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Archive for the 'Market Updates' Category

Like We’ve Been Saying, the Tides they are A-Turnin!!

Today the Wall Street Journal published and article stating that buyers are “stunned because bidding wars are back.”  This is something that we, the Realtors here in Miami, have been trying to explain to our buyers for months now.  Unfortunately, it has been our experience that instead of heeding our advice, they’ve had to experience it themselves, possibly losing a home they love, before realizing the changes that have occurred.

It is the law of supply and demand!  The supply has been dwindling and the the demand increasing month my month.  The below graph represents the last 15 months of single family homes under $600K for sale, under contract and sold in the Coconut Grove, Coral Gables and South Miami areas.

This is the most popular and desirable segment of the market right now and as you can see, we are down to less than 4 months of inventory.  Since 6 months is needed for a balanced market, the inventory for nice homes is significantly low and the Sellers have the advantage.  Thus the multiple offers.

You can read the entire article here.

If you or someone you know are looking for a real estate professional who specializes in Coconut Grove, Coral Gables and South Miami areas, give me a call at 305-987-2644 or send me a note here.

March 2012 – South Coconut Grove Sales

If you or someone you know are looking for a real estate professional who specializes in Coconut Grove, Coral Gables and South Miami realty, give me a call at 305-987-2644 or send me a note here.

Under Contract in 17 Days!!

Nice homes, priced right, are going FAST!!

This home that I listed in the Miami neighborhood of “Little Gables” went under contract in just 17 days.  I held an open house the first week and had two offers within 24 hours.

It is a 4 bedroom, 3 bath home and is listed at $469,000.  This is a very desirable size of home, location and price point.  I knew that and priced it to be compelling and get attention quickly.  This is where a Realtors expertise and experience can give their clients a competitive advantage.

If your thinking of selling and looking for a real estate professional with the experience and expertise to sell your home, give me a call at 305-987-2644 or send me a note here.

Miami named as “Most Outrageous and Most Positive” City on the Road to Real Estate Recovery

In a recent interview on CNBC, Ron Peltier, CEO of Homeservices of America, stated that he believes that we are on the road to real estate recovery and expects price stabilization in the second half of the year.  He specifically mentioned Miami as having the “most outrageous and most positive” turnaround regarding market stabilization.

Mr. Peltier said that we have reached a “tipping point”.  Much of this is due to the increase in rental prices.  Many rentals are higher than the cost of owning a home.  Additionally, he feels that there are many people that have been sitting on the sidelines for years that are now ready to purchase a home.

All of this is great news for us here in South Florida and frankly, as Realtors, we have been seeing the signs for months now.  If you would like to see the entire interview just click on the link below.

Buffet CEO Ron Peltier interview with CNBC

If you or someone you know are looking for a real estate professional who specializes in Coconut Grove, Coral Gables and South Miami realty, give me a call at 305-987-2644 or send me a note here.

 

Today’s Brokers Open – Unique Styles Abound

Today’s Brokers Opens offered quite the diversity in styles here in Coconut Grove and Coral Gables.  Normally I would write about my favorite of the day but today I had three, all unique and worth mentioning.

6704 Le Jeune Rd, Coral Gables

First was this Cape Dutch South African style home in Coral Gables.  It was designed in the 1920′s as part of the founder of Coral Gables, George Merrick’s grand “City Beautiful” plan.  It has been completely updated and renovated adhering to the style in which it was built.  This home has a main house with a spacious courtyard leading to the separate guest house.  It is listed for $1,250,000. by Coldwell Bankers.

3941 Park Ave, Coconut Grove

If contemporary is your style, and for many people it is, this may be the home for you.  This home was recently renovated and updated with amazing outdoor entertainment areas.  It offers 5 bedrooms, 5.5 baths with 3,876 sq. ft. of living area on a cul-de-sac in South Grove.  It is listed for $1,595,000. by EWM Realtors.

3617 Bayview Road, Coconut Grove

Last but definitely not least is this lovingly renovated historic Old Spanish.  Though the style may be old, the updates certainly aren’t.  All top of the line appliances with special attention paid to the true character of the home with antique fixtures and details throughout.  The main house has 3 bedrooms, 2 baths but there is also a spacious 1 bedroom, 1 bath guest house.  This home is listed for $899,000. by One Sotheby’s Int’l Realty.

If you or someone you know are looking for a real estate professional who specializes in Coconut Grove, Coral Gables and South Miami realty, give me a call at 305-987-2644 or send me a note here.

2011 A Year in Review – Tri-City areas of Coconut Grove, Coral Gables and South Miami

2011 was a great year for the areas of Coconut Grove, Coral Gables and South Miami.  Total gross sales were up significantly over the 2010 numbers with condos sales increasing 13.5% and single family home sales up 29.5% overall.

In most segments of the market, the inventory has been dropping steadily leading us towards a more stable market.  The surprise though would be the over $1MM condos.  Check it out below.  There seems to be a few more for sale each month.

In the below graphs you will find the data regarding home sales, pended homes (under contract) and homes for sale on a month by month basis for all of 2011.  I have segmented them by single family homes, condominiums and price range.

 

Single Family Homes up to $500,000.

 
 
Single Family Homes from $500,000. to $1MM
 
 
 
 Single Family Homes for over $1,000,000.

 
 Condos for under $300,000.

 
 
Condos from $300,000. to $500,000.
 
 
Condos from $500,000. to $1MM
 
 
 
Condos over $1,000,000.
 
If you or someone you know are looking for a real estate professional who specializes in Coconut Grove, Coral Gables and South Miami realty, give me a call at 305-987-2644 or send me a note here.
 

Top Ten Reasons to Own Rather than Rent

With all the conversation regarding the real estate market bottoming out and if buyers should buy now or wait, I thought it was important to remember that not all home ownership decisions are financial ones.

The Florida Association of Realtors recently reported the top ten reasons to buy a home, rather than rent.  I felt is was worth repeating….

1. You own it:  With no landlord, you make the decisions.

2. You deduct it:  Mortgage interest, property taxes and some costs involved with buying a home can be deducted from federal income taxes.

3. Interest rates:  The cost to borrow mortgage money is at an all-time low. If you’re going to buy, this is the time to jump into the market.

4. You invest in it:  Rent money is gone forever. Mortgage payments build home equity ownership interests.

5. You save for the future:  Home equity is a ready-made savings plan. Sell it and you can make up to $250,000 cash without owing any federal income tax on the profit.

6. You can predict expenses:  Unlike rent, a fixed-mortgage payment doesn’t get more expensive over time.

7. You pick it:  Choose from different neighborhoods, styles and price ranges.

8. You create it:  Decorate, renovate, get a pet or paint the walls whatever color you want – it belongs to you.

9. You live in a neighborhood:  You and your neighbors take pride in the local schools, roads and more – and you work together to build a friendly community.

10. You spend money on yourself:  When you buy a chandelier or hardwood floor or kitchen cabinet, you’re spending hard-earned money on yourself and building your equity at the same time.

If you or someone you know are looking for a real estate professional who specializes in Coconut Grove, Coral Gables and South Miami realty, give me a call at 305-987-2644 or send me a note here.

Buy vs Rent – Does it Pay to Wait???

Interesting statistics!! 

Published by Keeping Current Matters.

Bank of America offering $20,000. to Short Sale home vs Foreclosure

A new program being tested in Florida may offer assistance to struggling homeowners looking at losing their home.  If you are a Bank of America customer and possibly considering foreclosure, this may be an option for you.

The Palm Beach Post reported today that B of A is offering a $20,000. incentive to their homeowners that try to sell their homes in a short sale rather than just allow it to fall into foreclosure.  This is a time sensitive offer.  Only homeowners whose short sales are submitted for approval to Bank of America prior to Nov. 30 will qualify.  The homes must have no offers on them already and the closing must occur before Aug. 31, 2012.

Click here to read the entire article.

 

Summer 2011 Market Update for Tri-City Areas – Coconut Grove, Coral Gables and South Miami Real Estate

Well, the summer numbers are in and for the most part, sales in the tri-city areas of Coconut Grove, Coral Gables and South Miami are up over last year this time.

The inventory of homes is consistently dropping, which in turn, has created quite the demand.  The recent conversations among realtors is that they have the buyers but they are having difficulty finding homes.  The nice, well priced homes are few and far between.  And when one comes on the market, it goes rather quickly.

The most significant change so far this year are the condos from $300,000. to $500,000.  The sales are up 158.3% over last year this time.  The contracts pending are up 68.2% and the inventory of condos for sale is down 65.4%.   This is great news for all those condos that have been sitting on the market for literally years.

The below graphs provide 15 months of data regarding home sales, pended (under contract) and inventory of homes currently for sale.  I have segmented them by single family homes, condominiums and price range.

 

Single Family Homes up to $500,000.

Sales – ↑ 22%
Pending contracts - ↓ 25.7%
Inventory – ↓ 39.3% 
 
 
 
Single Family Homes from $500,000. to $1MM 
 
 
Sales – ↑ 50% change
Pending contracts ↑ 33.3%
Inventory – ↓ 50.3%
 
 

Single Family Homes for over $1,000,000. 

Sales - ↓ 22.2% change
Pending contracts – 0% change
Inventory – ↓ 4.1%
 
 

Condos for under $300,000.  

Sales – ↓1.8%
Pending contracts – ↑19.7%
Inventory – ↓52.2%
 
 
 
Condos from $300,000. to $500,000. 
Sales – ↑158.3%
Pending contracts – ↑68.2%
Inventory – ↓65.4%
 
 
 
Condos from $500,000. to $1MM 
Sales – ↑22.2%
Pending contracts – ↑90.9%
Inventory – ↓35%
 
 
 
Condos over $1,000,000. 
Sales – ↓14.3%
Pending contracts – ↓28.6%
Inventory – ↓23.3%
 
If you or someone you know are looking for a real estate professional who specializes in Coconut Grove, Coral Gables and South Miami realty, give me a call at 305-987-2644 or send me a note here.