South Florida Living

Chasing Down The Market Never Works

October 5th, 2018 Categories: South Florida Living

OK. You want to sell your home. You want to get the most money for it. You have some flexibility with your time and don’t mind waiting a few months for the right buyer to come along. As a matter of fact, you’re convinced that’s all it will take. Time.

Time can be your worst enemy when selling a house.

You call a real estate agent. She tells you your home is worth about $310,000 but you really, really want to get more money so you insist on listing it for $335,000. After all, your home is in impeccable condition and who wouldn’t see that? Nothing needs to be done to your house. Anyone buying it can just move in and start enjoying the gorgeous pool area.

The real estate agent does not think it is a good idea to list the home at $25,000 above what she thinks it’s worth. She knows that the most interest on a new listing is generated when it shows up on the MLS for the first time. The first 30 days are crucial. But you somehow manage to convince her to “just give it a try.” You really do believe your home is worth $335,000. Well, at the very least, you know you want to sell it for that much.

The home gets listed on the MLS at $335,000. It is now the most expensive house listed in your neighborhood. Similar homes are listed at $305,000. Similar homes without a pool are listed at $295,000. Yours is listed at the highest price and you’re proud of it.

Two days later a real estate agent with a buyer calls your REALTOR® and schedules a showing. That same day they tour the home. They agree with you on the condition of the house. It’s impeccable.

That evening an offer gets faxed over to your agent.

She calls to tell you they placed an offer of $305,000 and want to close in 30 days. The agent tells you this is a fabulous offer.

You’re insulted.

You’re so insulted you don’t even want to counter-offer. You forget that your agent told you she thought the house was worth $310,000. You’re convinced it’s worth more. You just need to wait a bit for the right buyer to come along. It’s only been on the market for 2 days, after all. Let’s wait and see who else is out there looking at homes.

During the next 30 days, the home gets shown 6 more times. No one else makes an offer on it. Another month passes and it gets shown 3 more times. Another offer comes in at $280,000. Well! That is not exactly what you had been waiting for so you ask the agent to tell them, thanks but no thanks.

But now you’re wondering if maybe your agent was right about the $335,000 being too high. Begrudgingly you agree to drop the price

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Nearly Free & Humane Lizard Catcher – My Best Miami Friend

May 27th, 2017 Categories: Random Thoughts, South Florida Living

I moved to Miami 16 years ago. I loved nearly everything about it. I say nearly because in addition to the sunshine, ocean breezes, palm trees and sublime winters, I also got lizards. I don’t like lizards. I mean, I don’t hate them, but I don’t want them sharing space with me.

I made a deal with the lizards. They can have the outdoors and the indoor space is mine. After all, they were here before I was and have every right to live their lives in their natural habitat.  The problem is that the little critters haven’t been good about sticking to their end of the bargain. I find them indoors occasionally and find myself having to evict them.  It’s not always easy. OK, OK, it’s not ever easy.

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Wine on Harvest Moon Back at Deering Estate

October 9th, 2014 Categories: Entertainment, Palmetto Bay, South Florida Living

Palmetto Bay – Wine on Harvest Moon is back for its annual appearance at the Deering Estate!  The Deering Estate Foundation is hosting its 13th annual Wine on Harvest Moon event this Saturday, October 11th, from 7:30 to 10:30.  Tickets are limited so make sure to get yours in time.  Information can be found at www.deeringestate.org or by calling 305.235.1668 X263.  Wunderbar!

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Luxury Homes For Our Canine Friends in Miami

March 28th, 2010 Categories: Local Resources, South Florida Living

No, this is not my latest listing in Pinecrest.  This is one of the cutest dog houses I’ve ever seen!  I was driving west on 152^nd Street and had to do a 180 so I could appreciate these little homes closer.  They impressed me to no end.

The luxury dog houses are created by Ricardo and Janeth.  He is a master carpenter who specializes in custom yacht carpentry.  As the luxury market had dwindled a bit, so did the amenities associated with it.  In a moment of inspiration they decided to make custom homes for our furry friends.

My precious Fifi and Lola would love to live in any one of these homes.  There’s the little red shingled barn, a boat house with its crisp white paint, chimney stack and shiny golden anchor (look at those porthole windows!), and the stone villa, with its textured walls, and windowed gable.  Sooooo cute!

The attention to detail in these homes is impressive.  To order your own custom home for your furry best friend, you can contact Ricardo or Janeth at 786.285.9431 and tell them Maggie sent you.

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Family Heads Back to South Florida

February 16th, 2010 Categories: About, Random Thoughts, South Florida Living, The Redland

In the past few years there’s been so much talk of people leaving south Florida and heading north.  It seemed that was all I heard a few years back.  But homes have become affordable once again in Miami and surrounding areas.

I read an interesting story of a family who headed to North Dakota lured by the promise of small town life, sweetened by the offer of free land and money to get their home purchase on its way.

It’s been four years since the Tristanis moved and they’re apparently trying to come back to south Florida.  The beautiful weather here is just one of the many reasons.

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Knaus Berry Farm Reopened

November 21st, 2007 Categories: Entertainment, South Florida Living

Knaus Berry Farm opened up for the season in the Redland last week. I stopped there over the weekend (which, of course, means Saturday since they are closed on Sundays) and it was like they never closed.

The place was packed with cars. The line to get a milkshake was enough to make the Dairy Queen down the road green with envy.

I have to admit that I didn’t bother buying anything. The line was too long and their baked goods are good but I can stop in during the week when it’s less busy.

Knaus Berry Farm is often, and erroneously, referred to as “the Amish Farm.” They’re not Amish, they’ll point out if you ask. They’re German Brethren. They’ve been here for years and are quite the attraction. They sell homebaked goods as well as produce and their milkshakes are thick enough to stand a spoon up in (and you may want to use a spoon to get them going and save your facial muscles the workout).

They are open for business mid November to right before Easter and then leave us until the next year (notice a trend? They like to miss hurricane season. lol) They are closed on Sundays.

• Knaus Berry Farm
• SW 160th Ave & 248th Street
• 305-247-0668

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