Pinecrest FL Homes for Sale and more...

This BLOG Has Moved

2010-02-12T19:32:00.002-05:00

Hello There!

I have moved this BLOG to

www.PinecrestFloridaBLOG.com

Please visit me there!

Thank you!

Taste of Pinecrest

2010-02-03T10:45:00.005-05:00

Sunday, March 7 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm

Pinecrest Gardens

5855 SW 111^th Street, Pinecrest, FL

Entry and Parking is FREE

Click Here for More Information

Homebuyers Tax Credit

2010-01-25T17:23:00.001-05:00

Congress has extended and expanded the homebuyer tax credit. This tax credit is for first-time homebuyers and existing homeowners!

There is also a tax credit repeat Buyers; someone who is not a first-time home Buyer. The tax credit for the repeat Buyer is $6,500. A current homeowner who has lived 5 consecutive years out of the last 8 in their current home is eligible.

There is no requirement that the repeat Buyer sell their current home or that the new home has to be of a higher value than the current home.

To qualify for the tax credit, Buyers must have a written, signed binding contract in effect by April 30, 2010 and close on the home by June 30, 2010.

Pinecrest Bike Day 2010

2010-01-12T12:06:00.000-05:00

PINECREST BIKE DAY
Free Family Fun Day!

Saturday, January 23, 2010
Miami Palmetto Senior High
7460 SW 118th Street, Pinecrest

8:00 - 9:00 am - Information and Safety Fair
9:00 - 11:00 am - 2 Mile Bike Ride (Loop)

Pinecrest FL Real Estate Market Report - December 2009

2010-01-08T11:04:00.005-05:00

13 Homes were sold/closed in December.

The lowest closed sale price was $300,000 and the highest was $1,559,000.

Click Here for December Sales Details

As of December 31^st there were 195 homes for sale in Pinecrest with 29 homes under contract.

178 homes were sold in Pinecrest FL in 2009 vs

136 sold in 2008

150 sold in 2007

184 sold in 2006

170 sold in 2005

These numbers show that our market is recovering!

If you would like for me to do a market analysis for you, just give me a call - Your Pinecrest Specialist

Pinecrest Fl Real Estate Market Report - November 2009

2009-12-04T10:44:00.003-05:00

In the month of November 16 homes were sold/closed.

The lowest closed sale price was $475,000 and the highest was $2,565,312

If you have any questions, just give me a call.

At the end of the month there were 203 homes on the market for sale in Pinecrest Fl with 30 homes under contract. In the past 6 month the number of homes for sale in Pinecrest Fl has been declining; this is another sign that the market is stabilizing.

As we come to the end of another year, I want to take this opportunity to wish you a very Happy Holiday Season.

Pinecrest FL Farmers Market

2009-11-30T11:43:00.003-05:00

The Pinecrest Farmers Market will be open Sunday, December 6th through April of 2010 from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. It's new location is Pinecrest Gardens at 5855 SW 111 Street, Pinecrest, FL.

For more information click here: Pinecrest Florida BLOG.

Pinecrest FL Market Report - October 2009

2009-11-05T11:20:00.006-05:00

As of October 31, 2009 there were 207 homes for sale in Pinecrest Florida.

39 homes were under contract

14 homes sold/closed in October

The highest closed sale price in October was $2,604,887 and the lowest sale was for $419,000.

Pinecrest FL Real Estate Report - September 2009

2009-10-05T10:50:00.004-04:00

As of the end of the month there were 215 homes for sale in Pinecrest Florida.

31 homes were under contract schedule to close.

In September, 18 homes were sold/closed.

September’s highest sale was for $1,900,000 lowest was for $482,500

I also invite you to visit PinecrestFloridaBLOG.com where I have written an expanded market report.

2009-09-17T13:21:00.004-04:00

Fairchild Gardens will open it's doors to "man's best friend" on Sunday, September 27th, 2009. If your dog is friendly and likes to socialize, take this opportunity to stroll through the gardens with her.

Pinecrest Florida Real Estate Report - August 31, 2009

2009-09-03T13:10:00.005-04:00

Currently there are 211 homes for sale in Pinecrest Florida.

42 homes are under contract schedule to close.

In August 18 contracts were closed/sold.

August’s highest sale was for $2,325,000 lowest was for $270,000

If you have any questions, just give me a call!

