6 Things You Need to Know About FSBO in Florida

FSBO Florida

1. Staging Your Home

The interior and exterior design process enacted to entice potential buyers is referred to as staging a home.  Owners must address the aesthetics, flow, and energy the home gives off.  The aim is to create an attractive, pleasing appeal for listing photographs and home tours.  You want the house to have a warm, inviting atmosphere.

Exterior, Landscaping, Curb Appeal

Staging your Florida home begins with the desirability of the outside, also known as curb appeal.  The potential buyer must have an exceptional first impression.  Have a walk around the house and examine the exterior looking for any eyesores.  Take notes on any areas that may need to be addressed, including the front entryway, sidewalks, landscaping, backyard, and any fencing.  Be sure also to check the roof, decks, and house numbers. They should be clean and clear.  Fix any shedding paint on the exterior.  Identify all repairs, cleaning, and replacements necessary, get them all taken care of before listing your home for sale.  To be as thorough as possible, do several walkabouts on the property, drive the block a few times, and enlist a second set of eyes to catch anything you might have missed.

Once all the cleaning, repairs, and replacements are done, look at outdoor furniture and decorations.  Create symmetry with placement and warmth with lighting.  Situate comfortable furniture in such a way that encourages visitors to take a seat and stay awhile.  Accentuate furniture pieces with containers filled with flowers and plants.  Install landscape lighting. This is not only terrific for ambiance but ensures security as well.  Quality solar lights are an alternative to complicated lighting that needs wiring.  Depending on your budget, for extra curb appeal, add iron gates, arbors, fence panels, art pieces, or bird baths for additional charm.  Ensure any shed or outdoor storage spaces are organized and decluttered inside, plus well cared for on the exterior.  Because of the year-round warm weather, for sale by owner Florida homes must accentuate outdoor living spaces.

Interior, De-Clutter, Clean, Re-arrange

Staging the interior of a home starts with cleaning and decluttering.  Walk around the house, take notes on any areas that need extra attention and any needed repairs. Deep clean the entire house, including light fixtures, appliances, baseboards, and the ceiling, make sure every inch of the house is spotless and shining.  Depending on your budget, you could consult a cleaning company.  Be sure to communicate precisely the kind of deep clean you need and what areas need extra attention.  Get rid of clutter.  Sort through all your belongings, throw out, donate, or give away anything you do not need.  Before starting the deep clean, make sure you have all the cleaning tools needed, work with what you already have.  Start from the top, looking for any cobwebs in corners, and then work your way down.  If you have pets, make sure to eliminate any evidence of them living there.

Interior Design

Once the house is spotless, have a look at the interior design flow.  Less is more.  Remove any surplus of furniture.  Rooms should feel spacious, open, and free-flowing.  Get rid of all clutter from shelves, countertops, and tables.  Depersonalize the space, take away photographs, certificates, and diplomas.  Opt for universal artwork, books, and pieces.  Pull furniture away from the walls in groupings of 3 that feel natural and inviting.  Ensure specialty features such as built-in shelves, wine storage, or breakfast nooks are unobstructed, conveniently open, and easy to access.  Put yourself in the shoes of the potential buyer.  Walkthrough the home, the flow needs to feel effortless, with no roadblocks.  Pop accent color or shine with pillows, plants, bowls of fruit, curtains, or art displays.  Many people are now working from home, so make sure there is an operational home office.  If an entire room isn't available, use a portion of a room, nook, or outdoor space.  Light the house up with additional lamps if needed.

2. Get Professional Photography

With more buyers turning to the internet to search for new homes, professional photography is required to grab potential buyers' attention.  Get clear on what you want and what your budget is.  Once the house is meticulously prepared, it is time to find a top-notch photographer.  Get a recommendation from a trusted family member, friend, neighbor, or co-worker.  Ask around your network.  If you are using a realtor to buy a home, ask if their office has a list of preferred photography vendors.

Search For A Phenomenal Photographer

If you cannot get a recommendation, search online for real estate photographers near you, sort them by highest ratings and reviews.  If they have a website, confirm their ability to capture the architectural essence of the interior and exterior by their portfolio.  Look at pricing to make sure they offer what you'd like within your budgeted range.  Once you've done the research, contact the top 2 or 3 to set up interviews.  Request resumes and portfolios ahead of time.  Please make sure they are reputable, professional, skilled, and offer what you are looking for.  Ask them how long it will take to receive the photographs.  Get it all in writing.  In 2020 and into 2021, people are beginning their home buying searches online.  Consider using a photographer who includes things like digital flyers and virtual tours.

Tell The Story of Your Home

Generally, it's best to have at least 20 to 30 photographs.  Ask what time of the day will be best for lighting.  Be sure to catch any detail you may have missed in the cleaning, decluttering, and staging.  Be sure the photographs have a watermark or signature from the photographer to help deter scam artists from stealing them online.  Have the photographer tell the story of your home visually.  List the photos in order of how you'd experience the home for the first time from stepping up to the front door.

3. Marketing, Advertise on Websites

4. Brush Up on Negotiation Skills

Be prepared to negotiate before you start to receive offers.  You are solely responsible for the discourse once a buyer places a bid.  Negotiations will include the sale prices, terms, and any contingencies.  Both the seller and the buyer can request specific contingencies or things that need to happen for the sale to go through.  For instance, the buyer could ask that the home passes an inspection before the deal closes.  Get a clear, concise, realistic idea of what you want in the deal.  Know exactly what you are willing to be flexible on and what you are not.

Read, Research, Review

5. Get an Offer

 6. Understanding Contracts, Addendums, and Disclosures

Contract, Necessary Documents

Get familiar with the paperwork necessary to complete a home sale.  For FSBO sellers in Florida, the FAR/BAR "As-Is" contract is the ideal option.  You can make certain of this by checking that the bottom of each page says Florida Realtors (FAR) / Florida Bar (BAR) -AS-IS with the current year next to it.  Practice due diligence by combing through the contract, reading the entire thing.  Confirm the names are correct for both you and the buyer and verify that the price and closing date are accurate.  Make sure the dates and stipulations are clear on the financing contingency, inspection, and title and survey.  Everything should be overly communicated, down to any personal property included or excluded in the sale.  In addition to the signed and dated final page of the contract, each page should be initialed at the bottom by both you and the buyer.  In Florida, the seller is required to reveal any known defects on the property.  There is a Sellers Property Disclosure addendum that only the seller can fill out.  Another important addendum would be the Lead-Based Paint Disclosure, necessary if the house was built before 1978.  Have a look at all of the Florida Real Estate Forms to see if there are any other necessary pieces of paperwork.  Remember, it is always best to have an attorney look it all over.

Additional For Sale By Owner Florida Expenses

It is necessary to note a few lesser-known expenses when selling a home FSBO in Florida.  The seller is responsible for paying prorated property taxes for the amount of time the seller lived in the home this year.  In Florida, there is also a Documentary Stamp Tax that differs from county to county.

Capital Gain Taxes

FSBO Conclusion