Bill Bambrick

Ted, you always want to sell from a position of strength. When buyers see areas needing repairs, they immediately start deducting, even if you priced it to reflect the needed improvement(s). Here's 2 options: get 3 bids from licensed contractors, and you can offer a seller concession based on the estimates. Now here is where the rubber meets the road, if this is deemed a safety concern from a home inspection or a lender inspection, this will need to be corrected before they will underwrite the loan. I would get it fixed and list it. Hope it helps.

What are the top items not maintained? Go with the obvious, a major clean professionally, it may need it twice. Next, paint, adapted lighting, and faucets. Get a pre-listing home inspection, it will help you identify mechanical issues that may be hurting you from a buyer's viewpoint. Fake it to you make it.

This is not a question, as an known material fact that effects a home value must be disclosed. Water flood or leaks are scary and costly for buyers. Get a pre-listing inspection first, you don't have to share this report with anyone. Any lender underwriter won't fund a loan if there is signs of water damage, leaks, or mold. It will need to be repaired by a licensed professional to ensure you have taken the steps to ensure no further issues will happen. A home inspector will use a moisture meter as part of the inspection. A moisture meter is used to measure the percentage of water in a material. The inspector can use it to test the roof decking, support beams, pillars, and other elements for their moisture content. It's common to find areas on the roof where the flashing and roof covering are in less-than-optimal shape. In these areas of questionable maintenance and integrity, if certain areas are suspected of leaking, the moisture meter can be used to clarify their true condition.

Simple, build a home. Profits for a new construction home for the builder can be 100K plus. Land is a commodity, if its subdivision is desirable. Now, builders will not want to pay the market price for a lot.

Did you ask to re-list? I would be happy to be the next agent if you wish to step away. I sell homes in Port Charlotte. Call your listing contact (family member) and ask how they wish to get the key back.

The HOA cannot deny the next homeowner unless there is a valid reason supported by the bylaws. If any property can be rented as long as it complies with the HOA and local laws. Be careful, as this can get you and the HOA in unwanted litigation. You may be violating the rights of that buyer.

What's the lien? There are lenders (private aka "hard money lenders" or public) can get you what you need to make the improvements and get paid at closing. Look up your local REIA group in the area; there will be experts to help you.

Unless you have several documents in hand, making an answer is a guess. Do you have a boundary survey of your lot? This will indicate an easement. As for the fence, refer to your HOA documents or call the HOA for this specific answer. The management company will be glad to help. Here are the Types of Easements in Georgia: Easement by Prescription: This occurs when someone uses another person's property openly, continuously, and adversely for a period of seven years, while keeping the property in repair, and having a claim of right. Easement by Necessity: This arises when a property is landlocked and has no access to a public road. The law implies a right of way to provide access.. Easement by Implication: This type of easement is created when a property owner sells a portion of their land, and the sale implies a right of way to the back portion. Utility Easements: These easements allow utility companies to install and maintain essential services like power lines, gas lines, etc., on private property. Right-of-Way Easements: These easements grant the right to travel across another person's land, often for roads or pedestrian routes. Hope this helps.

Ava, your listing agreement will specify the cancellation terms, protection period, and any fees due if cancelled before the termination date. In Florida, you must notify the agent/broker in an email (in writing), and a phone call also goes a long way. Note any protection period after a cancellation that you may be held to; this can me monies paid back to the broker. You can also request another agent from the broker if this is your concern, and lastly, let it expire on its own, so there are no fees due if outlined in the listing agreement. They are on your side. Most brokers have seen an excessive number of cancellations this year. Make sure you get in writing the agreed cancellation and any language as to fees or money due.

In Florida, earnest money demonstrates a buyer's good faith and desire to purchase the property, serving as "skin in the game." The more you deposit, the stronger your commitment to the seller. These funds are held in a non-interest-bearing escrow account by a closing agent, title company, or real estate attorney. The earnest money is applied as a deduction to the home's sale price. While you won't get it back in the traditional sense, you may be able to negotiate a seller credit at closing, which you can then use as you wish. The only way to receive your earnest money back is by canceling the contract within the timeframe specified in the offer agreement.

