Miami Real Estate

How do you, the seller,  determine the true market value of the house you’re wanting to sell?  What the seller wants or needs is not the  determining factor for pricing the house.   Read the rest of this entry »

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The Cloisters: Located in Coconut Grove, this gated community features 40 private villas. Each villa has three floors and offers 4,500-7,900 square feet of living space and private elevators. Each villa has 3-5 bedrooms, 2 car garages, and a rooftop terrace overlooking fabulous views of the bay, ocean and city. The Cloisters community offers residents a pool, clubhouse and tennis court.

Gables by the Sea: Located in Coral Gables, this prestigious community has much to offer. Residents enjoy luxurious estates and channels/waterways with ocean access. The community boasts a playground, basketball and tennis courts as well as 24 hour security patrol and guard house. True to its name, life revolves around the sea, with sailing, water skiing, and scuba diving as year round activities. Gables by the Sea offers luxury living in a tranquil coastal setting. Read the rest of this entry »

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I OFTEN HEAR REALTORS SAY:  ”RE-PAINT THE HOUSE TO MAKE IT MORE  ”NEUTRAL” and  MORE APPEALING TO BUYERS.” 

THERE’S A CERTAIN DEGREE OF VALIDITY TO THAT ” BLANK CANVAS”  THEORY …  BUT   … WILL  BUYERS  ACTUALLY REMEMBER YOUR  HOUSE … OR WILL IT BLEND INTO  UNMEMORABLE SAMENESS?  Here are Five ways to Make  Buyers Remember Your House! Read the rest of this entry »

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You are invited and welcome!  Come for lunch (lake side) this Wednesday 12pm- 2:30pm!  Preview this Contemporary 2 Story on E-Lake   -  13724 SW 92 Ct.  -  by the Falls.   $2,249,000.  Breathtaking waterviews…Come see it during the day… then come back for a spectacular sunset! Just listed by Pam Mayers and the Restivo Team.  

Directions:  US 1  to  SW 136 St (turn west… past  the Falls Shopping Center). Turn (south) at SW 92 Ave (corner of Macy’s). Turn right (north) at SW 92 Court … and follow the curve.

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Not again!   Pricing your house for sale at $763,247.00?  

WHY?   What did you have for breakfast ?  

Who thought up that bit of nonsense?  Who on earth suggested  listing your home for a price NO ONE CAN REMEMBER?  They should be hung out to dry!   Seriously, what market segment  were you afraid of “missing out” on?  Read the rest of this entry »

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Contemporary  Two Story Miami Waterfront  – Just Listed For Sale… 13724 SW 92 Ct,  Miami, Florida 

E-LAKE …  A True Miami Lifestyle…  ON VACATION … Living In Your Own  RESORT  Home!

 This private oasis is nestled on a quiet side street,  abutting  Miami’s highly desirable recreational and motorized  freshwater  E-Lake.  The 76 acre Miami lakefront community is home to residents who rarely relinquish their claim to the lakefront!   Here’s a contemporary home – 13724 SW 92 Court, Miami, Florida  33176 -  renovated and modern, with high ceilings, a truly breathtaking ”great room”, modern European kitchen overlooking the lake, dual stairwells, a wine cellar,  indoor black granite spa with lake views, private dock with electric boat lift, private beach, and a beachfront outdoor covered summer-kitchen.  Read the rest of this entry »

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Sellers undertaking the ”FOR-SALE -BY OWNER”  challenge (FSBO)  …thinking it can’t be all that hard… are in good company.

How many times have  I heard:   “WITH THE INTERNET NOW, I CAN LIST IT ONLINE and I DO OPEN HOUSES… so… Read the rest of this entry »

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Banks are holding on to shadow inventory.  Shadow inventory… the new topic of conversation …soon to be  common vernacular.    Shadow inventory is foreclosure inventory that’s about to come on the market -property the banks have not yet foreclosed on, and property the banks have not yet released for sale.  No, there’s not a likelihood that there will be a flood of foreclosed properties, dumped onto the market.  The  foreclosure inventory will likely be released in drips and drabs… but the experts agree… foreclosure inventory will increase, and it will affect the housing market – and prices… causing prices to drop. Read the rest of this entry »

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You may be eligible for a tax break when you purchase a home. The First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit is benefitting many people by making it more affordable to buy. Here’s what you need to know…

Are You Eligible?

If you purchase a primary residence between now and April 30, 2010, you are eligible. If you (and your spouse if applicable) haven’t owned a primary residence in a 3-year period before the current purchase, you qualify as a first time home buyer. Last November, it was decided that buyers who have lived in their primary home for 5 of the last 8 years also qualify for the credit.

How It Works

The credit directly reduces the total amount of taxes you owe. When filing your taxes for the year of your home purchase, you will subtract the amount of the Federal income tax liability. In doing so, you increase the size of your refund or reduce the amount you owe.

Funds At Closing

The Department of Housing and Urban Development created guidelines for FHA lenders that allow them to make the credit available to buyers to cover closing cosrs or a down payment above 3.5% required for an FHA insured loan. Meaning the credit can be available at closing no matter where you’re purchasing, as long as your lender participates in the program. Check with your lender to make sure they are on board.

How Big Is The Credit?

The tax credit is equal to 10% of the purchase price of your home up to $8,000 for first time buyers and up to $6,500 for most other buyers. A full credit is available for single individuals whose adjusted gross income is less than $125,000, and $225,000 for married couples filing jointly.

Other Provisions

The purchase price of the home may not exceed $800,000. If you sell your home within 3 years of the purchase, the entire amount of the credit is recaptured (the government takes it back). You cannot clain both the DC and the national First time Homebuyer Tax Credit. Purcahses by  non-resident aliens are not eligible. The house must be under contract by April 30, 2010 and must close by June 30, 2010.

Take advantage of this phenomenal opportunity to purchase a home. Contact me with any questions or to get started on finding the right home for you!

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