You Have to "Sell" Your Listing Price Three Times

2009-08-26T14:50:00.003-04:00

You have to price your property correctly right from the start to get it sold in a reasonable amount of time. Your Buyers are out there looking; they know the inventory. Their agents are checking the MLS constantly looking for new listings. If your listing matches the Buyer’s search criteria they will be visiting your property as soon as possible. To keep your property from sitting on the market for months and months, right from the start, it has to be ready to show, inside and out, and your listing price has to be correct; you are going to have to sell that listing price three times.

Please click here to read the rest of the article.

"Curb Appeal"

2009-08-25T14:34:00.003-04:00

I can't emphasize how important the curb appeal is in the selling of your home. Don´t let the outside turn buyers off before the inside turns them on! Quite often Buyers drive by and right then and there decide whether they want to visit inside or not. Click here for some suggestions.

Your Home Needs To Sparkle

2009-08-24T18:14:00.003-04:00

The day your home goes onto the MLS, it needs to SPARKLE! Your ready, willing and able Buyers will be visiting will be visiting within the first three weeks.

The importance of de-cluttering, cleanliness and smell can't be overemphasized. The Buyers need to see themselves living in your home; they should come in and feel comfortable, regardless of age, religion, or any other personal identifier. I will spend time with you making suggestions as to furniture placement, lighting ideas, etc. In the meantime, this is a great list to look over.

To My Surprise!

2009-08-18T20:33:00.001-04:00

Today I was surprised to have been informed that I am one of the top 1,000 Sales Associates for NRT. NRT operates under the banners of Coldwell Banker, ERA, Sotheby’s International Realty and The Corcoran Group.

"Perseverance. Determination. Resourcefulness…earned you the distinction of being named to NRT's Top 1,000 Sales Associates…Thank you for all you do to serve as a role model for both our company and our industry."

The full letter can be found here.

Pinecrest Florida Real Estate

2009-08-06T12:26:00.002-04:00

Pinecrest Florida Real Estate Market Report - July 31, 2009

Currently there are 223 homes for sale in Pinecrest Florida.

39 homes are under contract scheduled to close.

In July 12 contracts were closed/sold.

July's highest sale was for $2,250,000 lowest sale was for $412,000

Luxury Homes in Pinecrest Florida

2009-08-02T12:20:00.009-04:00

Luxury homes in Pinecrest Florida are starting to sell again! Typically the luxury market is the last to drop in price and the first to recover. I feel a sense of optimism and confidence in the economic recovery is stirring this market.

In writing this update I first had to define what a luxury home in Pinecrest Florida is. I first thought it would be a home built after 1995. After doing some research I found some very luxurious estates built well before that; so I couldn't use age to define the luxury market in Pinecrest Florida. So I figured, let's use price. With that parameter I found small, old homes on acre lots selling for well over one million dollars; that criteria was out. So I decided to define a luxury home in Pinecrest Florida as a home with over five thousand square feet of living space; that seems to be a good parameter.

Using a minimum five thousand square feet of living space as a criteria for defining a luxury home in Pinecrest Florida, these are how many have sold in the past five years: 2005 - 7 sold, 2006 - 41 sold, 2007 - 51 sold, 2008 - 30 sold, and in the first half of 2009 - 17 have sold and 7 are under contract to close. At this rate 2009 will surpass 2008.

The luxury home Buyer, as most all other home Buyers, wants to see "value" in their purchase. As an example let's look at, La Maison de Provence in Pinecrest Florida. It went on the market in June of 2007 for $4,700,000. It was reduced to $4,500,000 then to $4,200,000 then to $3,998,000 and sold in June of 2009 for $3,650,000.

On of my favorite luxury home in Pinecrest Florida currently for sale is a Mediterranean estate on Ludlam Road. It features six bedrooms, seven and a half baths, beautiful formal areas, a library/office, a huge game room with wet bar and a gorgeous back yard; 9,175 square feet of living space on a 45,302 square foot lot. It is currently on the market for $3,390,000; originally listed for $4,250,000.

If a luxury home in Pinecrest Florida might be in your future, please give me a call at 305-776-0010, visit my website at MarieStory.com or you can do some preliminary searching at Live MLS Search.

Originally published at www.PinecrestFloridaBlog.com

Villas of Pinecrest

2009-07-27T08:08:00.001-04:00

Villas of Pinecrest

On a Lighter Blog...Tenants!

