What is the "Best Time" to purchase a single family in PGI?

[Macgregorsailor51]

I am just so glad I never ran into any of these problems ever..( I didnt even deal with these issues when we bought in Mexico) Our Last purchase with the help of a realtor came down to.. We found what we wanted and we made an offer $15K lower than the asking price, a few hours later we wrote an earnest check about 45 days later we wired the remainder.. 2 years later you cannot find anything like what we bought, even if you add another $50K to the offer...

[SJNE17]

That fee thing is pure b.s.

Originally Posted by SoFLGal

99% of agencies (especially large agencies) do charge what is called a "transaction fee". Most companies charge $300-$800 for this fee, ask your agent if they charge a fee before you begin to work with them, if it's a concern. Sometimes they label it as a "processing fee". When I worked for Re/Max and Prudential they charged this fee. I was never comfortable with this charge so when I opened my own company I decided I would not charge this (in my opinion) junk fee, to my client. It always made me uncomfortable trying to explain this to my client and I just ended up paying the fee out of my commission, which left a bad taste in my mouth. I don't care how you slice it or dice it or what you want to call it, I feel that it's an unnecessary junk fee. If I don't have to charge this fee then others don't either. I felt like it was going to finance the brokers Lexus....

Yes, all agents in the state of FL are transaction agents, unless otherwise stated via a single agent agreement.

[SoFLGal]

Originally Posted by SJNE17

That fee thing is pure b.s.

Totally with ya! It just makes everyone feel so uncomfortable. The agents resent it and the buyers/sellers hate it. Sometimes the buyers/sellers don't even realize that the agent has paid the fee for them but you can bet your last dollar that the agent is not happy about it.

You wont find many agents talking about it because nearly all of them charge "the fee". You'll hear crickets on the subject. Cant stand it....

[alkaleka]

Originally Posted by SoFLGal

99% of agencies (especially large agencies) do charge what is called a "transaction fee". Most companies charge $300-$800 for this fee, ask your agent if they charge a fee before you begin to work with them, if it's a concern. Sometimes they label it as a "processing fee". When I worked for Re/Max and Prudential they charged this fee. I was never comfortable with this charge so when I opened my own company I decided I would not charge this (in my opinion) junk fee, to my client. It always made me uncomfortable trying to explain this to my client and I just ended up paying the fee out of my commission, which left a bad taste in my mouth. I don't care how you slice it or dice it or what you want to call it, I feel that it's an unnecessary junk fee. If I don't have to charge this fee then others don't either. I felt like it was going to finance the brokers Lexus....

Yes, all agents in the state of FL are transaction agents, unless otherwise stated via a single agent agreement.

The last part of your question is a bit more detailed. If you're talking about termite problems, the agent can order a free termite inspection from various pest control companies. If the home is owned by someone other than a bank or flipper, then you will most likely get a sellers disclosure that will (hopefully) disclose any known issues or problems that have been fixed. If the home is bank owned/investor owned, meaning they have no prior knowledge or history of the home then you will not get a sellers disclosure because they cannot tell you what previous problems the home may have had. I always recommend a good home inspector who can find potential problems.

The big box store question is kind of tricky. If the agent has knowledge of something that may effect the desirability of the property then he/she should disclose this info. Generally, if the agent is paying attention there would have been some type of news coverage or chatter in the community about this type of thing.

I was born and raised in this area, I will most likely see most of my clients at the grocery store, library, restaurant, etc. I want them passing out my cards to people, not speaking poorly of me. It's just how do business.

Thank you for taking the time to explain the ways of the real estate world in Florida!

[Vikingen]

I would hire an independant house inspector. We had him to show up at the same time as the realtor came to show us the house. I based my decision on buying upon his report. Inspector did an excellent job.

It gave us the security that all was in order.

[Macgregorsailor51]

Part of why are closing took 45 days.. we gave an earnest deposit to show we were not just out looking but it all depended on a house inspection.

Originally Posted by Vikingen

I would hire an independant house inspector. We had him to show up at the same time as the realtor came to show us the house. I based my decision on buying upon his report. Inspector did an excellent job.

It gave us the security that all was in order.

[alkaleka]

Originally Posted by Vikingen

I would hire an independant house inspector. We had him to show up at the same time as the realtor came to show us the house. I based my decision on buying upon his report. Inspector did an excellent job.

It gave us the security that all was in order.

You had the house inspected the first time you looked at the house?

[JERSEY MAN]

Originally Posted by alkaleka

You had the house inspected the first time you looked at the house?

I waited until we agreed on a mutual price after a little negotiation and we had a signed contract.

[Vikingen]

Originally Posted by alkaleka

You had the house inspected the first time you looked at the house?

I sure did. The realtor didn`t even know I had one lined up. Hey, it`s my money and a free world. I wouldn`t trust any inspection laid out by anyone else than an inspector I choose.

Our inspector was Kirby Rowe with Progressive Home Inspections 941 627 1086. I was very impressed with his performance and inspection. I think I paid $ 300,- cheap!

Most of us don`t know much about all the technicalities with buying a house..and some issues are special for Florida too (pools, termites etc). IMO, an independant home inspection is an absolute must.

[Seafood Junky]

Originally Posted by Vikingen

I would hire an independant house inspector. We had him to show up at the same time as the realtor came to show us the house. I based my decision on buying upon his report. Inspector did an excellent job.

It gave us the security that all was in order.

We had our inspector do a second walk through with us the morning before we closed to make sure all items he found from first walk through (for which we were not present) were completed.

Inspector also showed us how all systems worked or should work. Well worth the 90.00

Mike