Author: jenniferwollmann

Categories
Buying Renting in Miami

Is Renting A Home Better Than Buying?

This question has been asked forever and most answers are it depends on how long you plan on living in a home and what your lifestyle is like.  If you plan on living in a home for more than 3 years – 5 years, experts say that it is probably more economical to buy.  Given the recent decline of property values, especially for those purchased during the most recent boom, I was surprised to see that the Costco January Debate: Is renting a home better than buying? resulted in only 26% of respondents saying it is better to rent.  74% believed buying was better.

With rental rates in Miami on a steep incline over the last two years, I would have to agree.  Especially if you are planning on making Miami your home for a while.

Categories
Coconut Grove Neighborhood News Restaurants

Focaccia Restaurant In The Grove: An Intimate Restaurant With Great Wine Prices

Focaccia Bistro in the Grove is a small, charming restaurant that reminded me of the more intimate restaruants in San Francisco.  On the night that we went, the place was at capacity, which overwhelmed the staff but did not detract at all from the pleasant experience.  It was not noisy, suprising giving how close the tables are, and it was easy to have a conversation.  The wine on special that night was a Sangiovese blend for $35 that was very nice and accompanied my seafood pasta, pictured above, perfectly.

Categories
Buying Foreclosures

6 Florida Cities In List Of Best Places To Buy Foreclosures

Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, Lakeland, Tampa, Jacsonville, Orlando and Miami are among the top cities in the nation to buy foreclosures, according to RealtyTrac.  That being said, foreclosures have not been overwhelming the Miami real estate market and the demand for these properties far outstrips the current supply.  If you are a buyer, do not be fooled into thinking there are a ton of foreclosures available for purchase.

Categories
Buying Investment Real Estate Luxury Real Estate Market Summary

South Florida Real Estate Continues To Gain Steam

A quick snapshot of the overall market for 2012:

Single Family home sales increased 21% in 2012.  Those listed between $300,000 to under $1 million increased 50%.  Home sales for those over $1 million increased 64%.

Condo sales increased by 6%.  Condos between $300,000 to under $1 million increased 45% and those listed over $1 million increased 62%

With that amount of activity, low inventory and cash still flooding our market, many buyers are frustrated.  If you are one of them, there are several things you can do to have your offer considered on a new listing.

1) The most important item to have clear is the financial aspect of your purchase.  If you are a cash buyer, make sure you have proof of funds ready to accompany an offer.  If you are going for financing, have your pre-approval letter from your mortgage company with as few contingencies as possible.

2) Have your real estate agent put you on a system where you are being notified the instant a property that meets your criteria hits the market.

3) Make the time to go see the property the first day.  There are a lot of buyers who are making offers the first day because they have been familiarizing themselves with the market and know that if the property is priced right, it will sell.

Categories
Buying Selling

Another Stellar Week For EWM Sales

EWM continues to sell an enormous amount of real estate despite low inventory.  Our Coral Gables office alone did over $20 million this week.  We had 23 sales and only 14 new listings so if you are ready to list, give me a call.  Rentals are in short supply as well.

Categories
Brickell/Downtown Miami Neighborhood News

South Miami Avenue Is A Very Walkable Street

Shady Sidewalks Important to Neighborhoods

 

Walkable neighborhoods are increasingly important to buyers.  South Miami Avenue’s tree-lined street is a great example of what makes a neighborhood walkable:  nice sidewalks, shade, distance between sidewalk and street and proximity to shops, restaurants, parks and work.  This neighborhood is walking distance to Brickell/Downtown Miami.

Categories
Florida Life

Beautiful Florida Keys

I had to drive down to Key West to show a property and took my cousin for a tour of the beautiful Florida Keys.  We think we might have spotted Santa enjoying his vacation.

Even Santa Vacations in the Florida Keys

 

Breathtaking Sunset - Rooftop Porch on Cudjoe Key

Categories
Florida Life

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Frog

 

Too hot for snow men.  It is 78 degrees today in Miami!

Categories
Neighborhood News Pinecrest Restaurants

Del Sur Restaurant In Pinecrest: Great Food & Wine At Reasonable Prices

 

Lamb Osso Bucco with Polenta at Del Sur Restaurant

Del Sur Market and Restaurant in Pinecrest, which was voted best restaurant in South Miami-Dade of 2012 by the Miami New Times, is a great little restaurant tucked into a small strip mall in Pinecrest .  I stumbled across it several months ago, misguided by the word “Market” in their name.  I went looking for Argentine cuts of meat for a parillada mixta I was having at my house.  Turns out their restaurant has been so successful, they expanded the restaurant portion and shrunk the market portion of their space.

Last week I went with a group of friends and family for dinner.  All of us had wonderful, fresh, homemade dishes (all of them were meat, though they do have a nice selection of pastas, chicken and fish) accompanied by two very nice red Argentine wines recommended by the owner, Hernan.  We had such a wonderful experience that several of us when back with a couple of first timers the following week.  This is one restaurant I am eager to go back to again and again.  Not only is their food delicious, eating here will not break the bank!

Categories
Florida Life Pinecrest Resources

Assistance For Aging Relatives

Like most friends and co-workers I know, I have been dealing with many older relatives and neighbors in the last couple of years.  Many of them are living independently, still driving, and have increasing health issues.  An article in Tuesday’s Miami Herald, Assessing an aging relative, made me think of how difficult it is to tell whether or not an older person is truly okay living on their own or whether or not they may need assistance.  The labyrinth of social and medical programs that are out there to help people age in their homes are confusing and hard to navigate.  Luckily, Nancy Stein, an adjunct professor at UM, found the same issues facing her in caring for her parents so she brought the information together on a website called Seniority Matters.

The Village of Pinecrest has made a concerted effort to provide programming for seniors at the parks and community center, has a quarterly Pinecrest Pioneers luncheon for residents over 80 years old, and, in recognition of how much history our seniors provide, has been recording their oral histories.  All of these local services and resources help our seniors remain involved in the community, live independently, and give all of us caregivers peace of mind and assistance when needed.