If you have followed my blog you probably know that when I write anything meaningful, it’s usually pretty long but I have been kind of busy lately and I haven’t had time to focus on one specific topic for any length of time.  Although all of these topics I am about to touch on could probably be pretty long blog posts….  I want to get it out there to you so it’s going to be a quick list. 

1.  Believe it or not, (or as the media and naysayers would not have you believe) people are looking to buy. 

Many of my last year renters are talking to me about buying property in Miami and Miami Beach.  #1 tip before you start looking…if you don’t have cash you and need financing options, you need to find a lender that you trust, knows our area and can best advise you on what you can buy.   Unfortunately lending restrictions for our area are still tight and not all of the buildings (although there are some great deals) are eligible according to some lending restrictions.  I heard from a source that some buildings have professionals working for them to get qualified under the Project Eligibility Review Service (PERS).   So hopefully soon many other projects will soon be approved.  You can read more about this if you click here . 

Also if you read further down you will see that from Fannie Mae there is a clickable link to Florida approved projects and some of those listed in my specialization areas are: 

• 50 Biscayne
• 900 Biscayne
• Brickell on the River South Tower
• Infinity at Brickell
• Neo Vertika
• Quantum on the Bay
• The Ivy

This list was updated 4/15/09 and is provided only as a “source” directly from this website from Fannie Mae.  This list is not an indicator of absoluteness of whether you can or cannot get financing in these or other buildings, it all depends on many factors which is why you need to speak with a professional who can best advise you of your options.

2.  Who reads condo docs? 

If you don’t you are crazy!  As President of my condo board last year, I read these documents inside and out and assisting the current the board this year, I look at them quite frequently.  They are important, they govern your life while you are living and are invested in a building.  They govern things like renting (& renting restrictions), how unit owners vote on assessments, material changes to the building and oh so many more things…..    Whenever there is an issue within the building our association attorney goes straight to the condo documents and interprets them and tells us what we can or cannot do.  We had a major issue this week in our building that was totally interpreted by the condo documents.  It cost us time and money.  Read thy condo documents.  Know thy condo documents. 

3.  If you are renting in Miami or Miami Beach and are in the application process with the property management company, follow up.  (I do it for most of my rental customers but trust me, it’s worth it’s weight in gold when you follow up behind me.)

I love my property managers around Miami and Miami Beach and you know who you are but unfortunately at the last minute something always happens that can post pone your move in or require you to sign another piece of paper.  Make sure you follow up (not annoyingly) but follow up via email and save the emails!   Schedule the elevator for move in way in advance. 

4.  I got a new IDX solution.  A what? 

IDX stands for Internet Data Exchange and these listings are pulled directly from my South Florida Multiple Listing Service.  I recently added a new IDX search solution to my blog.  It’s live but I am still tweaking it a little.   At the top of my blog you will notice PROPERTY SEARCH  from there you can search for properties the regular way by specifics or via a map search.  I am also adding a feature that you can search via “drawing on a map”.  Also to the right in the far right side bar there is another property search button (same as on the top but people say pictures work better) & you can also use the drop down list to search by building.  I have categorized it by AREA.  It goes from top to bottom Brickell, Brickell Key, Downtown Miami, Fisher Island, Miami Beach and Midtown Miami. 

So I think that is about it for now, who knew, it’s still kind of long.

You may also be interested in...

• Fannie Mae Approved Buildings in Miami
• 900 Biscayne Amazing Views
• Not Ready to Buy Yet? Get automatic updates…
• Quantum on the Bay