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When I update readers about the latest news in Miami housing prices, it’s usually not as ‘latest’ as I’d like. The reason is that there is a delay in most of the truly reliable indexes that measure housing prices. The big indexes are national (Miami housing prices are another matter), and they have a built-in two-month delay.

We can look at trends and directions, but if there is a change afoot, we won’t be sure of that for about 60 days.

Related: Are You Wanting to Sell Your Miami Home or Brickell/Downtown Miami Condo? Free Consultation Request

Last week, The Wall Street Journal found a way to present unusually fresh numbers. Reporter Nick Timiraos ignored the S&P/Case-Shill...

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If you are currently a Miami Fl tenant and are hoping to become a homeowner, taking a leap can be exciting and daunting at the same time. There are number of Coral Gables Fl homes for sale, Brickell condos or Midtown condominiums on the rise that prompt your interest.

Making the move from being a current Miami tenant to homeowner is, after all, one of life’s major decisions — so no matter how perfect such a property find might be, doing your research is critical before taking that next step.

Related: Brickell Condos For Sale

According to the Rental Protection Agency, by last week there were more than 107,000,000 renters in the US — a number that increases by 2,600 a day. In ...

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So the market’s recovering, interest rates are low, and you think you’re finally ready to buy a home? Not so fast. MiamiFl home buyers are running into a new roadblock: there doesn’t seem to be enough Miami homes for sale. Yes,  its a seller's market.

Anyone who has looked at entry- to mid-level homes for sale in Miami single family homes, Coconut Grove town homes, South Miami realty or Coral Gables real estate probably knows what I mean.

Mortgage rates remain near historic lows, and as the prices of homes for sale continue to rise, fears that we could soon see a repetition of a real estate equity loss seem increasingly unlikely.  

Related: Listing Consultation Request : Wha...

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Of all the things no one tells Miami first time homebuyers , some turn out to be pretty important and too often overlooked.

Here are the last four of seven items first time homebuyers will find useful to know:

4.         Remodeling costs more than you think

You’ve found a handyman 1920's special in Coral Gables realty: your energy is to be applauded. But before you write that offer, if you are one of our Miami first-time homebuyers, be certain to have penciled out the bottom line cost of bringing the home up to the standard you require to be move-in ready. You may well be able to live with some items that you will fix over time, but in all areas, budget 20% more than your es...

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Those who have been paying close attention to how the Coral Gables houses for sale or Brickell condos have been performing in the Miami Fl real estate market may have observed the results of the Miami conundrum "highest and best" on multiple offers situations.

When a list price seems too good to be true or there is a shortage of available properties,well, buyers react and so does the Listing Agent.  The “Notice of Highest and Best  Offer” is announced and the multiple offers scenario begins. Investors, first-time and vacation home buyers, international buyers, special interests groups, you name it, they all come out of the woodwork with an "I gotta have it" attitude.

Rel...

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Even though the Coral Gables real estate or Brickell realty looks as certain to rise as the spring shoots, behind that optimism is the perenniel question about whether another “dip” is coming — a lot of which has to do with Wall Street.

Remembering how 2008’s economic downturn saw the housing market and stock market take blows pretty much simultaneously, it’s not far-fetched to assume that the two markets always move together. And while some folks are emboldened as stocks soar to record-level heights, for others, the same phenomenon causes altitude sickness. What goes up must…well, you know the rest!

Historically, the housing market and stock market are hardly inextricably ...

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I remember my first property transaction at the mere age of 23 (just a few years ago…right)  I was lost in a sea of real estate mayhem…escrow? Who is he? Negative amortization loan? Points? Closing Costs? What? When? Where?  I recall just wanting to be homeowner and had no idea about the buying process, terminologies or more importantly financing options.  

I received all kinds of solicited or unsolicited advice.

My  parents would say “Save your money.”

“Location, location, location!” my friend’s friend cautions.

Reasonable advice, for sure.

In my experience I found 7 things No One Tells Miami First Time Homebuyers. Why Miami only? Don’t despair, Coral Gables real estate,...

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Last week, no matter if you reside in Coral Gables, East Kendall or Brickell, home sellers saw more than the usual number of reasons to look forward to this spring’s home sales selling season. Miami, Fl screaming demand from home buyers for sale listings is the "Perfect Storm".

It looked like the opposite of the lengthy real estate “Perfect Storm” that caused freefall across the national landscape. Signs pointed to the possibility that we may be headed into the opposite market conditions.

Webster’s Dictionary says the opposite of ‘storm’ is ‘calm’ – but I don’t think you would call Coral Gables real estate or Brickell condos or Downtown Dadeland sales outlook a “Perfect Calm....

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A short sale home for sale in Miami including Coral Gables luxury homes or Pinecrest realty is the reality towards homeownership for buyers.  For homeowners, strengthening credit after a Miami short sale is their truth and unloading a property that’s underwater helps avoid the most dire credit consequences of a foreclosure.

Short sales are the current path to home ownership especially when inventories are tight and multiple offers on non distressed properties are the reality.  Even Brickell condos under construction such as My Brickell and Millecento are sold out with buyers demand for more resonating all way to the developer's offices. 

A short sale represents real value for...

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The truism has it that real estate is the most local of assets. If you exclude California-style earthquakes, the land a home is built upon tends to stay pretty much in one place. That being the case, Miami home prices tend to reflect our area conditions: when business is popping and everyone feels confident about the future, Miami Fl home prices tend to move upward.

Even so, as the complete numbers roll in from last year’s national real estate market, anyone with a rooting interest in Miami home prices has to be cheered.

