The rate of For Sale By Owner (FSBO) homes has been decreasing steadily for the last decade.

Why do 92% of home sellers use an agent to sell their home? 
Today’s buyers are web-savvy, and expect homes to be marketed on national home search sites that FSBO sellers often forget about. Agents can also help with negotiation and to streamline the closing paperwork. Plus, sellers who use an agent usually make more on their home sale, even after paying an agent’s commission. 

Helpful Resources for Selling Your Home

Name Your Selling Price Receive an alert if a buyer is interested in your home at a specific price Smart Home Price Check your current home value and neighborhood activity any time you want. 7 Seller Tips Learn how to avoid the seven most expensive errors when selling your home

Florida sellers lie to buyers, face 20 years in jail

SPRING HILL, Fla. – Oct. 12, 2015 – A Hernando County couple faces up to 20 years in a federal prison for actions related to a sinkhole home claim that they did not later report to the home's buyers.

United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley III announced that a federal jury found Spring Hill residents Glenn and Kathryn Jasen guilty of wire fraud. The sentencing hearings are scheduled for Jan. 11, 2016. They were indicted on July 15, 2015.

According to Bentley, testimony and evidence presented at the trial found that the Jasens discovered a sinkhole beneath their home in Hernando County in 2009 and made a claim to Florida-owned Citizens Property Insurance. Citizens offered the Jasens either a check to compensate for their losses or mitigation of the sinkhole.

Rather than having Citizens repair the developing sinkhole, the Jasens instead chose to receive a check for $153,745.37 – but they kept the money. Instead of repairing the sinkhole, they made only cosmetic repairs to the house.

In 2013, the Jasens listed the home for sale but kept the sinkhole a secret. On a Florida real estate disclosure form, the Jasens denied any knowledge of a prior sinkhole or sinkhole claim.

The home ultimately sold to a family with five children. They also turned to Citizens Insurance for coverage, but it was denied after an inspection due to the ongoing sinkhole problem. Citizens canceled their policy, but the family continued to live in the home.

In March 2015, the family heard what sounded like a car crash in the earth beneath their house. They discovered a crack running across the floor of the house and immediately evacuated.

This case was investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Tampa Bay Regional Operations Center and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas N. Palermo.

© 2015 Florida Realtors®  

Boynton Beach Residential Report September 2015

           Boynton Beach Summary Statistics September 2015

THE ULTIMATE HOME SELLER CHECKLIST

CLEAN AND DECLUTTER
Cramped rooms are a buyers’ turnoff, so make sure you open up and brighten each room. Start with the furniture — remove the oversized pieces, or those that don’t fit the room’s main purpose. For example, get rid of one of your living room end tables, and remove the desk from your family room. Buyers should see there is enough space in the house for their needs. Next, look at your countertops, shelves, and in cabinets. Keep the knick knacks to a minimum, and the decor neutral so buyers can easily picture bringing their lives into your home.


MAKE NECESSARY REPAIRS
There are two kinds of repairs you should consider before selling your home. The first are cosmetic repairs. These are the “nice to haves” for buyers, and the associated costs should be relatively low. Repaint rooms to be less bold, and replace outdated light fixtures or hardware. The overall goal is that your home should feel fresh and modern. Second, you should get a presale home inspection to determine any fixes that could affect your home’s ability to sell. You know if you have an aging roof or radiator, but an inspection will tell you if they’ll need to be replaced in order to get the sale approved.

GET CURB APPEAL
Picture yourself as a buyer pulling up to your home for the first time. The lawn is well cared for, the landscaping is impeccable,and the front door has a fresh coat of paint. These natural observations set the tone for the entire walk through, so don’t underestimate the importance of curb appeal. In addition to the details noted above, make sure your house is well lit at night, and easy to find. Buy new, larger house numbers so buyers don’t drive past it on accident. Brush off any walkways so buyers have an easy time getting to the front step.

HIRE AN AGENT, SET A PRICE
Last year, sellers using real estate agents to sell their homes netted $26,300 more on average than those who chose not to hire an agent. $26,000! Agents understand the local market and the marketing practices necessary to sell your home. 4 OFFER UP


YOUR HOME’S HISTORY
There is a lot of public record data out there, but wouldn’t you rather buyers hear it directly from you? Create a simple binder showcasing the price you paid, past owners and price history, and any upgrades you’ve made to the property. Include a page with recently sold data of similar homes nearby, so buyers know that the neighborhood is in high demand! When a buyer is coming to look at your property, it’s important that you leave your home for the duration of the visit. Make sure your home looks and smells clean, and then get out of dodge until they’ve left. 4

GET READY FOR SHOWINGS
When a buyer is coming to look at your property, it’s important that you leave your home for the duration of the visit. Make sure your home looks and smells clean, and then get out of dodge until they’ve left.

Boca Raton Residential Report September 2015

               Boca Raton Residential Report September 2015 

Boca Raton Statistics September 2015