Clearwater Real Estate

When Selling Your Clearwater Home Don’t Make These Screwups!

October 27, 2021 By Deborah Ward

You’ve decided on selling your Clearwater home and the process can be overwhelming. Not to mention that everyone you know has all kinds of advice for you about what to do or not do. The problem may be that their “advice” isn’t very good! So don’t make these five big screw ups when selling your Clearwater home.

Screw up #1: price your home wrong. This can be so difficult. You live in your home and probably think you know what it’s worth. You’re probably wrong. Overvaluing or undervaluing, not pricing your home correctly can cost you thousands of dollars. That house up the street just sold for $X so why shouldn’t yours? Well, that house up the street has a completely updated kitchen, bath and extra bedroom. That’s why! But undervaluing is almost as big a problem. Many markets have been so depressed for so long that now that they are finally rebounding, many homeowners don’t realize their homes are worth more than they thought.

Screw up #2: having unrealistic expectations about the current real estate market. Yes, markets are picking up, but that doesn’t mean that there will be a huge bidding war for your home. So not entertaining an offer because “something better will come along” if the offer is fair is, well, kind of dumb.

Screw up #3: hiring a the wrong Realtor. Don’t hire your cousin, best friend or sister-in-law only because they are your cousin, best friend or sister-in-law. You need to hire a Realtor who shares your vision, and understands your needs. Gimmicky Realtors, questionable sales tactics and the lowest commission may mean you get sub-par representation in your home sale.

Screw up #4: not hiring a Realtor and selling by yourself. Did you know that selling your home yourself will cost you at least $40,000? Or that it will mean the home sits for at least a few months before you sell? Enough said.

Screw up #5: not disclosing home defects. Guess what? A home inspector is going to find that foundation issue or leaky pipe. You can’t hide them and it’s actually illegal to refuse to answer questions about it or lie to prospective buyers about defects if they ask.

Answer to all of the above? Hire a professional. If you are looking for a great Clearwater Realtor, give us a call today! 727-410-0336

The Best Clearwater Florida Realtor – Hands Down!

October 27, 2021 By Deborah Ward

Buy or sell, a person needing help with Clearwater real estate should find the best Florida Realtor. So who is that? Well that agent is Deb Ward, the Irish Realtor!

Smart buyers and sellers use a Realtor

Regardless of whether you are buying or selling property, smart buyers and sellers use a Realtor to help them navigate the process. A Realtor is trained and educated to know exactly how to get through the complicated world of buying and selling real estate. Not only that, but they are experts in the locality. In the Clearwater, Florida area, there is a plethora of waterfront or waterview properties that take a special knowledge to buy and sell. So who is the best Florida Realtor? Deb-the Irish Realtor!

Deb is the lead listing Realtor

Deb is the lead listing Realtor at The Deb Ward Team, which is affiliated with Keller Williams Realty a nationally recognized firm. Branding is important and Keller Williams has the name recognition and resources smart buyers look for. Deb is a great choice because she specializes in the great water front homes and communities in the area. She has 21+ years of experience helping people to buy and sell, get their dream waterfront home or sell it to move up or on. No matter what type of property you have or need, single family home or condo, or any in between, Deb is an expert who can help you. She’s also an expert in helping people from out of the area buy or sell from a distance.

Buying and selling real estate takes know how and experience

It also takes a little bit of luck as well. Knowing you have hired the one person who has all three should mean you’ll be selling your home and moving into your dream home in no time!

To see best Florida Realtor’s tips, tours and properties, visit Deb’s youtube channel: youtube.com/crazyirishrealtor

Why Choose Keller Williams Realty In Clearwater Florida

October 27, 2021 By Deborah Ward

Looking to relocate in Clearwater, Florida? Choosing the right Realtor, one like Deborah Ward of Keller Williams Realty, is important. You’ll need one that can help you find the right fit for you.

Do you know what kind of home you want?

Finding a Realtor that can help you figure it out is important, one who listens to your wants and needs and can get you what fits best. Even if you know, wouldn’t hiring a professional who specializes in what you want be even more important?

Deborah Ward & Associates

In Clearwater, The Deb Ward Team, who are affiliated with Keller Williams Realty is just that professional team! Deb, the Irish Realtor, and her team specialize in several types of real estate: waterfront, condo living and some multi-family homes. They are also relocation specialists. That’s important if you are relocating from another area. They know what to do to help you find a home, arrange for all the inspections, get the home to settlement and get you moved in.

Do you have a home to sell?

Picking a Realtor who specializes in selling the home you have is really important. Knowing how to price it, how to stage it and how to find the perfect buyer for it means you sell for the money you should and move to the next phase of your life.

So how do you get in touch with these great specialists?

Well, you can visit Deb and team online at http://cometoclearwater.com, call them at 727-410-0336 or email info@DeborahWard.com.

You can get to know them on YouTube as well:

Real Estate Buyers – Why You Need Title Insurance

October 27, 2021 By Deborah Ward

One of the larger costs for buyers when buying real estate is buying title insurance. Buyers, especially first time home buyers, often wonder what it is and if it is truly necessary. The answer to that last part is a resounding YES!

What is title insurance?

