About De Soto County, FL

Buying your first home can and should be a fun, exciting experience. It will probably also be the single largest investment you ever make. For this reason, it is important to be involved and informed. Use the series of steps below to make your home buying experience smooth and enjoyable:

1. Select a realtor. Most realtors belong to the multiple listing service, which means that one person can show you nearly any home with a real estate sign in front. Working with one person that fits your personality and listens to your home needs will assure positive results.

2. Determine a realistic price range. Your mortgage lender can determine in a matter of minutes how much of a loan you can pre-qualify for, depending upon your income and debts. With these numbers in hand, you can begin looking at homes.

3. View a variety of homes and neighborhoods. Don't be discouraged if you don't find the right home the first day. Also remember that love at first sight can apply to homes, too.

4. Select the home for you and make an offer to the seller on an earnest money contract. Your Realtor will prepare the contract and review it with you. When both parties have agreed to all terms in writing, you are ready to begin the loan process.

5. Apply for your mortgage loan, after comparing rates offered by several banks, mortgage lenders and brokers. The lender should guide you through each step of the process.

6. Arrange for a home inspection by a Licensed Real Estate Inspector. Have a licensed pest inspector check the home for termites. Both should provide written reports upon inspection completion.

7. Consider a home warranty plan. Home warranty companies will, upon failure of eligible systems and components of your home, provide for repair or replacement. These plans are effective for one year from the closing date. They can be part of the contract negotiations (to be purchased by either the buyer or the seller).

8. Close on or before the date set forth in the earnest money contract. Your Realtor should be present to provide help if needed.

9. Plan your move well ahead of time. Contact utility companies in advance, and if you are currently renting, give your landlord at least 30 days notice before vacating.

10. Enjoy your new home. Home ownership is the American dream. By planning ahead, getting involved and staying informed, you can start building on that dream today.

Call (941) 518-9421 Your Local Real Estate Professional

1. Send change of address to: Post Office, Charge Accounts, and Credit Card Accounts, Friends & Relatives, and Subscriptions. Remember that your notice requires several weeks for magazines.
2. Notify your bank. Transfer funds, arrange check cashing in new city.
3. Insurance: Notify new location for insurance coverage (life, health, fire, auto, homeowner's.)
4. Automobile: Transfer car title, car registration, car tags, driver's license, state windshield sticker, and motor club membership.
5. Utilities: Gas, light, cable TV, water, telephone get refund of any deposits made. Arrange for immediate service in new town. Arrange final reading and change of name for billing.
6. Delivery People: Cancel laundry, newspaper and milk.
7. School: Ask for copies or transfer of children's records. Ask For:Medical records of family and pets.
8. Drug and Eye Contact or Glasses Prescriptions to be transferred. Doctor and Pharmacist recommendations.
9. Letters of Introduction to transfer memberships.
10. Pet requirements in new city.
11. Empty freezer; plan use of foods. Defrost freezer-refrigerator. (Place charcoal to dispel odors.)
12. Have appliances serviced for moving.
13. Clean rugs or clothing, before moving; have them "moving-wrapped."
14. Check with your moving counselor: insurance coverage, packing and unpacking labor, arrival day, various shipping papers, method and time of expected payment.
15. Plan for special care needs of infants.
16. Plan garage sale.
17. On your moving day: Carry currency, jewelry, documents yourself; or use registered mail.
18. Plan for transporting pets. (They are poor traveling companions if unhappy.) Make sure you can be found if they become lost.
19. Carry traveler's checks for quick available funds. Tell close friends or relatives your route and schedule (including overnight stops). Use them as "message headquarters."
20. Double check closets, drawers, and shelves (to be sure they are empty).
21. Arrange to leave keys with new tenant, owner or agent.

Buyers today are more educated and demanding than they were in the past. It should not be surprising to a seller that a buyer would ask for a home inspection before signing a hefty purchase agreement. Therefore, it would be wise for homeowners to look at the areas where most home inspections fail. Start by fixing those areas up in advance, before you're ready to place your house on the market.

The most common problem found by inspectors is poor wiring. The wiring in your home needs to be up to code, and has to have sufficient overload protection.

Sometimes the best way to be sure the wiring in your home is in good shape is to hire a home inspector, or electrical contractor to check it out for you. Even if you're not selling your home right now, you would want to make sure your family is living in a house that is safe from fire hazards.

Another major problem found in our areas, is termite damage. If you begin to suspect at any time that your home may have termites, it's urgent that you call a pest control service right away. This particular problem needs to be taken care of quickly.

