historical properties

Selling Your Home in a Buyers Market

The news headlines lately are full of less than encouraging news about the housing market. The market is showing signs of stabilizing, so obviously some home owners are successfully selling their houses! Following are some basic guidelines for selling your home in a challenging market.

After deciding you want or need to sell your home, you will probably want to find a good real estate agent to assist you to market and sell your home. A good agent is knowledgeable about the local market very well. Hopefully he/she has been working for a long time in your area, understands what features sell and why, and networks with local people and businesses to get their listings sold.

A good licensed real estate agent will have numerous marketing strategies to get your home sold in their bag of tricks. Other than word of mouth, they will likely utilize newspaper ads, fliers, and most importantly, the internet, specifically the Multiple Listing Service. More and more home shoppers are going online to comparison shop before they even drive around, so it is vital that your agent not only list your home on the Multiple Listing Service, at the very least, but also provide photos and perhaps videos of your home to entice buyers inside.

Once you have decided on a local agent to work with, it is your job now to get your home in show-worthy condition. Your agent will give you tips on what you can do to make your home appealing, but there are some specific things you can do that will get you the most money and sell your home faster:

Clean, clean, and clean some more. A dirty home is difficult to sell. You would think it doesn’t matter because you won’t be living there, but it does. If your home is dirty then a buyer will think you probably don’t take care of it. That’s not the message you want to send out. Also, a dirty home is not inviting, and atmosphere is everything for most potential home buyers.

Store your clutter. Put half of your personal items in storage. You want your home to look more like a model home, which means remove your personal pictures and personal care items that might make people uncomfortable. You want them to envision themselves in the house; not yourself and your family. This is especially important in rooms like the kitchen and bathroom where space is important.

Freshen up with paint. This is an inexpensive and relatively easy way to make your home more attractive. Neutral colors sell best.

Curb appeal. Stand outside your home and try to imagine how your home looks to a total stranger. Overgrown plants, poorly kept lawns, trash, debris, even toys should be removed. Your yard should appear well maintained if you want your house to appear inviting. Consider adding flower pots for color if you are listing your home during the growing season.

Home Staging. Professional home stagers make sure that a home appears clean, uncluttered, and visually ready for a buyer to picture themselves in your house. Why not check out a book from the library, or watch one of the home staging shows on TV for some tips on how to stage your home?

Remember that selling your home in a competitive market is possible…it just takes effort and determination on your part!

Luxury Real Estate in Southern Florida Brings in-depth market knowledge and the resources of EWM and Christie’s Great Estates, plus local expertise and global network access to your real estate transaction. This article powered by SEO 2.0 Services

historical properties

Your Family Vacation In Miami

While Miami has a reputation for being a pretty wild town, it is also family oriented with plenty of activities for visitors of all ages. Here are some of the destinations to see in Miami that you and your family definitely want to enjoy.

Top Miami Tourist Attractions

As the most culturally diverse city in the state of Florida, there are things to see and do in Miami to suit every taste. Of course, South Beach has long been known to be the place to be in Miami, but some families might find the atmosphere to be a little too wild for younger children. Other well known tourist attractions in Miami include the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden and the beautiful and historic Venetian Pool. For a much needed break from the busy urban setting of Miami, consider making a quick day trip over to Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park. The park has a stunning lighthouse that has been there for nearly 200 years and plenty of hiking and biking trails.

Family Fun at Miami Beaches

Of course, no family trip to Miami would be complete without a visit to the coast. However, it is important for new visitors to Miami to know that some local beaches are more family friendly than others. Two perfect seaside destinations that are appropriate for the whole clan include Matheson Hammock and Crandon Park Beach, both of which offer safe lagoons that are perfect for small children. For families with teenage children, the atmosphere at South Beach might be more appropriate, but be sure to learn a little bit about the area before deciding whether it is right for your family.

Family Friendly Destinations

In a city with as tourist oriented as the city of Miami, you can be sure that there is no shortage of attractions that are perfect for the every age. One local favorite amongst tourists of all ages is Parrot Jungle Island located just off the MacArthur Causeway, with its world famous Parrot Bowl of unusual birds from all over the world. Another very unusual family destination is the Coral Castle with its astounding 1100 tons of hand carved coral that give visitors of all ages an idea of the artistic talent that has resided in Miami over the years. For a great interactive introduction to the history of this part of Florida, consider visiting the Vizcaya estate with its turn of the century estate.

Year Round Miami Activities

Like most of Florida, Miami can get overrun with tourists during the peak season. Thankfully, Miami makes for a great family destination at almost any time of the year. Even if you are visiting during the summer months, it is still worth having a few rainy day activities scheduled because of the famous afternoon thunderstorms Florida is well known for.

One perennial family favorite is Miami’s Seaquarium. The Seaquarium consists of over 30 acres of indoor and outdoor aquatic exhibits displaying examples of almost every type of local marine life. Other great locales to visit during rainy weather include the Miami Children’s Museum and the very interactive Miami Museum of Science.

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categories: Miami real estate, Miami luxury real estate, historical properties

historical properties

Winter in Miami

While the rest of the country battles the cold, winter is the start of Miami’s great weather. On the southern tip of Florida, the city of Miami rests on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. The close proximity to the ocean and the low latitude gives this city its tropical climate. From December to January, the average daily high temperature is in the mid-seventies, and these are the coldest months of the year. The rainy season ends in November, and Florida’s dry season begins.

Miami is a vibrant city with strong Latin influences. The city is very metropolitan while still retaining a relaxed, fun-loving attitude. The Miami area has a long history. First the area was a Native American settlement, then the Spanish brought in some missions. In the late’00s to today, Miami has been experiencing huge growth, partially because it is known as as a winter destination. While the thriving economy supports a large, year-round population, winter is still the season when everything comes to life. There is always somewhere to go and something to do. The Latin influence can especially be felt in the dining and dancing–Miami has fantastic restaurants and clubs.

The winter weather in Miami is so agreeable that there are few days that cannot be spent at the beach. Miami has several long, sandy beaches ideal for sunbathing, beach-combing, and water sports. There are plenty of places to snorkel and scuba dive, and even in winter the water is a tolerable seventy degrees. The most famous of Miami’s beaches is South Beach. This somewhat risqu beach is lined with a funky Art Deco district. If you are looking for a quieter beach, Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park is nice and has a lighthouse.

Miami is adjacent to two National Parks, the Biscayne and the Everglades. The Biscayne National Park is mainly a marine park with beautiful coral reefs. The Everglades are famous for their wildlife, like alligators and fabulous birds. Nature-lovers will appreciate the many trails and viewpoints. Year round there is something to see at these National Parks. Winter is also a time of harvest, with many of the famous Florida citrus fruits being harvested from December through March. Many homes in Florida have fruit trees in the yard. Farm stands are open year round with fresh, local fruits and vegetables.

Several excellent golf courses are in and around Miami, and the PGA has regular competitions here. There are several huge shopping malls, and a few outdoor shopping areas like the Lincoln Road street mall in Miami Beach. Imagine shopping for Christmas presents in their great shops, and then having lunch on the patio of a delicious Cuban restaurant. All of this while wearing shorts. It is no wonder, Miami is one of the most popular retirement areas in the country.

Miami is a delightful city with ideal winter weather. It is a great place to have a home-many come for winter vacation and never leave. If you are looking for a combination of sunshine and fun things to do, Miami is the place to choose.

Luxury Real Estate in Southern Florida Brings in-depth Real Estateknowledge and the resources of EWM and Christie’s Great Estates, plus local knowledge and global network access to your real estate transaction. This article powered by SEO 2.0 Services