Title insurance is an insurance policy that protects the owner of the policy if there is a defect found in the title, or ownership, of the property. While it would seem that looking at the ownership history of a piece of property is a simple thing, there can be many things that complicate it. Some examples? Well, what if a mortgage that was recorded against the property was never shown as paid in full? Or if a tax bill was paid, but never taken off the record? What if several decades ago someone wrote down a property line wrong on an older deed? All of these things can complicate the title, and if it isn’t cleared up, you could lose your real estate.

A cloud on the title:

All of these issues cause something called a “cloud” on the title. Title insurance protects the policy owner against the costs of getting rid of that cloud. There are two types of title insurance, lenders’ and owners’. The lenders policy protects your bank or mortgage company. They have a vested interest in making sure that the title is clear. In the event that you default on the mortgage, they will eventually be the owners of the property and will have to sell it. They can’t sell a property with a cloud on the title. The lenders policy will usually be in the original amount of the mortgage. If there is a claim, the policy will pay out up to the amount the lender is out, the original mortgage amount, and pay off the mortgage. The benefit to you is that you won’t owe your bank a dime if you lose in court.

Owner’s policy:

The owners policy is for you, the deeded owner to the property. This policy does a few things. First it protects over and above the lender’s coverage. Second, it protects you once the mortgage is paid off. The owners’ policy stays with you, the owner.

Mortgage companies or banks will require a lender’s policy, but purchasing an owners policy is a good idea. Protecting your interest over and above the lender is smart!

Want more? Check out our post In A Clearwater Real Estate Transaction Who Pays For What?

Tampa Bay Real Estate Agents : Why Hire The Deborah Ward Team

October 27, 2021 By Deborah Ward

Looking to buy or sell real estate in the Tampa Bay or Clearwater Beach area? Using real estate agents for either buying or selling is smart. Finding one that is experienced, backed by the resources of a national firm, and able to handle whatever size home you need to buy or sell,well, that means hiring The Deborah Ward Team.

Deb, the Irish Realtor, and her team will make you their priority, no matter where you want to look or what your budget.

Deborah Ward Team Is Here To Help You

The Tampa Bay area has all kinds of real estate, from condos to single family homes, in any size. Whether you are looking for beachfront, Gulf view or your dream home wherever it may be, The Deborah Ward Team will be there to help. No matter where your home for sale may be, Deb and her team will lend you their expertise in preparing it for sale and finding buyers who want it.

Affiliated With Keller Williams Realty

The Deborah Ward Team is affiliated with Keller Williams Realty, and while she is an independent Realtor, having the resources of Keller Williams at her fingertips means success for you. The team is comprised of Deb Ward, Robert Cancelli, Shelly Crosson, Nathalie Probst.

Deb And Her Team Specialize In You

This team of experts are selling Florida living from the beaches to the intracoastal waterways and everything in between. They know how to buy and sell no matter if the home is a single family home, condo, townhouse or villa.

Upsizing or downsizing? Deb and her team will help you no matter your budget or lifestyle. Whether you are buying or selling big or small, their expertise is selling your home, or finding your dream home. Some Realtors specialize in expensive real estate. Deb and her team specialize in you and what YOU need.

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Shelly Crosson

Why You Might Not Be Able To Get Homeowner’s Insurance In Clearwater Florida

October 27, 2021 By Deborah Ward

Looking for a great home in Clearwater? If you are moving from another state, one with much higher home prices, Florida real estate seems like a bargain investment. The problem comes in after you buy Florida real estate and try and procure homeowner’s insurance to protect your investment from fires, people hurting themselves in your home or theft.

Its not all Sunshine

Let’s face it, while the Sunshine State has plenty of sunshine, it also has some darker sides to it as well. Things like hurricanes that destroy properties, flooding and sinkholes that pop up all over the place. In fact, a few years in a row of rather destructive hurricanes sent many large insurance companies running. They had large losses paying homeowners for claims from the hurricanes. Then they packed up and left.

Smaller insurance companies

Now there are a number of smaller insurers who do insure in Florida. Premiums are high because of the risk involved. The smaller number of companies, along with a state run insurance program, are the only choices. In this case, competition is not keeping prices down, due to the smaller number of companies. Larger companies, who have brand recognition and the ability to spread the risk nationwide, bailed. They are now only 17% of the market in Florida.

How larger companies do it

Larger insurance companies have the ability to keep prices lower because they can have their customers share some of the risk. After Hurricane Isabel in 2003, many homeowners in areas that were not hit as hard found their insurance rates going up. For example, while parts of Maryland were hit hard, and areas like Baltimore City and Annapolis were badly damaged and flooded, other western counties only had minor wind damage.

However, those western customers had their rates raised the next time they renewed their policies… whether they had a claim or not. It may seem unfair, and it is, but it is one way that bigger insurers stay in higher risk areas and keep premiums for those customers reasonable.

Citzens Insurance Company

If you can’t get private insurance and you have a hard time finding a big carrier to insure your home, you can always check out Citizens Property Insurance Corporation. Citizens was formed in 2002 from the merger of two other entities to provide both windstorm coverage and general property insurance for home-owners who could not obtain insurance elsewhere. It was established by the Florida Legislature in Section 627.351(6) of Florida Statutes as a not-for-profit insurer of last resort, headquartered in Tallahassee, Florida, and quickly became the largest insurer in the state.(1)

So Florida home prices may not be as high as some other places, and you CAN find insurance, but be prepared to have to look around to find coverage.

If you are thinking about buying a waterfront home in the Clearwater FL area and would like to learn more about some of these and other issues, give Deb Ward a call today! 727-410-0336