Categories
Brickell/Downtown Miami Buying Luxury Real Estate Neighborhood News

Miami Real Estate: The Jade

The Jade is a beautiful, modern, waterfront building that is walking distance to all of the activity on Brickell Avenue.  Built in 2004, the Jade has amazing resort-like amenities including a spectacular infinity pool, state-of-the-art gym, entertainment rooms, private elevators to your residence, and views galore.

The Jade was one of the first luxury buildings completed during the boom and provides a great historical perspective of the boom, bust and now rebound of Miami real estate.  There are currently 23 units listed for sale out of a total of 326 units.  The average price listing price per square foot is $629.  In 2004 the average price per square foot of units sold was $540 and at the height of the market ini 2007 it was $805.

Approximately one-third of the building is still owned by original buyers who purchased in 2004 and 2005.  That fact, coupled with the fact that the majority of the sales that took place in 2008 and 2009 were cash purchases, results in a very stable condominium association.

 

 

Categories
Buying

Homestead Exemption Deadline is March 1

If you purchased a primary residence in 2011, you may qualify for homestead exemption. The homestead exemption may reduce the amount of property tax you pay, but the deadline to apply is approaching and if you do not apply by March 1, you will have to wait until January of next year. You can even file online

Categories
Buying Selling

Miami Real Estate Is Moving!!!

Still doubt the Miami real estate market is rebounding?  EWM’s Coral Gables/South Miami office did over $21,000,000 in sales this week.  We had 12 new listings and 21 sales.  Inventory is decreasing and buyers are still out there in droves.

Categories
Buying Home Improvement

Stop Unwanted Junk Mail, Sales Calls, E-mails

I just received an e-mail from a client who closed on their new home in December and now find themselves flooded with unwanted junk mail.  One of the small negatives of purchasing property is that the tax roll information is picked up by just about anyone selling everything! 

Luckily the Federal Trade Commission can help you end all that unsolicited mail and annoying calls either on-line or by calling a number.

Categories
Buying Florida Life Neighborhood News

More Signs The Economy Is Improving

There was a great Viva Miami MediaPlanet insert in today’s Miami Herald titled: Miami Grows followed by, “Industries unite in the expansion of PortMiami, as the city sets sights on becoming an economic engine for South Florida and the nation”.

Though obviously a promo piece, it spews out some positive numbers:
– PortMiami contributes more than $18 billion annually to South Florida’s economy
– Cruise industry up over 2010
– MIA’s air cargo trade is worth more than $50 billion

Construction projects in and around the airport and port are currently underway to maximize additional cargo and improve the related transportation and logistics involved with moving it on to it’s final destination.

The insert also mentions new residential construction projects that are planning to break ground, since only 4,000 of the 23,000 condo untis built during the boom are still waiting for buyers.

Categories
Selling

Mortgage Rates Drop to Tie All-Time Low

Money magazine reports that 30 year mortgage rates dropped to 3.94% to tie rates last hit in October.  15 year rates hit new record low.  I might have refinanced a bit too early, but changing my last interest rate to a lower one saved me over $300 per month on my mortgage payment even though I went from a 30 year to a 15 year fixed!

If you haven’t done so already, refinance.  If you are considering buying, historically low mortgage rates are definitely one reason why you should.  Low Miami prices are another.

Categories
Buying Investment Real Estate

Thinking of Buying Real Estate For Your Children?

I started receiving graduation announcements from friends’ children and my own son will be graduating in May.  With all that is going on in the economy, I started thinking that maybe my husband and I should buy real estate that one of our three children could eventually live in.  If you consider how much properties, salaries, job opportunities and the stock market has dropped and how much rents have risen, it kind of makes sense doesn’t it?  Would you purchase property that your children could live in once they graduate?  Or have you already?

Categories
Buying Investment Real Estate Renting in Miami

Is Renting a Temporary, Short Term Trend or Part of the New Normal?

Rents are tight in most markets and, due to the numbers of foreclosures, short sales, and number of people who have lost their jobs or have had their work  hours decreased, the trend is expected to continue at least for the short term.  However, Jim Woodard predicts this is a temporary trend.

If you are a renter, you may want to consider the affordability index in the city you live and work in and calculate the cost of renting vs. buying.  If you are a landlord, you may want to look at Money Magazine’s Best Cities to Be a Landlord list

 

 

 

 

 

 

Categories
Buying

Miami Real Estate: The Market Continues to Improve

Still don’t think it is time to get into the real estate market? Our Coral Gables EWM office had another phenomenal week, posting over $14 million in sales. We only took five new listings yet had 23 properties go under contract. Although prices are bouncing along the bottom, as inventories decrease we expect to start seeing prices start to head up. These increases will be neighborhood and building specific.

Categories
Buying Investment Real Estate

How Important Is the Mortgage Interest Deduction to You?

Tom Kelly addressed the issue of the mortgage interest deduction going away.  Many argue that it is one way of raising taxes and decreasing the bulging federal deficit.  What do you think?

Related blog:

Mortgage Interest Deduction: Should It Be Phased Out?