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South Florida Real Estate
National Flood Insurance Program Expired
Congress recessed and the flood insurance program expired last night. Lost in a debate over unemployment, COBRA payments and other issues, the National Flood Insurance Program was not extended and expired last night.
This could mean delayed closings if you are purchasing a property where the lender requires flood insurance, since the NFIP is the only one who offers it.
A vote in the Senate is scheduled for April 12.
Is Miami Real Estate Undervalued?
According to an article in today’s South Florida Business Journal, a report by IHS Global Insight suggests that in grossly overvalued markets, prices dropped an average of 37% from 2005 until the fourth quarter of 2009. In Miami, prices have fallen 35.8% in that time frame. The report suggests that for the country as a whole, the real estate market is now slightly undervalued.
South Florida Real Estate: Market Summary First Quarter 2010
Deering Bay Real Estate
Amazing views from this beautiful apartment at the Verona in Deering Bay. Amenities available include: small and large boat marinas, golf, tennis, restaurant, pools, gym and peace and tranquility. Proximity to downtown Miami, airport, Coral Gables, South Miami, University of Miami, Baptist Hospital, Pinecrest and Dadeland and the Falls shopping centers make this the perfect location to call home.
Miami Dade Real Estate: Pending Sales in the Million $ and Up Price Range Surge 67%
Home Buyers Tax Credit Ends April 30
If you are planning on using the Home Buyers Tax Credit to purchase your home, time is running out.
10220 SW 72 Ave., Pinecrest, FL
This house is great for entertaining; it is like having your own country club in your back yard! A North/South tennis court, pool, and large covered patio with electric awning and pass-through to kitchen make this deep acre lot the place to be.
A large kitchen with granite counter tops, spacious living and dining room, and 5 bedrooms provide a wonderful space for relaxing after a day of fun in the sun.
The Difference between Cost vs. Price
Sellers and buyers of real estate often fixate on what the price of a property is and in doing so, lose sight of the more important factor, cost. Price is what you get for the property if you are a seller and what you pay for it if you are a buyer. However, what affects both seller and buyer on a monthly basis is the cost. In addition to principal, interest, taxes and insurance costs, there are maintenance costs and maybe association fees.
If you are a seller, consider how much it is costing you to carry that property each month you don’t sell it. Based on the inventory of similar properties in your area vs the number of sales, you can calculate how much it is going to cost you to continue carrying that property for the average number of months it is taking to sell properties in your area. I suggest you cut your sales price and take the loss upfront vs slowly cash out each month.
If you are a buyer, realize that there has never been a better time to buy than right now. You have a large number of options, the interest rates are the lowest they have been in decades and there is the government tax credit that expires at the end of April 2010. If you are waiting for prices to go down lower, consider the cost of owning if the prices go down but the interest rates go up. If prices come down 10% more, but interest rates inch up only 1% your monthly payments are going to be roughly the same.
Small Homes Are Back In Demand
The days of the McMansions have been put on hold for now. What is selling in Miami are the smaller homes on smaller lots in neighborhoods that are close to shopping and transportation. Most of the homes fitting this description are under $500,000 and many are under $300,000 and are therefore perfect for first-time homebuyers.
If you have a home that fits this description, now is a good time to sell since inventories in these price ranges are low and buyers are often bidding above asking. Many of these buyers want to be under contract prior to the end of April in order to qualify for the First Time Homebuyers Tax Credit.
100 Edgewater Drive – Water’s Edge Condominium
This low-rise garden condominium is located on the Coral Gables Waterway. It is ideally situated between Coconut Grove, South Miami, and downtown Coral Gables, making it popular with young professionals, students and retirees alike. The units are spacious and feature ample closet space. Rentals range from $900-$1100 for one bedrooms and $1500-$1800 for two bedrooms. One bedrooms list for sale in the mid to high $100,000 and the two bedrooms are in the $200,000. Low maintenance fees and a stable association are additional benefits. 





