1. Neighborhoods of Interest

Do you want to be in a family friendly neighborhood like Pinecrest or Palmetto Bay or a historic, centrally located Coral Gables or maybe you crave the bohemian lifestyle in Coconut Grove? Narrow down the communities which interest you to make your results most relevant.

2. Budget

How much of a monthly mortgage can you afford? Keep in mind insurance, property taxes and initial closing costs. Use this mortgage calculator to provide a general idea of property price ranges you should be focusing on.

If working with Carole, she can recommend a list of trusted mortgage brokers to assist with financing and budget information.

3. Property Wish List

Are you looking for a home or a condo? How many bedrooms and bathrooms? Would you like a pool, a media room, water views, a gourmet kitchen, a sizable lot? So many items to consider…take your time to carefully prioritize your wish list to ensure finding your dream home.

Use our Dream Home Finder Home Finder.

4. Good Buy: Buying a home in today's real estate market.

There’s an elephant in the room. Maybe a herd. Is it a good time to buy real estate in the ailing Miami market, you ask?

Definitely. We are currently experiencing a normalization of property values which translates into a buyer’s market with exceptional housing prices to be had coupled with low interest rates. A winning combination.

A February 2008 article featured in Time Magazine entitled “Ignore the Headlines” explains that there is no benefit to waiting another year for home prices to decline further.

If you are financing a percentage of your Miami home purchase, capitalizing on low interest rates as you can see from the example above is paramount.

A buyer’s market in conjunction with a savvy, experienced Realtor like Carole Smith is winning combination.