2009-07-26T16:17:00.000-04:00

Last night I was at a friend’s house for ladies game night. At 10:30pm the phone rings and the hostess answers the phone, here’s the conversation:

Tenant: Bev, is John home? The security systems keeps going off and I can’t figure out how to turn it off.

Bev: I’m sorry John’s not home. But I don’t think you have a security system in your house; can it be the smoke detector?

Tenant: No, it’s not the smoke detector.

Bev: Well maybe the tenants before you had a security system put in, check around the walls and see if you see a security panel somewhere.

Tenant: O wait, I think it’s the doorbell.

2009-07-26T14:35:00.002-04:00

Please click on these links to read about The Reserve in Pinecrest Florida.

French Village in Pinecrest Fl

2009-07-25T09:45:00.001-04:00

French Village in Pinecrest Fl is the newest townhome community in Pinecrest Fl.

Swan Lake in Pinecrest Fl

2009-07-24T20:42:00.001-04:00

If you would like to read about the townhome community Swan Lake in Pinecrest Fl, click here: Swan Lake

Condos in Pinecrest FL

2009-07-23T15:44:00.008-04:00

Condos in Pinecrest Fl - we do have a few!

Vacant Land For Sale in Pinecrest Florida

2009-07-19T12:42:00.002-04:00

Vacant Land For Sale in Pinecrest Florida, and now priced better than ever! Now is the time to plan on building your dream home in Pinecrest Florida.

As we all know home prices have come down but I find that vacant land has come down even more. Here is an example; in 2005 a 38,000 square foot lot in the Pinecrest Elementary school district of Pinecrest Florida was sold for $1,170,000. Today a comparable lot in the same school district can be had for about $800,000 - that's about a 30% decrease in the price!

So if you are looking for vacant land for sale in Pinecrest Florida give me a call at 305-776-0010 or email me at Marie@MarieStory.com and I will gladly send you a list of all the vacant land for sale in Pinecrest Florida. Also feel free to visit my website at http://www.mariestory.com/ "The Real STORY in Real Estate"

Originally posted at Pinecrest Florida Blog

Short Sale and Foreclosed Properties in Pinecrest Fl - July

2009-07-16T19:11:00.002-04:00

Yes... there are still short sales and foreclosed property listing in Pinecrest Florida. Here is a snapshot of today's, July 16, 2009, short sale and foreclosed listings.

There are 17 short sale properties: A Buyers Guide

And 1 foreclosed property: A Buyers Guide

If you have any questions, just give me a call, (305) 776-0010 or if you want to search for properties yourself click here: Pinecrest Listings

Foreclosure Frenzy

2009-07-15T20:33:00.000-04:00

There are some terrific prices on foreclosed properties right now. There are homes for sale in Pinecrest Fl that are foreclosures. If you see one that you like, let me suggest a couple of things. First, be prepared with a preapproval letter in hand so that you can act quickly. Second, don’t be surprised if your agent suggests that you offer over list price.

I have been working with a couple for about four weeks now; they’re well qualified and ready to buy. We have submitted three offers on three different foreclosed properties and our offers have not been accepted because other buyers have offered more! Just yesterday our fourth offer was accepted on a foreclosed property; of course it was for more than list price and the property had been on the market for just one day when I had already submitted our offer.

So yes, there are some good buys out there. You just need to act quickly and submit your best offer right from the start.

Dog Park in Pinecrest FL

2009-07-09T12:26:00.002-04:00

Pinecrest FL might soon have it’s first “Dog Park”! The Village Council is considering turning the Veterans Wayside Park on US1 and 112 Street into a dog friendly park like Palmetto Bay did with their Wayside Park on US1 and 161 Street.

I think it would be a terrific idea since dogs aren’t allowed in any of our other parks here in Pinecrest. I sadly don’t have my beloved Bichon Frise, April, anymore, but I certainly would enjoy stopping by and visiting with some four legged friends.

Pinecrest Fl Homes Sold in June

2009-07-07T12:50:00.004-04:00

Pinecrest FL Real Estate Snapshot on June 30, 2009

Currently there are 233 homes for sale in Pinecrest Fl.
35 homes are under contract scheduled to close.
In June 22 contracts were closed/sold.
June’s highest sale was for $1,550,250 lowest sale was for $350,000.

As always, if you have any questions, just give me a call.

