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March 18, 2013

New Credit Criteria May Help Buyers and Renters

A new credit scoring system will potentially offer credit applicants a boost in their rating and help establish credit for people who previously had little to no credit history. The three major credit bureaus, Experian, Equifax and Transunion, will begin using the latest version of the VantageScore, the credit score they created.  According to John Ulzheimer, […]
March 18, 2013

Five Ways to Boost Your Credit Score

Do you have a FICO credit score under 620 points? If you do, you are probably making significantly higher payments for your auto loan, student loan interest charges, mortgage, credit cards and even auto and life insurance.  Insurance rates are tied, in part, to your credit rating.   Here’s the breakdown on what a credit score is based on, according to CNN Money: 35% on payment history. 30%  on the amount […]
March 17, 2013

Cibo Wine Bar – Pasta Plenty on Miracle Mile

The newest Italian eatery on Miracle Mile in Coral Gables was jam packed Saturday night and super noisy but we were able to shout through the hustle bustle and enjoy the evening. We were served Italian bread with nothing of interest to dip or smear.  It took quite a few requests to receive the olive oil.  Our group […]
March 15, 2013

Average Price a of Home in The Village of Pinecrest

Pinecrest Real Estate is More Expensive… I was just looking at the numbers for home sales from January to March 15th of this year and am astounded at how much the average price of a home has jumped in 2013.  The average sale price has increased from $746,636.00 to $1,229,740.00, a whopping $484,104.00 difference.   There have been 25 homes that […]
March 11, 2013

The Only Way to Buy a Condo in Pinecrest

CASH.  Condos under $250,000 are being bought by local and foreign investors for cash.   No cash – no deal.  If you add a finance contingency, you can just about forget it.  Sellers are receiving multiple offers and can pick and choose from the highest and best offer – for cash. In fact, sellers are receiving above […]
March 11, 2013

Gables Estates Update – On the Waterfront

Gables Estates, the privately gated waterfront community east of Old Cutler Road, between 80th St and 92nd St. currently has 12 homes for sale.  Most of these residential estates have been on the market for only two to three months, suggesting that luxury waterfront property is selling in Miami.  Properties for sale in this exclusive community range between a ten bedroom, […]
March 11, 2013

Miami City Ballet – The Masters

The Miami City Ballet (MCB) performed their Program III, The Masters, on Sunday at the Adrienne Arsht Center and it was wonderful.  With new Artistic Director Lourdes Lopez in charge this season, MCB has stayed true to form, continuing with outgoing Artistic Director Edward Villella’s vision in presenting three George Ballanchine ballets as the cornerstone of the program. […]
March 9, 2013

Divorce and Home Sales Can be a Legal Mess

I recently represented the buyer in the purchase of a condo.  After a lengthy contract negotiation, with both sides in full agreement, the seller added a stipulation to the contract that the sale was contingent on her divorce.  The listing agent suggested that this was a minor change to the contract, but I knew immediately that it was a significant problem.  After reviewing the […]
March 4, 2013

Gables by the Sea Update

Gables by the Sea, a lovely Coral Gables community on the water, has fifteen homes for sale as of March, 2013.  The most expensive listing is a 6 bedroom, 5 bathroom contemporary beauty that has 7,765 SF with fabulous views of Biscayne Bay, offered at a list price of $8,999,000.00 (a whopping $1,159/SF).  The lowest […]