Real Estate Blog

Topics of interest to help homeowners when thinking about selling their home.

“Take the Offer or Leave It!” Here’s How to Handle “Bully” Home Buyers

Rocio CasalesLeave a comment

“Bully” Buyers

Many times I have been in a situation where I am representing the seller and a buyer comes and tells me “You know what Mario? We are not going to offer a single penny over this offer amount. Your client can either take it or leave it!”

First of all, do not take this ultimatum to heart. Buyers will say things like this to pressure you to accept an offer you really do not want to. Therefore, how can you make more money when someone makes you this kinds of offer and tells you this is their final offer? You counter back.

Counter back!

I proceeded to call the seller and instead of telling the seller what the buyer told me word by word, I advised my client to simply counter back the offer. The reason I do this is that by me telling the seller the buyer’s ultimatum all I am doing is allowing the “bully” behavior reach my client. I do not want to add burden or additional stress to my client, that is why I am here, to help make this process as smooth as possible.

RELATED: 3 Reasons Why Your House is Not Selling

Control your emotions during negotiation

Therefore, what happens after I present the counteroffer to the buyer? Well, at times the buyer will complain and whine about it, but in the end, it is all about negotiation. Negotiation has very little to do with what people say and it is more about controlling your emotions.

Furthermore, most often then not, the buyer will counter the sellers’ counter offer. If the buyer is a serious buyer, they may up their initial offer and hope to meet in the middle. Or if the price is at market value, accept the sellers’ counter.

As long as you can control your emotions during this process, your chances of winning are high.

Have questions or need further advice on how to handle these “bully” buyers?

Call or Text (305) 305-1535 Today!

Selling Your Home Fast And on Market Value

Rocio CasalesLeave a comment

Do you need to sell your home fast?

Selling a home is no easy task. Even more so, if you are under the pressure of having to sell your home fast. The reasons can be from job relocation to unexpected life events that are forcing you to sell now.

Being under pressure to do anything may cause you to do rash decisions. When it comes to the sale of your home, making rash decisions can cost you a lot of money!

Many homeowners believe if they need to sell their home fast, they need to price it way under market value. As a result, they end up losing money on the sale. The truth is, you can still make a quick sale (and I mean, within a month!) still on market value!

How do you sell your home fast and on market value?

By pricing the home right on fair market value. How do you find out the right fair market value for your home?

Your best chance is by hiring a top real estate agent in your area. You need to have someone knowledgeable of your neighborhood market and with experience in getting the job done fast!

A top real estate agent will guide you step by step through the whole process, relieving you of that added stress.

Questions about selling your house?

With 16 plus years of real estate experience, we have helped many homeowners sell their home on time and on price.

Fill out the form below for a FREE consultation, and we will be in contact right away!

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When to start packing to move out once you’re under contract

Mario Avalos7 Comments

Start packing to move out? When? Commonly asked questions when your home goes under contract.

Do not start packing to move out until, among other terms, the below four contract contingencies have cleared between you and the buyer.

  • Inspection: Upon completion of property inspections within the inspection period established between seller and buyer, the buyer may withdraw or renegotiate their offer based on inspection findings. So do not start packing.
  • Clean Title: This is a seller contingency. So as long as seller provides a clean and marketable title, the buyer cannot utilize this contingency to withdraw or renegotiate their offer based on title findings.
  • Appraisal: Upon completion of evaluation within the appraisal period established between seller and buyer, the buyer may withdraw or renegotiate their offer should appraisal value come at below purchase price. Again, do not yet start packing to move out.
  • Letter of Commitment (LOC) or Loan Guarantee: Buyer must provide LOC to the seller within LOC period established between seller and buyer. Until then, the buyer can withdraw or renegotiate their offer based on the buyer’s lender’s inability to guarantee the loan.

There are many other terms to be on the lookout. But clearing these four contingencies makes it a safer bet to start packing to move out.

Start Packing To Move Out Handy Links

Below are a few helpful links to aid the process of “where to look” to get things done when you are ready to move to a new home.

  1. Change of address
  2. FPL (connect or disconnect electricity)
  3. Water (connect or disconnect water)
  4. Schedule a Bulk Waste Pick Up
  5. Yelp.com: go to this site and type “moving services” to check out companies and reviews on them.
  6. Amazon.com: type “moving boxes” on the search box and get great deals (free alternative: you can go to your local supermarket during product unloading time to get their boxes. This is usually done around 6am or 7 am).
  7. Evernote (for you techies that your life revolves around your phone, keep track of all items/schedules via this fantastic app).

3 Reasons Why Your House is Not Selling

Mario AvalosLeave a comment

3 Months have passed and my house is not selling

I spoke with a homeowner who had their property listed for three months and had zero buyers go see it. I could not believe it when I heard it, I was in disbelief because we are in a sellers’ market and their house was not selling. There are many buyers out there searching for their ideal home. Therefore, if a home is not getting any showing requests within a month, then there is something up.

Why is my house not selling?

Here are the 3 reasons your house is not selling:

1. Price

Is your house properly priced? This is the first and most important question to ask if your house is not being shown. Odds are, it may be overpriced and buyers are discouraged to go see it.

