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Archive for ◊ January, 2009 ◊

• Saturday, January 31st, 2009

marti The city of Hialeah is keeping the Cuban tradition alive by honoring Jose Marti. Jose Marti symbolizes freedom and hope for the Cuban people through his poetry and speeches. The annual parade was organized by the city in January 25, 2009. The parade was a huge success as hundreds of kids and marching bands walked in Hialeah’s West 29th Street. Many participated in the parade consisting of beautiful floats, marching bands and music.

It is a good idea to promote this parade and keep our Cuban heritage and culture alive. His poetry is still being taught in Spanish classes. The late Cuban poet and martyr is always remembered with pride in the Cuban community.

The majority of the residents in Hialeah are of Cuban decent and it is only fitting that the Cuban roots are not ignored or forgotten by the city. The family atmosphere and the traditional family values are the reasons Hialeah is an excellent and serene place to live.

Hector Lesende is owner/licensed real estate in Miami real estate  Serving Miami, Miami Lakes real estate, Coral Gables real estate, Hialeah Real Estate Miami-Dade and Broward counties. We offer a South Florida foreclosure list  Property Search

Category: hialeah real estate |  | Tags: , , , , ,  | One Comment
• Friday, January 30th, 2009

miami Miami is a very popular and trendy place to live. According to a Pew Research Center study 28% of Americans want to live in Miami Florida. The beautiful weather is the number one reason. The beaches, restaurants, nightlife, clubs, location are also factors to consider. Living in Miami certainly has many benefits. Denver is the number city on the list of places people want to live. Detroit is the least favorite place.

It’s good to see that Miami made it in the report. Usually we are ignored in these surveys due to the bad publicity in the news. Now the rest of the nation agrees. It is official; Miami is regarded as one of the best places to live in the United States. Many investors are coming to Miami to buy. People should invest now so that they can come to Miami when they retire and avoid the snow.

Miami real estate is poised to prosper from this report and we already see an increase in sales activities. The city is attracting many buyers and renters again. The warm weather in Miami is the main reason for its popularity. This report proves that many people want to live here. There is an increased interest in Miami real estate.

Hector Lesende is owner/licensed real estate in Miami real estate  Serving Miami, Miami Lakes real estate, Coral Gables real estate, Hialeah Real Estate Miami-Dade and Broward counties. We offer a South Florida foreclosure list  Property Search

 

Category: Miami Real Estate, Uncategorized |  | Tags: ,  | One Comment
• Thursday, January 29th, 2009

miami beach The city of Miami Beach is prepared to ask the federal government for funds to make improvements in the city. Miami Beach is officially in the long list of cities requesting funds from the government’s proposed stimulus package. The city will use the money to repair roads, landscaping, drainage and other infrastructure projects. The amount requested is over 60 million dollars.

I think Miami Beach should be first in line to receive the much needed funds. These projects are definitely needed and overdue. The city of Miami Beach will not be able to complete the projects without the federal government’s funds. These funds are essential for the city’s

Tourism is the major industry in Miami Beach. The city has beautiful beaches, hotels, restaurants, clubs and an excellent nightlife. Ocean Drive is very trendy and a world renowned tourist destination. People still walk up and down Ocean Drive at all hours enjoying the weather and people watching in the art deco atmosphere. The upscale condos in Millionare’s row and Fountainblue Towers with breathtaking ocean front views are truly amazing and very popular in the Miami Beach the real estate market.

Collins Avenue is the heart of Miami Beach. These improvements and beautification projects are exactly what the city of Miami Beach needs in order to bounce back as an international city. The city should be granted the amount requested. The projects will be an asset to Miami Beach real estate and the surrounding areas. 

Hector Lesende is owner/licensed real estate in Miami real estate  Serving Miami, Miami Lakes real estate, Coral Gables real estate, Hialeah Real Estate Miami-Dade and Broward counties. We offer a South Florida foreclosure list  Property Search

Category: Miami Beach Real Estate |  | Tags:  | One Comment
• Wednesday, January 28th, 2009

It is unusual to find a single family home in Miami for less than $1,000 dollars a month. Finding a home with no deposit required is almost impossible. The following single family homes required no deposit and the rental price is $1,000 and $850 respectively. Located in N.W. Miami these single family homes are a great value to potential tenants.

