THE CHERRY GROUP AS REAL ESTATE EXPERTS THINKS OUTSIDE THE BOX

Here in Coconut Grove yesterday, The Cherry Group had its listing go pending at 2000 S. Bayshore Drive, #32 - better know as L'Hermitage. Expert Realtors have to "think outside the box" to get homes sold, especially now. Instead of listing the home under the category of condos and villas where it would completely get lost, Sylvia Cherry came up with idea to list it as a single family home. Our listing is the developer's unit and is considered the only detached home at L'Hermitage with sweeping 180 degree open Bay views, connecting only to another villa's carport wall. By listing the home this way, it competed against other waterfront homes with docks and emerged as a smashing good buy. Other Realtors, especially those who live at L'Hermitage and also have listings there criticized the Cherry Group for not knowing what they were doing. One or more even called the owners and told them that Gary Hecht and Sylvia Cherry, The Coconut Grove Experts, didn't list their home correctly. We explained our strategy to our clients and they fully understood. They expect to close in June with an all-cash offer. All of The Cherry Group's listings have their own web sites. If you'd like to see more of this fabulous waterfront home, visit http://www.2000sbayshoredrive.com/. And if you're looking for Coconut Grove expert Realtors who think outside the box, please call Sylvia Cherry at 305.992.2211.

THE CHERRY GROUP'S EXPERT INFORMATION ON BUYER'S CLOSING COSTS

The Cherry Group is always gratified when friends in Coconut Grove call or ask for information, even when Sylvia Cherry or I aren't involved in the transaction. We are the Coconut Grove experts because after 20 years in the business, The Cherry Group usually has the answers. I was having lunch at Greenstreets the other day and someone asked, 'Aren't you Gary Hecht'? I said sure and asked him to join me. He told me he bought a condo at Yacht Harbor in Coconut Grove directly from an unrepresented condo owner and had a many questions, one of which was, "As a buyer what are my closing costs"? For him and for all of you, here they are:

1. Prepaid condo or home owner's association maintenance fees.

2 One year's homeowner's insurance often held in escrow by the lender.

3. Windstorm and or flood insurance most often held in escrow by the lender.

4. Home Inspection costs depending on size of home from $350.00 to $1,000.00.

5. Owner's Title Insurance issued by the Title Company. The insurance is a fixed price set by

the State based on purchase price. A million dollar home is about $2,500.00.

6. Recording fees for the deed; about $8.00 per page.

Please don't hesitate to call me, Gary Hecht, at 305.607.8360 or opposite this column, click onto our web site at CHERRYMIAMIHOMES.COM. We always happy to help.

THE CHERRY GROUP IN THE GROVE WISHES MOMS A HAPPY MOTHERS DAY

Sometimes The Cherry Group sells houses in Coconut Grove, but most often we sell homes. A house becomes a home through the family who resides in it. And it doesn't take an expert to tell you the centerpiece of the home is mom. So to our dear Coconut Grove clients and to mothers everywhere, The Cherry Group wishes A HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL.

THE CHERRY GROUP'S EXPERT INFORMATION ON CLOSING COSTS FOR SELLERS

The Cherry Group is often asked as your Coconut Grove real estate experts what are the common closing costs customarily incurred by the seller. Here they are:
1. State Sales Tax called Doc stamps at 69 cents per $100.00 of the sales price.
2. Pro-rated taxes from January 1 to the date of closing.
3. Satisfaction of liens, special assessments and mortgages.
4. Real Estate commission, usually 6 percent of the sale.
5. Recording fees to clear title, sat. of mortgage, etc. at approximately $7.00 per page.
6. Title Company's fee for preparing your closing documents for about $350.00
Some Coconut Grove sellers offer special incentives to the Selling Realtor as well of an extra point or so. This helps keep the property top-of-mind with co-brokers who are key to getting your home sold.
HAVE A GREAT DAY IN COCONUT GROVE-THE BEST PLACE IN THE WORLD TO LIVE!

COCONUT GROVE REAL ESTATE TODAY

A slow real estate day day in Coconut Grove today. No closings, nothing pending and a couple price adjustments (that should have been done six months ago). The Cherry Group's expert advice is to list now. Don't wait. The choices in Coconut Grove are limited at all price points. We're not impressed with the homes or their prices. The Cherry Group in Coconut Grove are listing agents, supreme marketing specialist and quick closers. Please click on to CHERRYMIAMIHOMES.COM to learn more about us. We don't drive buyers around and don't waste our time with rentals because that would take away from selling your home. And, selling your home is paramount. Ask The Cherry Group for references from the last two weeks and you'll get the responses that support our claim that "WE MAKE PROMISES WE KEEP".

ASK REALTORS FOR REFERENCES

Anyone can purport to be something he or she's not. The Cherry Group positions itself as Coconut Grove Experts and takes pride in our exceptional service. Nothing pleases us more than when an astute potential listing client asks for references. We provide Coconut Grove references where we had a transaction within the last two months. Here's the contents of a wonderful email we just received:

All we can say is WOW!!
Great Job you guys.
We're fortunate and glad to have you represent us.
Thank you for your efforts.
Maryann & Arthur

Have a Great Day in Coconut Grove!

COCONUT GROVE REAL ESTATE ACTION LAST TWO DAYS

In the last two days in Coconut Grove, one home went under contract and The Cherry Group closed a home. The Pending sale was 4001 Park Avenue, asking price $849,000. Sylvia Cherry and I closed 2045 Tigertail Avenue for $1,025,000. The asking price was $1,150,000. Currently in Coconut Grove, there are 63 homes on the market priced between $800,000 and $1.5 million. As leading Realtors here, Sylvia and I know each one intimately, having sold some in our 20 years. In my opinion, many are still over-priced and unremarkable. It's a wonderful time to list with us at market price and get your home sold within the average 90 days. Please call Gary Hecht in Coconut Grove at 305.607.8360