Things to Do Before Hiring a Florida Real Estate Agent

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Contacting a Florida Real Estate Agent

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Are you ready to buy or sell a home? Before you do either, there are some basics you can cover in order to create a seamless process for everyone involved. Below is essential information on what steps you can and should take before hiring a real estate agent, brought to you by real estate pro Antonio Ortega LLC of Global Luxury Realty, LLC.

Prepare

Buying or selling a home is a huge transaction. There are key preparations on both sides of the process. Homebuyers should begin to get their finances in order before applying for a loan for a loan. Sellers should ensure they’re truly ready to sell by being emotionally and physically ready to part with their home. Sellers should also get their home into shape so that it can be seen in the best possible light.

It is also helpful to learn about mortgages so that you are prepared before committing to one. The simple definition of a mortgage is a loan that you take out to purchase a home. It requires good credit and an income that shows you can pay back the loan to secure one. It is best to get pre-approved for a mortgage before you seriously begin house hunting so that you are prepared if you want to pull the trigger on a great property. Pre-approval will also help you to see how much you qualify for and, more importantly, how much you can afford to repay monthly. This information will help you to determine which homes are in your price range.

I have excellent Mortgage Brokers / Lenders on my team.

Massive Market Exposure is Important

Through our connections we’ll enlist the Help of 1000’s of Local Real Estate Agents, in our immediate area alone there's more than 50,000 agents.

I’ll do Local Advertising and add your listing to the most popular National and International Home Search Sites.

Massive Market Exposure 250 Associations throughout the US.

My degree of Participation allows me to offer my clients Massive Market Exposure.

Your home will be featured in over 700 of the Nation’s and the World’s Best Home Search Sites and in different languages because most of the world is interested in South Florida.

We'll Show you How to Prepare your Home for Sale you don't have to spend a lot put money in improvements that will get you the most bang for your dollar.

What Do You Want?

For buyers, it’s vital to decide what is desirable in a potential property. There are several aspects to consider, such as proximity to your workplace, how much space you need, and your plans.

If your family is growing, you may want more bedrooms than you need right now, or if you recently sent your kids to college, downsizing may be right for you. Do you prefer a close neighborhood, or do you need room to breathe?

Prepare Your Wallet

Learn how much you can afford first and foremost. Get a budget together based on what you make and what you pay out every month and check the status of your credit rating. Cleaning your credit report and maximizing your score can make for a better rate on your loan.

Once your credit report is in shape, set aside funds for your down payment as well, and save money for unforeseen moving expenses. When those steps are complete, talk with a lender to get pre-approval on a loan.

In addition to prepping your finances, you’ll want to be sure to get your property in order. First and foremost, bring basic maintenance up to date. Clean gutters, make lingering repairs, tidy your landscape, and remove any dead or damaged trees.

Planning to Sell

The most successful home sales begin with preparing well in advance of listing the property. Making basic repairs is the first and foremost priority, so if your roof is damaged or a faucet is dripping, take care of it ahead of time. You’ll also need to take care of routine maintenance. Clean your gutters, refresh paint, and deep clean your carpets.

Then do some editing by decluttering your home of personal décor and displaying your space well. Clean your home from top to bottom and make small changes to update your house. 

Home Inspections

Both buyers and sellers can use home inspections to their benefit. Obviously, buyers use the inspection to ensure a property is move-in ready. A home seller should get an inspection early in the process to take care of issues before listing the home.

See Details, I will Contribute 10% of my Professional Fee toward your Closing Costs!

Preparations are key to buying or selling a home. Do your part to get ready for your next big adventure and hire a realtor to help you with all the details. Taking the basic steps mentioned above will set you up for success!

Buyer Important Facts to Know

Be it today, tomorrow or six months from now, I'm prepared to offer you dedicated extraordinary service, your referrals are greatly appreciated.

Thank you for the trust placed in me,

Antonio Ortega, LLC Fort Lauderdale

                   
  

www.AntonioOrtegaLLC.com     For Residential Properties

www.AntonioOrtegaLLC.net       For Commercial Properties

            

Visit our Website:  www.SouthBrowardHomesbyTony.com

Antonio Ortega LLC Licensed Real Estate Professional

Text or Call 954-648-6095

Global Luxury Realty, LLC

Click Here to Contact Us

What to Do with Your Remodeled Fixer-Upper

 

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Selling your Ft. Lauderdale fixer-upper Home

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The remodeling phase of your Ft. Lauderdale fixer-upper house is complete, and it is finally ready for occupants. Now comes the decision on whether you should sell the home or rent it out. Both options have advantages and disadvantages. Here are a few things to consider as you make this important decision.

