Sherry Roberts

To a certain degree, today’s Miami Beach real estate market is all about compromise. This compromise may not necessarily be the best option for a seller for example, but it’s one of the best methods of closing deals with the buyers who are out there looking for their first new home or a vacation residence.

High end condos tend to be a major facet of the Miami Beach real estate market and thanks to (or because of) the drop in prices, these high end condos are attracting the attention of vacation home seekers who are looking for “bargains” on property that normally carries a handsome price tag. Statistics show that more and more sellers are accepting offers well below the sticker price.

If this sounds appealing, it may be a wiser option to purchase from someone who is reselling than a developer, especially if it’s a buyer who has never purchased condos in the Miami Beach real estate market. Sellers are usually more flexible in terms of price as well. Just remember that the same caveats apply when it comes to vacation condos, namely the risk of the condo dropping in value after the purchase. However if you’ve always wanted a place to retreat to, Miami Beach and its condos remain a great option.

The gas price issue may be a thing of the past but it did cause many people to take a moment and figure out how to cut down on their fuel consumption. For the few people who were investing in Miami Beach real estate, suddenly the proximity to their job became a major factor in their purchasing decision. That was last year and the record gas prices are no longer as problematic yet

the average working person would likely opt for a job and/or position that remove the need for any commute at all. The average home has at least one room capable of functioning as an office but this means it must be converted into one. A group of home builders are responding to this by building new homes referred to as “live-work” residences. Rooms won’t need to be converted, all the important items needed (i.e.: broadband internet connection, customized shelves for keeping important files) are already included in these kinds of homes.

These “live-work” residences mean that people who work as web designers for example already have the closest to perfect workspace available instead of having to shell out extra in order to turn a room into an office. The trend is seeing considerable growth in many states; could there be a potential demand for it here in South Florida?

For more info on Live/Work residences visit Miami Beach real estate.

Gas prices have dropped to more affordable levels, lessening the impact on most people’s pocketbooks. While buying Miami Beach real estate near the waterfront costs a lot less than it once did, waterfront Miami Beach real estate—as opposed to real estate in the city--still carries a heftier price tag. If you could take gas out of the equation and work at home, wouldn’t you?

It appears some builders are responding to this group of buyers who want to work and live in the same place, building homes that contain true offices, not just rooms that can function as one. You’ll find everything from broadband internet to shelves designed for bookkeeping and filing. These offices are considered ideal for freelancers or consultants who don’t necessarily need to be at the worksite in order to get the job done.

Besides the commute conveniences, specially built home offices also remove the need to own or purchase office space which removes the potential of having to pay for a second mortgage. How much of a chance do these “live-work” residences have in becoming popular in the Miami Beach real estate market as they have in other states around the country?

The essence of any business is clients, and South Beach real estate subscribes to this rule just like any other. As a South Beach real estate investor, you clearly want to obtain the finest South Beach real estate deals. If you’re only starting to get your feet wet in the South Beach real estate market though, you may quickly realize that South Beach real estate deals are not the easiest thing to come by.

An essential element of coming upon South Beach real estate deals is to find a motivated seller and focusing your searches to particular South Beach real estate neighborhoods. Since motivated sellers are people who are willing to agree to a lower offer on their property, they’re usually an easier way of obtaining South Beach real estate deals than a seller who has no problem waiting it out. In addition, fine tuning your South Beach real estate neighborhoods where you decide to do business (commonly referred to as farming) allows you develop a strong knowledge of prices, the types of property and where those elusive South Beach real estate opportunities are located. Where do you even begin?

Visit open houses. South Beach real estate open houses allow you to do your own walkthrough of a property as well as mingle with people who could end up being potential clients or sources of lucrative South Beach real estate referrals further down the road so it pays to stop by open houses.

Explore the area. Unless you have a crystal ball the only way to find South Beach real estate deals is to get out there and look for them. You usually want to begin by selecting areas that will result in an actually purchase at some point.

Check out foreclosures and vacant homes. South Beach real estate is overflowing with homes that have gone up for foreclosure and properties that have been abandoned or haven’t been inhabited yet for one reason or another. Assuming you are aware of the risks and the right way to approach vacant and foreclosed South Beach real estate property, these properties may end up saving you hundreds of thousands of dollars.

When it comes to selling Miami Beach real estate, one of the most appealing aspects of a property for sale is its curbside appeal. For the second year in a row the National Association of Realtors has reported that Miami Beach real estate exterior remodeling investments have the greatest return when it comes to selling Miami Beach real estate. It appears the glut of Miami Beach real estate available on the market has upped buyer's standards making them more likely to immediately disregard Miami Beach real estate that doesn't strike them from their first impression.

While remodeling bathrooms and kitchens still have incredible results with prospective buyers (providing up to 70% return on investment for sellers), exterior remodeling Miami has an astonishing return of over 80%. Basically exterior remodeling has become a must for property in the current Miami Beach real estate market.

The specific types of Miami Beach real estate exterior remodeling include all types of sliding replacements, upscale fiber cement, wood decks, mid-range vinyl sliding and upscale foam-backed vinyl siding. These renovations may seem slight and superficial, but they mean a lot when it comes to selling a home in the tough Miami Beach real estate market. Try to make exterior remodeling a priority above interior remodeling as buyers tend to put more emphasis on curbside first impressions.

Other changes that can be made to improve the curbside appeal of Miami Beach real estate are improving landscaping like planting new trees and more native flowers. Repainting the outside of the home, fixing gutters and roof shingles can make a home look ten years younger and attract a multitude of prospective buyers. If you want stand out even more in the Miami Beach real estate market, you can build a fence or install a gate around your property that will provide privacy and safety.