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Southwest Florida is one of the best areas to be a real estate agent in. With so many visitors coming down for vacation every winter, you can always find new prospects to purchase to the reasonably priced homes in Southwest Florida. The quality of life and cost of living is a great balance, particularly for the retirees that are looking to get out of the harsh winters. However, when you have a complicated listing, it can sit around for a little while. Many realtors are afraid to take listings for homes with septic systems, since often buyers are tentative to purchase a home with a septic system. Here are a few tips for realtors that have septic system home listings to help ease the mind of target buyers:
- Get historical pumpout records from the homeowner.
Perhaps one of the most important things that a buyer or that buyer’s real estate agent will want to know is how the septic system has been cared for the in the past. For homeowners that have been diligent about their pumpouts, this is a great selling point. This provides the real estate agent and the buyer with peace of mind in knowing that the system has been well maintained. If records are not available, you may be able to contact the pumpout company that has been servicing the septic system and obtain records.
- Make sure the buyer gets an inspection.
You don’t want to get an inspection beforehand and then have the prospective buyer worry about any potential bias or payout that was completed to keep a septic contractor quiet about any potential issues. Buyers should always obtain their own inspection. Let the seller know that they can offer to pay for the inspection as an incentive to keep the buyers interest and create a sense of goodwill.
- Be up front.
The more you know about a listing, the more accurately you can price it and the more you can disclose to a potential buyer. Legally you have an obligation to disclose anything that a seller makes you aware of and you have an obligation to both the seller and the buyer to make sure that you’re being up front about the condition of the home that is being sold. - Educate.
Education is crucial when it comes to septic systems. Buyers should have a good understanding of how a septic system operates, with a sketch of the system structure included. Take time to educate them on the importance of regular upkeep, the location of the tank and drainfield and let them know about water use, what not to flush, and symptoms to look for when the system requires a pumpout. The more you can teach a homebuyer about the septic system in the home they’re buying, the more grateful they will be and the more likely they will be to recommend you to friends and family.
Real estate agents thrive on referrals. By doing your diligence and making sure you have all the information that a buyer might want about a listing will help you to price it appropriately and move the closing process along with less opportunities for delays. By offering up a little education to your potential clients, you’ll gain their trust and help them to buy and sell their listings more quickly.
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