What to expect from the real estate market in 2021?

 

After a year as complicated as 2020, and with the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic, the real estate market has undergone some changes and there are some trends for 2021.

In 2021 there is more interest in buying homes rather than renting. More spacious homes with outdoor spaces, etc., will be sought after.

The consequences of COVID-19 may last throughout 2021, so the real estate sector will have to face new challenges to adapt to this situation.

 

1.    There will be stability in sales and purchases

November 2020 marked a turning point, recovering the downward trend in housing prices.

2.    Investing in housing

Buying a house as a safe and stable investment is still a good option. The most attractive properties to invest in are those in good condition and with a good location.

3.    Properties with offices

Properties with offices will be those most in demand. With the pandemic, and work at home, properties that have offices will be the most sought after, as for now it seems that the pandemic will not end soon.

People prefer buying rather than renting, this gives them more security.

In addition, they prefer properties with free spaces and offices where they can work from home.

Condos or single-family homes? How can you choose the best one for you?

 

Everyone thinks that buying a condo or apartment is a great option. Like any investment, it has its pros and cons. But most people also don't know that condos can't be bought with government help. These grants generally exclude condos and mobile homes. Another thing they don't know is that, for that reason, they must pay more money at the time of closing the purchase, since the type of loan that most people approve for that type of property is conventional. This type of loan generally requires a higher percentage than the FHA loan type.

 

First of all, apartment prices in Florida have gone up. Second, most condos will require the payment of the condo fee and the HOA fee. For that reason, the price that appears to be so affordable goes up when those two additional fees get added to the payment. Most people who buy apartments are investors who lease them, for example, as vacation villas.

 

In the case of houses, called single-family homes, it is the preferred alternative for people who want to have their own home. Also, they are energy efficient, making the owners save money.

Coral Gables, the Perfect Place for You and Your Family

Having kids is one of the biggest joys in life, but it does change everything! It’s unbelievable how such small creatures can occupy so much space, and how suddenly they make your home feel much smaller and less spacious even in their first months of age. If you have small children, you are probably thinking about getting a new place, and Coral Gables is the perfect choice for you and your family.

But, exactly, which would be the ideal property to invest in if you have small children? Well, this is what you should aim for: 

1. Sufficient space: this might sound obvious, but sufficient space doesn’t just mean “bigger”. It’s very important that you buy your next home thinking ahead. Maybe you want more children in the future, and in that case, a third or fourth room should be in your plans. Spacious living rooms and kitchens are ideal for toddlers and small kids because they tend to follow you around, and tripping on them and their toys is inevitable if you don’t have enough space.

2. Available outdoors activities nearby: small children are full of energy, and having them inside during long periods of time can get exhausting for you because they get anxious and restless. The ideal scenario would be a park within the building (plenty available in Coral Gables) or a park in the neighborhood where you could take your children and get some fresh air while they play around, run and use all that extra energy.

3. Pet-Friendly Building: maybe you are an animal lover, maybe you are not, but the truth is, there comes a moment in every child’s life when they ask for a pet (most likely a dog or a cat), and because we want them to be happy, we will totally get one for them. But you need to know that pets aren’t allowed in every building in Coral Gables, some have strict rules about this matter, and if getting one is in your plans, this is something that you need to consider before buying your next home.

Gables Riches will help you find the perfect place for you and your family. Contact us and let us know about your plans, what you are aiming for, your budget, and we will help you in every way we can so you and your family get exactly what you need. Feel free to contact us anytime so we can start looking for your next home!

Tips for a Safer Home

Few things are more exciting than moving to a new home, especially if it is your first home. And when it comes to what it’s ours, our family and our loved ones, there’s no such thing as “too many” security measures. In this article, we are going to give you some tips about security and how to keep your home safe in every possible way.

Neighborhood security has always been a priority for homebuyers, right next to finding an affordable home. Recent surveys have shown that 78% of the respondents felt like it was very important to replace or rekey their new home’s lock after moving in, which might sound a little bit obvious, but until the 1990s, only 50% felt this way. What changed? Is it a rising paranoia?

Justified or not, families keep investing in security measures every year and everywhere in America. Like we said, you can’t be “too safe” when it comes to your family’s wellbeing.

If you think that your home could probably be safer, here are some tips to finally achieve that peace of mind that you’ve always wanted:

1.      Paying a monthly fee for an alarm service can be a great investment to consider. It’s worth every penny, if you ask us.

