Miami, FL
In Miami, a Young Family Sought a House to Grow Into. Would $750,000 Be Enough?
When Leonor and Taylor Willis moved to Miami in 2021, neither of them had ever set foot in the city before. “Not except for changing planes at the airport,” Mr. Willis said.
The couple, who met at Georgetown University, had been living in a rowhouse in the Mt. Vernon neighborhood of Baltimore. Ms. Willis, 28, worked as a teacher and Mr. Willis, 31, was a consultant for regional airlines. They loved the city and their urban lifestyle. But when Mr. Willis was offered a new position at a Miami-based rail company, the two headed south for an unexpected new adventure.
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“When you think of Miami, you think of TV — ‘Miami Vice’ or ‘Burn Notice,’” Mr. Willis said. “Whatever you’re seeing there isn’t the real Miami, so I had very little idea of what the real Miami might be.”
They landed in a two-bedroom rental on the 47th floor of a downtown tower, to preserve the walkable lifestyle they’d enjoyed in Baltimore. They also kept their rowhouse, taking on a tenant to help offset the $5,000 rent at their new apartment, which they felt was worth it thanks to its huge windows and sweeping views.
Ms. Willis left teaching to take a work-from-home job handling business development for a software company (she also works as a freelance photographer), and used the condo’s second bedroom as an office. Even with three furry friends at home — a keeshond named Maurice and two cats, Napoleon and Charlemagne — the apartment was cozy but not overcrowded.
Then in late 2023, the couple welcomed a baby girl and squeezed her crib into their bedroom. They soon realized the baby would need her own room — not because she disturbed them, but because they disturbed her. “We were making too much noise in our sleep and waking her up,” Mr. Willis said.
The idea was to rent a new place with a primary bedroom, a home office for Ms. Willis and a room for their daughter, but it was tougher than it seemed. “It’s hard to find apartments that have three bedrooms,” Ms. Willis said. The ones they did find were asking significantly higher rents.
They wondered if it made more sense to try to buy a house — but without giving up the city lifestyle they loved. For Mr. Willis, who grew up in the far-flung suburbs of Dallas, walkability was key. So the couple started their search in neighborhoods where restaurants and shopping could still be reached by foot, as much for their daughter as themselves.
“As she gets older she’ll have the opportunity to do things a little more independently than being strapped in a car seat all the time, which is what my childhood was like,” Mr. Willis said.
They put the Baltimore house on the market to help with a down payment, and eschewed working with a broker, opting instead to comb listings on real estate sites and find their own way to showings.
Their search began casually and stretched over a year. By last summer, they had zeroed in on a couple of residential neighborhoods where Mr. Willis could have a 15-minute commute to his new job as director of commercial operations for a jet fuel company near Miami International Airport. They had sold the Baltimore house for $465,000 and set their budget for a Miami home to around $750,000.
On the couple’s wishlist: three full bedrooms and, if possible, a second bathroom for guests. Neither is keen on yardwork, so they looked at places with small yards. And both were hoping to find something with some architectural character, maybe Art Deco or Spanish revival.
Among their options:
Find out what happened next by answering these two questions:
Crews were making progress as they battled three brush fires in western Miami-Dade County on Friday, tackling hotspots and turning off power to help put the flames out.
Firefighters have worked for almost a week in uncomfortable heat to increase containment and keep flames from two fires away from people and businesses. On Wednesday, around 200 residents were evacuated and on Thursday, one firefighter was injured while battling the Quarry 2 fire and hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries.
Now, a third blaze is also burning. But the rain that could make the difference in the firefight may not be far off.
3 Wildfires are continuing to burn this afternoon across western Miami-Dade County with smoke visible on traffic cameras & radar.
SE winds have kept the smoke away from the metro today, however winds may veer more southerly overnight bringing smoke back closer to the metro. pic.twitter.com/rWG4Yo3jro
— NWS Miami (@NWSMiami) June 18, 2026
What fires are burning?
The Quarry 2 fire had reached around 17,200 acres by Thursday night and was about 75% contained, according to the Florida Forest Service.
The Florida Forest Service said it responded to the blaze on Sunday, after it originated from a thunderstorm and lightning strike.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue officials said its crews started battling it in the area of Northwest 137th Avenue and Northwest 25th Street on Monday.
A second fire, the Well Fire, was discovered on Thursday, has burned 1,310 acres and was 50% contained at last update earlier this week.
A third fire, the Coptic Fire, was discovered on Wednesday. It has burned 1,680 acres, is 40% contained and is being handled by the U.S. Forest Service since it’s burning on federal land.
200 residents evacuated; businesses feel the heat
Officials said Wednesday that around 200 residents of nearby Mack’s Fish Camp voluntarily evacuated and many were moved to a nearby fairgrounds while some went to live with family members. Some residents were encouraged to leave but chose to stay, officials said.
“No electricity. Can’t stay where there’s no electric; I need my air conditioning,” one resident, Lisa, said after leaving her home. “I packed my medicine, and my milk that’s going bad from the refrigerator that’s been off for four hours, and my tea, and here we are.”
Maurice Cullen, of Everglades Airboat Expeditions, said the longer the fires burn, the fewer customers he’ll see.
“It’s not good for business, it definitely stops everybody going to the Everglades,” he said. “It’s never good, but this is natural. This is a normal cycle out in the Everglades.”
No injuries have been reported, but people with respiratory conditions in the area were advised to stay indoors and recirculate the air from their air conditioners.
Officials wait for rain amid a heat index up to 110 degrees
Hundreds of staff, including Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, Broward Sheriff’s Fire Rescue and the National Guard are all working alongside the Forest Service to put the flames out.
Officials say the biggest factor right now is the weather.
