Sarasota Real Estate Group Homes and Condos for Sale in Florida
  • Home
  • Home Values
  • Sarasota
  • Venice
  • Manatee
  • Charlotte
  • Search
  • Videos
  • Blog
Login
941-357-1027

Sign in to your account

Need to reset your phone number?

Don't have an account with us?

Click here to sign up.

Sarasota Real Estate Search

TO
Advanced Search

Address Search

 <<  Finding a Florida Home  |  Real Estate Finance | Seeing Homes  >>

 

Real Estate Finance

Unless you have a close relationship with a banker you should talk with a local mortgage broker.  The reason it is important to talk was somebody local is that Florida is just different enough that an out of town lender may not be well versed in the issues around a Florida home mortgage.  

Internet lenders:
We have seen in recent years several transactions collapse in the final week because some Internet lender did not do something required to get the transaction closed.  Many quote fantastic rates but often times cannot deliver.  If any issues come up during the transaction we may have a difficult time getting the issue solved.  There is nothing worse than having gone through the process only to find an issue in the 11th hour.  This is why we suggest going with those lenders with local knowledge.


Local mortgage brokers and lenders:
We work with several lenders whom we work with on a regular basis.  We only work with lenders who have a proven track record of treating our customers professionally and who are competitive.  We would not send our customers to some one that has substandard service or cannot perform as promised.  In other words, we have an ongoing relationship based on their performance in the past.  You are not obligated to use any of them but they are good first place to start.  If you have someone in mind that you would like to use that’s great!  Just let us know who and we’re happy to work with them.  Who knows, we may recommend your lender to a future buyer if they meet our standards.

Know your Price Range:
Our objective is to find out what you can afford, what closing costs may be required, the type of loan best suited to your situation, and the all important pre-approval letter that we will need for any offer we may write.  Finding your upper limit also gives you peace of mind knowing the homes we look at within your budget.  We also understand that even if you can afford more, it sometimes makes sense to set a self imposed limit lower than what the lender says.  It makes a lot of sense to shop rates around a little bit but we can do that after we find a house.

Becoming an Almost Cash Buyer Helps:
When it comes to making an offer that is contingent on financing, having a lender approval letter from a local lender gives you the advantage of being the closest thing to a cash buyer as possible.  You are giving the seller an assurance that if they commit to your offer and take their home off the market, the probability is a very high a closing will occur.

The approval will also spell out the terms of your loan which need to be incorporated into the offer we make.  Terms can include interest rate, the type of loan, down payment, the amount of time the lender requires for approval and closing costs.  These items are required to set limits in the contract of what you are paying.  This way, if rates were to jump before you lock in, you have the option to evaluate your decision to proceed.

Continue on to Seeing Your Florida Home >>

Some of the Finest Southwest Florida Listings

7373 Black Walnut Way Unit 7373, Lakewood Ranch image
7373 Black Walnut Way Unit 7373, Lakewood Ranch — 7373 $229,900

Opportunity to own a 3 BR/2.5 BA Townhome in award winning Lakewood Ranch with a fabulous lakefront view! This rarely available end unit has a second floor balcony (off k...

  • 3 Beds
  • 2 Baths
  • Willowbrook SubDv.
  • 34202 Zip Code
16916 Rosedown Glen, Parrish image
16916 Rosedown Glen, Parrish $529,900

Take a breath of fresh air in welcoming Rivers Reach - this outstanding four bedroom home is the perfect place for your growing family or the work at home/school at home ...

  • 4 Beds
  • 4 Baths
  • Rivers Reach SubDv.
  • 34219 Zip Code
1064 Paseo Del Rio Drive Ne Unit #17, St Petersburg image
1064 Paseo Del Rio Drive Ne Unit #17, St Petersburg — 2 $1,165,000

The best of all worlds! Just 20 minutes to your local destinations -- downtown Tampa or downtown St. Petersburg. Only 15 minutes to Tampa International Airport and St. Pe...

  • 4 Beds
  • 4 Baths
  • SubDv.
  • 33702 Zip Code
10550 Amberjack Way Unit 202, Englewood image
10550 Amberjack Way Unit 202, Englewood — Ph 11 $280,000

Sparkling pond views and Southwest Florida sunsets are yours in this immaculate condo which feels like a model. Real wood cabinetry, granite counters and stainless appli...

  • 3 Beds
  • 2 Baths
  • Hammocks SubDv.
  • 34224 Zip Code
521 Mandalay Avenue Unit 808, Clearwater image
521 Mandalay Avenue Unit 808, Clearwater — Mirasol $1,275,000

Belle Harbor truly is resort-style living at its finest! This 6.5-acre community with its resort-style amenities includes a heated seaside pool, hot tub, fully equipped w...

  • 3 Beds
  • 2 Baths
  • Belle Harbor Condo SubDv.
  • 33767 Zip Code

Address Search

Like or Share
Loading likes...

SarasotaOne How-To Videos

  • Search, Save, and Favorite your Picks
  • How to Find Foreclosures
  • How to Search Multiple Counties
  • Advanced Search - Tips and Tricks

Buying a Home in Florida

  • Finding a Home in Southwest Florida
  • Real Estate Financing
  • Seeing Your Florida Home
  • Making and Negotiating an Offer
  • Making and Negotiating an Offer Pt. 2
  • Now that you are Under Contract
  • Home and Other Types of Inspections
  • Florida Home Owner Insurance
  • Title Insurance
  • Closing Your Florida Dream Home

Home Buying Tips by Type

  • Buying a New Home in Florida
  • Buying a Florida Foreclosure
  • Buying a Florida Short Sale
  • Buying a Single Family Florida Home
  • Buying a Florida Condominium

Southwest Florida Real Estate

  • Sarasota Real Estate
  • Venice Florida Real Estate
  • Manatee County Real Estate
  • Charlotte County Real Estate
  • Pinellas County Real Estate
  • Hillsborough County Real Estate

Foreclosures

Recent Blog Posts

  • Meadows Pool Home
  • Three Bed Cul-de-Sac Sarasota Home
  • Belle Villino Condo in Sarasota
  • 4015 Burlwood Rd, Sarasota FL
  • 137 Hourglass Dr, Venice FL
  • 4957 Rutland Gate - SOLD - CASH
  • 7125 River Club Blvd Lakewood Ranch FL
  • 416 Englewood Isles Pkwy Florida
  • 2645 Proud Truth FULL PRICE
  • Cherokee Park Waterfront Home Sold
  • Home
  • Advanced Search
  • Custom Market Report
  • Sell My Sarasota Home
  • Buying
  • About Us
  • Featured Properties
  • Contact
  • Foreclosures
  • Blog
  • Our Terms of Use
  • RSS
  • Site Directory
  • Closing Costs
  • Resources

Sarasota Real Estate Group and SarasotaOne are wholly owned registered trademarks - USTPO #5,265,486
Sarasota Real Estate Group
5077 Fruitville Rd, Ste 109-134
Sarasota, Fl 34232
941-357-1027

Sarasota Real Estate listings provided by
Mid-Florida Regional MLS.
Content by John Woodward, Broker
© 2004-2020 - All Rights Reserved

Sarasota and Nearby Homes for Sale

  • Sarasota Real Estate
  • Sarasota Downtown
  • Siesta Key Real Estate
  • Longboat Key Real Estate
  • Waterfront Property
  • Manatee County
  • Charlotte County, FL
  • Pinellas County
  • Hillsborough County, FL
  • Our Real Estate Videos
IDX Real Estate Websites by
• Accessibility