• Accepting, rejecting, or counter-offering your offer
• Preparing to close
• Closing day
First things first
When you receive an offer, it's time to negotiate your sale. Your options are to accept, reject, or counter-offer.
Your realtor will advise you, but it's ultimately your call.
Different contracts are used in different areas, so this is when having an agent directly from the Emerald Coast comes in handy.
They’ll know what each contract clause means, what you will net from the sale and which areas to negotiate.
Some negotiable items:
• Price
• Financing
• Closing costs
• Repairs
• Appliances and fixtures
• Landscaping
• Painting
• Move-in date
• Once both parties have agreed on the terms of the sale, your agent will prepare a contract.
Before the sale can finalize, you and the buyer will have to have the home appraised, surveyed, inspected or repaired.
Your agent will walk you through the best steps to take to make sure you don't overpay.
They’ll talk with the buyer’s agent, service providers, and make sure that you’re paying a reasonable amount on closing costs.
Depending on how these steps go, you may be ready to close.
If you aren't, you’ll revisit the negotiation table with your agent and the buyer.
If you are, it’s time to talk to the bank (or whoever is closing the transaction) and make sure the documents will be ready to sign on the closing date.
“Closing” is the official meeting where ownership is transferred to the buyer.
Your agent will be present during the closing to guide you through the process.
The state of Florida doesn’t require your attorney to be present at closing, but your agent may recommend that you bring one in case.
Some reminders you should plan on doing as the house transfers over -
• Cancel electricity, gas, lawn care and other services (or transfer them to the new owner)
• Gather owner’s manuals and warranties for all conveying appliances.