Now, how do you overprice a home? Many homeowners compare their homes to their neighbor’s homes that may also be for sale. Do not compare your home value with currently for-sale homes in your neighborhood. Your best bet is determining your home price based off the recently sold prices in your neighborhood and the condition of those homes. Similar homes to yours may have upgrades while others don’t and the condition varies. All these factors help determine the correct value of your home.

Read more: One Way to Get the Wrong Value on Your Home? Ask Your Neighbor!

2. Bad marketing

First impressions count! Having good professional quality pictures of your home is a must! Your house pictures are the first impression buyers will have and you want to make it a good one so they can set the appointment to see it.

In addition to good professional quality pictures, your house is not selling due to poor advertising. Where these pictures and details of your house are being advertised are very important. They need to be advertised in at least every major real estate website, such as Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, etc.

Furthermore, with so many people on social media all the time, it has become as important as the major real estate websites, for advertising your home for sale.

3. How does the property show?

So now you know you need good professional pictures, but how will your house show in those pictures? It is not enough to have good angles and lighting in the pictures, but the actual house needs to look good too.

Therefore, ask yourself these questions. Is your house nicely organized? Is it de-cluttered? Are the walls painted in appealing colors?

Many times I have encountered listings with poor pictures or pictures where the home does not show well and my buyer clients do not even bother booking an appointment even though the description fits their criteria.

Get clear answers to why your house is not selling

If you are working with a real estate agent and your house is not selling, you need to get clear answers from your agent as to why this is happening.

My point is, in real estate, things can move quickly while other times, they may not. Therefore, no matter what direction the housing market is heading, you need to be aware of the causes. Not only that, you need to know why certain things are or are not happening. And have a clear understanding of those reasons. If you feel like you are not getting clear answers, it may be time to move on to a different agent.

Need help selling your house?

We can help! With over 16 years of experience we are confident to get the job done!

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Fill out the form below and we will get in contact right away!

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Estate Planning: Why You Need One Now

Rocio CasalesLeave a comment

Interview with Estate Planning and Probate Attorney, Debbie Lowe

Debbie Lowe has a Masters in Estate Planning from the University of Miami. In this interview, Debbie Lowe answers the most important questions when it comes to protecting your loved ones after you die.

There are many misconceptions about estate planning and when it should be done. Many believe it should be done when you retire or if you own many properties. This is incorrect. Estate planning starts now!

Interview Questions

  • What is the estate planning process? Minute mark: 0:55
  • What is probate and its’ process? Minute mark: 1:55
  • The 3 different types of ownership. Minute mark: 3:55
  • The most common ownership among married couples. Minute mark: 6:40
  • How to protect your children when you pass away? Minute mark: 7:22

RELATED: A Must Do If You Own Real Estate!

  • You have children and remarry. How to ensure your children also have control of the estates? Minute mark: 9:10
  • Who keeps the primary home as per Homestead law in Florida? Minute mark: 10:45
  • Why you need estate planning now! Minute mark: 12:45
  • What if you only own one property? Minute mark: 14:35
  • How can you contact Attorney Debbie Lowe? Minute mark: 16:00

Snowbirds From Canada! Buying in South Florida is Easier Than You Think

Rocio CasalesLeave a comment

It was a pleasure meeting with my colleague, Olena Feoktistova. Olena is a real estate agent in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She came down to Miami to enjoy our nice warm weather.

In addition, she also checked out some properties so she can use during the very cold winters Canada is known for. Olena asked me if she could interview mee to provide insight to her Canadian clients on how we facilitate buying a home in South Florida.

We Work Internationally

It’s no secret south-east Florida is a major hub for international buyers and foreign investors. We market our properties in 110 countries, nineteen languages, and in over 500+ leading real estate websites. Therefore, we have experience working with international buyers and facilitating their real estate purchases.

Top 3 things international buyers look for in a property

1. Close to the water

Most international buyers are looking to live near the water and enjoy our most famously known beaches. As a result, our winter- which temperature averages in the high 60’s to high 70’s- brings in snowbirds from Canada and northern U.S states to enjoy our warm climate. In addition, our beautiful water views are a top selling point. No doubt this is on their top priority.

2. Close to entertainment

Not only do they look to be close to the water but also near all the entertainment this beautiful city provides. From restaurants to shopping centers within walking distance. This is a must to feel like you are living where others vacation!

3. Rental restrictions

Lastly, a very important question before buying is: what are the rental restrictions? Most international buyers are looking to stay seasonally. As a result, the property will be vacant during other seasons. Your best option is to rent it out. Many associations will have rental restrictions that may not allow seasonal rentals or any rentals at all. Try to avoid these in case you want to rent your place seasonally to get the addition income while you’re away. Can’t go wrong with some extra cash!

Best time to buy in South Florida

Best time to buy is during the holiday seasons. This starts around November with the thanksgiving holiday and ends about mid to the end of January when everyone is settling back. During this time, there is less buyer competition because everyone is taking care of their holiday festivities. Consequently, with less buyer competition, you get a better deal.

Easier than you think to buy in South Florida

Many believe that because they are not a U.S citizen the process of buying property is difficult. On the contrary, if you can chew gum and walk, then you can buy real estate here. For example, due to the good relationship between Canada and the U.S, buying real estate is relatively easy. If you have the money to buy and are in good standing, then it is like a U.S citizen buying real estate.

If you are an international buyer interested in buying in south Florida, please feel free to contact me! I can guide you through the steps required to purchase real estate so you can make the right decision.