smarter and are finally starting to agree to short sales. If you are a buyer, you might want to get off the fence. If you are an owner with equity, you may want to consider selling. There are buyers out there without a lot to choose from.
The Importance of Inspections
An inspection buyers had done on a house the other day reminded me of how important inspections are, no matter how great the house looks. Many homes that have been updated have improvements and upgrades done by licensed roofers, plumbers, electricians, etc. Permits have been pulled, work has been inspected and the permits have been closed. However, there are also many properties that have had work done by handymen, miscellaneous relatives, or Tim Allenesque do-it-yourselfers. It is in the latter instance where a home inspection really pays off. As a buyer, you want to make sure you are paying for real upgrades and improvements, not what in Spanish we call “pura pinta”, which basically translates into just the paint. If your are a buyer, ALWAYS, get an inspection. As a homeowner, make sure you have the work done properly. What turns out cheap today, may come back to bite you when you decide to sell.
Buying A House? Get Prequalified For A Mortgage
Are you ready to get off the fence and jump into the real estate market? Good for you…there is still a decent, though starting to dwindle inventory, and interest rates are still at historic lows.
There is a lot of competition out there, especially from cash buyers, so be prepared befor you start looking at houses. Get prequalified for a mortgage. It is pretty easy to do. To get a really good idea of how much property you can comfortably afford, provide your mortgage broker with copies of your last two years 1040s and W2s, recent payslips, and bank statements.
Deering Bay – Relaxed, Luxurious, Country Club Living
Beautiful Views
I feel like Deering Bay has been forgotten among all of the hoopla regarding bargains on Brickell, Biscayne, and the Beach. I know there have been and still are some great deals in these urban areas, but if you are looking for a little more relaxed pace, take a look at the condominiums and villas in the various buildings in the Deering Bay Yacht and Country Club community. These are spacious units, most with water views, and are surrounded by an Arnold Palmer Signature golf course. Located in the southern part of Coral Gables, it is one of the best public and private school districts in Miami-Dade county and is close to both the Falls and Dadeland Malls. If you would rather live in a single family home, Deering Bay has those too. They also have a small boat marina as well as one for large yachts, tennis courts, pools, gyms and a restaurant with a Sunday Brunch that is delicious!
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