Section 8 is welcome. We accept Miami-Dade Section 8 Housing. Also we accept Hialeah Housing, Miami Beach Housing, Homestead Housing, and of course Coral Way Housing. Citrus program is welcome.

MLS# N262779

MLS ID: N262779

Price: $1,000

City: Miami

Bedrooms: 2 Bathrooms: 1

Property Type: Rental

View Details

MLS# N263659

MLS ID: N263659

Price: $850

City: Miami

Bedrooms: 2 Bathrooms: 1

Property Type: Rental

View Details

Hector Lesende is owner/licensed real estate in Miami real estate  Serving Miami, Miami Lakes real estate, Coral Gables real estate, Hialeah Real Estate Miami-Dade and Broward counties. We offer a South Florida foreclosure list  Property Search

Category: Miami Real Estate |  | Tags: ,  | 2 Comments
• Tuesday, January 27th, 2009

hud homes HUD Foreclosure homes sales are becoming popular again in Miami South Florida. HUD homes are FHA loans that go into foreclosure. The inventory of HUD homes for sale is up from last year. The new head of the Secretary of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is Shaun Donovan. Mr. Donovan is a real estate expert and will bring stability and hope to the South Florida housing market.

HUD homes are sold through real estate agent. Buyers are not allowed to purchase the properties directly from HUD. The agent must be registered and in good standing with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The agent must follow specific guidelines related to contracts, earnest money deposit, showing, bidding and closing. The deadlines are very strict and must be followed or your bid will be voided.

In the past HUD foreclosures  were selling to owner occupants. The bidding was very comparative and it was not unusual for homes to be sold for $50,000 dollars over the listed price. Now HUD homes are mostly sold to investors in a daily bid where the prices are discounted in a non comparative bidding process. Investors can bid under the listed price in daily listings. The property is sold on a first come first serve basis.

HUD produces a weekly list of available homes for sale. The initial bidding is still reserved for owner occupants only. The property becomes available for investors to purchase after the owner occupant period is over and the property is still available. Most homes remain unsold and are then pick up by real estate investors usually paying cash. HUD foreclosures are sold in as is condition. The starting bid is low compared to similar property for sale.

HUD homes are available all over the state of Florida. The cities covered in South Florida include Boca Raton, Coral Springs, Deerfield Beach, Florida City, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Homestead, Margate, Miami, Miramar, South Miami, and Sunrise. Single family homes, townhomes, and condos are available for sale. HUD foreclosures offer an outstanding investment opportunity for South Florida real estate investors.

Hector Lesende is owner/licensed real estate in Miami real estate. Serving Miami, Miami Lakes real estate, Coral Gables real estate, Hialeah Real Estate Miami-Dade and Broward counties. We offer a South Florida foreclosure list. Property Search

Category: south florida real estate |  | Tags: , ,  | 4 Comments
• Monday, January 26th, 2009

miami Homes sales are up in Miami South Florida as prices drop dramatically. According to the Florida Association of Realtors the price of single family homes and condos had dropped over 30 percent. This reduction in prices has increased home sales in Miami real estate.

The inventory levels of listings have also been reduced. The average home in Miami-Dade County is $215,500 and $217,700 in Broward County. This reduction in prices is good news for South Florida home buyers. Buyers can find an excellent bargain as prices keep dropping. The bottom is near and this opportunity is not to be missed.

The sale prices have been reduced as sellers try to complete with an overwhelmingly increasing foreclosures market. The percentage of homes in foreclosure is staggering. Short sale prices are driving the prices down. Banks are now negotiating more than ever in order to sell their reo inventory. Bank owned properties still offer the best value. Short sales are still selling but it takes a long time to get the short sale approved.