2.      Make your home look occupied even when you are away. Use timers to turn the lights and the TV on and off at different hours of the day.

3.      Use warning signs even if they are not true. A little “beware of the dog” sign can do wonders against burglars who are always looking for the weakest house. If you want to go the extra mile, placing a dog food bowl near the back door can be a great idea.

4.      Light is essential. Make sure that your house is well lit on the outside and that there are no dark spots, especially near the entrances.

5.      Get to know your neighbors, even if you are not much of a people person. Having an extra pair of eyes right outside of your property can be very useful, and in case of an emergency, you can count on their help. And if you go on vacation, you can ask them to pick up your mail so your home won’t look empty.

6.      It doesn’t matter how safe your neighborhood might appear, always keep your valuables creatively hidden.

These are some simple pointers to consider whenever you move to a new neighborhood, or if you are already established in one and you would like to make your home a safer place. Most landlords and home sellers know about the importance of security, and they are already making some improvements to their properties to capture the interest of more and better buyers. If this is an important matter to you, remember to mention it to us at Gables Riches.

Decorate Your New Coral Gables Home

There are few things happier than decorating your new home; the excitement of shaping your house or your condo, filling it with color, technology, and every last piece of furniture required to express, through your home, who you are. Decorate your new Coral Gables home with these tips and with the help of the stores below.

Hiring a professional interior designer can be very expensive, and some of them don’t have the ability to translate your thoughts, emotions and feelings into actions to decorate your new place exactly the way you want to. That’s why, even if you would like to get someone’s help with this matter, there are a few things that you should know first and some concepts that you should be familiar with before getting started.

Work with a budget: knowing how much money you have to spend on furniture, painting, lamps, drapes, and every item used to decorate is actually quite important, because this way you’ll be able to make smarter choices and you’ll be able to unify more evenly every piece you decide to buy.

Don’t buy everything at once: there are certain items like couches, sofas, appliances and beds that everyone needs to buy first, but every professional designer recommends getting everything else more calmly. Shop around, get to know your local stores and what they have to offer, do online window shopping and let your entire home take the shape that you always dreamed of.

Define your color palette: knowing which colors and hues you want is essential to be able to make smart purchases at the local store. Define if you would rather have warm colors with wooden floors and furniture, or a modern, pale look with white hues and minimalistic items.

One of our favorite stores in Coral Gables is Fine Line Furniture &Accessories. You simply can’t go wrong with this boutique where you can be sure that you’ll find some of the finest pieces of furniture in the whole state. Another unbelievable boutique we always recommend to our clients is Morada HauteFurniture; Italian designs that will provide a luxurious, contemporary and cosmopolitan look to your home. On the other hand, if you are more into rustic and modern accessories and furniture, all handcrafted by professionals, Victoria’s Armoire is the perfect store for you in Coral Gables.

Five Reasons to Rent in Coral Gables

Moving into a new town can be a very stressful thing to do, especially if you are arriving somewhere you know nothing about. The good thing about South Florida is that its citizens are very friendly and always willing to help you. Still, if you’re deciding among Florida cities to move in, then here are five reasons why you should consider Coral Gables as your next destination, especially if you’re looking forward to renting a home.

1)     If you’re looking for comfort, then Coral Gables is your best option. You’ll find infinite amenities that will adapt to any lifestyle. It has one of the most unique public pools: the Venetian Pool. You’ll also find gyms, clubhouse facilities, bars, sports courts, a shopping district, all kinds of restaurants, libraries, and so much more.

2)     The Marina at Coral Gables is always an extra plus. If you’re a boat and sea lover, then you’ll find peace of mind at the Marina.

3)     If you have a family, education is always an important factor you need to think about. In Coral Gables you have excellent schools for your kids to study, and you also have the University of Miami for more advanced studies (which, by the way, was envisioned by the developers of Coral Gables).

4)     If you’re moving with your family, Coral Gables is perfect since it’s a very safe area for your kids. Also, Coral Gables offers big houses, with lots of rooms and bathrooms for your comfort. You have a great variety to choose from.

5)     Right now, there are lots of great rental deals. You can rent a home at Coral Gables for less than $1,400 a month. There are even 2-bed/2-bath units available for a family of three or even four members.

Check Gables Riches’ website for all the great rental deals Coral Gables has to offer: www.gablesriches.com. You can also contact us and we’ll take care of finding your dream home!