You're on the cusp of buying real estate – this is an exciting time in your life! You've crunched the numbers, saved up every penny, and you're ready! Now what? It's time to choose the right real estate agent to guide and represent you through the biggest purchase of your life. To add to the stress of choosing an agent, you probably have a friend or family member pushing their business card into your hand every time you see them. First and foremost, you want to interview three agents. A 30-minute phone call should give you a good feel for who is a good fit for the job. What to look for in an agent Experience This is an easy one. You want an agent that works full-time and has closed more than five deals in the past year. You do NOT want the agent who is a full-time hair stylist and part-time agent. You also want to know how many deals they've closed in the past year, not the number of years they've been an agent. An agent can hypothetically hold a license for 10 years without closing a deal! To be even more specific, ask how many closings they've had in your price range in the past year. Negotiating Skills How are you going to test their negotiating skills before you've even sat down to do business? Negotiate with them in your interview. Tell them you'd like them to reduce their commission and credit a portion back to you. If they immediately say yes, then you can tell that you're already a better negotiator. If they counter your request, then they pass the test. Knowledge of the area Do they know the area in which you're seeking a home? Agents unfamiliar with the area may not be able to tell you about schools, amenities, and local features that could factor into your decision-making. For example, here in Naples, there is a community called Victoria Park that hosts an amazing Christmas light display each year. People drive through by the thousands for the two weeks leading up to the holiday. Homeowners can't leave their houses between 5 and 10 pm. They also get swamped for Halloween. There are some buyers who absolutely avoid that neighborhood for those reasons (and some who move in just for those reasons!). A local agent would know about this and forewarn a buyer. An agent from out of town would be completely uninformed and their buyers may be totally stunned come December 15. Network A good, seasoned agent will have a network of professionals they work with. Ask which mortgage broker, attorney, title company, and inspection company they work with most. If the agent cannot provide quick answers along with contact information, they're not the one for you. Accessibility When you called or emailed to set up an interview with the agent, did they respond quickly? If it took them more than 24 hours to get back to you, they're not the agent for you. You need someone who is available to answer your questions (because you will have a lot) in a timely fashion. Wrapping Up Picking a great REALTOR® for your next purchase or sale is very easy if you know what you're looking for. Do not simply look for a top producer. Often times, you'll find that a number of sales isn't the best indicator of who you will work well with. We would love to interview to be your next REALTOR®. Please contact us and we can set up a time for a phone or Zoom call.

When purchasing a home, obtaining a mortgage is often a crucial step in the process. To ensure you make informed financial decisions and secure the best mortgage terms, it's essential to ask your banker the right questions. In this blog post, we will highlight ten important questions that homebuyers should ask their banker. By seeking clarity on rates, pre-payment options, fees, penalties, guarantees, appraisals, line of credit, mortgage types, sale contingencies, and deposit requirements, you can navigate the mortgage process confidently and make informed choices. Question 1 - Is that your best rate? It's crucial to inquire whether the rate provided by the bank is the best available option. Understanding the current mortgage market and comparing rates from different lenders can help you secure the most favorable rate for your mortgage. Question 2 - Can I pre-pay my mortgage? If you have the financial capacity to make extra payments towards your mortgage, it's important to ask about pre-payment options. This will help you determine if you can accelerate the repayment process and potentially save on interest. Question 3 - Are there any additional fees I should know about? Aside from the interest rate, there may be other fees associated with your mortgage, such as origination fees, appraisal fees, or legal fees. Understanding these costs upfront will help you plan your budget accordingly. Question 4 - What will the penalty be if I sell my house before the end of my mortgage? Life circumstances may change, and you may need to sell your house before the mortgage term is up. Inquiring about prepayment penalties will help you understand the financial implications if you decide to sell your home early. Question 5 - Can you guarantee me that rate in writing? Mortgage rates can fluctuate, so it's important to ask if the bank can provide a rate guarantee in writing. This will help protect you from potential rate increases during the mortgage application process. Question 6 - Will you be performing an appraisal, and if so, who pays for it? Appraisals are often required by lenders to determine the value of the property. Understanding whether