Clearwater Real Estate

Clearwater Real Estate: Selling Your Home When You Live Out of Town

October 27, 2021 By Deborah Ward

If you own Clearwater real estate, but don’t live here, selling can be a challenge. It doesn’t have to be, however, and using the right Realtor can make it a breeze. It just takes good marketing, a little coordination and a lot of trust.

Find The Right Realtor

The first thing is making sure you find the right Clearwater Realtor. Make sure to look for one that will be diligently marketing your property even when you aren’t around to be sure the job is being done. Be sure to discuss with them your expectations about number of showings, types of marketing, etc., just as you would if you were local, but also how you’re going to hold them accountable since you aren’t there.

Ask Some Questions

A reasonable question to ask would be “how much real estate have you sold for absent owners?” The more real estate for absent owners, the better. Be sure to also ask what their average time on the market is for both local and absent owners homes. Also ask them about after they get the offer/contract on the home: what’s their process for handling that with you.

Settlement Questions and Repairs

Then, after the contract has been put in place, then find out their process for helping you through settlement. Of course you can make a trip to do the actual settlement, but what about taking care of any necessary repairs that the inspection uncovers? And final walk-throughs? Again, having a Realtor you can trust to take care of that is priceless in the sales process.

Selling Your Real Estate

Selling your real estate from far away doesn’t have to be a chore. If it is handled for you by a Realtor with integrity, a process, and fabulous marketing strategy in place, your Clearwater real estate will quickly be off the market, sold FAST and for the most money!

Looking for a great Realtor to represent you in your out of area home sale, give Deborah Ward a call today!

727-410-0336

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

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:

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

In A Clearwater Real Estate Transaction Who Pays For What?

October 27, 2021 By Deborah Ward

In a Clearwater real estate transaction (sale), who pays what?

The real estate closing, the end of a real estate transaction, is an exciting and confusing time. Closing costs are a concern whether you are a buyer or a seller of real estate.

Buyers and sellers each have certain closing costs they are responsible for, although who pays what in a real estate transaction is negotiable. If you’re trying to get an idea of what you will be on the hook for, here are the general guidelines.

Closing Costs For Buyers

If you’re buying a home, you will pay more than just the purchase price of the home. Buyers are responsible for several fees as follows:

fees charged for obtaining a mortgage
inspection fees for pest inspections and home inspections
homeowner’s insurance which typically has to be prepaid for a year at closing
title insurance (either owners title insurance, mortgagee title insurance or both)
title search fees
transfer taxes
title insurance and escrow fees
document stamps (a tax paid to record the documents with the county or state)
condo or HOA estoppel fees
Intangible Tax on Mortgage
survey fees
appraisal fees
attorney or title company fees

Most buyers either bring money they’ve saved, or they roll those costs into the mortgage loan.

Closing Cost the Seller Pays

Sellers, you’re not off the hook. You have fees as well. Starting with fees or penalties to pay off your mortgage:

real estate commission
any repairs (if an FHA or VA inspection requires it)
all or part of transfer taxes and escrow fees
attorney’s fees where applicable

Of course, the balance of your mortgage will also be due as well. All of these fees are usually paid from the proceeds of the sale, so you won’t have to bring cash with you, but it will eat into how much you walk away with.

Clearwater Real Estate Transaction

A Clearwater real estate transaction is probably the biggest transaction that people will have in their life. Knowing what closing costs will be when you are buying or selling real estate is essential to a good outcome.

Clearwater Referral Real Estate Agent – Deb Ward, the Irish Realtor

October 27, 2021 By Deborah Ward

Any good Realtor will tell you that a lot of their business comes not from people who drop in the office or call on a whim, but through referrals. Referrals come from a lot of sources, past clients, current clients, and also from other Realtors and agents. In fact, referrals should be the biggest part of your new listings. If you’re looking in Clearwater for a good example of how to get those referrals, Deb Ward the Irish Realtor, is a great example.

So how do you go about getting other Realtors and agents to refer you to others for listings? Be the best! Deb is a great example of how to be the best and get those Realtor and agent referrals.

Deb has a thriving business in sunny Clearwater, Florida

She is the lead listing Realtor at Deb Ward & Associates, a Keller Williams Realty affiliate. That’s one way to start getting Realtor or agent referrals, be affiliated with a nationally recognized firm. It gives you an automatic referral source from affiliated agents from other areas who may have clients moving to Clearwater.

Deb is also a great example because she specializes in the great water front homes and communities in the Clearwater area. Being specialized and knowing your area well will give other agents or Realtors the confidence they need to refer people to you. Deb’s years of experience helping people to buy and sell is well known. She is well known for helping buyers find their dream waterfront home or sellers help in selling for the best price quickly.

Deb is also a relocation specialist

When it comes to helping out of town buyers or sellers, no one is better than Deb. There are a lot of ins and outs to helping out of town buyers and sellers, from what specialized documents could be necessary to helping them move. Again, being a specialized Realtor will help you get the referrals you need.

Find out more The Deb Ward Team 727-410-0336!