Finding a home for sale in Tampa that meets all your needs and wants can be hard. Follow my tips to make the process easier.
1. Speak With a Tampa Realtor
The best way to find the perfect home for sale in Tampa, is to speak with a Tampa Realtor that has her pulse on the area’s real estate market. A good Realtor understands the ins and outs of real estate. The past two years have been quite unique and have impacted the real estate market in various ways. To better understand the current state of the market and gain insight into what you can expect when buying a home right now, connect with a Tampa Realtor with deep knowledge about the area.
2. Look at Listings on a Tampa Realtor’s Website
If you are not quite ready to talk to a Realtor, or if you want to do some initial research, then check out her website to see what listings she has available. This can help you further refine your list of wants and give you insight into the current market.
While Florida real estate does not suffer from the same seasonality issues as other areas, there are times when fewer homes are available, or homes sell very quickly. Keeping an eye on the market for a few months before you want to move will help you better understand what is happening locally.
Plus, if your dream home happens to show up in your search, you can consider shifting your timeline. You can search for current real estate listings on my website.
3. Ask Your Realtor About Upcoming Listings
When you browse a public real estate listing site, you only see live listings. However, when you work with a Realtor, you can get access to upcoming listings that have not yet gone live. This allows you to schedule a viewing when the listing goes live. This is quite the advantage in today’s competitive market.
4. Consider Homes for Sale by Owners
Just because a homeowner opts to list their own home does not mean that you cannot work with a Realtor to purchase it. While some “for sale by owner” (FSBO) home listings will state that they do not want to be contacted by Realtors, others are happy to work with them. If you have a Realtor, you will want her to take the lead to determine the feasibility of working with the seller. Many FSBO sellers are reluctant to pay Realtor fees — thus why they have taken the risk of trying to sell their home on their own. However, they may be fine paying the commission, which will be necessary if you have signed a contract with a Realtor. Your Realtor will reach out to the seller to determine this.
5. Expand Your Search to Fixer-Uppers
When inventory is low and you have to move, you may need to be flexible. Bring your imagination with you as you check out listings to help see their potential. It may be easier to create an open floor plan, for example, than find the right turn-key home with your desired layout.
If you need room for another office, consider getting an addition. There are plenty of houses on the market with good bones. With some creativity, they could be your next dream home.
When seeking a fixer-upper, you will want to focus on the essentials. If you know you need to move in immediately, for example, you will want to be sure that everything you need is available to you while fixing up the place.
6. Tell Your Realtor About “Coming Soon” Signs
Is there a new neighborhood popping up in which you are interested? If you see a developers’ “coming soon” sign and want to learn more about the properties they are building, talk to your Realtor. She will be able to get you the info you need and schedule a meeting with the developer’s sales team. Plus, if there are comparable homes on the market, she will be able to let you know, so you do not have to wait for new construction.
7. Ask Your Realtor to Subscribe You to MLS Emails
When you sign with a Tampa Realtor, she can sign you up to receive updates regarding MLS listings. This way, she will be keeping an eye out for appropriate properties for you, but you can also keep an eye on what is currently available on the market. Because inventory is low, keeping watch over listings allows you to act quickly should a home meeting your requirements pops up.
8. Consider Foreclosures
Foreclosures happen when a homeowner fails to meet their mortgage obligations. Since the property is used as collateral on the mortgage loan, the bank takes possession of it. They then list the home for sale as a foreclosure.
If you are concerned about bidding on a foreclosure, speak to your Realtor. She will provide you with additional information regarding the process to determine whether it is right for you.
Looking for a Home for Sale in Tampa?
There is a lot of interest in Tampa real estate right now. Not only is it a great place to raise a family, it is also a wonderful place to own a second home or to retire. Whatever stage of life you are in, you can find your dream home right here along the gulf coast. Contact me today and let’s start our search for your new home together.