What to Ask Your Listing Agent

2009-06-26T16:58:00.003-04:00

When looking for an agent to sell your property you need to do your homework. The majority of agents are self employed and they are all very different from each other. Being self employed, they run their own business, even if they work under the same brokerage company. Unless you have received a trusted recommendation or are already knowledgeable with a particular agent, you need to interview at least two agents. Here are some questions you should ask of them and yourself:

1. How long have you been practicing real estate? Are you a full-time agent? This well let you know if real estate is their profession or it’s a part-time endeavor. How educated in her field is she, what titles and designations does she hold? How available will she be to me? What degree of personal service can I expect from you? Ex. Do you show your listings or do you send an assistant or other agent?

2. Does he specialize in the area where my property is located? If an agent says “I practice all over Miami (or any other large city)”, I’d be careful. Miami is a big city, how well can he know all the schools, all the traffic patterns, what values are doing in that particular area, which agents practice in the area, etc?

3. How will she market my property? How tech savvy is she? Show me. The majority of Buyers go to the internet first, how well will I be exposed there? Does she have a top notch web site – do all the links work? How easy can a Buyer get in touch with her?

You are inviting this agent into your home and into an important phase of your life, so in my opinion, the following “gut” questions are extremely important:

4. Do I feel comfortable; am I at ease with him? You will be working closely with your agent; can you speak freely with him or her? Is this a person of integrity, will I be treated honestly? When I ask questions does he give me a straight answer?

I hope these questions help you in your decision. When you choose a competent professional, she will work very hard to make sure that your transaction proceeds as smoothly as possible.

If you have any questions, please feel free to post them here!

Chinese Drywall - Not Always Disclosed

2009-06-26T16:01:00.001-04:00

Between 2004 and 2007 some builders were using “Chinese Drywall” in the construction of new homes. This drywall has been found to emit sulfide gases that can corrode electrical wiring, components of air-conditioning systems and other household appliances. It is extremely expensive to correct and it is questionable if a home owner’s policy will cover it. Currently I am not aware of what this gas can or has been doing to a person’s health living in one of these homes. But if it’s doing this to these systems I just can’t imagine what it can do to someone’s lungs.

If a homeowner knows that his property has Chinese Drywall he, and his real estate agent, must disclose it to any potential Buyer. The reason I write this today is because it has come to my knowledge that not all homeowners and agents are disclosing this and unsuspecting Buyers are buying these homes.

Let’s say that a house is put on the market and goes under contract. The Buyer has an inspection done and the inspection reveals Chinese Drywall. This condition is not acceptable to the Buyer and the Buyer withdraws his offer. Now at this point, both the Seller and real estate agent know the house has Chinese Drywall. The house gets put back on the market with no disclosure of this condition; hoping that the next Buyer doesn’t have an inspection made; after all the house looks so nice, just painted, new air conditioning system, etc, and at a terrific price!

Now when this unsuspecting Buyer buys this house and some time down the road the condition becomes evident, it will be hard for him to prove that the Seller and the real estate agent had knowledge of the Chinese Drywall.

So how do I know all this; a home inspector told me! He said to me that he’ll inspect a house, find Chinese Drywall, the contract falls through and some time later he’ll drive by the house and children are playing outside. He said that that makes him feel so bad because he is almost sure that those Buyers didn’t get the house inspected and that the Seller didn’t disclose his knowledge of the Chinese Drywall.

What should we all take away from this; if you are buying a home built between 2004 and 2007 please get it inspected. You might not smell or see anything suspicious but you still need an inspector to get up in the attic and inspect that drywall, look at the electrical system, get into the air conditioning system. Folks, the $400.000 or so that the inspection will cost you can save you a ton of misery.

Mango Festival

2009-06-23T16:01:00.005-04:00

This has been an exceptional year for mangoes here in Miami-Dade county. As I drive through Pinecrest I so enjoy looking at all the trees just loaded with mangoes.

For all you mango lovers - on July 11th and 12th, Fairchild Gardens will be having it's annual Mango Festival. The festival features mango trees, lectures, auction, food and a children's program.

I have attended several times and it's just such a nice family outing.

For more information click here: http://www.fairchildgarden.org/livingcollections/tropicalfruitprogram/Fairchilds17thAnnualInternationalMangoFestival/

Fourth of July Fireworks

2009-06-18T13:57:00.001-04:00

Pinecrest doesn't have any scheduled fireworks displays but our neighbors to the south, Cutler Bay, has a wonderful display every year at the Black Point Marina: 24775 SW 87 Avenue, 305-258-4092.