“We’re just hitting it hard with everything we have with our partners,” Patrick Mahoney said. “We need a weeklong, multi-day long rain event to really get us out of this.”
Fortunately, Friday could see some storms late in the afternoon and evening, which would kick off a wetter pattern for two or three days, NBC6 Meteorologist Adam Berg forecasts. The NWS says the rain on Friday will be “mainly focused over inland SoFlo.”
Winds have also remained calm, which is good because strong gusts could spread flames dangerously fast.
A heat advisory will be in effect again from noon until 7 p.m. in Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe counties, the National Weather Service said Friday. While not directly related to the fires, it makes the firefight more uncomfortable for first responders.
Heat indices up to 110° are possible.
6/19 – Look familiar? That’s because it is identical to yesterday! 🔥Heat index values across the region will reach 105-110 degrees again today. Shower and thunderstorm coverage will be mainly focused over inland SoFlo and initiate in the late afternoon. pic.twitter.com/gVbL0nwHhY
— NWS Miami (@NWSMiami) June 19, 2026
Road closures
Krome Avenue remains shut down in both directions. The Miccosukee Police Department advised drivers to “avoid the area, expect delays, and seek alternate routes until further notice.”
Pembroke Pines Police said Wednesday afternoon that U.S. Highway 27 southbound was also closed at Pines Boulevard due to the fire, but the roadway reopened later in the evening, police said.
Air quality improves
The National Weather Service warns that as smoke disperses, air quality may be reduced across the region.
Still, the air quality has improved from “unhealthy” in the areas closest to the fires on Wednesday to “good” or “moderate” on Friday, according to the AirNow Fire and Smoke Map.
More sensitive groups “should consider reducing outdoor activity” and go inside for cleaner air in the event of symptoms.
How to stay safe amid smoky conditions
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said smoke can reduce visibility on the road and cause respiratory issues. Authorities suggest that:
- If you must drive through smoke or haze, use extra caution, increase your following distance, and use low-beam headlights.
- If smoke is present in your area, limit time outdoors, keep doors and windows closed, and set air conditioning systems to recirculate indoor air. These precautions are especially important for individuals with respiratory conditions.
A group of South Florida students is preparing to travel more than 8,000 miles to Zimbabwe next Wednesday, though organizers say reaching their fundraising goals has become increasingly difficult this year.
Ten students from Miami Central Senior High School are scheduled to spend 18 days in the country as part of the Blindfolded International Student Cultural Exchange Program (BISCEP). The initiative aims to provide students with cultural immersion and foster global relationships.
“I’m really excited but also a tad bit nervous,” said 11th grader Shonneice Ferris.
For student Samir Rios, the trip offers a chance to engage with a new community. “The most anticipated thing that I’m looking forward to is most likely the students and the kids,” Rios said.
During the 18-day excursion, students plan to attend local schools, volunteer at an orphanage, and visit sites including Victoria Falls. “The first week we’re going to be going to school in Zimbabwe,” Ferris said.
Despite the program’s history of successful trips, BISCEP founder Edwin Sheppard said fundraising efforts have stalled. Many longtime donors have reduced their contributions due to budget constraints.
“A lot of our donors, our past donors, have not been able to donate what they’ve donated in the past,” Sheppard said. “A lot of budget cuts, and so we’re still struggling to raise all of the funding.”
Organizers confirmed the trip will proceed as scheduled despite the financial hurdles.
“This is two different schools, two different sides of the world and two different continents, and I think we’re going to do something amazing out of this,” Rios said.
The students are scheduled to depart next Wednesday. Organizers continue to seek donations to cover the remaining costs. Those interested in supporting the Miami Central Senior High students can find more information at biscep.org.
The contact period for 2028 recruits officially opened on June 15th, and Miami has been active on the recruiting trail.
Now more than ever, recruiting players early matters, with several committing before taking their official visits in their senior season.
Miami has been high on 2028 running back Terriel Harmon for a while, and he discussed the Hurricanes with Miami Hurricanes on SI.
READ MORE: Miami Hurricanes’ 2027 Football Commitment Tracker
The Hurricanes contacted Harmon almost immediately after the contact period opened and got down to business with him.
“The running backs coach (Coach Merritt) hit me up, and we just talked about the leadership I am going to bring to Miami and the environment of Miami,” Harmon said.
Even before the contact period opened up, Harmon already had a sense of what Miami was like.
“They bring the energy,” Harmon continued. “I love the players like Javian Mallory, Malachi Toney, and Mark Fletcher.”
Mallory is an incoming freshman running back at Miami, and he played high school ball at West Boca. Harmon just transferred to the South Florida power. The two of them have a great connection, and Mallory is recruiting Harmon to join him in college.
“He’s been telling me that Miami is the place to be and that it is great,” Harmon said.
Even though it’s still early in his recruitment, the Hurricanes are still in a prime position for the local three-star running back.
“I’m still not sure where I will go to school, but Miami is for sure at the top,” Harmon finished.
More About the 2028 Class
The 2028 class will be crucial for the future of Miami. Arguably, the two best prospects of the past few years, Amir Sears and Bryson Wright, are right in the Hurricanes’ backyard, and the two could change the course of Hurricanes football if they come.
Overall, the 2028 class in Florida might be one of the best in any state ever. There is so much talent throughout the state, and Miami is looking to get a class that rivals this 2027 class, which is the top three in the country per Rivals.
Some other in-state prospects that the Hurricanes are targeting include Gabriel Player (four-star linebacker), Asher Ghioto (four-star defensive lineman), Antonio Thompson Jr. (four-star defensive back), and George Selvie (four-star offensive lineman), amongst a ton of others.
While Harmon is only a three-star now, it would not be surprising if he becomes a four-star by the end of his senior season.
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