www.OnePlaceOpenHouse.comBy: G. M. Filisko Ask detailed questions about their experience and skills to help you find the right agent for your home sale. Working with the right real estate agent can mean the difference between getting prompt, expert representation and feeling like you're going it alone when selling your home. Here are 10 questions to ask when you're interviewing agents. 1. How long have you been selling homes? Mastering real estate requires on-the-job experience. The more experience agents have, the more likely they'll be able to handle any curveballs thrown during your home sale. 2. What designations do you hold? Designations like GRI (Graduate REALTOR Institute) and CRS (Certified Residential Specialist), which require that agents complete additional real estate traini... 06/28/2010

www.OnePlaceOpenHouse.com                      As a Miami Realtor my profession allows me the opportunity to meet and work with some truly accomplished individuals.  It has always been a rule of thumb for me in the real estate business never to tout celebrated clientele or interactions with these individuals...no matter how many times they tell me it's okay.  Everyone deserves some form of discretion.  However there are genuine times such as this when me and my friends come together to make a difference with the youth who wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity.  Bigger then real estate these are the moments I live for.Kids can already hear the swoosh of the baskets from their favorite current and former NBA players who will be participating in the All Star Basketball Camp at the Michae... 06/21/2010

Click to Find Miami Real Estate Values and of Real Estate Across the US Last weekend I tried this incredible recipe and found that grilled nectarines are a wonderful accompaniment to a tender and juicy grilled flank steak.  Best of all it only takes 30 min to prep and cook.  Perfect for a chill friday evening.  Delicious for a hearty appetite!Goes great served on mashed potatoes w/ grilled peppers, onions and bruleed blue cheese chunks.Ingredients: 1-1/2 pound beef flank steak 1/4 cup beef broth 1/4 cup honey 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar 3 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons brown sugar 1 Tbsp. grated fresh ginger root 2 cloves garlic, minced 1/4 cup minced onion 1/8 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes 4 nectarines, cut in half Preparation: Cut the beef in a crisscross pattern 1/2" apart ... 06/18/2010

  1031 Exchanges are excellent tools to reduce income taxes. Known both as "tax free exchanges" and "1031 exchanges" (based upon the enabling section of the federal income tax code) this tool allows investors to sell real estate without paying income taxes (at the time of sale). Real estate owners or investors expecting to acquire property subsequent to the sale of existing property can indefinitely defer income taxes by utilizing a 1031 exchange. 1031 exchanges have been available for over 20 year. Their popularity seems to have increased sharply over the last 7-10 years as their benefits have become known. In a typical property sale, an owner has to pay taxes on any gain. In some cases, a 1031 exchange does not make sense or is not practical. If an investor is trying to reduce his rea... 06/15/2010

  I love barbecue and would describe myself as a barbecue aficionado.  Usually when traveling I search for the locale's popular BBQ joint.  I've been on a hunt throughout Miami/Ft. Lauderdale for the past several years to find the best BBQ joint and have tried many but few I will second.  While Tom Jenkins is one of the best BBQ joints in this part of Florida, it is quite far from being the best BBQ I have ever eaten. This particular day I didn’t anticipate on going to Tom Jenkins but while enjoying the sun with friends over at Haulover Beach I smelled something wonderful and smoky that prompted us to travel to the nearest BBQ joint that wouldn’t disappoint.  Getting to Tom Jenkins BBQ is pretty easy.  They are located on the east side of Federal highway just north of 17th street. As w... 06/11/2010

www.OnePlaceOpenHouse.com   JUST SOLD: 234 NE 3 St Unit LPH03, Miami FL 33132    SALE PRICE: $120,000 DEVELOPMENT: LOFT I Downtown Miami   I had to take a moment to make all our readers aware of one Miami condo we just sold and believe to be of great value at The LOFT I Downtown Miami.  Penthouse unit LPH03 is an upgraded 1 bedroom facing south with unobstructed views of Biscayne Bay and the city of Miami.  This unit was orignally purchased by the seller directly from the developer The Related Group for $189,900.  This was a great deal for the turnkey investor who purchased it! The 23 story urban designed building features only nine residences per floor.  Zen-like entry leads to the sleek, two-story lobby and courtyard that accentuate a plunge pool with thermal waterfall, Feng Shui sea... 06/09/2010

