Frequently Asked Questions

The answer to this question depends on the specific market conditions in the seller’s area. Generally speaking, the real estate market in Ocala is highly competitive right now, which is good news for sellers. Inventory is still low, with buyer demand high. If your farm or home is priced right, it will sell quickly. In a competitive market, the seller has the upper hand. This can be advantageous when it comes to negotiating terms, repairs, moving dates and more.

From taking care of major and minor repairs to staging your house, preparing a home for sale is a crucial step in any successful home selling process. Sellers want anyone who walks through your house to have a great first impression. Often the first step is to remove clutter and personal items from the house. You may even need to rent a storage unit if you have a lot of belongings. Remember that potential buyers want to imagine their things in the house and not get stuck on your knick-knacks. Other steps include getting a deep clean, neutralizing decor, removing signs of pets, increasing curb appeal, and staging the home to highlight the home’s features.

Ordering a home inspection before listing a house can be a smart and strategic move that can benefit the seller in the long run. A home inspection provides you with important information about the condition of your home and any potential issues that need to be addressed. It’s always better to be proactive and consider getting ahead of any critical repairs or maintenance items before putting your house on the market. Also, consider the fact that sellers may be legally required to disclose major problems to would-be buyers. However, getting a home inspection helps ensure that your house is in top condition and that you’re not surprised by what may need to be fixed or repaired down the line. We can make arrangements for the inspection by a qualified Home Inspection firm.

Unless you are cash buyer, the first step in buying a home is to get pre-approved for a mortgage, which helps determine how much money you can borrow to buy a home. The pre-approval process involves meeting with a lender or mortgage broker and providing them with your financial information, such as income, debts, and assets. The lender will then review your information and let you know how much they are willing to lend you and at what interest rate.
Getting pre-approved for a mortgage is important because it helps you determine your budget for buying a home and shows sellers that you are a serious buyer. A Proof of Funds or Mortgage Pre-Approval letter is often a requirement before you can tour higher value properties. Getting pre-approved will also help speed up the process once you find a home you want to make an offer on.

If your offer for a property is turned down, you have several options:

1. Boost your offer: If the seller rejected your offer because they believe it is too low, you may consider increasing your offer.
2. Ask for a counteroffer: The seller may not want to accept your offer but may be willing to negotiate by providing a counteroffer. This gives you an opportunity to revise your offer or negotiate other terms, such as closing date or repairs.
3. Keep searching: If the seller is not willing to negotiate and you cannot or don’t want to increase your offer, you can move on and continue your search for another property.