the bank will conduct an appraisal and who will bear the cost is important information for budgeting and planning purposes. Question 7 - Can I get a line of credit at the same time as my mortgage? If you have additional financing needs, such as a line of credit, it's essential to ask if it's possible to secure both a mortgage and a line of credit from the same lender. This can streamline your financial arrangements and potentially provide more flexibility. Question 8 - What are the advantages and disadvantages of fixed-rate mortgages and variable-rate mortgages? Understanding the pros and cons of fixed-rate and variable-rate mortgages will help you choose the mortgage type that aligns with your financial goals and risk tolerance. Asking your banker to explain these differences can provide valuable insights. Question 9 - If my condo doesn't sell before I get possession of my new house, what happens? If you're selling a property to purchase a new home, there may be a chance that your current property doesn't sell before you take possession of your new house. Inquiring about possible scenarios and contingency plans will help you prepare for such situations. Question 10 - My down payment is locked up in RRSPs—how can I provide a deposit? If your down payment is in Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs), you may need to access those funds to provide a deposit. Asking your banker about the process and requirements for utilizing your RRSPs for a deposit will ensure a smooth transaction. Wrapping up on questions to ask your lender Asking the right questions when dealing with your banker is essential to make informed decisions and secure favorable mortgage terms. Inquiring about rates, pre-payment options, fees, penalties, guarantees, appraisals, lines of credit, mortgage types, sale contingencies, and deposit requirements will provide clarity and enable you to navigate the mortgage process confidently. Remember, your banker is there to help, so don't hesitate to seek their expertise and guidance throughout the mortgage application process. Ready to Buy a Home in Naples? We are here to help you in any way you can and with absolutely no obligation. If you want advice on getting a mortgage or you're ready to start seeing properties, feel free to give us a call or send us an email.

Buying a new home or condo in Naples comes with a short list of tasks that you will want to complete. Luckily, they're all very easy and I recommend doing many of these just before closing. There's no need to wait! Get Your Utilities and Mail in Order Get your television ordered The two most popular options for television in Naples are XFinity and DirecTV. Both often have a delay in getting an appointment so definitely get on their schedule before your closing date. If closing doesn't happen on time, you can always reschedule the appointment. Also, consider streaming your TV. There are so many streaming services out there and some offer great TV packages for very good prices. Check out YouTube TV for example. Order Internet access XFinity and CenturyLink are the two main service providers for Internet in Naples. Ask both about deals when you bundle TV and Internet. Transfer electric into your name When you're buying an existing home or condo, the current owners have electricity of course. That means all that you need to do is have the service transferred into your name. Our electric company here is Florida Power and Light (FPL) and they have a great page to change service into your name. Under our real estate contract, the current owner must keep the service on until closing so order electric in your name to be started as of your closing date. Feel free to do this ahead of closing. Water Collier County has a transfer of property ownership page that details what documents you need to transfer water into your name. Unfortunately, you cannot transfer ownership of the water bill until you own the property so this will have to wait for your closing date to come. Forward your mail to your new address This is very easy to do online. Visit the USPS Change of Address site and knock this chore out in no time. Things to do Once You Own Your Home File for homestead exemption There are many benefits to filing for the Florida Homestead Exemption other than reduced property taxes. To keep it brief, have a look at the county's website with all of the details on how to file for homestead exemption in Naples. Order A/C Filters in bulk from Amazon Your A/C filters need to be changed monthly and they are very inexpensive when you order them from Amazon. Check the size of the filter and then order here. I like to order 6 at a time and leave them in the garage so I always have one handy. Sign up for an A/C service plan Speaking of your new air conditioner… this is one of the most expensive single items in your home so take care of it! The best way to take care of your A/C is to have a service agreement with a reputable company. I highly recommend Conditioned Air. They've been around for ages and do a really great job at a fair price. Have your dryer vents cleaned Dryer vents filled with lint are fire hazards and they prevent your dryer from running efficiently. It's inexpensive to have your vents professionally cleaned so take care of that task when you move in. I just recently used a company called Lint Out and they did a great job at a great price. You can reach them at (239) 332-5468."