From Pinecrest, head south on Old Cutler Road, then make a left on SW 87th Avenue, the marina is at the end of the street. I have been going to this display for several years now and it is just beautiful. Please note - get there early!

Short Sale and Foreclosed Properties in Pinecrest Florida

2009-06-13T15:57:00.003-04:00

Yes... there are short sales and foreclosed property listing in Pinecrest Florida. Here is a snapshot of today's, June 13, 2009, listings.

17 short sale properties: A Buyers Guide

3 foreclosed properties: A Buyers Guide

If you have any questions, just give me a call.

Pinecrest Florida Real Estate

2009-06-04T12:27:00.002-04:00

Pinecrest Snapshot as of May 31, 2009

Currently there are 245 homes for sale in Pinecrest.
There are 44 under contract scheduled to close.
May's highest sale was for $2,300,000 lowest sale was for $350,000.

If you have any questions, just give me a call.

2009-05-27T17:19:00.005-04:00

Remember, most of South Florida is still under water restrictions imposed by the South Florida Water Management District. Whether you use municipal water or well water, the water is coming from the same water table – the restrictions apply to everyone! In Pinecrest the first citation costs $75.00, second $250.00 and third $500.00.

The regulations allow even-numbered homes to water from 12:01 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. on Thursdays and Sundays; odd-numbered homes on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Taste of Pinecrest

2009-02-28T15:08:00.000-05:00

The annual Taste of Pinecrest, a fun family day to support our local schools will take place Sunday, March 8th from 11 am to 5 pm at the beautiful Pinecrest Gardens. This is a fun-filled day for the whole family featuring entertainment, tastings from area restaurants and a children’s ride area. Parking and admission are free.

2007 VS 2008

2009-02-23T12:30:00.000-05:00

In Pinecrest in 2007 there were 150 listed properties sold with an average sale price of $1,454,808. In 2008 there were 136 listed properties sold with an average sale price of $1,116,094. As we all know, real estate is very local. In Miami-Dade County during the same time period there was a decline in sales price of 41%, while here in Pinecrest our decline was approximately 23%. Pinecrest continues to be a very desirable area making it a very good investment.

Wind Insurance

2009-02-11T09:41:00.000-05:00

Effective January 1, 2009, Citizens will not insure any residential structure located within the “Wind-Borne Debris Region” (all of Miami-Dade County)with an insured value of the structure of $750,000.00 or more that does not have shutters or other “opening protectors” on all openings. A property will be in compliance if the shutters or opening protectors comply with the Florida Building Code in effect at the time of installation.

This means that if you buy a single family home where the structure is worth more the $750,000.00 be sure that it has approved window protection or you might have a difficult time finding wind insurance.

Tree City USA

2009-02-09T15:14:00.003-05:00

From our mayor's office:
"On Friday, January 30th your Council and I marked the official designation of the Village of Pinecrest as an official Tree City USA - installing a sign so designating us on Ludlam road near Old Cutler Road. The event celebrated the Village of Pinecrest's acceptance into the Tree City USA program, sponsored by the National Arbor Day Foundation This was not an award as much as a commitment the Village is making to continue to value its trees as an important component of residents' quality of life. Since the Village's founding, we have planted more than 12,000 trees in public spaces including swales, parks and the U.S. 1 median. Most of them were planted during an intensive six-year effort in which we invested $250,000 annually in new plantings."

Pinecrest Mayor E-News

2009-01-15T11:22:00.001-05:00

Our new mayor, Cindy Lerner, has launched a monthly electronic newsletter to improve communication with the Pinecrest residents. In it she will update us on important issues, village council news, various capital projects, community center and public library programs and events. There will also be a calendar of events. To subscribe, please visit www.pinecrest-fl.gov and click on “sign up”.

Pinecrest Florida Library

2008-12-04T09:51:00.000-05:00

Our Big, Beautiful and Bright Pinecrest Library is now open! I visited last night and was so pleased with the facilities. An adult book club has formed; it will meet the first Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the library. If you like to read and share – sign up; I did!

Home Buyers Safety Net

2008-08-29T10:43:00.002-04:00

Yes, there are some homes currently for sale that are overpriced for today’s market. As a Buyer, you have a couple of safety nets to protect you from overpaying for a property.

