Before You View Property

• Is Sarasota right for you? - Those from out of town should decide if Sarasota is right for them before looking at property. You can get a great idea about pricing from this website. This site contains virtually all properties listed on the Sarasota MLS with multiple photos, virtual tours, maps and descriptions. If you have not been to Sarasota before consider a vacation here before looking at property. If you don't like Sarasota don't spend your valuable vacation time viewing homes or condos.

• Selling your current home first - If you need to sell your home prior to buying put it on the market before looking at numerous properties. There are plenty of homes for sale right now and it could be a long time before your home sells. If you learn the market today by looking at numerous properties you may just have to start all over again when your property receives a contract.

• Financing - The ease of obtaining a mortgage has changed dramatically. The number of loan programs offered to borrowers have dropped. It is best to get financing arranged first before you go look at property. You may fall in love with a home worth $1 million and become heart broken when the most you can afford is $700,000.

• Learn the market - Spend some time looking at properties on this website. This site is updated daily with new listings. Get a general idea what locations, neighborhoods or condo buildings that you can afford. This will save you a tremendous amount of time. If you don't want to do this email me exactly what you want and I will find it for you.

• Take a drive - Have you found your favorite areas or neighborhoods? A drive by of a certain neighborhood can be a big time saver. Sometimes buyers mention upon a visit to a home that the property looks nice on the internet but after being in the neighborhood they don't care for the location. A quick drive by of the area could have saved you and your Realtor a bunch of time. If you do know what areas you like let us email you what has sold recently in those neighborhoods. This will give you an idea of where market prices are right now.

• Hire one Realtor - Virtually all properties are on the multiple listing service (MLS). Realtors have access to each others listings for sale. One agent can show pretty much every property. Don't hire more than one unless you are looking in different cities.  Hiring more than one agent in one location is redundant. If you hired a lousy Realtor fire them and move on to a good one. If you are from Europe I know the system works differently over there. You really only need to hire one good agent.

• Are you ready? - Wait until you are ready to buy or close to it before looking at too many properties. The market changes everyday. Properties sell, expire without selling and change in price. If you learn the market today with a planned purchase date in 6 months you will most likely have to relearn the market again in 6 months.

• Timing the market - If you are trying to time the bottom of this market start looking at property when you feel the bottom has hit or is about to hit. You can learn a lot about properties for sale from this website by viewing virtual tours, photographs and details. Monitor the market and then start viewing homes when you feel the time is right to buy. You most likely won't accurately time the bottom anyhow.

• Be Considerate - Consider your Realtor's time before viewing property. If you are not serious about buying don't waste their time looking at property. Realtors are not salaried so they are only compensated when a property sells.

• Contact me when I can help.