Before Buying Southwest Florida Real Estate, Consider Who is Working for You

Working with a Buyers Agent

If you are thinking about buying a home, lot, or residential income property in SouthWest Florida, our job is to find the best fit for your objectives, preferences, style, location, budget, and financial expectations. We work with buyers looking for real estate in Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach, Naples and surrounding communities.

We present all properties that are available and that match your criteria, no matter which brokerage it is listed with (we present all listings, not just our brokerage’s properties). Learn more about how we work with you while shopping for a home on our Shopping FAQs page.

Ready to Get Started?

Complete our Buyer Questionnaire to tell us about your interests, criteria, and budget. We’ll do the leg work and hand-pick properties that meet your requirements.

We make sure that we have all the information on the style and price range of the properties available, and that you know what is on the market at all times. (See the Investment Types section for background on retirement, second home, or investment properties.)

You will receive detailed listing information on properties for
consideration and expert, timely showings of those you choose to tour.

If you are buying remotely, we tour properties, obtain photographs, research listing financials (taxes, fees, assessments, restrictions, and similar) and provide you professional presentations of those under consideration.

You deserve an agent you can call your own. And you deserve the Peace of mind that your agent only has your best interests in mind.

As we near the offer stage, we provide you with an analysis of comparable properties to aid in determining the details of an offer package. We can also provide support in exploring financing possibilities and put you in touch with professional, licensed mortgage brokers.

If you are a European buyer, rest assured that the process is quite efficient and smooth and that we have worked with buyers in Great Britian, Ireland, and Germany, to name a few. Read about UK buyer experiences here. Or contact us and we’ll help you understand the process and answer any questions you may have.

Also if you are purchasing through a 1031 Exchange, lease note that we have experience in with the Exchange process. Most investors prefer to work with Realtors who are knowledgeable about the process, especially with regards to schedule requirements and working with the intermediary.

Tips for Helping Things Go Smoothly When Buying Southwest Florida Real Estate

Proof of Funds is Needed. Evidence of ability to purchase is required by sellers, either Proof of Funds (if paying cash) or a pre-approval letter if financing. If financing, it’s best to get your financing pre-approval letter before you start shopping. This will assure you of the price range you are qualified for and will assure the seller that you are serious and thus will increase the chances that your offer will be accepted.

Local Financing is Effecient. Our experience has been that it’s best to choose a SouthWest Florida mortgage broker or bank. The market here is different and so out-of-state underwriters have trouble keeping pace with the market changes. This is especially true if you are purchasing an income-producing property, whether a multifamily unit or a vacation rental home/condo.

Buying Remotely is Common. It is common for buyers to purchase a property “sight unseen.” This typically occurs if the buyer has been to the area sometime in the past and is somewhat familiar with the area and for those who are buying vacant lots.Realty firms, mortgage brokers, closing companies, and title companies are all equipped to work with long-distance customers.

Using e-mail, fax, and overnight delivery, the process can proceed just as smoothly as if you were here.As your agents, we are your eyes and ears. We email photos of the property, provide you with contacts for inspections or appraisers, attend the inspection, facilitate transmittal of documents, and generally represent you every step of the way and provide regular status updates.And not to worry. You can close on a property long-distance. You do not need to travel for the closing.

Offer Contingencies. It is common for buyers to purchase a property “sight unseen.” This typically occurs if the buyer has been to the area sometime in the past and is somewhat familiar with the area and for those who are buying vacant lots.Realty firms, mortgage brokers, closing companies, and title companies are all equipped to work with long-distance customers. Using e-mail, fax, and overnight delivery, the process can proceed just as smoothly as if you were here.

As your agents, we are your eyes and ears. We email photos of the property, provide you with contacts for inspections or appraisers, attend the inspection, facilitate transmittal of documents, and generally represent you every step of the way and provide regular status updates.And not to worry. You can close on a property long-distance. You do not need to travel for the closing.

Closing Cost Estimates. In Florida, the largest closing cost fees are paid by the seller (title insurance policy and real estate commissions). But there are some costs buyers need to be aware of. We’ll help you get a more specific estimate by providing you with a buyer’s “net sheet” before writing a purchase contract. Also, a week or a few days before closing, the title company provides a settlement statement (called a HUD) that states all fees, to whom they are paid, and the final amount due at closing. Together, we review this carefully prior to closing.

Let's Chat About Your Objectives

We recognize and appreciate many people start their search for Southwest Florida real estate months or even years in advance. But it’s not too early to start a dialogue now about what you are looking for. Often, we can answer questions and offer perspective that will help you shape your criteria. For example if you are looking for Gulf Access homes, we can guide you based on important location factors: which areas will work best for the type of boat you have, if you are primarily interested in cruising or fishing, and similar. Likewise, if you are interested in golf communities or beachfront, we are happy to offer insights on which locations will work best for you.

We have purchased, sold and purchased again from Dave and Brenda. Always treated us with care and respect. Worked hard to achieve pricing we were offering or asking. Great communication skills. Helped to keep us focused and on track to achieve the goal we had set. Have recommended to several friends who share the same experiences as we have. Highly recommend both Dave and Brenda to purchase or sell.

Ray

Over the past eight years Brenda and Dave have helped us buy and/or sell three properties. We value their honesty, knowledge and wonderful sense of humor. It is nice to know that real estate can be fun.

Sandy

From the very beginning, I felt like I was working with my best friend…. and had done her homework and invested a significant amount of time making it all happen in the narrow window of time I had. As the closing process was winding down and I let all of our friends know what an outstanding job she’d done, I jokingly referred to her as the “Grand Imperial Puhbah of Real Estate.” All joking aside, she has no equal and we will forever be grateful for her invaluable advice and counsel.

Larry and Sherry

Why Work With A Buyer’s Agent?

View All Available Properties

You are about to make a big decision – why limit your dream home search to just those listed by one agent or broker? A great buyer’s agent works tirelessly to scout out homes that match your exacting criteria for lifestyle features, home features, neighborhood, and more.

Confidentiality

You are assured the buyers’ agent is not speaking with the seller or sharing any of your personal data or motivations (unless you request certain information to be shared that might work in your favor in striking a win-win deal).

Deeper Market and “Product” knowledge

Buyers agents show more homes and know more about the properties on the market and those that have sold. Most listing agents only see the homes they are selling and research the competition at a 50,000 foot level – reviewing stats and listing data but rarely having been inside many of the homes. Take for example a listing agent that farms the golf community he or she lives in. That agent knows much about his or her own community, but little about the homes in the golf community 5 miles down the road.

Dedicated Representation For You

A buyers agent represents you, only, and not the sellers interests. Our negotiations are to your benefit specifically (can you imagine the seller’s agent saying “you should offer less”?).

Testimonials and References

We have many satisfied clients that are more than happy to share their experience working with us in finding, purchasing, and settling in to their dream home. Read some testimonials for Dave and Brenda here, view our About Us page for some background, or contact us and we’ll send you contact information for references that would love to hear from you.

Contact Us to Learn More

We are happy to have a confidential, no-pressure-ever, discussion and share in detail our approach to finding the perfect dream home for our clients. Contact us to get a dialogue going and find out if we are the right agents to represent you. Learn more about our work ethic and responsibilities here.