Home sales prices and interest rates are the lowest it’s been in recent years. Sellers are reducing their prices as they are motivated to sell homes now. Sales should keep increasing as buyers take advantage of the opportunity. Miami real estate investors are already investing in this buyers market. Now is the time to buy South Florida real estate.

Hector Lesende is owner/licensed real estate in Miami real estate. Serving Miami, Miami Lakes real estate, Coral Gables real estate, Hialeah Real Estate Miami-Dade and Broward counties. We offer a South Florida foreclosure list. Property Search

Category: Miami Real Estate |  | Tags: , , ,  | One Comment
• Sunday, January 25th, 2009

miami dade college  Miami Dade College is offering French, Italian and Chinese language classes in the Town of Miami Lakes. The classes are being held in Miami Lakes Town Hall and are fully accredited by the school. The college classes being offered are very convenient to attend for Miami Lakes residents.

I think this is only the beginning of more classes to be held in Miami Lakes. Eventually we will have a branch of Miami Dade College in our town. The commitment of the Town of Miami Lakes to excellent affordable education is evident by these classes.

I graduated from Miami Dade College which I attended on a tennis scholarship and have fond memories of the downtown and south campus. It was only a Junior College then and I had to go to FIU and St. Thomas University to receive my bachelor’s degree. Now Miami Dade College is a full 4 year university.

Miami Lakes is on its way of becoming a Miami Dade College campus. Miami Lakes already contributes a large sum from its operating budget to local schools. I am sure that the College will open a campus here if enough students show interest in attending the classes. The College campus will be an asset to the town of Miami Lakes.

 Hector Lesende is owner/licensed real estate in Miami real estate. Serving Miami, Miami Lakes real estate, Coral Gables real estate, Hialeah Real Estate Miami-Dade and Broward counties. We offer a South Florida foreclosure list. Property Search

Category: Miami Lakes Real Estate |  | Tags: , ,  | 2 Comments
• Saturday, January 24th, 2009

miami I rented a property today in Miami Lakes. The owner lives in Puerto Rico. He used to live in Miami Lakes but was sent there as a reserve in the U.S. Army. He will stay in the island for about three years. My client had the property vacant for over six months. He was reluctant to rent it at first but realized he could not afford to keep the house vacant any longer.

The customer e-mailed me and then we talked on the phone. I assured him the property would rent fast in this market for price he wanted. Miami Lakes is very popular and reasonable priced rental property is hard to find. We talked many times on the phone. I rented the property is less than a week.

Tony is now considering selling the property and will be listing it with me very soon. He called me late in the evening. Puerto Rico is one hour ahead of Miami. He said he was very impressed with the fact that I answered the phone after 8 o’clock and he was able to talk to a real person and not a recording.

Miami real estate is certainly international with more and more clients coming from out of the country. This week I talked to people from Venezuela, Canada, Costa Rica, Saint Vincent, and Spain. I keep in touch through e-mail first and then by phone. I also have received inquiries from potential customers in the U.S. from Atlanta, New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia.

The first thing we talk about is the weather. Lots of people are jealous of our beautiful whether in Miami and want to know what the temperature is here. We had a cold front recently but still most of the nation is under a foot of snow. The all year round beautiful weather is one of the main reasons people from all over the world want to buy Miami real estate.

Hector Lesende is owner/licensed real estate in Miami real estate. Serving Miami, Miami Lakes real estate, Coral Gables real estate, Hialeah Real Estate Miami-Dade and Broward counties. We offer a South Florida foreclosure list. Property Search

Category: Miami Lakes Real Estate, Miami Real Estate |  | Tags: , , , , ,  | One Comment
• Friday, January 23rd, 2009

handyman Two of my rental properties are vacant and I need a handyman to repair them. My usual handyman left town for a while so I decided to hire a new one.  I need to get someone soon so that the property is ready to be rented again. The property needs minor repairs, painting, door and windows repairs and installation of laminated wood floors in two bedrooms. It’s been a nightmare.