First, make sure you are working with an agent who knows the area you are interested in very well. Your agent will have a good idea of what a property is worth and also be able to provide you with a comparable market analysis of the property you are considering.

Secondly, your mortgage company will send out an appraiser to appraise the property you have put a contract on. With all the foreclosures, short sales and mortgage fraud situations we are dealing with now; it is not very likely that an appraiser will appraise a property for more than what it’s worth in today’s market! Should a property not appraise at or above the contract price, you do not have to go forward with the purchase or you and the Seller can renegotiate the purchase price.

So Buyer’s yes, it is a very good time to be buying.

What is a 1031 Exchange

2008-08-24T09:28:00.000-04:00

A 1031 exchange allows you to sell one or more investment properties (not your primary residence) and purchase one or more investment properties, allowing for the deferment of capital gain taxes that would otherwise have been due on the first sale.
It’s a rollover of the equity in your investment properties allowing you to continue building wealth while deferring the tax.
If you think you would like to take advantage of a 1031 Exchange or if you have any questions, feel free to give me a call.

Fairchild Tropical Gardens

2008-07-31T13:12:00.003-04:00

Fairchild Tropical Gardens, one of the most beautiful gardens in South Florida, invites you to visit for FREE every Sunday in August. So pack a picnic lunch and spend a wonderful day with your family and friends.

The gardens are at 10901 Old Cutler Road, Coral Gables, for more information you can call them at 305-667-1651

Amendment 1 and You

2008-07-31T09:09:00.002-04:00

If you are a Florida homeowner and are thinking of moving to another home within the state of Florida, now is a great time to do so. Since Amendment 1 passed, you are allowed to take your property tax cap with you when you move, while also doubling the previous exemption for most homestead properties to $50,000.

With interest rates still low and the selection of homes plentiful, this just might be the right time for you to make that move. If you have any questions, please feel free to give me a call - 305-776-0010.

Foreclosure VS Short Sales

2008-06-24T21:38:00.002-04:00

The main difference between writing a contract to buy a Foreclosed property (a property that is owned by an institution) and a Short Sale property (property that is in a financial stress but has not been foreclosed on yet) is control of the process.
Here are two contracts I am currently working on:

1. On May 8th I presented the listing agent a contract to purchase a Short Sale property. On May 12th the contract was accepted by the Sellers. The listing agent sent the contract to the mortgage company for their review and possible acceptance, rejection or counteroffer. To this date, June 24th, we have absolutely no idea if this contract will go through or not; Mortgage Company hasn’t made any decision. In the meantime, the Buyer has his earnest money tied up. This contract is totally in the hands of the mortgage company and they call ALL the shots.

2. On June 4th I presented the listing agent a contract to purchase a Foreclosed property. On June 18th I was advised that the mortgage company accepted the offer and we will close within the next two weeks.

Both contracts would be good “deals” for the Buyers. But obviously Buyer #2 is a happy camper and Buyer #1 is out in limbo.
There is more to the mechanics of these two purchases, so if you would like to talk to me about Foreclosed and Shot Sale properties – just give me a call.

Pinecrest Community Center

2008-05-29T21:43:00.001-04:00

A dedication ceremony will be held for the new Pinecrest Community Center at 5855 SW 111 St., on Saturday, May 31, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. Meet and mingle with the village council and tour our new facility. See you there!

10% Discount for 10 Days Sale

2008-05-29T20:02:00.002-04:00

One of my readers asked me the following question; I felt merited it's own posting:

I love your Blog and page, thanks for the info. Any thoughts on the recent 10% discount for 10 days from Coldwell Banker on certain houses? What does this mean for the market in s. florida and in pinecrest?

I am so glad you are enjoying the BLOG! Coldwell Banker has held these “10% discount for 10 days” sales in other parts of Florida and they have been very successful.
I think the three L’s of real estate should be replaced with the three P’s – Price, Price, Price. Properly priced properties (three P’s again!) sell. For folks looking to buy, you can’t ask for a better time. The selection is great and interest rates are still very attractive. Also, I have noticed that since the tax portability amendment passed, I am speaking with more homeowners ready to make an inter Miami-Dade county move.
I wish I knew for sure what all this means to the Pinecrest market, but all I can do is share with you my opinion. I feel that if we haven’t bottomed out already here in Pinecrest, we are very close to doing so. I’m seeing prices in the 2003-2004 range. I believe we will have a period of at least 12 months of a flat market before we see any upward movement. I am advising homeowners, if they do not have to sell – don’t; especially those that bought after 2004. If they do need to sell, I remind them that wherever they’re going to purchase next, most likely the prices have come down there also. So yes, you didn’t make as much as you wanted to on your sale, but you’re not going to pay as much on your purchase.
Real estate is local and cyclical…and this too shall pass.