Related:  Miami Property Search

The fact is, American home prices climbed 5.9% last year – the greatest yearly gain since 2006. Calling that only a ‘sharp’ ...

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Buyers considering a purchase of a Coral Gables home or condo -- or even just checking up on the market -- is likely to find that some of the rules of the game seem to have shifted.

As the latest Miami-Dade housing statistics continue to paint an upbeat picture, at least when it comes to bargain-priced properties, the days of multiple bids and ‘offers over asking’ is a reality.Particularly for buyers expecting to be deluged by the kind of amazing deals being offered in 2008 and 2009 should see what I mean.

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You are offered a fantastic new job or promotion in Coral Gables, Florida or in another Miami neighborhood or new town -- your natural response is, “Absolutely, yes!”

Seamless relocation takes some determined preparation and time. Even after you’ve identified which Coral Gables subdivision you want to buy your new house or condo, there are a few to-dos before establishing yourself into a new community.

Related: Coral Gables Homes Search

Let’s look at four common new buyer mistakes have made in the past and how you can avoid them:

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The real estate climate forecast for the coming year is partly sunny -- and warming up!

Yet, with no double-digit appreciation in sight, some who plan on selling a Coral Gables home, Brickell condo, South Miami real estate, and East Kendall realty have  the same very practical questions: is this the right time to sell? Should I stay or should I go?

For those who stand to make a gain from selling, the decision boils down to convenience. Whether sale prices rise or fall, the cost of their next home will probably move in the same direction.

But what about those who suspect that the overhang from the financial crisis will probably result in some degree of net loss? How do they d...

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According to the National Association of REALTORS®, last year the number of sales for vacation homes continued to rise following the staggering 64.5% gain in all investment home sales for 2011.

The consensus has it that promising statistics are likely to repeat in 2013.

Perhaps it is an improvement in vacation homes outlook, or maybe it’s because of the recent media focus on personal tax issues…whatever the reason, it looks as if 2013 may be seen as a particularly inviting time to make a first vacation home investment with Coral Gables real estate, Brickell condos, Pinecrest luxury homes real estate, East Kendall homes and Miami or South Miami realty

Although I don’t offer ...

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The holiday décor is down; neighborhood kids are back in school; January’s social calendar looks amazingly clear (compared with the previous two months, anyway)… so, what now, Miami? 

One suggestion I might offer: put some serious thought into acting on those financial New Year’s resolutions – at least the ones dealing with your real estate plans.

2013 is about buying or selling property for :

Coral Gables real estate,

Brickell condos,

Pinecrest luxury homes real estate,

East Kendall homes;

and Miami or South Miami realty.

Doing so would dovetail nicely with my own New Year’s prediction, one I share with many credible real estate watchers:

2013 is the year buyers and s...

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Bargain-hunters looking over 2013’s first listings from Coral Gables short sale homes for sale to East Kendall foreclosures the opportunities speak for themselves.

Throughout the year, the size of that selection varies. We will know the 2012 tally sometime this month. But no matter how large that increase or decrease turns out to be, in addition to representing a unique opportunity to potential buyers, each one also posed a substantial decision for the homeowner.

The question each homeowner faced was whether to attempt to short sell or to allow their property to be foreclosed upon. Some were in financial hardship; while, others owing more than their house was worth. 

Related...

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Having survived last week’s End of the World, you might think the coast would be clear for a while. But -- at least when it comes to Miami Fl real estate matters -- some would have you believe we are face-to-face with another extreme dire threat: the Internet buzz about a (gasp!) a mega federal real estate sales tax on transactions.

This one was all over the web even before passage of the federal health care act. It has staying power, and comes in several forms.

The one that circulates most often is an email message warning that a 3.8% Medicare surtax that is going to hit “average, middle-class investors” on January 1. Supposedly ALL real estate transactions are subject to th...

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If you are a homeowner struggling with the decision about whether listing your Coral Gables home for sale during the winter months is good or bad, there are arguments for either choice.

Let’s start with the “pros”:

One of the best things I like about listing your Coral Gables real estate  in the winter months is that the holidays work to your advantage. 

Nothing says “home” better than a house that is well (and tastefully!) decorated for the holidays.

By making sure the decorations accent the house rather than overpower it, you still funnel attention where it belongs: on your house!

Related: View For Sale Majestic and Spacious Coral Gables Country Club  Subdivision Home $9...

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It may be a little early to start putting the champagne on ice, but looking over last week’s releases of housing reports gives us a fairly good idea of how our Coral Gables FL real estate housing picture for the year 2012 is likely to end up.

 “The housing recovery that started earlier in 2012 continues to gain momentum,” according to CoreLogic’s Chief Economist. The monthly data report covered final national numbers for October (a year-over-year rise of 6.3%) as well as a probable 7.1% increase for the month just ended.

Related:  View For Sale Coral Gables 3/2 Single Family House Charmer $439,900 

CoreLogic was also “seeing an ongoing strengthening of the residential housin...

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When you visit any of the Coral Gables homes for sale this time of year, it’s likely you will notice a little extra holiday sparkle.

The holiday touches may be variations on the icy blue-and-white color palette -- or dashes of silver brightening the traditional red-and-green decorations.

Related: Coral Gables Homes For Sale Property Search

If you’ve been reading the home décor magazines, you know how the leading trends this winter are all about glitz and glam: designer touches meant to brighten even the darkest winter day (remember, this year’s shortest day -- December 21 – is right around the corner!).

Still, I always suspect that a little nostalgic holiday warmth can a...