In the past, our regional best blogger posts have always been a favorite with all you out there, so we’re bringing them back.
This time we take a look at Miami. Why? Well, for one, we here at Relocation.com [1] are currently holed up in our New York office during the biggest snowstorm of 2010 (so far), so warm-weather anything sounds like a good idea. Second, Miami is humming with real estate [2]news and the blogs are reflecting that.
So what makes a best blog? They need to be able to help a stranger learn about a city, of course, and they need give the reader access to that city’s real estate options, albeit virtually.
We, like you, want to see updated and original neighborhood content, so what better person to write about what is opening and up-and-coming than an in-the-know real estate agent?
A few other criteria we look at:
Market data. People who are relocating want to know average sales prices, sales volumes and days on market. Agents need to give that information to them.
Explanatory articles about real estate, whether the basics or current issues. People looking for a home come from varied backgrounds as far as real estate knowledge, so the agent should attempt to give them information about a variety of real estate issues. For example, blogs about buying a foreclosed home are very useful in this market.
And here are our favorites:
The Blog That Ate Miami
Real estate agent and blogger Maggie Dokic not only has really fantastic dining and entertainment guides, The Blog That Ate Miami [3] has a really robust backlog of helpful articles for both buyers and sellers.
The dining and entertainment guides are reason enough for anyone who is planning a trip or relocation to Miami to visit the blog. Daily updates to the entertainment guide include big and small community-related events; it’s kind of like having your own tour guide take you around the city.
HouseKeys, Buying, Selling, Insuring Your Property
Real estate agents Julie Patel and Paul Owers co-host HouseKeys [4], a great nuts and bolts blog that covers Florida’s real estate, property insurance and utility industries. Rules and regulations change from state-to-state and city-to-city, so when buying a property in a location new to you, it’s imperative to know local law.
The blog is part of local newspaper, The Sun Sentinel, so you know that the information is accurate and updated regularly. And happily, while the information is cut and dry, the writing style is engaging and informative so you want to read it, not just have to.
Miami City Diggs
Real estate agent Jamey Prezzi hosts Miami City Diggs [5], a veritable launch pad for the real estate market in Miami. With a hopping comments section, you can start conversations with people who are passionate about all-things-Miami before even thinking about making a call to a moving company [6].
Fantastic photos, a blogroll that is fun and informative, and lively posts about the Miami market will give you a realistic and real-time look at what is happening in the city.
Miami Condo Investments
Property guru Lucas Lechuga gives us Miami Condo Investments [7], which has all the information you need on newly-built Miami condos with his amazing Miami Condo Ranking. At a glimpse, you can see a property’s proximity to restaurants, grocery stores, shops and nightlife; the quality of the building as well as quality of the units in the entire condo development; and risk: the number of foreclosures, short-sales and percentage of closings for newer buildings. This recently updated key to the city will help a buyer make the best condo choice possible without ever getting on a plane.
Here are some of our honorable mentions: Eye on Miami [8], Miami Condo Forum [9], Miami Real Estate Cafe [10], Miamism [11], South Beach Condo Blog [12] and Bosshardt Blog [13]. All these blogs give fantastic overviews of the Miami real estate market and are definitely worth a visit.
Related Articles:
The Best Real Estate Blogs in San Francisco [14]
The Best Real Estate Blogs in Minneapolis/St. Paul [15]
The Best Chicago Real Estate Blogs [16]