The Disappearing Real Estate Agents

2008-04-04T09:36:00.002-04:00

In 2003 I performed a search to see how many actively licensed real estate agents there were in the 33156 area, this is primarily Pinecrest Florida. There were fourteen pages of just names and license numbers. A few months ago I ran the same search and came up with six pages of names and license numbers. What does this mean? Well, I’m sure that some have retired and some have moved away, but pretty much this means that those folks who entered this field for the wrong reasons are gone. They are back doing what they used to do.

If you’re going to be working with a REALTOR, as a Buyer or a Seller, the minimum you should ask an agent is; how many consecutive years have you been a full time real estate agent and how many National Association of REALTOR (NAR) recognized designations (not company designations or certificates) do you hold?

Real estate school mainly teaches you how to pass the state exam. I think that getting a real estate license is a very easy thing to do. But, to be a good real estate agent - that takes time and experience! In my opinion, one needs at least three years of being a full time real estate agent to really understand the business.

REALTORS who have NAR designations are educated professionals who have studied and invested their time and money to earn their designations. They are truly dedicated professionals who value education and the higher standard of service they provide their clients.

So once you have found an agent that meets these two criteria’s – listen!

2007 Pinecrest New Home Sales

2008-03-16T16:10:00.001-04:00

If you price it right – they will buy. As with all properties; properly pricing a property was key in the 2007 new homes sales market in Pinecrest. I have just finished a market study of new homes sales in Pinecrest and found that 18 new homes were sold in 2007. The highest price per adjusted square foot, as per the Miami-Dade county tax rolls, was $498.75, the lowest $242.46 with an average price of $377.96 per adjusted square foot. The sales price of a new home in Pinecrest ranged from $1,800,000 to $4,000,000 with an average sales price of $3,193,315.
Important factors in the new home sales market are location, quality and amenities. Features that were once optional such as top of the line kitchen appliances, elevators, large master suites with beverage centers and a minimum of a three car garage are now expected in these upper priced estates.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to give me a call at 305-776-0010

Why I Haven't Called YOU!

2008-03-06T20:51:00.002-05:00

I really dislike telemarketers and I feel that the majority of folks do too. Some agents are taught that real estate is a numbers game and that the more calls you make the higher the odds are that you’ll get a listing appointment.

Because I respect your time and privacy I chose very early in my career that I would never “cold call” a homeowner or pay someone to “cold call” on my behalf. I practice in Pinecrest, I market to Pinecrest and if you search for Pinecrest Florida Real Estate on the internet - I can be easily found!

At home I know you want your peace and privacy; just like I do. So, when you want to speak to a true real estate professional – YOU just give me a call 305-776-0010.

To Rent or To Buy

2007-11-29T21:37:00.001-05:00

Lately I'm asked that question often. If your rent would be $1,000 to maybe $2,000 per month, renting would be OK. But in Pinecrest, at this time, the average rent is $5,000 per month. When clients ask me whether to rent or buy, first I ask them if they plan on staying in the area for at least two years. If they are, I let them know that a years' lease will cost them $60,000.

When you take into account what leasing will cost and the tax advantages of owning your home, it usually makes financial sense to buy - even if the market goes down a bit more, you will probably still come out ahead. And who can put a price tag on the pleasure of home ownership!

Home Inspection for the Seller

2007-11-26T19:25:00.000-05:00

Most inspections are conducted on Buyers’ behalf during the purchase process, but a prelisting inspection for the seller can also be beneficial in saving you a lot of money and stress. It can identify areas of concern that need to be addressed before the sale.
Some of the items that will be inspected are the electrical and plumbing systems, roofs, walls, floors, ceilings, air conditioning system, water heater, windows, doors, built-in appliances, pool, and fences.
Even though Buyers should have their own inspections, Seller inspections are valuable. For example, if some roof tiles are reported missing, you can make the repairs affordably rather than wait on a Buyers report suggesting the entire roof be replaced!
If you would like the names of home inspectors, give me a call.

Poodle, Retriever, Maltese or Mix Breed?