If you've bought or planning to buy a home in the state of Florida a radon disclosure is a form that you will sign.  While many people have heard about radon, very few actually know what it is.  Where does it come from?  What makes it so dangerous?  How can one detect it?  Let's start with the basics, shall we? Radon is a highly toxic, odorless, colorless gas.  It is a naturally occurring substance derived from the decay of uranium, normally found in earth and rock beneath your home.  It has also been discovered in well water, and in certain building materials.  Radon is responsible for at least 15,000 to 20,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the U.S. In fact, radon exposure is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. This tragedy is compounded by the fact that bo... 06/07/2010

Why wait until the next Cinco De Mayo to have a fiesta!This is the perfect recipe to make it a Mexican food night with family and friends on a nice sunny day.  Indulge in this chicken and papaya quesadilla with a dab of sour cream infused wasabi salsa.  Trust me, this isn't your average, everyday quesadilla! You'll love this recipe! It's great for dinners outside on the patio and impressive when serving to family and friends during little dinner get-togethers!Goes great with dill spanish rice as a side dish.INGREDIENTS1 tbl olive oil2 skinless boneless chicken breast halves, cut into 1" strips1 tsp paprika1/8 tsp cayenne pepper1 whole tomato1/2 onion1 7oz jar roasted red peppers, drained3/4 tsp chopped canned chipotle chiles in adobo sauce8 6-8" corn tortillas4 tbls purchased pesto1 10 ... 06/04/2010

This morning I received an email from a prospective seller asking me what their Miami home is worth.  Under normal circumstances I'd reply to a prospective seller's email to set an appointment to conduct a seller's analysis before performing a CMA in addition to providing an attachment of our "We Sell Miami" Home Seller's Guide to review in the meantime.   But there was something different about the seller's email that gave it a sense of urgency.  So after the exchange of a couple of emails there began the start of a long conversation. Sure he wanted to know what his home was worth...however; he wanted to know,"What his home was REALLY WORTH!" Over the weekend this gentleman had used one of the tools on my website, "What's My Home Really Worth" to check his home's value as a cross refer... 06/01/2010

Want to know What Your Home Is Really Worth?  Click here to find out instantly!Thank you for your emails and numerous requests to bring TGIF...recipes back as a featured weekly post on Miami Best Real Estate team's Blog.  After much consideration and due to its popularity we are excited to announce its return.  Though having nothing to do with Miami real estate, TGIF...started due to my love of cooking and the discovery of new restaurants throughout my travels.  In addition to a featured recipe each week we' ve added a twist and will periodically review our restaurant experiences.  We encourage you guys to leave comments and continue to email us your suggestions & request. Viva Miami!Happy Memorial Day!!!  St.  Louis Style spareribs involves removing the skirt meat on the back side (bo... 05/28/2010

Want to know What Your Home Is Really Worth?  Click here to find out instantly!   Curb appeal means the first view you see when you drive by or arrive at a home. First impressions are lasting and prospective buyers can be drawn to buying your home by its curb appeal.  If you intend to sell your home at the best possible market price, look at it in the perspective of a buyer.  What sizzle exterior features does your home have and what are the ways to further enhance them? What are the worst features of your home and what can you do to improve or minimize them? Following are several tips that can help you assess the curb appeal your home has and/or make the necessary enhancements to improve your home's appeal to its lifestyle buying audience.   1. Go Miami Green!  Replace out-dated light ... 05/26/2010

www.OnePlaceOpenHouse.comLooking to sell your home?  Are you a for sale by owner who has come to the realization that selling a home is a difficult endeavor, one that takes time, patience and hard work? Or is your home listed with a Realtor for what has seemed to be forever and still no sale?  If either of the descriptions above sound familiar the ERA Herman Group Seller Security Plan may be the right tool for you. ERA came up with an innovative way to assist Miami Florida real estate home sellers who are motivated to sell their home for fair market value without the hassle.  List your home with an ERA Miami real estate agent and if they don't sell your home within 180 days or less ERA will buy the home from you...it's just that simple.The ERA Seller Security Plan works for home sellers... 05/24/2010

Keystone Point is one of North Miami’s best kept secrets.  This secluded waterfront community was designed for people who want to have a relaxing abode from the stress of urban living. Nestled in the very heart of North Miami, Keystone Point is only a short distance from the metropolis known as Miami and its equal counterpart Ft.Lauderdale. Here you will find breathtaking views of Bal Harbour and wide canal front homes giving the feel of “Venice” fit for a very relaxing and quiet living experience.   With a gated waterfront community, such as, Keystone Point, you are ensured the maximum enjoyment of relaxation and recreation. The community was built during the boom after World War II designed to preserve and enhance its natural surrounding that gives you the picturesque scenery and bes... 05/19/2010