Most handymen won’t give me an estimate over the phone. Some handymen wanted to charge a fee for the free estimate. The fee would be refunded if the work is done. The handymen wanted half of the total up front and the difference when the work is done. There is no way I would give them any money before he work is finished. It is not unusual for the repair guy to take off with the money never to seen again. I once hired a handyman standing outside a do-it yourself outlet and it did not work very well. Never give a handyman any money before the work is finished.

A few handymen I had an appointment with did not show up for the estimate at all. I was are waiting at the property for ever and they didn’t show up. Other repairmen told me they had experience in everything, plumbing, electricity, tiles, installing doors, windows, etc. It was sad to find out they don’t have a clue of how to do the job. Handymen will take multiple jobs at the same time. They know it is impossible to finish on time but since they already have half the money in deposit they know you won’t get anyone else and you are forced to wait until they finish the other job.

Dealing with handymen in Miami is a very challenging and nerve wrecking expericence. Be careful and ask questions before you hire anyone. Ask for references and go to see the house they last repaired. Get their home phone, driver license, social security number and other contact information. Make sure the handyman is licensed and insured so there are no problems in case of an accident. Also the handyman should sign a general release of liability. This release will help you in case the handyman gets hurt and then wants to sue you for damages.

You must get everything in writing. Do a contract of exactly what they are supposed to do and how much they are going to charge. Sometimes they give you an estimate but the actual amount changes and you have to pay double by the time the work is finished.

Finding a good professional handyman in Miami is a challenge. If you find an honest, hardworking, experienced handyman don’t lose him. Pay the handyman immediately when the work is finished. Give him a tip if you really like the work performed.

Hector Lesende is owner/licensed real estate in Miami real estate. Serving Miami, Miami Lakes real estate, Coral Gables real estate, Hialeah Real Estate Miami-Dade and Broward counties. We offer a South Florida foreclosure list. Property Search

 

Category: Miami Real Estate, hialeah real estate |  | Tags: , , ,  | Leave a Comment
• Thursday, January 22nd, 2009

 There are many benefits offered by The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) to buyers. FHA loans must be considered when trying to obtain financing in today’s Miami real estate market.  FHA is offering low downpayment mortgage loans to qualified buyers. The benefits of FHA loans are low down payment, low closing costs, no reserves, seller can contribute up to 6% of sales price, no FICO score requirements among others.

I receive many questions on financing on a daily basis. Buyers want to know if they can buy a property with less than 5% down and get help with closing costs. Lately I have been recommending FHA loans more than ever. FHA has always been the best place to get a low downpayment loan. Miami real estate buyers should consider an FHA loan again.

FHA loans is a great way to finance a property these days when banks are saying no and require over 20% down plus closing costs out of pocket and a very high beacon score. FHA offers an excellent alternative to obtain financing with low money down and seller contribution. Buyers that qualify can obtain a mortgage loan with a 3.5% down. The FHA program is very popular.

Buyers still need good credit to qualify for the 3.5% down payment. If the beacon score is less than 500 the down payment will be 10%. Borrowers have to pay an insurance premium to get an FHA loan. This insurance is used to offset any bad loans that go into foreclosure. FHA loans that are in default are sold as HUD homes foreclosures. Seller contribution can be up to 6% of the sales price.

The limit for an FHA loan in Miami-Dade and Broward counties is $423,750. FHA loans do not go into foreclosure as much as conventional loans. The percentage of defaulted FHA loans is very low compare to conventional loans. Owner-occupants and first time buyers must consider an FHA loan when purchasing a property because of all the benefits FHA offers. I think that FHA will be the best alternative of obtaining financing in Miami South Florida real estate for many years to come.

Hector Lesende is owner/licensed real estate in Miami real estate. Serving Miami, Miami Lakes real estate, Coral Gables real estate, Hialeah Real Estate Miami-Dade and Broward counties. We offer a South Florida foreclosure list. Property Search

Category: Miami Real Estate |  | Tags: , , , ,  | Leave a Comment