Points to Consider When Choosing A Fort Myers Real Estate Agent

Fort Myers is Lee County’s center of government and the spring training home to the Minnesota Twins and Boston Red Sox. It has a year-round tropical climate that promises sunshine and an annual average temperature in the mid-70s. The city was ranked as a very desirable location for second home buyers and investors in April 2018 by US News and World Report with approximately 1,000 people moving to Lee County each month. 

Whether you are considering Fort Myers property as an investment, for a second home, or are simply moving into the area for work, below are some things to consider when choosing a Fort Myers real estate agent:

• Are you working with an exclusive buyer’s agent?  An exclusive buyer agent represents you exclusively and does not take listings. In many Florida real estate transactions the Realtor will represent the transaction (transactional agent) and not the buyer (exclusive buyer’s agent). Ask the agent if their agency lists property. If they do they have a relationship with the seller which can cause a conflict of interest for them.

• Can the Realtor direct you to professional and reliable mortgage brokers, insurance agents and home inspectors and will he/she be able to guide you through the buying process?

• Can the Realtor help you understand the additional costs you should expect to incur?  Even without a mortgage a home will cost money for things such as insurance, annual maintenance, or lawn and pool services. If the property is for rentals there may be property management fees to be paid.

• Does the Realtor know who is professional and can close on time and with the fewest surprises?

Important Things to Know and Do When Buying Real Estate in Ft Myers Florida

Buying real estate in Ft Myers FL is exciting because there is no shortage of excellent properties for those who want to invest or move to this side of the Sunshine State. However, buying property can be a complex process. That’s why working with an exclusive buyer agent, an agent who works just for you the buyer is the most important step you can take towards ensuring a successful purchase.  Here are some things you should know when buying real estate in Ft Myers FL.

• The importance of an experienced Florida Realtor and exclusive buyer agent cannot be stressed enough when buying property in the area. Having an expert to represent you in the entire purchase process will help ensure a smooth transaction. Hiring a good realtor and exclusive buyer agent is a critical first step to buying real estate in Ft Myers FL. The right professional will help make sure that you are making well-informed decisions. Your buyer agent realtor has access to multiple listings and will direct you toward properties that match your criteria and are a good fit for your budget and lifestyle goals.

• When looking at property, make sure to listen to feedback from your buyer agent and realtor so you can get local insight on your chosen neighborhood’s qualities, and whether or not your buyer agent thinks the location is good for your needs. Ask them if they think properties are overpriced or if you have other concerns.

• View properties on your shortlist of Ft Myers real estate. You can do this by frequenting open houses or booking showing appointments with your buyer agent. This will help you assess whether or not a property is a right investment for you.

• Get a mortgage pre-approval and plan your financing, so everything is in order before you make an offer. This way, your purchase transaction can move forward without delays. This also puts you in a better position as negotiation begins.