Buyer's Agent Service

As a Realtor® working with home Buyers in Southwest Florida, my primary goal is to provide Buyers with the best possible experience in finding their new home. I strive to find the right home for them that meets their needs, wants, and budget. I will also provide them with detailed information about the area and any potential issues that may arise. Additionally, I will help them with any paperwork and negotiations that need to be done in order to purchase the property. I will be available to answer any questions they may have throughout the entire process. Ultimately, I want them to be happy and comfortable with their purchase and the entire process.
If you buy a resale property with me, I will help you negotiate the best price, saving you money. If you buy in a new home community, the price is the same whether you are represented by me or not, but I am aware of the potential incentives that may be available that builders don't always tell you about, and I will help you find the best location within the community.
If you do not use a buyers agent to represent you, you have no one else looking out for your best interest in the transaction. Listing agents work for the seller to get the highest price possible on a resale, and a new home community site sale representative works for the best interest of the developers only.
Let me help you understand the market price before making an offer on a resale so you don't over pay. Know your rights as a buyer. Know about real estate taxes, HOA fees, closing cost, home inspections, mortgages, and appreciation potential. Know that there are other available properties in the area that best fit your criteria before you make an offer on a certain property.

The importance of using Southwest Coast Realty as your Buyers Agent when purchasing new home construction:
The online and onsite sales team at a new home community ONLY represents the builder/developer in their best interest, not the Buyers! Buyers will have "0" representation without having a Buyers agent to represent them in purchasing new home contruction in SW Florida. It is always wise for the Buyer to have a Buyers agent to represent them in any real estate transaction including new home construction.

Southwest Coast Realty represents the Buyer only for the purchase of new home construction since "Southwest Coast Realty does not represent any new home community, its real estate broker or its developer".

Here are a few reasons to use Southwest Coast Realty as your Buyers Agent when purchasing new home construction:

DISCLOSE TO BUYERS AND SELLERS THEIR DUTIES.
As a single agent, Southwest Coast Realty, Inc., owe to you the following duties:

1. Dealing honestly and fairly;
2. Loyalty;
3. Confidentiality;
4. Obedience;
5. Full disclosure;
6. Accounting for all funds;
7. Skill, care, and diligence in the transaction;
8. Presenting all offers and counteroffers in a timely manner, unless a party has previously directed the licensee
otherwise in writing; and
9. Disclosing all known facts that materially affect the value of residential real property and are not readily observable.

Working with a Realtor® will ensure you that you are working with a real estate agent that is held to high standards of ethics and will find you a property that best fits your criteria.
Provide detailed criteria to your Realtor such as price range, home size, age, type, location, amenities needed.
Request updated listings direct from MLS and delivered daily.
Set an appointment to view your favorite properties and also new construction properties if fitting.
We are currently in a Sellers market with low inventory. After much appreciation since the 2011 bottom, prices rose steady up to 2015 and flattened out through 2019. Since 2020 prices have doubled and some have tripled.
Buyers currently have a narrow selection of resale and new construction properties to choose from.
Look at resales and new construction deals at both ends. Do not overlook new construction as some builders are offering incentives.

1. Property Taxes: Florida has a homestead exemption that allows for lower taxes on a primary residence, but other property taxes are more expensive.

2. Homeowner’s Insurance: Florida has one of the highest costs for homeowner’s insurance in the country. Be sure to shop around for the best rates.

3. Financing: Florida has a vibrant mortgage market. Different lenders offer different rates and terms, so make sure you shop around to find the best deal.

4. Weather: Florida is known for its sunny weather, but it also can be prone to natural disasters like hurricanes and storm surge.

5. Closing Costs: Closing costs in Florida tend to be higher than in other states since Florida has no state income tax and depends on real estate sales for revenue. Be sure to factor these costs into your budget when making an offer.

6. Price Appreciation: Florida has seen steady growth in home values over the years, but it is important to do your research and understand the local market before purchasing. The Florida Market has also seen huge home price crashes especially during the 2007-2010 crisis and the home prices in Southwest Florida decreased as much as 50%+ in a few short years. Florida is known for its huge price cycles due to the many speculators, investors, and vacation home owners in the market.

7. Title Insurance: Owners Title insurance is optional, but required to protect your investment in a Florida property.

8. Community Development District(CDD): If the property you are purchasing is located in a CDD, you will pay higher annual property taxes, since you are paying off the infrastucture bond via the non-ad valorem section of your annual property tax bill. The bonds are usually a 25-30 year payoff from the time the community started. You may also be subject to ongoing annual Operation and Maintenance(O&M) assessments.

9. One Time Capital Contribution Fees at closing: Many HOA communities here in Southwest Florida charge every Buyer a one-time capital contribution transaction fee at closing. The fee could be from $500 to $30,000 or more.

10. Condo and HOA Document Review: Buyers should review all HOA and Condo documents before getting into a solid purchase agreement. Know the rules, regulations and other terms you will be subject to. Remember, the HOA's and Condo associations are like a government inside the government. They rule inside your community and it may be like trying to fight city hall to get rules, terms and other things you will be subject to changed that you do not like.

Learn more about the current market here in Southwest Florida by reading our market report: