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6 "Must-Knows" Before Putting in an Offer for a Florida Home

You've got your credit in shape, know your budget and you are pre-qualified for a mortgage. You have a buyer's agent working for you and you've found a house that meets your criteria. Now it's game time. It is time to put in an offer. Here are some valuable pieces of information that can help you structure that offer.
  1. How long has the house been on the market? Sellers of a house that has recently been listed is probably less likely to take an offer significantly less than the asking price. A seller whose house has been on the market for a long time may be more eager to negotiate.

  2. Why is the seller moving? If they are transferring to a new job or need to sell to buy their next home, it can give you leverage. If they are just thinking about moving back North, they may be more firm in their price.

  3. How long have they lived in the home? The longer they have lived in the home the less money they may owe on the property. This too may mean they can be more flexible on their asking price. The length of ownership may also indicate if it was purchased to “flip”.

  4. What have similar homes sold for in the area recently? Home prices in Central Florida can vary widely over just a few blocks. Knowing the price of recently sold homes gives you a good basis to place a reasonable offer.

  5. What do the neighbors know about the house and have to say about the area? You may be surprised how helpful some neighbors can be in helping with valuable information.

  6. Are there any major zoning changes/construction projects scheduled for the area? These can have a significant impact on the value of a home. You'll want to know about any pending changes before placing an offer.
I can help you discover the information to best help you maximize your real estate investment. Contact me and let's talk about finding the Florida home you'll love and the info needed to get it at a great price!

Do you have questions or suggestions for a future blog? Feel free to email me.

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Welcome to my Blog!

Hi, my name is Jen McCarty and I am a real estate agent proud to serve home buyers and sellers in the Orlando, Kissimmee and Central Florida real estate market. If you are moving to or within the Central Florida area, I can help you find that perfect home. If you are selling your Orlando area property, I will market it with the sense of urgency you deserve. Either way, my goal is to help you maximize your real estate investment with personal, friendly and professional service. I love what I do and am fortunate to be able to do it here in Central Florida. I am “Flo-Grown”, born and raised in St. Petersburg. I think my passion for real estate and architecture was sparked by a move to the Northeast for several years. The historic homes in New England can be breathtaking. When my husband's work took us to Kentucky, I decided to pursue my real estate license there. However, the Mouse came calling and my husband soon was offered an attractive job in IT for Disney. After moving back