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What Can I Expect from my U.S. Realtor ?

Realtors in the United States generally take a more active part in the real estate transaction. Here are some of the things you can expect your U.S. Realtor to do for you.

While you’re searching
1. Provide you with updates on all the properties on the market that fit your criteria. U.S. Realtors belong to multiple listing services and can therefore show you any property that is for sale, no matter which realtor has listed it.

2. Accompany you to look at all the properties that you want to see and provide you with full information including the number of square feet, the amount of property taxes and any special features or problems with the property.

When you’ve found a property you like
1. Give you accurate and complete information about sales of all similar properties. This information should include the price that it was listed for, the price that it sold for, the date that it sold and the number of days it was on the market.

2. Provide you with any additional information that can be provided by the listing agent such as improvements to the property, the age of appliances, the age of the roof, water heaters, air conditioners, etc, the cost of insurance on the building.

If you decide to make an offer
1. Suggest a price for which you might reasonably expect to buy the property. Your realtor should provide information about the average difference between the price asked and the price sold and a comparative market analysis showing the sold prices of similar properties.

2. Put together an agreement to purchase based on the price you are offering clearly detailing what is included in the property, financing arrangements and closing dates.

3. Include all necessary addenda and riders such as condominium riders and special clauses.

4. Clearly explain provisions in the purchase agreement.

5. Present your offer to the listing agent, explaining the reason for the offered price and all other provisions of the contract.

6. Present any counter offers to you making sure you understand all terms.

7. Present any counter offers from you to the listing agent.

When your offer is accepted
1. Provide you with copies of the contract and other riders signed by the buyer(s) and seller(s).

2. Obtain the homeowners or condominium association documents for you and explain any special provisions or assessments.

3. Obtain consent to transfer form from the management company representing the condo association.

4. Provide you with instructions for wiring funds for the additional deposit.

5. Provide information regarding mortgage brokers and other financing alternatives.

Helping with financing, inspections, repairs and closing arrangements
1. Send signed contract agreement, addenda and riders to finance company or mortgage broker.

2. Provide you with a list of home inspectors, if desired.

3. Arrange home inspection and any other inspections.

4. Attend home and other inspections and report to you on items that need repair or replacement.

5. Inform the listing agent of all repairs and replacements indicated by the home inspectors.

6. Provide the title company or lawyer closing the transaction with signed contract agreement and all addenda and riders.

Before closing
1. Recommend insurance brokers.

2. Provide you with telephone numbers and websites to transfer all utilities.

3. Give you wiring or other instructions for the funds for closing.

At closing
1. Give the title company a check for the deposits paid by you.

2. Obtain all keys to the property and bring them to the title company for you.

After you’ve bought the property
1. Recommend builders or handymen for any remodeling projects
2. Provide information about community resources generally (schools, banks, organizations, activities.)

The Sanibel Property Team at
www.SanibelProperty.com will strive to make your real estate purchase the easiest and most pleasant possible. Our customers say we even make it fun!


Back to Real Estate FAQ's

Average island prices drop but sales pick up pointing to good season

The average price of property sold on Sanibel between January 1st and September 30th has dropped 19% so far this year making a 25 percent decrease on average prices of sold property on Sanibel over two years.

The most expensive properties showed the biggest drop with a 27 percent drop in beachfront property prices and a 23 percent drop in bay front property. The only property type that gained was inland property which increased 13 percent in the first three quarters of this year.

Captiva fared no better with property prices overall dropping 30 percent over the year and 26 percent over two years. All categories dropped with near beach properties dropping as much as 55 percent.

Take a longer view and the picture is better. Captiva does better than Sanibel. Over five years, the average price of Captiva property has gained 57 percent. (But bear in mind that Captiva was still recovering from Hurricane Charlie five years ago and prices were depressed.) Average prices on Sanibel dropped just  9 percent over five years.

 

Take a still longer view and all categories fared, if not brilliantly, at least adequately.  Sanibel prices have increased 50 percent in the last ten years  and Captiva prices have gone up 42 percent with Captiva beachfront and Captiva near beach homes starring with 86 percent and 94 percent increases respectively. For a spreadsheet of island prices over ten years and more, e-mail Wendy at Wendy@SanibelProperty.com

And now for even better news……  Following a dismal start, a lackluster spring and a mediocre summer, sales have already started picking up for the fall with 17 homes and 14 condos either pending or contingent. This is highly unusual: October is generally our slowest month.