Your dream home is located in South Florida and you are now ready to sign the contract.

Are you having trouble understanding everything on the Real Estate Contract?  No problem, just take a gander at the following information for an easier understanding before you sign.

First you will find yourself needing to sign a real estate purchase and sale contract.  Your Realtor will produce  this contract to the owner indicating your preference to buy the property.  This is not enforceable unless it is in writing.  South Florida requires all the parties in the transaction, the property, and the price to be listed.  The parties involved on the contract are the seller(s) and the buyer(s).

Most often you will see the FAR/BAR contract created by the Florida Bar and the Florida Association of Realtors. This will remain an offer until all parties involved come to an agreement and sign the contract. Once  both parties, buyers  and sellers agree to the terms and sign the contract the date noted is the “Effective Date” All time lines are based on this date.

The real estate contact in South Florida must also include:

(more…)

A pest inspection is a must in South Florida.

Typically your bank will require several  inspections when they lend you money to purchase a home in Forest Ridge.  One of these inspections will to determine if the home has an infestation of  termites. There are companies that specialize in pest inspection.

In particular,  your hired pest inspection company will be testing for termites.

This creatures  can cause an enormous amount of damage to the structure of a home. Their presence may not even be realized until it is far too late. A proper pest inspection could determine the presence of these pests which, in turn, allows you to take effective action to exterminate them immediately.

Here are our tips for selecting a Pest Inspection Company:

In the home purchasing process it is necessary perform a  Home Inspection.

There are two reasons for inspection:

• It is VITAL that you know as much as possible about the structure and mechanics of your new  home  and its appliances.
• The bank will want to protect it’s equity (your home)

Your Realtor should offer you a list of home inspection companies. We advise that your inspector be a member of the  The National Association of Home Inspectors.

TIP:

Sellers might consider a home inspection. This additional step and expense will  allow the home owner time to fix and repair existing problems. Many of these repairs are often unseen. Time spend in the beginning should save you frustration in the end! We make this suggestion to all our home owners in Forest Ridge.

Items usually on a home inspection checklist include:

• Building structural and construction elements.
• Exterior landscaping, drainage, and elevation.
•  Roof
•  Plumbing including pipes, showers, toilets, and faucets.
• Air conditioners and duct work
• The main panel and circuit breakers as well as the wiring and grounding, light fixtures and receptacles.
• Appliances including the dishwasher, washer and dryer, and smoke detectors.
• Within the garage area the inspector will look at the slab, walls, ceiling and vents, garage door and roof .

When completed you will have a home inspection list detailing anything that may require repair – the bottom line is your satisfaction and safety.