Other areas that should be looked at as potential problems are the heating systems of your home, structural damage, such as extensive cracks in the walls or ceiling, or leaky roofs

When deciding what is important to fix, put yourself in the place of the buyer. If you were considering buying the home you live in now, what would you consider important that the seller fix?

Handle problems in condition or construction with estimates and repair by a reputable contractor. Sooner is better than later, especially when the demands of moving and evaluation of the buyer run high. Do it now!

Anything you can do to make your home more saleable in advance may mean more money and less hassle when you're actually ready to sell.

For All Your Real Estate Needs Call Your Local Real Estate Professional

Fred Collins REALTOR

Broker - Associate

Wagner Realty

941-518-9421

The DeSoto County Association of Realtors recently merged their MLS in with the Mid Florida Regional MLS. This is great news for people located in these 2 heartland counties in southwest Florida. It makes it just that much easier for your property to be seen by the 30,000+ Realtors that have access to Florida's largest MLS database.

If you have property in De Soto County or Hardee County, Florida that you want to sell or rent our firm is the premier firm in the area to get your property listed for all the Realtors to see as well as advertise on Realtor.com and MyFloridaHomesMLS.com where millions of potential buyers visit every month.

Regardless of where your property is located in these counties including Arcadia, Lake Suzy, Fort Ogden, Brownville, Bowling Green, Wauchula, Zolfo Springs, Crewsville, Ona, or Fort Green, we can get your property listed via our for sale by owner / flat fee MLS listing service. Now servicing 29 counties in Florida.

For answers to Frequently Asked Questions simply head on over to our website and let's get started with your listing today.

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(Copyright © 2009. Sand Dollar Realty Group, Inc. All rights reserved.) Subscribe to my blog via RSS feed.

Rob Arnold - Your full service and investor friendly Realtor ® in Orlando and Central Florida.

ABR, CPL, CRB, CSP, GRI, Managing real estate broker, Notary Public

407-389-7318 / 1-877-389-7318 www.SDRhouses.com We Buy Houses Florida

We sell foreclosures, short sales, and bank owned REO properties throughout Central Florida. We sell and list Central Florida real estate and Orlando real estate. Free list of foreclosure and short sale houses available.

I also provide flat fee MLS listings, For Sale By Owner, and menu-based services in most parts of Central & South Florida, the Space Coast, and the Treasure Coast including Orlando, Winter Park, Maitland, Ocoee, Winter Garden, Apopka, Altamonte Springs, Casselberry, Longwood, Winter Springs, Oviedo, Lake Mary, Sanford, Deltona, Debary, Deland, Mount Dora, Eustis, Clermont, Kissimmee, Winter Haven, Lakeland, Tampa, Sarasota, Bradenton, Miami-Dade, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Port Saint Lucie, Melbourne, Daytona Beach, Ocala, Gainesville, Palatka, Jacksonville, Volusia, Brevard, and more.

Delray Beach, FL Pristine Properties International a participant with Cabela's Trophy Properties announced today that they have partnered with Martin Realty FLA . Gordon "Mac" Martin, President and Broker for Martin Realty is a native of DeSoto county. Martin Realty FLA has earned a reputation for providing exceptional customer service and for having an intimate understanding of the local real estate industry. Now with their affiliation with Cabela's Trophy Properties, Martin Realty will also specialize in sporting and recreational real estate."We are excited to have partnered with a company like Martin Realty FLA" stated Stephen Jara, President and COO of Pristine Properties. "Gordon "Mac" Martin and his staff are the perfect fit for their role and affiliation with Cabela's Trophy Properties". Combining the experience of these two firms truly allows them to stand apart from their competition.

Mr. Martin is no stranger to the back woods of South West and Central Florida. A Florida native growing up around DeSoto County, Mac has seen many changes in real estate over the years. He has an extensive background in real estate and land development. When he heard Cabela's, The World's Foremost Outfitter of hunting, fishing, and outdoor gear, had a division of their organization dedicated to recreation and sporting real estate, he knew he had found the perfect fit. With Martin Realty FLA and Cabela's Trophy Properties, Mac is not only able to continue the outdoor life that he loves, but he can now share that love and enthusiasm with others who are looking for recreational properties. And to top it off, he has the strong Cabela's brand behind him.

Pristine Properties International specializes in sporting and recreational real estate throughout Florida and the Bahamas with Offices in Delray Beach, Okeechobee and affiliate offices in Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Destin, Haines City, Lake Suzy, Arcadia, Nassau and Marsh Harbour .

Martin Realty FLA currently has offices in Arcadia and Lake Suzy with plans to expand throughout Southwest and Central Florida. If you would like any additional information regarding Martin Realty FLA, Pristine Properties or Cabela's Trophy Properties contact Stephen Jara @ http://www.pristineflorida.com/

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