Miami Real Estate

We’ve been told that neutral colors appeal to the widest base of potential buyers.  And for the most part, that’s true  (especially when the neutral colors are combined with warm accent pieces) …   The idea isn’t just to have a blank canvas , but to have some warmth and intrigue as well.

Splashes of color in accent pieces (piece of art, a vase, flowers, table decoration)  provide a focal point.

In Miami,  earthy tones  (and use of stone, pebble, and rock), are often used to  create a spa-like feel.   The use of  texture, natural stone and wood  seem to be rather universally appealing, and in vogue.

By far the  most widespread appeal comes from using  orange, yellow, green and red hues.  A single accent wall can create contrast and compliment the rest of the room, or  serve as a backdrop to showcase a piece of art.

Staging a house for sale is something we do to make a statement, and create impact.   Setting the stage (‘staging’) seems to bring heftier sales prices on the homes we list and sell.   If you’re looking to sell your home, and need a knowledgeable real estate professional to list and sell it, we would love to talk with you.  Call us anytime you’re ready -  Restivo Team at EWM Realtors  -  Vicki Restivo 305 793-1365   –  Alexandra  Restivo 306 632-0164.

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How does a BUYER choose  YOUR PROPERTY?  How do they decide YOURS  is  right   for them?

It can happen in the  blink of an eye… in literally seconds …  

Your first opportunity to make a sale is online … with your photos and marketing…. so make the photos captivating .  Keep them scrolling through your listing rather clicking to another property.

Your second opportunity is  the when your potential BUYER  sees or actually enters the property.

IF your place has anything in the way of a view:   Whether it’s those online photos, or that fist impact as the buyer initially steps foot inside   …  capitalize on the view … DON’T HAVE THEM WALK INTO A BLOCKED VIEW!   

Choose photos that will entice  buyers  to linger on online (on YOUR listings) for long enough to ‘get interested’.   (Blurry shots and dark or miniscule photos  deter buyers - and  buyer’s agents!)

I showed a slew of  luxury ocean-front condos on Miami Beach to buyers this past weekend.  And  the #1 resounding mistake  I noted were just how many were ‘caves’ … with blinds that were closed tight … and lights that were off … and shutters that were sealed tight.   

If your prime selling point is the view, keeping the drapes closed or the windows shuttered is a mistake!  If there’s a water view, that’s worth showing off!   Most people looking for waterfront property want to see the view  …   Read the rest of this entry »

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The first place I bought was in New York City.

What I wanted was a condo on the Upper East Side, one that the owners had converted from a studio into a phenomenal one-bedroom condo.  It was furnished impeccably…  and looked as though it came from the pages of Architectural Digest   …   but the price tag reflected that.

What I bought instead was the same exact unit,  one floor down… for half the price. 

Mine was an estate sale …  in it’s original condition … (It was dark and dingy … in need of  considerable TLC)…   for half the pricetag of the one I’d really wanted, upstairs.

Having had the opportunity of seeing the one upstairs first … I could envision exactly what could be done with the ugly one downstairs.  I knew  that with Read the rest of this entry »

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Buyers react viscerally  to sights, smells and sensations.  The right first impressions often can (and do) sell a house.

Imperceptably, buyers will react positively toward the smell of jasmine by the front door, freshly baked cookies, birds chirping in the trees, crisp linens… or a very subtle candle scent.  Read the rest of this entry »

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After submitting an offer, and avidly negotiating the purchase of your new home,  you are popping the Champagne and celebrating …  “Offer accepted!” … 

Then you start thinking:  ” What furniture should I bring (and what should I ditch)? … how  am I going to arrange the stuff I have already,  in my NEW HOME …  and what am I going to have to buy?”   

Most of our home buyers aren’t interior decorators …  With a little help (graph paper … room dimensions… and some furniture pieces cut to scale) arranging furniture is less stressful … less back-breaking …  less trial and error…  and a whole lot easier than hefting bulky furnishings from one side of the room to another and back again.     Read the rest of this entry »

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Not sure whether first impressions count?  

Last week,  I was scouring through  a couple hundred listings online.   I excluded properties fast.   My search criteria was specific to the buyers we were working with …   

I’d  read through  120 (or so)  property descriptions…. then narrowed it to the top  45-50…    looking for value.   

Once I clicked over to  the online  photos  ….  it took me only a second or two to scratch  potential properties.   I needed  the top 10 in my buyer’s price point…  and was  narrowing it …  based on curb appeal and “house pride”.  

It’s easy to sell a home when you have photos and descriptions that tell more of a story Read the rest of this entry »

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Looking to buy a home?  Keep your antenna up!  

There is nothing inherently wrong with  flipping  property… nor anything wrong with having it staged.   What about “covering up” though?   … Let me tell you…  If  a seller moves an area rug to hide a water mark on the wood floor, I’m going to wonder what else that seller is hiding! Read the rest of this entry »

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First of all,  DO NOT DECLUTTER!   Why am I telling you,  “Don’t  declutter”?   I might use some of what you’re boxing, to stage the property.

Have 2 people walk through and jot down what needs doing.    Your Realtor can be one of those 2 people.   (Helping you figure out what needs doing is part of we do when we list your house.  It’s free … and the insight you’ll get can prove to be invaluable.)  

As far as you TO-DO LIST is concernted, you might be surprised at what others see as needing fixing.   Often, it’s the little, inexpensive things that catch the eye of a ‘stranger’ (ie.  ”buyer”)…    You don’t want to miss those, because they are often the deal-breakers.  Read the rest of this entry »

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The best referrals are the kind that come via word of mouth…  ( the tried-and-true variety).    If you’re looking for service provider, a good place to start is by asking someone in the throws of having work done in their own home.  

We received two letters over the past couple of weeks  (from homeowners who recently bought property through us, and  have been doing major  home remodeling projects for  several months now) … I’m going to go ahead and share their recommendation with you : 

“We have used your list of contractors, that you referred, for several items around the house.  There is one person that is responsible for the kitchen:  Dan Piel from Trimline is beyond belief - much more than “just a cabinet” guy.  He is creative, pays attention to your suggestions, and oversees the entire project from start to finish. He is more than capable, demands perfection from his contractors, and gives unequaled service.  You need to add his name to your list of referrals.  Maybe even mention him to the other agents at EWM.”   Jim – Pinecrest

Contact information: Dan Piel Trimline Kitchen Design - in Miami, Florida -  10001 S. Dixie Hwy  (305) 666-7609

Thanks, Jim!   We like to update and revise our list of  Recommended Service Providers (The Restivo’s Little Black Book) … and appreciate your input and feedback… pro and con.  

In Miami, pretty much any top realtor will provide you with recommendations of workers and reputable service providers.  And Alexandra and I certainly look forward to working with you whenever you are ready to buy (or sell)  real estate in Florida  (or need relocation advice - moving elsewhere)..  Please don’t hesitate to contact us anytime -  Vicki Restivo (305) 793-1365  -  Alexandra Restivo (305) 632-0164.    

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One of the most frequently asked (home-owner) questions  is how to get the most return on investment on real estate.  Sellers often doubt whether painting and landscaping bring any semblance of a worthwhile return on their investment. 

A picture is worth a thousand words …  or so they say.   Of the homes pictured here, which would you take a second look at ?  Which would you pass by, not seeing the investment potential ?   These are before and after shots… the home is ONE home. Read the rest of this entry »

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