2007-11-25T22:23:00.000-05:00

My dearest friend is a “cat” person. Now to my great surprise and delight, since I’m a “dog” person, she told me that she would like to someday have a dog. She is 54 years old and has never owned a dog.
My baby girl was April, she was a Bichon Frise. I was blessed to have had her in my life for 13 years. I loved her so much that one day Marty said to me, “Mom, I think you love April more than me”.
I replied, “No sweetheart, I don’t love April more than you – but you’re awfully close!”
My question to you is, what kind dog would you recommend to my friend, and why?

Alphabet Soup

2007-11-15T09:51:00.000-05:00

November is Realtor® Designation Awareness Month; I want to shed some light on what all those initials mean. They look like alphabet soup, but these designations mean a stockpot brimming with experience, know-how and commitment. Being a good real estate agent means being a perpetual student. The more educated your agent is, the better their ability to represent your best interests.

The National Association of Realtors® (NAR) offers 21 officially endorsed designations and certifications to their members. Most good Realtors have at least one designation that they proudly display, some even hold a Brokers license. These designations mean the Realtor has a particular interest in a field and has taken the coursework required to earn that designation. For example:
ABR (Accredited Buyer Representative) shows advanced training, skills and experience for working with Buyers.
CIPS (Certified International Property Specialist) studies tax implications, customs, currency, legal aspects, global trends, etc.; a select group of Realtors that can assist you in buying or selling anywhere in the world.

To find agents that specialize in resort, commercial, international, residential, management, or many other specialties, visit http://www.realtor.org/runivers.nsf/pages/designation for a list of all NAR designations and links to each designation’s website.

Veterans Day in Pinecrest

2007-11-03T17:25:00.001-04:00

Let's give thanks and remember all our veterans. After many months of work on the park, on Monday, November 12th the Veterans Wayside Park will be re-dedicated. The ceremony will start at 11:00 a.m. Our mayor, council members and area veterans' groups will be there. The park is located on 112th Street and South Dixie Highway (US 1). You are all invited.

Happy Veterans Day, Love, Mom

Cpl. Martin Story, USMC

Zestimates & Others

2007-11-03T17:20:00.001-04:00

Folks, please be careful when using Zestimate or any other computer generated valuation system. These programs can only use raw numbers and that is OK to get a general idea of what your property is worth. They are fun and can sometimes give you a ballpark figure of your property's value.

These programs have never been to your neighborhood or have seen your property - is it on a busy street, don't take into account whether your property is updated or not, and so many other factors that need to be taken into consideration when pricing a property. Real estate is a local business and pricing isn't totally black and white. If you're going to put your property on the market for sale, you need a professionals analysis of your property; either by hiring an appraiser or an experienced real estate agent.

The Village of Pinecrest Florida

2007-11-03T17:10:00.001-04:00

The Village of Pinecrest is a beautiful eight square mile city within Miami-Dade County. Pinecrest was officially incorporated in March of 1996. During the 1950's and 1960's many ranch style homes were built on acre lots. Today, many of these homes have been updated or are being replaced with gorgeous mansions and lovely gardens. Pinecrest has its own governing council, police department and newspaper.
Location, location, location...Pinecrest is adjacent to Coral Gables and though no major roads run through Pinecrest, we are very conveniently located to the expressways and the turnpike. The metro rail system is also a wonderful option we Pinecrest residents have to go downtown or to bayside. We're just minutes from hospitals, universities, downtown Miami, the Miami International Airport and the beaches!
We are close to all the conveniences and amenities of Miami, yet we maintain a wonderful community atmosphere. We have a wonderful mix of ages and cultures here; approximately 20,000 people live in Pinecrest. Our price range is from $400,000 to $5,000,000. Families, and celebrities, are drawn to Pinecrest because of the top rated public and private schools. It's an easy place to get to know people and enjoy the south Florida lifestyle. That small town feeling can be found at one of our parks, shopping centers or at the popular Pinecrest Gardens.
I practice exclusively in Pinecrest, so if you have a question, visit my website http://www.mariestory.com/

Pinecrest Real Estate

2005-09-05T14:44:00.001-04:00

Hello, I have just started this blog to communicate with folks interested in Pinecrest Fl real estate. I am an Associate Broker with Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate in Pinecrest. We are the number 1 office in Miami-Dade county. So if your looking for Pinecrest Fl homes for sale, give me a call or you can visit my website at www.PinecrestFLA.com.