Sell for a Profit

South Broward is typically a hot real estate market popular with retirees, families, and single professionals. Selling your home at a profit gives you the needed cash to fund your next flip. To get the most return on your investment, hire an experienced, bi-lingual local real estate agent. Antonio Ortega knows how to manage every stage of your home sale. 

Research by realtors reveals that staging your home helps buyers visualize living in it, possibly leading to a faster sale. If you have furniture and décor to move into the house, research South Broward movers by reading their online reviews. Look for well-referenced companies running deals or credits if money is tight. Once you've narrowed your choices, meet with the top three contenders to discuss your needs and get a quote. 

The True Value of Your Home in South FL

Consider the Landlord's Life

Collecting monthly rent on your finished property is a definite plus. The remodeled home should continue to appreciate as well. However, being a landlord takes money and time, so make sure you have both available before going the rental route.

As a landlord, you are responsible for finding suitable tenants and dealing with their issues if they become unruly. It's your job to handle the lease, collect the monthly rent and manage all the financial records. You are on call 24/7 for any issues on the home.

Ideally, you should have two months' equivalent of rental payments stashed away if needed. That's because you are the one who pays for home insurance, property taxes, homeowner's association fees, as well as all of the major repairs and some of the minor ones. In addition, you receive no rental income if your tenant expectantly moves out.  If you don't have cash on hand for these expenses, you could put your finances in a bind. 

As a landlord, it's your job to market your rental to potential South Broward county renters. An eye-catching banner advertising your listing on your social media pages or website is a great way to get the word out. Try this online banner creator to create customized ads that perfectly fit your Twitter feed, website, Facebook, or Instagram page. Various designs are available, so you're sure to find one that fits your brand. Then, personalize it with your text displayed in an attractive color and font. Finally, add a short video or animation to attract even more attention.

Hire a Property Management Company

Hiring a property management company is an excellent solution If you have the funds to maintain your remodeled home as a rental but don't have the time to be a landlord. An experienced Ft. Lauderdale property manager knows where to market your home and how to find a good tenant. This professional handles rent collection, maintenance, repairs, and all the financial documentation on your behalf for a fee.

Whether to sell or rent your newly remodeled fixer-upper depends on whether you have the extra funds to manage the rental. If not, your best choice is to sell it and reap the profits.

Buyer Important Facts to Know

See Details, I will Contribute 10% of my Professional Fee toward your Closing Costs!

Be it today, tomorrow or six months from now, I'm prepared to offer you dedicated extraordinary service, your referrals are greatly appreciated.

Thank you for the trust placed in me,

Antonio Ortega LLC Fort Lauderdale

                   
        

Visit our Website:  www.SouthBrowardHomesbyTony.com

Antonio Ortega LLC Licensed Real Estate Professional

Text or Call 954-648-6095

Global Luxury Realty, LLC

Click Here to Contact Us

Selling your Fixer upper home, Broward Homes For Sale, Broward, Plantation, Davie, Fort Lauderdale, Las Olas, Hollywood, Southwest Ranches, Cooper City, Weston, and other cities.

Build Equity Buy Stop Renting in Florida

 

Have you ever burnt money?

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I know someone that went through a divorce and rented for four years then added up the cost of renting it came up to $100K and right away he decided to buy rather than throw his money away! It's like he burnt a $100,000

You may not have literally burned up bills but if you're still paying rent, it amounts to the same thing. When you buy a home, you own something solid, real, and something full of value. For many people, building equity by buying your own home is one of the most lucrative investments you can make.

Instead of dealing with your landlord's choices, you get to set the rules. Go ahead, adopt that amazingly cute puppy you've always wanted. Paint your kitchen in bold, beautiful colors. Plant your veggie garden in the sunny spot in your backyard.

It's a battle you don't have to fight anymore

In today's rental market finding an affordable place to live can be tough. And just because you find a place that doesn't break the bank this year doesn't mean your rent won't go up once your lease is up.

When you buy your own home, you can protect yourself from an out-of-control housing market and stabilize your cost of living. No more rent hikes. No more frantic searches for a decent place to live in your favorite neighborhood.

Stability and Peace of Mind

Moving from rental to rental is obviously a financial inconvenience, but it can also be a significant emotional burden. When you don’t know for sure where you’ll be living next, you also don’t know who your neighbors will be or where your kids will be going to school.

When you buy your own place, you make an investment in your home and your community. Enjoying friendships with neighbors, community involvement and stable educational opportunities for your children are just a few benefits of home ownership that you can’t put a price on.

