FAQ’s

First impressions matter in business, but especially in real estate. Anyone walking through a house or touring it virtually will be looking for ways to pass or negotiate down on the price. I'm here to help my clients make sure that the HVAC, plumbing, and electrical system all work properly. Each room should look clean and decluttered with no overt damage insight. Let me stop by to give you a professional opinion.  Also, download my 100 point sellers checklist.

Getting a pre-sale home inspected is never a bad idea, especially to get the best price for your home. Some homebuyers will feel uncomfortable purchasing a house without seeing a home inspection. Many will often hire their own inspector. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Also, the report will give you a lit of items to fix before putting it on the market. Click here to see home inspectors I reccomend.

Once the house is on the market, it may take anywhere from four to six weeks to sell. However, if the market is fairly hot, a seller could see their house off the market within a week. On the flip side, if there is a lull in the market or issues arise such as negotiation, lack of exposure, or house conditions then the property can sit on the market for months.  This is why pricing it appropriately is so importnant. Click here to see a smaple CMA I can provide you free of charge.

The selling price of a house fluctuates depending on multiple factors. The most common ones are the neighborhood and what similar-sized houses are currently selling for. Also, look at the age and conditiMy job is to best inform myclients about these different factors and accurately list their house.

A public tax assessor gives the assessed value for a property. This assessment typically occurs yearly for taxation purposes. The fair market value is an agreed-upon price between a willing buyer and seller. There is usually a difference between the assessed value and market value. For homeowners, the assessed value is a double-edged sword. Because, if their annual assessed value increased then their yearly taxes will also be raised. On the flip side, when selling a house it can help boost its market value. With a detailed CMA (Comparatitive Market Analysis) I can show you exactly what it is worth. Click here to see a sample.

In a real estate transaction, the agent is usually paid by the seller via commission as opposed to a flat free. Typically, a real estate commission fee is 5–6% of the home’s final sale price. In many cases, both the buyer’s agent and the seller’s agent split the commission fee 50/50. Both receiving 2.5–3%. As a broker or agent, you can use this easy to use real estate commission calculator to determine your commission fee.

Yes, almost everything in real estate is negotiable. Typically, there is a difference between a home’s list price and how much it actually sells for. The current market’s saturation will determine how much wiggle room there is for negotiation. If you’re on the buyer’s side, expect the house to be able to be purchased for less if there is a lower demand than supply in the market. Vice versa, if you’re on the seller’s side expect it to usually sell for less. That being said, you never know who else is house hunting. Sometimes people will swoop in and offer the exact asking price.

The absolute first step for your client is to get approved for a mortgage. Without being approved for a mortgage it will be quite difficult, if not impossible, to purchase a new home. If you need me to guide you through the pre-approval process, I can help you.

This is a tricky question, and the answer primarily depends on one’s funds and ability to find temporary housing. If a client needs more equity to purchase a new home or meet a mortgage plan, then it is best to sell one’s current home before purchasing their next one. That being said, they will most likely need temporary housing at a friend or relatives, or by arranging a short-term rental elsewhere.  Contact me and I can discuss bridge loan options.

Yes, order a home inspection. A home inspection is one of the most vital steps when purchasing a property. A professional inspector has a keen eye for how well the house has been taken care of. The inspectors can comment on structural and cosmetic issues, along with any local code issues. Moreover, a home inspector will help you better determine the home’s value.

A final walk-through is not required but highly recommended. Final walk-throughs give buyers a chance to make sure nothing has changed since their initial inspection or previous visits. Also, if repairs were requested as part of the sale offer then a follow-up visit ensures all repairs are done according to the agreement and contract.

Earnest money is similar to a deposit when buying a property. It is made in good faith to demonstrate to the seller that the buyer’s offer is legitimate. As a real estate agent, you should ask your client for the earnest money as a deposit in the form of a check or cash. The amount is usually 1-2% of the selling price and essentially takes the property off the market. The money also gives the buyer extra time to conduct a title search, get an inspection and property appraisal, and financing.

The number of houses you want to view can depend greatly. However, it is much easier today to connect with your clients virtually. You can now see houses online by taking virtual tours or seeing detailed photographs. So, I can help you by giving you access to your online system or my app so that they can view as many properties as you desire. Once a list is narrowed down, we can visit properties with them or on their behalf. My strength to buyers is PATIENCE! Buying a house is a big decision let's find the right house NOT the right a way house.

