It’s a rare soul who doesn’t dream of living on or near the waterfront. Florida’s sandy beaches and crisp waves are among the most enviable in the world. If you currently own a home by one of the Panhandle’s finest beaches, you are sitting on a valuable piece of real estate!
When it comes time to sell your fabulous property, keep these 5 tips in mind.
1. Choose Your Real Estate Agent With Care
Selling any type of property can be complex, and waterfront properties are even more so. There are subtle nuances at every point, from appealing to different buyer mindsets to navigating the laws around the Coastal Construction Control Lines.
A trained professional will also help you earn the full value from your sale by knowing exactly how to price your home, what preparations to make, and targeting the marketing to the most qualified buyers. By working with someone with a network of trustworthy contractors and other experts, you can enjoy a relatively stress-free and successful selling experience.
Finding the right agent to partner with will take a little bit of background research. A great way to start is to examine their track record and see what other clients have to say about their results. Once you narrow it down to your top two to three choices, schedule an in-person or video chat to get a better feel for how they work.
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2. Unique Considerations of Waterfront Properties
Every real estate transaction involves some legalities, but waterfront properties come with even more considerations. Although your real estate agent is not a lawyer, they should have extensive expertise and a thorough understanding of what makes a waterfront home unique. In addition, they will typically work closely with a legal team who can provide you with even further guidance.
There are also different types of waterfront properties in Florida, each requiring a different set of regulations. For example:
- Is your home on the Gulf, intercoastal waterway, sound, bay, canal, or lake?
- Properties with docks need to comply with local regulations. Even if the dock is currently permitted, can it be replaced?
- What types of insurance will be required due to hurricanes and other weather events?
These are all concerns a buyer will have as they tour your home. This is one more excellent reason to work with a real estate team who can skillfully handle all of these issues and keep moving the sale forward.
3. Curb Appeal Is Everything
The importance of creating curb appeal sometimes gets pushed to the back burner during many real estate transactions. However, it’s critical to keep the buyer in mind during the preparation stage. And if there’s one thing that matters to those searching for a waterfront home, it’s outdoor living space.
Colorful gardens, luxurious outdoor furniture, shady gazebos, walking stones, and beautiful decor help bring the vision to life and plant a seed of desire in any qualified buyer. Your buyer should see themselves living there, feeling as though every day is a vacation at a luxury resort.
From the moment they step foot on your property, they should start imagining entertaining their friends in the stunning backyard. A smart real estate professional will cultivate this effect with careful consideration.
Are you thinking about selling your home? Learn more about our approach to selling and get a home evaluation here:
4. Make the Entire Home Dazzle
Creating curb appeal sets the stage. Now, you want to make the rest of the home dazzle buyers from start to finish. As with any transaction, this begins with thorough cleaning and decluttering, turning each room into a blank slate where the buyer can imagine living life to the fullest in your home.
For an entry or even mid-level house, a good scrubbing might do the trick. However, if you want to earn top dollar from your high-end property, you’ll want to ensure your presentation is absolutely breathtaking. We will suggest contractors to handle any minor repairs and upgrade your home to appeal to the maximum number of potential buyers.
For the final touch, professional staging can make your space even more desirable, which often leads to a faster and more profitable sale. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to getting your home ready to welcome qualified buyers. That’s why The Zimmern Team will develop a completely customized approach for each property.
Discover what makes the Gulf Coast so special. Read our community guides here.
5. Set a Strategic Price
The right price is arguably the most critical component of a successful sale, especially in today’s competitive landscape. Homeowners are often tempted to come in with a higher price with the idea of negotiating with buyers. Unfortunately, this strategy often backfires and causes buyers to lose interest completely.
Underpricing may result in a fast sale, but you’d be leaving money on the table, leaving you in a less powerful position for your next step in life. Even slight errors in judgment can result in your home selling for less than its full value – or not at all.
On the other hand, finding the perfect price allows you to generate maximum interest and excitement from potential buyers. A realistic price will actually help you sell for more than another homeowner in your neighbourhood who inflates their property’s value.
This is why your real estate agent will perform extensive background research and thoroughly analyze your home, and how it compares to others in your area. From the square footage and number of bedrooms and bathrooms to any recent upgrades and the location, we leave nothing to chance.
The end result is massive attention and exposure, potentially leading to better and higher offers. When all of these pieces come together perfectly, you can look forward to a seamless and successful selling process where you earn the highest amount possible from your beautiful home.
Looking for more guidance on selling your property on the waterfront? Our Florida Panhandle real estate agents are happy to help. Reach out to info@thezimmernteam.com or call (850) 266-7245 to take the next step.
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