PQ Letter or Pre-qualification Letter - Proof of Funds Letter if Paying Cash

Whether you are a first time buyer or have bought some houses before, I suggest that you get a Pre-qualification letter or Proof of Funds Letter if Paying Cash, especially after the COVID-19 outbreak.

Seller and sellers' agents prefer qualified clients, they don't want to be showing their houses to people that don't have a PQ Letter or Proof of Funds Letter.

Sellers don’t want to take their property off the market unless they know that the buyer is pre-qualified or pre-approved, so it’s very important to have one if you want your offer to be taking seriously.

If you are getting a Home Mortgage, I have an excellent Mortgage Broker / Lender on my team, that can give you a preapproval letter within hours, just let me know and I will have him contact you.

 

How Real Estate is Sold in Florida:

There is a Listing Agent and a Buyer's Agent, all offers are presented to the Listing Agent by the Buyer's Agent and the listing agent must present all offers to the Sellers.

Sometimes the listing agent is looking out for the interests of the Sellers, especially true at open houses, while I will be looking out for your interests.

Buyer Important Facts to Know

Thank you for the trust placed in me,

Antonio Ortega, LLC

           

www.AntonioOrtegaLLC.com     For Residential Properties

www.AntonioOrtegaLLC.net       For Commercial Properties

  

Visit our Secure Existing Homes Website:  www.SouthBrowardHomesbyTony.com

Antonio Ortega LLC Licensed Real Estate Professional with Global Luxury Realty

Click Here to Contact Us

AntonioOrtegaLLC.com

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Finding Your Dream Home: Keep Accessibility in Mind

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House hunting is full of obstacles, but if you have a disability, your circumstances may create unique hurdles. A disability refers to any physical or mental impairment that limits one or multiple major life activities. Your ability to walk, speak, breathe, work or perform other manual tasks could be affected. However, this should not stand in the way of you finding your dream home — one that considers accessibility and allows you to live as independently as possible.

Starting the House Hunting Process

Before you begin house hunting, ensure your choice of Fort Lauderdale neighborhoods allows you to live the life you want. Can you easily navigate the community? Do you have access to medical care, work, or other necessities?

Additionally, think about your budget. If you do not understand what you can afford, you may search endlessly and find no properties in your range. Worse, you could try to purchase a home you don't have money for. Be realistic about prices and do not overbid on a home. Look for home-buying programs that assist people with disabilities. For instance, a Home Ownership Voucher Program helps moderate to low-income families with disabled family members buy a home.

According to experts, purchasing a home account for a significant percentage of a household's net worth. Buying a home is one of the biggest investments you may ever make. It makes sense to find a house that allows you to live without restrictions. 

Once you’ve decided on a location and worked out your budget, connect with experienced and knowledgeable realtor Antonio Ortega LLC to find a Fort Lauderdale home that meets your needs.

Finding Accessible Options

Accessible housing refers to homes that support your lifestyle. Some accessible options to consider include:

•         Wide doorways for wheelchair access

•         Countertops at your height

•         Grab bars and disability accommodations in the bathroom

 

Other accessibility options to keep in mind are acoustics for people who are deaf or textures on the floor for people who are blind.

Some homes do not have accessibility options, so you may need to make modifications to the property. For example, if you have steps to the entrance, consider removing them upon purchase or installing a ramp for easier access.

Moving Without the Stress

No matter your excitement for the new place, moving comes with its share of stress. You can stay organized and frustration-free by creating to-do lists. For example, one to-do list may include all of your disconnection dates for utilities, whereas another may consist of organization and packing ideas. Keep a notebook close by to create lists for jobs you need to complete before moving day.

Do not wait to begin putting your belongings in moving boxes. Start packing one room at a time to ease your stress. For example, if you have a storage closet you rarely open, start organizing and packing items from there first. Packing usually takes twice as long as you imagine, so plan to begin the process early.

Consider moving services to keep the move from becoming physically and emotionally draining. When you hire a moving service, others do the heavy lifting while taking extra care of your fragile items.

There are ways you can alleviate some of your stress while planning a move. Figure out your housing and neighborhood options before you consider accessibility, as well as property prices in the area. When you narrow down a neighborhood, you can search for homes with accessibility features or homes you can easily remodel to suit your needs. 

Thank you for the trust placed in me,

Antonio Ortega LLC

                   
        

Visit our Secure Website often:  www.SouthBrowardHomesbyTony.com

Antonio Ortega LLC Licensed Real Estate Professional with Global Luxury Realty

Click Here to Contact Us

Once you're on the listings go to the right hand, upper side of the page where it reads "Sorted By" and choose how to display it:

"Low To High" or "High to Low" 

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