Real Estate Sales, Property Management, Home Watch, and Notarial Services for
both Non-Haunted and Haunted Homes
We can sell your current primary or secondary home located anywhere along the Gulf Coast of Central Florida, even if your home has a "stigma" attached to it. Our listing agents or seller's agents can help homeowners sell their homes. Together, we will agree on a price at which to list the property after reviewing the Comparative Market Analysis (CMA). We will provide advice on curb appeal throughout the entire home selling process, including how to present the house. We will market for buyers, show the house, hold open houses, and negotiate the sales contract when potential buyers are secured. The buyer's agent is paid at closing once the deal is completed.
COMPARATIVE MARKET ANALYSIS
A comparative market analysis (CMA) examines the prices at which similar properties in the area have recently sold. We will be happy to perform a comparative market analysis FREE of charge for our clients to determine a starting price when selling a home.
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As no two properties are identical, adjustments may need to be made for the differences between the sold properties and the subject property to determine a fair sales price. A comparative market analysis is a less-sophisticated version of a formal, professional appraisal.
SELLER EXPENSES
At closing or settlement it is customary to make an adjustment between buyer and seller for property taxes and other expenses such as the homeowner owners association dues and any special assessments.
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Sales/Broker's Commission: Total dollar amount of the real estate broker's sales commission which is usually paid by the seller. This commission is typically a percentage of the selling price of their home. Any real estate referral fees will also be paid out of this percentage paid to the broker.
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Tax Service Fee: This fee is for handling the payment of taxes to the proper taxing authorities.
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Title Insurance for Buyer: A title insurance policy is purchased for the buyer guaranteeing a clear and marketable title.
The taxes which are payable annually and in arrears will not be paid when the settlement occurs so the borrower will have to pay the seller's portion of the property taxes the following December 1st when they become due. However, the seller owned the home for part of the year, thus the taxes will be prorated accordingly and will be paid by the seller to the buyer for the portion of the year in which they owned the home at closing. This amount will show up as a credit on the settlement statement, and the seller will count this amount as a deduction from sums payable to the seller.
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Similar adjustments are also made for homeowner association dues and any special assessments although the billing periods for these are often paid on a quarterly basis. These "prorations" are paid in advance so the seller will have to be credited with any prorated amount at settlement.
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You will also have to notify all utility companies of the change in ownership and you may want to ask for a special reading on the day of settlement. Be sure to leave your new address for any final billing to be mailed.
SELLER FORMS
When buying a home in the United States you may be asked to provide the following documentation to establish sufficient income for a mortgage (documentation will vary depending upon whether you are a domestic buyer or a foreign national buyer):
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Residential Listing Agreement: Sellers will be asked to sign an exclusive right of sale listing agreement with their broker.
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HOA Addendum: This form discloses when a home is required to be a part of a Home Owners Association.
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Agency Disclosure: This form explains the various forms of agency representation between you and your real estate broker.
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Sellers Real Property Disclosure Statement: Sellers are obligated by law to disclose all personally known material defects about their home to the buyer.
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Lead Based Paint Disclosure: This form is required by law only for homes built prior to 1978.
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Radon Gas: A seller must notify the buyer of the radon risk on at least one document, form, or application executed.
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Foreign Investment in Real Property Act "FIRPTA": A tax form required by the IRS withholding 10% of the gross sales price for payment of foreign national seller's taxes thus preventing them from expatriating the proceeds before it can be taxed.