Hi Courtanne,
We recently bought a house for under $150 per sq/ft in a good neighborhood near where you are looking. We love it, and so does our little girl. Here's how we got a fabulous deal: we rented in a neighborhood we liked for a year, and about 4 months before the end of the lease, we began *searching the internet constantly* in our two top area codes. Checking inventory 4-10 a day, driving over and looking at the outside of homes in teh evening if our agent couldn't get us in immediately, considering each option. We had a good agent, but she didn't find our house. In fact, I eventually told her I'd tell her what I wanted to see rather than having her take me places since you can get a good idea of the distance between photos of homes on line and the real deal after, say, 5 or so open houses. We found our house the second day it was on teh market, saw it and knew it was a deal, and put in an offer the same day.

The market's not going to turn up dramatically in the next year. Bide your time and study the market. You need to be the person "snapping up" the great deal. And though it's good to have an agent to help with the legal and financial matters involved with closing, I truly (Trulia?! :) believe they are obsolete for *finding* properties.

Best of luck.

The surrounding area you have identified has one of the highest foreclosure rates in the country. Make sure your agent is showing you all the listings and has foreclosure experience, many shy away from the Bank owned and short sales because it takes some EFFORT to close. Seek out a foreclosurer expert and they should be able to show you a ton of properties that can be purchased at the lowest market value; offered through Banks and lenders. Make sure your agent is not timid; and will submit low offers.(The banks will most always counter your offer ) You'd be cheating yourself if you didn't check out Bank owned REO's, and short sales. Banks respond fast (24-72 hrs.) when its their inventory vs. a pre-foreclosure which may take up to 30-45 days if no previous offers have been made on the property. Watch out for developments that are condo conversions, they may have high foreclosures in the complex, which can create a renter's haven. Also, look at new developments (subdivisions) carefully many developers have failed to erect all the promised amenties,and have many lots in their inventory and on the brink of financial ruin. But, as first mentioned there are many good deals, just do your investigating and you'll find a great home and have bought low. Get your Bank to give you a pre-qual letter so you may submit with the offer. If you need a second opinion on a mortgage contact me .
I am also a Branch Manager of a Wholesale Lender and have a wholesale line with FHA and Conventional Lenders such as Wachovia, Wells Fargo, and Sun Trust to mention a few, and usually beat our buyers Bank or Lender. The second opinion is free with no obligation. We have hundreds of reps in Florida. And for you Real Estate agents out there; call me and I'll show you how to give your customers the best rates available, and you can make a few dollars as the Mortgage Originator.

Good Afternoon,

Please could you provide more details as to what you and your husband consider a good deal. I'm quite sure I can help you whether it's finding you the deal of a lifetime or simply answering your question. In either case before I can do one or the other I must understand exactly what you are looking for as buyers to meet your needs.


Andre Shambley





Luxury Home Specialist
http://www.Keyes.com/Andre.Shambley
AndreShambley@keyes.com
Office: 305-931-8920 ext 245
Mobile: 305-788-6643
Fax: 305-931-9853

"Given the degree of exposure I can provide, if I can't sell your home...no one can!"

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________







The Keyes Company
2822 NE 187 Street
Aventura, FL 33180


Want to refinance your home and lock in a fixed rate while rates are low, visit: http://www.JShambley.ApexLending.com

You're probably seeing the sub prime houses. Wait a few years for the better houses to hit the market at discount prices. You can probably find a great deal on a rental from some desperate seller.

Thanks so much for all of the insight. We are still looking, but I am just very frustrated. It is good to hear from other buyers in Miami. It certainly helps to know that we are not the only ones who are qualified but cannot seem to find a home in this crazy market. I just want to find a nice, comfortable home for my family - nothing extravagant.

Thanks to all of the agents who offered help also. I do have a buyer's agent, but they haven't found anything for me....

Hello Again,

All advice is great, but it boils down to what is best for you and your family. What you need is the right company, the right agent and of course one who can negotiate the best and lowest price for you regardless of the market. There is a buyer for every property and all it really takes is the right property, the right buyer, the right time and we all know what comes next. THE RIGHT PRICE. I have the tools, information, knowledge and skills you require so if and when you are ready to move forward, don't hesitate to contact me.

Hello Neighbor,

As the real estate market comes back into balance after several sizzling years, Stelios Stylianou & Coldwell Banker continue to expose your home to over 17 million monthly visitors on our high-traffic Web sites every day. I know it has become more important than ever to reach out to potential homebuyers, and we’ve enhanced our Internet presence, marketing tools and global network connections to tip the balance in your favor.

Helping you purchase a new home or selling your existing home remains my top priority. I want to assure you that your property will continue to receive the maximum exposure provided by my extensive marketing strategy every day until it is sold. However, I hope you will understand that as the market shifts to a more balanced buyer’s market, it is becoming more common for properties to sell within a six to eight month, or longer, timeframe.

As a professionally trained Realtor and experienced Property Marketing Specialist, I am using all of the resources in Coldwell Banker’s innovative marketing system to position your home for success in this changing market. I am dedicated to achieving your complete satisfaction, and Coldwell Banker is committed to helping me make your transaction a success. Thank you for your trust in allowing me to market your home or assist you in purchasing a new home.

Sincerely,




Stelios Stylianou, Realtor®
Marketing Specialist
Coldwell Banker - Residential Real Estate, LLC.
555 S. Federal Highway, Suite 100
Boca Raton, FL 33432
(561) 542-4131 (Direct)
(561) 392-1792 (Fax)

stelios@stelsells.com http://www.stelsells.com
"Your Home, Your Future!"
"Your Real Estate Consultant For Life!"