Does a bedroom have to have a closet to be a bedroom? The requirements by code and appraisal standards for a bedroom are: Square footage is a minimum of 70 sq.ft. There must be an exterior wall location, must be exterior access, like a door or window, for egress or escape. A ceiling height of 7 ft., and cannot be used to access another room. A door is not required for a closet. I have seen bedrooms with a standalone closet that is not built in. Check with your county code building department for specifics like heating; AC is not a requirement in Florida.

Will a private listing hurt your home sale? Well, Compass will say no. I'm not sure how one broker can market your home to reach all the active buyers in your Nashville market. How would you feel if there was a great buyer who missed your home since it wasn't on the largest search engine for real estate? Any data can be manipulated to look impressive. I would say convince me why not to get the most exposure for active buyers? Testing the waters is not a strategy; it's a wish. The shiny object syndrome may hurt you, just imagine if you want to change your mind and Zillow won't display your home? You're hiring that agent, not a brokerage. Wish you good luck!

As a real estate expert in Southwest Florida, I understand the importance of clarifying costs for homebuyers to ensure you can make informed decisions. In Florida, you do not have to pay sales tax on the purchase of a home, whether it's a primary residence, vacation home, or investment property. Real estate, including single-family homes, condos, and land, is considered real property under Florida law and is exempt from the state's sales tax, which typically applies to tangible personal property and certain services.

Hi Deborah, Here are some Key Considerations for Combining Parcels for Tax Purposes Eligibility for Combining Parcels: According to Florida Statute 197.192, parcels must have all taxes paid in full (current, due, or delinquent) to be eligible for combination. The parcels must be in the same ownership name and typically need to be contiguous (adjoining). Combining parcels for tax purposes is strictly for the tax roll and does not automatically imply compliance with local zoning or building regulations. You'll need to verify with the local zoning or planning department (e.g., County Zoning) that combining the parcels aligns with land use rules. Potential Tax Implications: Possible Tax Savings: In some cases, combining parcels can lead to lower property taxes due to economies of scale. A single larger parcel may have a lower assessed value per square foot compared to two smaller parcels, as larger lots often sell for less per square foot in the market. For example, two 0.25-acre lots might be assessed higher individually than a single 0.5-acre lot. Risk of Reassessment: Combining parcels may trigger a reassessment by the county property appraiser, which could result in a higher or lower assessed value depending on the property's characteristics, use, and market conditions. For instance, if one parcel has a structure (like a home) and the other is vacant, the combined parcel's value might reflect the improved value of the home plus the land, potentially increasing the assessment if the vacant lot was previously assessed at a lower rate. Homestead Exemption Benefits: If one parcel is your primary residence and qualifies for a homestead exemption, combining it with an adjacent vacant lot could extend the exemption to the entire parcel, potentially saving thousands of dollars annually. In Florida, the homestead exemption caps the annual increase in assessed value at 3% or the Consumer Price Index (whichever is less) and provides a $50,000 exemption on the taxable value for county taxes. However, you'd need to file a new homestead application to include the combined parcel, with a deadline of March 1 for the tax year. Costs of Combining Parcels: Combining parcels may require a survey to create a new legal description, drafting fees, and recording fees with the county. These costs can range from a few hundred to over a thousand dollars, depending on the complexity and whether a new survey is needed. If the parcels are already combined in a single deed (as you've noted), you may only need to submit a request to the property appraiser's office, which could minimize additional costs. However, you should confirm whether a new survey or legal description is required in your county. Why You're Still Getting Two Tax Bills: Even though your deed combines the parcels, the county property appraiser's office has not updated the tax roll to reflect the combination. This is likely because a formal request to combine the parcels for tax purposes hasn't been processed. You'll need to submit a " Request to Combine ParcelsaEUR? form (available through the County Property Appraiser's website) along with the recorded deed and any required documentation. Contact the property appraiser's office to confirm the status and ensure all taxes are current, as this is a prerequisite for combination. Other Considerations: Zoning and Development: Combining parcels for tax purposes doesn't affect their legal status for development or zoning. If you plan to build or sell in the future, check with the local zoning department to ensure the combined parcel meets minimum lot size or other requirements.

If you have a list of improvements made in the last 2-3 years, like roof, windows, mechanical/HVAC, flooring etc. These can all impact your value. This allows the appraiser to know exactly what and the cost of the improvements. Now this can only aid in their research and valuation - there is no need to interact with them. Your agent should have asked these questions and left this list so they have it as a reference.