1) Clean, Organize, and Neutralize Your Space:  Unclutter your house to make it look bigger and cleaner. Buyers need to be able to envision their own belongings in the home, so avoid using bright colors and too many personal effects. 2) Keep your lawn green:  Get your lawn in shape. A patchy lawn takes away from the home's overall appearance.  Your local hardware store has supplies to re-seed those unhealthy areas. 3) Add insulation to save energy: The most inexpensive way to increase your home's energy is to add insulation which can reduce heating and cooling costs by more than 25%. 4) Update Kitchen Appliances: The kitchen is often the room that buyers gravitate towards first, and an updated kitchen can help sell your home.   You don't have to remodel your kitchen to give it a new loo... 05/17/2010

It's thrilling when you're searching for a new home, but can tend to be somewhat on the stressful side as well. There are many factors you need to investigate to ensure that you're purchasing the home you truly want. One of the best ways to assure you end up with the home of your dreams is to conduct a property background check. Determining how much you can afford on a home is usually the first decision. Obviously you also must determine location, location, location. Do you need a big kitchen. Tons of factors to debate! When you've decided on all the elements you're interested in, it's time to go out and begin house hunting! It begins to get thrilling when you find a home or two that you love. It's so important to double check everything and make sure that the home you are looking at i... 05/11/2010

Before deciding on a sales price for your home, get a pre-listing home appraisal. This will provide the market value of the property, and it will also provide a reasonable foundation to determine your asking price which can save considerable you money, time and days on the market. Here are a few tips to keep in mind before undergoing an appraisal and ensure the highest value possible for your home: 1. Presentation is everything. The simplest but possibly most important task is to clear the house of clutter such as laundry, dishes, and walls filled floor-to-ceiling with pictures. Before the appraiser enters the house, fix any minor or major defects or blemishes found in the home. A new coat of paint is a great way to create a fresh and inviting environment. A large amount of natural ligh... 04/26/2010

The purchases of houses or the houses which are near foreclosures in North Miami Beach recently have increased in the area. It’s one of the highest figures in the history. This is the trend which shows the tendency to falling prices, which can help many people who have some cash to buy a new house. According to the survey the number of distressed houses is approaching 50 % which indicates the worst satiation ever. Such properties include houses that are bank owned or whose market value is below the owner’s loan. Since the problematic house hit the market the prices for homes in North Miami Beach have decreased. The number of foreclosures went down when the banks tried to cut monthly payments under the pressure of the government and with the help of foreclosure moratoriums. But many of t... 04/21/2010

When you're looking to buy a home it seems like everyone is telling you that location is the most important thing and to a great extent this is true. Homes can be renovated or even torn down and rebuilt if you have the money to do it but you can't really renovate the location of your home. However, what many people don't realise is that the perfect location of a piece of real estate differs greatly based on the needs of the buyer.The ideal location for a home is just as subjective as the features of a dream home; what might be perfect for you is just as likely to be totally incompatible for someone else's living style. A good way to decide on what your perfect location is starts with making a list of priorities with regard to your family's needs.One important aspect of the search for th... 01/13/2010

by Dave Dinkel, BREIA It's happening - some lenders have had it with all the stuff they have to get through to get out of distressed REO properties and are looking for answers to make their lives simpler.  They are targeting realtors in a number of ways - first they are in the process of starting their own brokerage firms which is what they did to the stock brokerage and financial planning industries.  This was despite it being illegal at the time for the lenders to own these firms.  All the banks did was lobby with tons of cash and got the rules changed while it took years, it did happen.  So now they own what is left of some of the largest stock brokerage firms in the country, how soon will the large franchised real estate offices start in the same road?  Realtors blame investors for ... 01/13/2010

Now that your offer on a home is accepted, the entire process is almost done until the closing day. But that does not mean you have nothing to do before closing. You still have some things to consider before closing day. One of the important things that you need to secure in the weeks before you complete the closing is the homeowners insurance. If you are a new homeowner, chances are you already have renters insurance. Homeowners insurance is similar to renters, but it is more expensive and it has more elements. You will need to protect your property and not just your belongings, and this is why you need to get homeowners insurance. Homeowners insurance provides protection to homeowners from financial losses in the event of theft, storms, fire, natural disasters and all other causes sta... 01/12/2010