David Lang

The one person who knows whether it's the right time to sell is you. Everyone's desires and plans for the next stages in life are different. There is no one-size-fits-all answer. There are a few questions that you may wish to ask yourself: 1) Does my current home still fit my life? If the home no longer fits your needs - too small, too big, too much upkeep, wrong layout, wrong location, that's a real sign it may be time. 2) Am I financially ready for the next move? Selling is one thing. Where are you going? Buying/renting the next place, downsizing, or relocating? Sellers should look at equity, likely proceeds, monthly payment changes, closing costs, and moving expenses. Just to mention a few. 3) Do I have a clear reason for moving? The best moves usually come from a solid reason, not just curiosity. Job change, lifestyle shift, family needs, retirement, less maintenance, more space. Those are the kinds of reasons that tend to justify a move. 4) What happens if I stay? This is a big one. If staying puts them in a better position financially or personally, maybe waiting makes sense. If staying only delays a needed move, then holding off may not really help. 5) Do I know where I would go next? A lot of people focus on selling and forget the next step. They should have a realistic plan for where they'll live after the sale. 6) Am I making this decision based on facts or emotion? Sometimes people want to sell because they're frustrated, bored, or reacting to headlines. Better to make the call based on goals, numbers, and timing that actually make sense. If after contemplating this questions (and other pertinent ones for your situation); you may have a better feeling about if NOW if the right time for you. Others can not make this decision for you. Once you decide, move forward and don't look back.

I would suggest speaking with a good mortgage loan officer. Your Realtor should be able to recommend a couple of options for you. The short answer with a 540 credit score is that your options may be limited, but I wouldn't say they are zero. Right now in Florida, there are several down payment assistance programs that may be available with different sets of qualifications. So there may be help available with down payment. A good loan officer will also be able to look at your credit and potentially develop a plan for you to raise your credit score over a period of time depending on what is found. It's always good for everyone to start the conversation with a good lender early in the process so they give advice and you have the time to implement the corrective actions to put you in the best position possible with home ownership. If this is impossible today, it may be possible in the near future or down the road. I hope this helps. Don't give up, just lean on professional to help you make a plan; then work that plan until you reach your goal.

Possibly not, if I understand your situation correctly. In Florida, they following is needed to be able to consider a room a bedroom: Key Florida Bedroom Requirements: - Size: Minimum 70 sq ft floor area. If the room is for more than one person, the required space increases. Dimensions: At least 7 feet in any horizontal dimension. - Emergency Egress (Crucial): Must have an operable emergency escape/rescue opening to the outside. This window must have a net clear opening of at least 5.7 sq ft (5 sq ft if at ground level), be at least 24" tall and 20" wide, and cannot be higher than 44" from the floor. - Ceiling Height: A minimum of 7 feet in at least 50% of the room. - Access: Must have a door leading to a hallway or common area, not exclusively through another bedroom or bathroom. - Heating: Must have a permanent, safe heat source, not a portable unit. - Closet Requirement: Interestingly, while many local Florida municipalities and real estate agents expect a closet, the Florida Building Code does not strictly mandate a built-in closet to define a bedroom. However, for appraisal purposes, a closet is usually expected. - Conditioned Space: The room must be heated (and usually, in Florida, cooled) to be considered living space. The "access" piece may be the item in question; AND if this room is considered a bedroom, it may make the other bedroom ineligible, if that room's only access is through the room in question.

Again, with the little information provided - probably not. Only a person who has legal right to sell a property, can sell it. Whether that is your own legally owned property (not owned with someone else), or you have power of attorney (in Florida, the property address must be noted within a POA), once a person is deceased the POA ceases to exist. Lastly, a court has given legal right to sell a property (usually through the probate process). If you are still unsure, them consulting an attorney within the state the property is located is the best route to go. I hope this helps.