Bonardi & Uzdavinis have helped buyers and sellers of houses, condos and land in Florida. Sellers can save money by using the “For Sale by Owner” process to sell their properties and avoid commissions. It is vital to follow the correct procedures in order to avoid any disputes or problems. Here are six simple steps to follow in order to make your home or land sale a success.
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Choose FSBO or Hire a Broker
Decide whether you will sell your property yourself (“For Sale by Owner”) or if an agent is required. If you choose to sell your property on your own, consult an experienced real estate lawyer who represents FSBOs. You can hire a broker to represent your interests. Decide how you will find and interview brokers. Before you sign any listing agreement, have it reviewed by an experienced real estate lawyer.
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Prepare your home for sale
Make sure you decide if your property needs any repairs to be presented as well as possible to potential buyers. Plan how you’ll clean and present the property before showings. You can use online resources to prepare your home for sale.
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Select a marketing program
There are many ways to market your home. You must decide whether to list your home with a real estate broker. If you choose a full-service real estate broker, the broker will handle all marketing on your behalf. This section assumes you do not work with a full-service real estate broker.
If you want to sell your home without a real estate agent, you can do it online. Zillow or Craigslist can be good options. Search online for homes being sold FSBO in your area. Use the same websites that others are using to sell their home. You will also want to create flyers and place a “for sale” sign on the outside of your home. You can also post it on social media. Prepare yourself to receive calls from agents who want to list your property or potential buyers.
A discount brokerage can list your home. These brokerages charge flat rates to list your house on the Multiple Listing Service, so it can be seen by other realty agents. Discount brokerages don’t usually charge any fees on the sale. You must still decide the amount of commission you will pay to buyer’s agent. The MLS listing will list the amount. You’ll still have to market your house as if you were selling it privately without an MLS listing. Yard signs, Craigslist and Zillow are all part of the marketing mix.
Open houses can be a great tool to showcase your home. It is best to always have at least two hosts present. It is important to get the names, numbers or emails of all those who attend your open house. It is important to have a record of all visitors, not just for future reference but also as a way to track them. You can find lots of information online about open houses. This includes how to present your house, prevent theft, and stay safe.
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Check Your Title
You can order a preliminary title guarantee commitment from a company that operates in your county. The commitment will indicate the current status of your property and any exceptions or encumbrances. If you have questions about the information in your commitment, consult an experienced real estate lawyer.
In many purchase and sale agreements, the seller must give the buyer a written promise within a certain time period after the agreement is signed. The seller must also pay the title insurance policy premium after closing.
If you check the status of your title in advance, you will have plenty of time to address any issues before selling your property.
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Prepare for Disclosures
Only a small number of Florida real estate sellers are exempted from providing a real property information form to the buyer in the first five days after the signing of an agreement. The buyer has three days to accept or reject the statement. Disclosure statements may be provided before an agreement is signed.
Before you answer a buyer, review the questions in the disclosure statement. You will be better prepared to answer questions and won’t have to rush.
If your house was built before 1978, you must disclose all lead-based paint. HUD provides the disclosure form and pamphlet. Always make sure you have the most recent version of the pamphlet and form. Disclosure of Lead-Based Paint and/or Lead Based paint Hazards will give you access to the disclosure form. The brochure Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home must be delivered as well.
Software that supports e-signature allows disclosures to be delivered electronically to buyers. It is a simple way to deliver disclosures to buyers and to create a receipt that indicates when they have been received.
Contact us at Bonardi & Uzdavinis LLP to learn more about the disclosure documents required when selling a home.
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Acceptable Terms
The seller might not realize that the price is only one of several terms they can negotiate.
Before you list your home for sale, it is important to consider the following:
- Decide the amount of earnest money that you will require from your buyer.
- Select the company who will issue your title insurance policy.
- Choose the escrow agent for the closing of the deal.
- Determine if you’re willing to accept contingencies.
- Consider if you need to make any adjustments (like finding a new house).
- Do you offer seller financing?
- Fix a deadline.
Consider whether you are selling personal property with your property. Seller financing is available to sell your property. This financing will require you to give details such as the down payment amount, interest rate and amortization period.
For more information, visit our Real Estate page before entering into a transaction that is seller-financed.
We can guide you through the entire process. We will guide you through the process of your next sale
- Negotiating Terms
- Writing the Agreement
- Helping with Disclosures
- Deadlines: How to Deal with Them
- Guide to Closing
Contact us Today
Bonardi & Uzdavinis is the epitome of professionalism and trustworthiness when it comes to the real estate laws in the Tampa Bay/Saint Petersburg region and the State of Florida.
Don’t leave your real-estate transactions to chance. Call Bonardi & Uzdavinis today to schedule a free consultation. We will discuss your legal issues and you can feel confident with our seasoned staff who will be tenaciously representing your interests.
This post was written by a professional at Bonardi & Uzdavinis, LLP. Bonardi & Uzdavinis, LLP is a boutique, full service law firm providing its clients with a wide range of representation. Our primary areas of practice include real estate attorney parrish fl, probate, personal injury, construction, and commercial litigation. If you are looking for a real estate attorney or personal injury attorney in Tampa Bay contact us today for a case evaluation today!