Categories
Buying Selling

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.

Categories
Pinecrest

Pinecrest, Florida – Banyan Bowl at Pinecrest Gardens

There was a meeting tonight to discuss ideas about potential improvements and uses of the Banyan Bowl at Pinecrest Gardens.  Several arts groups, schools and residents have shown a significant interest in having the Village of Pinecrest upgrade and improve the Banyan Bowl so that it can be used for a variety of performances.  The Village has hired consultants to do a feasibility study.  What do you think?  What types of performances would get you to attend?

Categories
Florida Life

South Florida – A Great Place to Winter

Well, its Ground Hog Day and P. Phil has predicted 6 more weeks of winter.  Thank goodness, I guess.  It is supposed to get up into the 80’s today here in beautiful South Florida.miami_beach_surf

Categories
Buying Renting in Miami

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. pool

Categories
Buying Renting in Miami

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. pool

Categories
Buying Selling

Miami Real Estate – Homes Below $300,000 Get Lots of Activity

The real estate market in Miami continues to be driven by properties priced under $300,000.  I listed a home this week in this price range and had 8 offers within the first 5 days, all at or above asking.  Many of the would be buyers expressed frustration at losing out to cash buyers or having banks stall the process if the property was a short sale or foreclosure.  If you are thinking of selling your home and have a home in this price range, chances are if you price it right you will get multiple offers, even above asking!

Categories
Buying Selling

Miami Real Estate – Miami Not On Forbes' Latest List

The latest Forbes real estate article, America’s New Housing Crisis Capitals, lists metropolitan areas were prices are still dropping with continued declines expected.  Thankfully, none were in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach or Monroe counties!

Categories
Buying Selling

Miami Real Estate – Miami Not On Forbes’ Latest List

The latest Forbes real estate article, America’s New Housing Crisis Capitals, lists metropolitan areas were prices are still dropping with continued declines expected.  Thankfully, none were in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach or Monroe counties!

Categories
Home Improvement

Remodeling? Consider Changing Your Front Door

According to Remodeling magazine’s Cost vs. Value Report, the biggest return on investment was replacing the front door with a mid-range entry door.  Not only is it the least expensive out of the 33 projects included in the report, it also returns an average national return of 128 percent.

Other good remodeling projects that don’t cost a lot include:

  • Organizing kitchen cabinets, including rollout trays.
  • Add or replace tiles.
  • Add a breakfast bar.
  • If you don’t have granite in the kitchen, install granite tile.  It is a lot cheaper than a granite slab.
  • Update the bathroom by adding a new medicine cabinet, light fixtures, faucets and vanity.  If it has tile, scrape and regrout.
  • Recondition kitchen cabinets and put on new hardware.
  • Replace light fixtures in foyer, bathrooms, and kitchens.

Categories
Buying Market Summary

Miami Existing Home Sales Rise in December

Although nationally existing home sales fell in December, sales of single family homes in Miami  were up 37% over November.  With the median price of both single family and condos down significantly and the  expiration of the first First Time Homebuyers Tax Credit coming up in April, sales are expected to continue rising in the first quarter.