If you get cold feet about a property that is OKAY. Sometimes, we have second thoughts or want to go in a different direction. Know that you will have to forfeit the earnest money, which again, is around 1–2% of the home’s sale price. UNLESS we write the offer to include a fully refundable earnest money deposit. Let me show you the options.

A mortgage is a type of loan to finance a property. The majority of people are not wealthy enough to purchase a house in total. Thus, a mortgage serves as a secure loan that comes with a fixed interest rate and gets paid off over 15 or 30 years. If need be, you can refinance their mortgage and payments in the future.  I work with multiple lenders that specialize in foreign buyers, unverified income, tough credit, etc. let me help you.

An escrow is a term that refers to a neutral third party hired to handle the exchange of money, property transaction, and related documents. The escrow holds the money and documents in a trust until all terms and conditions of the sale are satisfied. When depositing the earnest money, it is wise to use an escrow account or title company.

You will deal with me directly.

Absolutely!  Please click here to see the vendors I have connections with.

I/m available for multiple types of communications:  Email, Phone, Text, WhatsApp, DM, etc. however you prefer to communicate I will be able to match.

I cover all of Broward County.  Working for Keller Williams I can coordinate other agents anywhere in the world.

Licensed real estate agents like myself estimate the fair market value of a property by doing a Comparable Market Analysis (CMA). With this method, we use the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) to locate the three (or more) homes that have sold in the last 6 months that are the most comparable to your home. Also, currently listed homes and pending homes.  Then I'll make adjustments for the ways in which your home is different from each of the others, and then average the adjusted values. The CMA adjustments are very subjective, and there is great variation between REALTORS® as to how much detail they include and the number and amount of the adjustments they make, so be sure to ask any prospective REALTOR® to explain their CMA in detail. I also, take it a step further with schools, tax records, interior updates, etc.

Unless it is absolutely necessary (such as in the case of an elderly family member who is not mobile), you should NOT be present when your home is shown to prospective buyers. A buyer chooses to purchase a home because they can envision themselves living in it. If you are there, even if you are outside, they feel like an intruder! Even if you just meet them at the door and graciously tell them to take their time while you walk around the block – it is still your house in their mind. The best way to handle it is to coordinate the timing with the showing.  I recommend you leave the house before they arrive with their buyers. If you have a pet, take them with you. One option is to just get in your car and park in a nearby parking lot and have the buyer’s agent text you when they leave.  I also have some places you can visit to keep busy while a showing or previewing is going on.

Sales contracts typically contain several “contingency” clauses, or stipulations that the sale is subject to. For example, with a mortgage contingency, if the buyer is unable to obtain financing within the specified timeframe, neither the buyer nor the seller is required to complete the purchase. Another common contingency is for the buyer to inspect the property. In this case, the buyer has a specified number of days from the date the contract is signed to back out of the contract if they are not happy with the results of the inspection.

Homesteading your property in Florida can be a huge tax advantage, especially if you don’t have a property homesteaded in another state. Florida law provides for a $50,000 homestead exemption and once your property is homesteaded your annual assessment shall not increase more than the lower of 3% or the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Consult with your tax adviser and visit the Broward County Tax Appraiser web site for more information.

Insurance can be a very complicated issue in Florida, so one of the first things I do with our clients is refer them to several of our trusted local insurance agents. Every property is different, so estimating insurance costs can be extremely difficult until you actually locate a property. Windstorm coverage is typically the most expensive policy and fluctuates greatly depending on the roof structure and the types of windows and/or shutters. A 4-point inspection, wind mitigation inspection and recent elevation certificate should give your insurance agent enough information to provide you with a quote. The wind mitigation inspection determines how “hurricane proof” your property is and the elevation certificate determines your flood zone, and whether your lender will require flood insurance or not. Most policies are only required if your property is financed by a bank, and some owners choose to “self-insure”. Of course, we don’t recommend that unless you are very risk tolerant and have the resources to cover any losses.

This is one of those areas that truly requires a local waterfront expert like myself. There are many types of waterfront properties available, from boating property with a dock slip to a high-rise condominium on the beach. Each of these properties is unique and understanding how the waterfront affects a property and its value is of utmost importance when buying or selling real estate in South Florida. Do you understand the local setbacks and whether your boat will legally fit at your new dock slip? Is it possible to put in a boat lift? Should you buy behind a fixed bridge? In the case of beach front real estate, how does the CCCL (Coastal Construction Control Line) affect your property? Should you buy a condo on the beach or the Intracoastal? These are all important questions and as local waterfront expert I have the answers.