Questions re: TV Sales Agents & MLS Realtors
 

Hi! We are hoping to buy a place in TV and would like some guidance. We already have a TV Sales Agent and she is super wonderful, however I do not think she is allowed to show us any homes that are listed by outside realtors and FSBO. Some of the MLS listings in TV look pretty nice. Is it recommended to secure an MLS Realtor in addition to our TV Agent so that we can look at both types of properties? On the one hand I would sort of feel bad if we ultimately bought one of the MLS listings because our TV agent has been great, but on the other hand I want to buy something we like and wouldn't want to just "settle" for a property just because it is a TV listing. We will be looking at properties next week and are hopeful that we will find something we like. We would appreciate any thoughts and advice anyone would have as we try to navigate our way to becoming new residents of TV!

you must use both

Realtors who can only show you anything listed on MLS , Realtor.com, Zillow and Trulia.

and Villages sales agents who can only show you you whats listed on TV's private listing service.

If you don't use both you will only see 1/2 of whats available.

Both want you to buy from them and both know they can only show you half.....don't feel bad.......

see everything....

Come see my house!!! A one year old Begonia in Village of Labelle (Sumpter County taxes). I am moving to a villa.
Landscaping, plantation shutters, very pretty! By owner....great price $289,000.
Realtors wanted to list at $315,000.
I have all paperwork needed....and Tiltle company ready to do closing. All the same as I'd paying the extra amount that goes to a realtor fee!
850-206-4624

You definitely have the right to see all properties available, and you need two agents to do that. I would also advise you that a lot of the newer homes are located in Lake County. The property taxes on a $500K house in Lake County will be about $4000 more per year than the same house in Sumter County. The sales agents may not tell you this, especially for a new house where the full tax rate has not been established. But, new houses tend to be a better bargain than preowned houses.

Definitely DO use both a Villages agent and a MLS agent.

They know this is a well used method of buying homes. You do not have to be sneaky about it. Let them know upfront you are working with both.

A resale, in my opinion, is how to go. First, you can negotiate the price. The bond may be paid down or even paid off. This alone can save you $30,000. You won't have extras like rain gutters or downspouts to buy. Landscaping will be mature. You will not have surprises pop up next to you like a neighbor's pool.

Established neighborhoods like Caroline, Mallory, or Hemingway are great places to live.

Would like to hear your reasoning!

I would let her know you also have an MLS agent. That's just me though. They know the MLS agents are out there. You are right this is about finding the house best suited for you and keeping all options open is the best way to do it.

If you are trying to negotiate a price for a pre-owned house, two good sources of information are the county real estate web site and Zillow.com. The county site will tell you when the house was built and how much all of the owners paid for it and what the nearby houses sold for. Zillow will tell you similar information, but will also tell you about prior listings of the house. For example, the agent may tell you that the house has only been on the market for 2 weeks, but Zillow may show that the house was listed several times within the past year and removed from the market because it didn't sell.

I have been looking for a house and many of the pre-owned houses are priced higher than comparable new houses. I always look to see how much appreciation the pre-owned homeowner expects to get when selling, and I often find that they are expecting too much. If the house is relatively new, it seems like the seller is trying price the sales commission into their asking price so that the buyer effectively pays it. The seller should expect to pay the commission. Also, the new homes come with an excellent warranty and you are certain that the price is going to be competitive. So, in my opinion, new houses offer a better deal, but not in all cases.

Most of the preowned houses have many add ons, enclosed lanai, designer window treatments(Hunter Douglas), good ceiling fans, wood floors

Yes you will find that many new homes are less expensive. A couple of things to think about are that many of the pre-owned homes have a more central location to everything. Another thing is to think about all of the upgrades the pre-owned homes have. Most things are done. With a new home you are starting from scratch. Then again it is a new home and it is nice to start fresh. We did buy new but back then the great locations were still available. We love our location, close to all three squares, doctors offices, pharmacies, shopping and Golf courses. Take the big Villages paper map and highlight where the home is and then highlight where all of the places you will be going by golf cart on a daily or weekly basis. That will help you determine where the best places to buy are.

I've seen a lot of pre-owned homes less than 3 years old that have no substantial upgrades, and they are priced at more than $100K above what the owner paid for the house, and more than comparable new houses. I looked at one house that was purchased new only 9 months prior and the owner was asking $90k more than the new sales price and they had done nothing to upgrade the house. I think you need to be especially careful about what you pay for a pre-owned house.

Here is an example for why a preowned home may cost more than a bare bones newer house. If you start with a designer home that cost 290,000 then add $4,000 for a stone or enhanced driveway, another 15,000 for landscaping, $13,000 for wood floors, $18,000 for enclosed glass lanai with a leveled tile floor, $4,000 for crown molding and wainscotting, $2,000 for central vacuuming, This reflects what some of us spend on our homes. Obviously you can't always expect to get back what you paid for improvements, but it may show why existing homes are listed higher.

Do your homework....

simple go on the internet....type in the address of the home....and many sites will tell you when the owners bought the home, what they paid for it and how many times it has been sold and listed, and when. you can also see improvements they made that were approved by the city.

Also, check out what they pay in taxes....easily can be done on the county site, just put in the address, thats all you need and you will find, how much they pay for tax, bond payment, neighborhood yearly fee. Bond and neighborhood fees will be the same for you, the other fees from the county and city will probably change.

you can also check so see what your estimated tax will be....it will not be the same as the present owner.....they may have discounts, homestead, 65+, ect. the county site will give you an estimate and then you just add the bond payments and the neighborhood fees.

Be SMART, don't always rely on your agent....they want you to buy, so they make a commission, it is unlawful for them not to answer your questions, and demand they find answers if they do not know the answers... BUT, if you don't ask.....they don't have to offer any information more than they want you to know.....

Its work, and its fun and frustrating.....but if you take your time and do your research, you will be happy when it's over and you paid the correct price and are aware of all the fees involved.

people buy and resell to make a buck. problem is buyers buy there overpriced homes because they are either desperate or just don't know any better...or simple don't care.. Buyer Beware...RESEARCH is the key