Very Last Day To Register To Vote

December 31st, 2007 Categories: Community News, Coral Gables, Cutler Bay, Florida City, Homestead, Kendall, Palmetto Bay, Pinecrest, Southwest Dade

If you’d like to vote in the upcoming Presidential Preference Primary election on January 29th and you are not registered to vote, today is the last day you can register.

You’ll have to do it in person.

Fill out the voter registration form and take it with proper ID to your local driver’s license office, a voter registration agency, an armed forces recruitment office, the Division of Elections, or the office of any Supervisor of Elections.

Do your part!

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Ruth Vander Zee Book Signing

November 23rd, 2007 Categories: Coral Gables, Entertainment, Southwest Dade

One of the many benefits I’ve gained by living in the Redland are the friends I’ve made. One such dear friend is Ruth Vander Zee.

Ruth is the author of critically acclaimed books, Erika’s Story, Mississippi Morning, Eli Remembers & Always With You.

Ruth will be having a book signing for Eli Remembers at Books and Books in Coral Gables this Sunday at 4:00 PM.

This is a wonderful opportunity to meet this talented writer and exceptional person. Speaking to Ruth is like sitting down to tea with an old friend from the very first time you speak with her.

• Ruth Vander Zee
• Eli Remembers
• Sunday, 11/25/07 4:00PM
• Books & Books
• 265 Aragon Avenue
• Coral Gables, FL
• 305.442.4408

Spoken by Chris Hotz | Discussion: No Comments »

Do You Not Understand Its Mortgage Fraud?

August 18th, 2007 Categories: Coral Gables, Cutler Bay, Florida City, For Buyers, For Sellers, Homestead, Kendall, Palmetto Bay, Pinecrest, Real Estate Chatter, Southwest Dade

I like selling real estate in the Miami Redland. I’ve met some great people in my business. I’ve helped lots of folks and knowing I’ve done a good job is extremely satisfying to me.

Yesterday I didn’t like one of the people who contacted me. I was on my way to a meeting in Aventura and driving on I-95. I’m not that familiar with the area and was keeping an eye on the exits.

My phone rang and I answered, “Hello, this is Maggie!” The gentleman on the phone asked me about some homes in an area of Homestead. I told him that I didn’t have homes available specifically where he said but a little further away I have a development listed with 15 homes still available for sale and affordable.

He asked me for the prices and if there were any incentives. I answered all his questions and he said something about wanting “cash back.” I told him we were not offering cash back at closing. I went even further and told him it was mortgage fraud and illegal.

He said to let him worry about that. He asked me again for the prices. I repeated them. “What will they appraise at?” he asked me. OK, now I see he’s trying to skin the cat a different way. I know where he’s headed with this.

I tried really hard to not sound arrogant when I replied, “they will appraise at what they’re priced at. If they were to appraise higher, we would be selling them for more money.” Now this may seem like common sense, but I did understand where he was headed. He’s familiar with appraisals that come in, magically, at numbers that are inflated. These inflated appraisals are key in being able to commit mortgage fraud. I guess he thinks he knows my business better than I do.

Mr. Cash Back must have realized that my patience was wearing thin. He told me he’d call me back if he decided to look at these homes. I’m happy if he loses my phone number. The only orange I look good in is perhaps an orange scarf. An entire jumpsuit might be a bit much. Besides that, I worked hard for my license and am actually proud of it. I won’t be risking losing it anytime soon.

By the time I hung up I realized I had passed my exit by 5 miles. Dagnabit!

Spoken by Chris Hotz | Discussion: 10 Comments »

Miami-Dade Market Report $300K - $400K Range

July 9th, 2007 Categories: Cutler Bay, Florida City, Homestead, Kendall, Market Trends, Palmetto Bay, Pinecrest, Southwest Dade

If anyone thinks the market is changing in Miami-Dade county I’d like to present this visual. It is changing, but not for the better, it seems, at least in this price point.

This graph represents homes for sale in Miami-Dade County vs. Homes Sold. I limited the data to homes in the 300K to 400k range. Notice the change in the figures for last month. The inventory of homes for sale went up while the number of homes sold that month went down in comparison to the month before.

These figures illustrate how important it is to price your home correctly. The inventory home sellers are competing with is increasing while the available buyers is decreasing.

If you need more information on pricing your home for sale, please contact me for a free, no-obligation market analysis of your home’s value. I am here to help you with your real estate needs.

Spoken by Chris Hotz | Discussion: No Comments »

Limewood Grove Homes in Southwest Miami, Florida

June 7th, 2007 Categories: Limewood Grove, Southwest Dade

Limewood Grove is a community of homes in Southwest Miami-Dade County. It consists of 239 homes. Most of the homes were built between 1990 and 1993. The majority of the homes have the typical Spanish feel with stucco and barrel tile roofs. Limewood Grove is a desirable, quiet community which has appreciated steadily and held it’s property values. The westernmost boundary is on SW 147 Avenue with SW 144th Court on the East, SW 160th Street on the North and SW 166th Terrace on the South.

There are presently 11 homes for sale in Limewood Grove and they range in price from $375,000 to $485,000. Five of the homes for sale in Limewood Grove have swimming pools and the lots range in size from 7,500 sf to 12, 407 sf.

There is 1 home under contract in Limewood Grove and it was listed at $379,900. In the last 6 months there were two sales of homes in Limewood Grove. One in November at $370,000 and one in January at $465,000. They were both 4 bedroom/2 bath homes with over 2800 sf of living area. The more expensive home sat on a premium corner lot of Limewood Grove and had a pool and whirlpool.

There is no association fee in Limewood Grove yet the community is kept as well as many communities with associations. Pride of ownership is evident throughout Limewood Grove. Just a mile or so South of Limewood Grove is the historical Redland area of Miami. There is shopping close by as well as recreation, wonderful schools and houses of worship. Local parks are only blocks away and the fabulous Miami Metrozoo is a 6 minute ride away. The Florida Turnpike is only 8 minutes away and the exit is #13, SW 152 Street, Coral Reef. Once on the Turnpike, most things are only minutes away, Homestead and the glorious Florida Keys to the South and Coral Gables and Coconut Grove to the North.

If you are looking to buy or sell a home in Limewood Grove contact a REALTOR who specializes in the Southwest Miami-Dade area. Is your REALTOR a sales associate or a licensed broker? I’ve continued my education and obtained Licensed Real Estate Broker status to better serve the needs of my customers. Call me today to see how I can help you with your real estate needs. If you’re not ready to take make a move yet, visit my website at your leisure and benefit from the many resources available there.

Spoken by Chris Hotz | Discussion: No Comments »

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