Buying, Selling & Investing in Central Florida

Insights

What actually happens in your first meeting with a buyer's agent?

A good first meeting is about you, not a sales pitch. Here is what I ask, the agreement we sign and why it works in your favor, and the plan you walk out with.

September 24, 20266 min read

Selling

What is my home worth in Clermont? Why an online estimate is only a start

An online estimate is a fine first look, but it has never seen your home. Here is what a real valuation looks at, how it differs from an appraisal, and how to get yours for free.

September 24, 20265 min read

Credit

Your first call with a lender: what they ask, and what it does to your credit

Your first call with a lender is a short conversation, not an interrogation. Here's what they'll ask, what the letters really mean, and how to shop lenders without hurting your credit.

September 24, 20265 min read

Buying

Pre-approved? Here's what not to do before you close

Congratulations, you're preapproved. Your lender is going to look again before closing. Here's how to keep your finances looking exactly like they did on approval day.

September 24, 20265 min read

Buying

What is a rate buydown, and is it worth it?

A rate buydown can lower your mortgage payment, for a few years or for the life of the loan. Here's how the two kinds work, who pays for them, and how to tell whether one is worth it for you.

September 24, 20266 min read

Selling

Can I sell my house myself in Clermont? What you'll need

Yes, you can sell your house yourself in Florida. Here's an honest checklist of what you'll need: pricing, the disclosures Florida requires, marketing, safe showings, offers and the contract.

September 24, 20267 min read

Buying

Renting in Davenport? How to tell if you're ready to buy instead

Renting doesn't keep you from owning. Here's what lenders look at, whether paying rent on time can help, where down payment help comes from, and how to tell if you're ready to buy in Davenport.

September 24, 20267 min read

Selling

Could the mortgage you already have be the thing that sells your house?

If you financed with FHA, VA or USDA when rates were low, that loan may transfer to your buyer. It does not cost you your equity, and there is one catch VA sellers need to know.

September 17, 20266 min read

Buying

Can I take over a seller's low interest rate instead of taking a new loan?

An assumable mortgage lets a qualified buyer take over the seller's FHA, VA or USDA loan at the rate they already have. Here is who it actually works for, and who it does not.

September 17, 20268 min read

Buying

There Are Multiple Offers. How Do I Win Without Overpaying?

The highest number does not always win. Sellers pick the offer most likely to actually close, and certainty is something you can build without raising your price. Here is what I would strengthen, and what I would refuse to.

September 12, 20266 min read

Buying

The Inspection Found Problems. Do I Walk Away?

Almost every inspection finds problems. The real question is which findings are deal breakers, which are just money, and which are noise. In Florida the one that quietly ends deals is insurability.

September 12, 20265 min read

Buying

My Appraisal Came In Low. What Happens Now?

A low appraisal rarely kills the deal. It changes who covers the difference between the price you agreed to and the number the appraiser came back with, and you have more options than most people realize.

September 12, 20264 min read

Buyer guides: the questions people call me about

Longer answers to the situations that stop a purchase in Central Florida.

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