The Real Estate Mango

Archive for August, 2009

Sales Are Up But Prices Are Down In The Aventura Real Estate Market.

There is a big difference between the prices asked in Aventura and the prices sold, on average.  We are seeing an uptick in sales but the prices are going down.  NOW IS A GREAT TIME TO BUY!!

Real Estate is cyclical.  It will always have its dips and upswings but over time, real estate is a smart investment.   Prices will rise again, and your new home will appreciate in the years that you live in it.  But right now, people are taking advantage of the low prices and sales are up.

People who buy real estate for investment, today, will see their portfolios increase in value.  There are opportunities all over the map for good real estate buys. 

Check out my home search and see the abundance of opportunities for you to own a condo or a single family home or investment property.

How to Challenge Your Property Taxes

This month, everyone in Aventura, will receive their property tax bill which will be due to be paid in November. The property assessors office is available for these challenges but you must do your own due diligence to prove your case.

If you think that your tax assessed value does not reflect the prices of homes sold before January 2009, which means during the year 2008, you can appeal your taxes by doing the following:

1. Research all the sales in your subdivision for like properties and make copies of these sales. These sales can be found in the Dade  County Tax Rolls.
2. If you know of sales in your building that you do not see in the tax rolls, see if you can get a copy of this transaction from your condominium or home owners association. Bring photos of your property and photos of the comparables
3. Your paper work has to be submitted before September 18, 2009, fee is $15 You can appeal to the Property Appraiser or directly to the Value Adjustment Board
4. Pay your property taxes and if your case has merit, you will receive a reimbursement for part of what you paid
5. Owners of individual condos can appeal or entire condominiums can appeal by having their associations bring an appeal

For any additional help and information, please contact me and I will help you.

About and Around Aventura

Today, I met an investor for lunch at The Cheesecake Factory in Aventura Mall, always a good place to go for a quick and fresh meal but today there was an extra!

My waiter informed me that Kate Gosselin with two body guards and four children were dining in the back of the restaurant and although I scurried back there to see, I could not find her table, so, alas, I have to say I heard about the event but did not see it with my own eyes.  Obviously, Aventura is on the map and a place to see!

The Apple store in the Mall has the biggest draw.  I waited on line to inspect the computers when I was there last week.  If you want to see what people are buying, that is one indicator.

Aventura Mall was filled with people, today which is a good sign that businesses are getting more sales and people are out spending some money, again.   The Mall is another great reason to live in this city.