I also like to look a a few sites and they are http://www.ewm.com. Click on facts and trends. I'd play around here for a while and you can see as of MAY '08 for Dade county there were 42,620 homes and condos for sale...fyi that's the most supply ever. 829 sold. Look for yourself you can fine price per sq ft in several areas yet not all. What I find interesting is that prices really haven't fallen that much. I also like http://www.miamidade.gov/pa/property_search.asp. At this site you can put in the address of the property you are looking at and find out what price they paid...I actually then take the homeowners name and use it to search how many properties they own... its amazing how many of these people own 5, 6, 7, different places. I will occaisionally look at the miamidade foreclosure site where they show the houses on the auction block so to say....did you know they actually added an extra day due to the amount of forecloures in our area??? There were 7500 foreclosures in 2005. In 2008 miami dade is on pace for 49,000...say is out loud FORTY-NINE THOUSAND. Wait and don't get emotionally attached to one property as properties are like buses...one comes along every 15 minutes.

The best thing to do is wait. Have you seen how many of the "new contruction" homes that are empty or that are set up. Have you seen jumbo mortgage rates lately...??? They are NORTH of 8%. Prices are going lower...I think much lower. Sub 200 per sq ft in Pinecrest and $450-525 in key biscayne. Nothing is selling and prices are down 10-30% yet still 50% above where they were 5 yrs ago with more supply on the mkt. If you need a place i'd bid "offensively" ie 30-40% below ask. The time to buy will be when everything is cheap not just a few select properties. Bide your time there is excessive supply AND diminished demand (due to the SIGNIFICANT increase in mortgage rates). You will be rewarded.

I've recently relocated to Jax, FL but worked full time in the Miami for 4 years for EWM. We have so many dedicated full time professionals that can help you find exactly what you need. A personal favorite of mine is Meg Del Valle at 305-753-2325.She works hard, knows the market like the back of her hand and is a very plesant personal to work with. You'll feel confident that you're being well taken care of. Good luck.

There are opportunities in all markets so it is just a matter of finding the property that matches your critieria. Outside of needing a home near Schenley Park and Brickell, what features or ammenities can't you forgoe and what is your price range. Please, provide me with your e-mail so I can forward you properties of interest. Don't be afraid to make an offer regardless of how ridiculous it is and that goes the same when counter-offering. In today's market, as in any, if a buyer and seller agree on a price regardless of market value (still has to appraise) then congratulations.

stelios@stelsells.com
561.542.4131

My wife and I just relocated here and we have looked at hundreds of homes. We are in the same boat as you with a small baby, a large downpayment, and very high credit scores. We have found that the majority of the homes are priced in the market for 2 years ago. We have looked from Pinecrest to Brickell and there are good deals littered throughout, but they are snapped up right away.

We have also found a lot of Short Sales and Pre-Foreclosures, but those don't seem to be a good deal either as they have extra conditions surrounding the sale and usually require some amount of work.

Dear Courtanne02,
The good deals are all over Miami, this is an exellent time to find a great home in Miami.
I would be more than happy to work with you. Please feel free to contact me@ 305 5862305

There are quite a few areas that seem to fit your criteria. It is my experience, that buying a house involves a learning process which consists of looking at properties online, then seeing them in person and evaluating the pros and cons of each house. The approach I take is sending appropriate houses to my customers online, so that you can "pre-view" the house and give feedback of what you like and want you don't like. Then, the search gets refined and you will be closer to finding your dreamhome. It is a process that involves frequent communication and feedback on both sides to be successful. However, with 43,000 houses/condos for sale in Miami-Dade, I feel optimistic that, with professional help, you will find your "dream house"!

This is still definately the Best Buyers Market we have seen in many years and althjough the inventories are shrinking, there still remains alot of great values available. Schenely Park is a nice area however most of the homes are not very large in terms of square footage and averate between 1200 and 1700 adjusted square feet. Coral Gables and South Miami are excellent areas and offer larger homes in a higher price range. It really depends what style, size and price range you are comfortable with. Public and Private Schools are also available in both areas. Feel Free to contact me directly with all your questions at SteveScarpone@msn.com or you may visit my website at SteveScarpone.com

Dear Courtanne02,
We do a lot of work in the south but we refer all of our Miami clients to Rick and Ines (Visit their web site at http://www.miamism.com). Ines is a true professional and you will be in the best of hands.

Best of Luck. If you have any general questions or just need some advice in this market, don't hesitate to email me or call. Miami is a tricky market right now and I'd advice that you really do your homework.
Marian Schaffer
877-886-8388
marian@marianschaffer.com

In today's market, there are a huge amount of great deals available. There is no secret formula to finding a great deal. The money you save basically depends on how much effort your Realtor is willing to go thru to make sure that he or she finds you an exceptional value. With short sales, foreclosures, and all the other inventory out there, the list price of a home isn't always going to determine whether the home is a great deal or not. Many of these short sales or bank owned (foreclosures) properties are torn up and need a lot of work. Sometimes when you add that back to the equation, a deal that looked great in the beginning, all of a sudden looks terrible. When I am working with a buyer, I will scan thru many many homes, find out more about the homes thru the listing agent (other Realtor), and then determine the best options for the buyer based on what he or she told me. Only then will I send the homes to the buyer to view. Unfortunately many Realtors will just search an area, do no research, and send many many properties to the buyer to view. This usually just confuses the buyer and doesn't help the buyer get an exceptional deal. So the answer to your question is find an experienced Realtor that is willing to spend hours to find you the deal you are looking for.