Canadian Checklist


 

  1. What market area of Florida are you interested in?

  2. How soon do you want to purchase?

  3. What is your budget?

  4. Are you paying cash, using the equity from your Canadian home, or will you require mortgage financing? If you require mortgage financing, we will refer you to a mortgage banker, and you can get a pre-approval before you purchase.

  5. What type of home do you want to purchase? New or Resale, Single Family Home, Townhome, Villa, Condo? Property type and size are important considerations. Do you want to be able to accommodate lots of family and friends during the Holidays? Don’t forget to factor all these things into your purchase decision.

  6. Are you looking for an Investment/Rental Property? Are you a PRE-RETIREMENT BUYER? Are you purchasing now to take advantage of current pricing, but not planning to move in for a few years? Planning to rent property out to a long term tenant? You will require professional property management services.

  7. Are you purchasing alone or pooling your money with family members and sharing the costs to own and operate?

  8. Are you looking for a maintenance free property? Are you looking for a property in a gated community? Are you looking for an amenity rich community? (Clubhouse, Fitness, Pool, Tennis, etc}

  9. Do you want to be near the beach? Do you want to be close to major amenities? Do you want to be in a golf course community? Do you want to be in a 55 plus community? Do you want to be within a reasonable distance of a major airport?

  10. All of these factors involve cost factors that must be considered.

Here is the best professional advice we can offer you:

Real Estate is all about Location, Location, Location.

Buy the Best Location you can afford. You will never regret it.

Our business model is all about Customer Service, Customer Service, Customer Service.

Our professional services cost $0

Here are the 4 main reasons why 99% of Canadians purchase their Florida Home or Condo through a REALTOR® acting as Buyer’s Agent.

  1. Florida Law states, all real estate transactions, unless otherwise specified, are “transaction broker” based. A “transaction broker” does NOT legally represent the BUYER or SELLER, they represent NO ONE. They are even forbidden by Florida law to offer any opinion on market value. Most Florida real estate brokerage companies fall into this category.
     
    Cross Border is a Single Agent Broker. We have fiduciary obligations to our Purchasers. We are legally bound to supply an opinion of value when asked, and we must safeguard and protect our client’s interests. A transaction broker does none of this.

    2.  

  2. The Home Seller or Home Builder pays the finder’s fee. Our professional services are free to the Buyer. There is no difference in the purchase price to the Buyer being represented, $0. This is a point Canadians struggle with. They can’t conceive using a Realtor to buy a new home. They think they can go it alone. They always leave money on the table. Builders laugh under their breath, when Canadians ask for a discount if they don’t have representation. Please see point 3, in 3 Biggest Mistakes Buyers Make. Don’t be a fool, every Buyer needs professional representation in the State of Florida.

    3.  

  3. We know the Local Real Estate Markets, have access to current Market Information, know about HOA Fees, Deed Restrictions, Property Taxes, local community issues, etc. Simply put, we are Market Experts, and will save you thousands of dollars, as your representative. It is our job to find you the best home, for the best price, in the best area, that meets your needs and budget.

    4.  

  4. Most gated communities do not permit the posting of For Sale signs. It is not uncommon, to drive through a beautiful gated community, and not see one single For Sale sign. Gated communities control access, and want you to visit their communities with your REALTOR®, to guard their resident’s privacy. You will appreciate this after you move in!

BRENT LEATHWOOD, MBA

LICENSED REAL ESTATE BROKER | BK 3300751

CROSS BORDER REALTY LLC | CQ1046895
2100 CONSTITUTION BLVD. #207
SARASOTA, FL, 34231
(941) 882-2995
Contact
3 Big Mistakes Buyers make:

  1. 1. NOT KNOWING THE NEIGHBORHOOD...ContinuedReal estate always has been and always will be a local business. Know your neighborhood is a cardinal rule in this business. A real estate professional knows what is going on in their local market area. Hire a knowledge, local professional. When we see folks wandering around with a notebook and a list of questions, we know they are the most likely to make a costly mistake. A PROFESSIONAL Realtor, (please note the word professional), can spend 15 minutes listening to your needs and wants, and probably rule out 90% of the local market options, and focus your attention, on the 3 or 4 or 5 communities that will meet your needs, and make sense from both a financial and lifestyle point of view. I am amazed at how many people from out of State, go it alone, end up buying in the wrong community, and come to regret it. I meet people like this everyday, and everyone single one of them will say to me: “I wish we had met you first.”
  2. 2. GETTING STUCK IN AN HOA NIGHTMARE...ContinuedHome owners association nightmares are the stuff of legend in our State. Do not buy the wrong property in the wrong community. A knowledgeable real estate professional can explain to you upfront, the ins and outs of the HOA regulations of the community you are considering, and help you avoid 99% of these potential pitfalls. This is another very costly mistake.
  3. 3. THINKING YOU DO NOT NEED A REALTOR WHEN BUYING A NEW HOME...ContinuedEverybody knows you need a Realtor to represent you, when buying a resale home. Many do not know, you also need a Realtor to represent you, when buying a new home. The new home sales person in the model home works for the Builder, not the Buyer. They are paid to look out for their employer’s interests, not yours. You will not save $1 by going it alone. You will lose money. A lot of money. One of our largest local builders reported 872 annual sales, of which, 762 were handled by Realtors representing the Buyer. That is 87% of the total. The Builder has already factored paying a finder’s fee into the price. The Builder will not rebate $1 of this money back to you. Builders laugh under their breath, when Buyers try this negotiating tactic, even though they will politely agree with you. Professional representation costs you $0, why would you fend for yourself, in a market you know almost nothing about? Buyers know less than 20% of what they actually need to know, to get a great deal. Having gone through the new home buying process hundreds of times with clients, we know all the pitfalls to avoid, and how to make the process go smoothly. Do not go it alone, get professional representation, it costs you $0. Not doing this is the most costly of the 3 mistakes. But everyone has heard the old saying, you can lead a horse to water. We are in the business of helping our customers solve a problem. Our ability to do that, is the sole reason we have a thriving business. We are here to help you through the entire process, and get a great deal.

4 Big Mistakes Investors make:
  1. INCOME... ContinuedThe rental income does not justify the $/sq. ft. purchase price.
  2. EXPENSES... Continued The monthly expenses are too high, relative to the property type and rental income produced.
  3. CAP RATE... Continued The capitalization rate is too low to justify the investment.
  4. HOA REGS... Continued The home owners association regulations are too restrictive, or do not permit the intended use. Frequently overlooked or glossed over by some sales people, the long run financial consequences are catastrophic if a mismatch occurs.
Avoid Costly $$$ Mistakes: Hire Brent. Costs you $0.