Importance of getting an inspection
In a seller’s market, homes sell quickly. Here in 34714 we have a low inventory of homes priced under $275,000. When a home in that price point hits the market, you need to be prepared with a competitive offer.
You may be tempted to submit an offer waiving all contingencies such as obtaining a home inspection. Not doing a home inspection could backfire. Without performing an inspection, you risk spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on a home that could potentially have a major defect. These hidden defects may not be obvious to the average person for months or even years down the road.
How can you remain competitive while protecting yourself? Here are a couple of tips:
1. Before you even begin looking at homes reach out to a few home inspectors and ask how booked out into the future they are. You may be tempted to appear competitive and select a shorter inspection of 5 or 7 days instead of the default 15 day inspection period. If you can’t find an inspector to inspect the property until day 5 or later, that does not give you enough time to receive the inspection report and negotiate anything that may arise.
2. If you feel that your offer will not be accepted if you don’t waive an inspection, then consider bringing an inspector along with you to the showing so that you are aware of any potential issues before making your offer.
3. Another option is to include a home inspection “for informational purposes only” in your contract. This means you will still pay for an inspection, but you will not hold the seller responsible for making repairs. If something significant does show on the inspection report you understand that there will be no negotiations. You can still back out of buying the home, but you run the risk of forfeiting your earnest money deposit.
4. If you are the seller and you are in need of a quick sale, consider paying for a pre-inspection of the property before you list it. This will give the buyer peace of mind and make it easier to fill out the seller disclosure sheet.
A home inspection is a few hundred dollars for peace of mind. Would you ever buy a used car with just the word of the seller that it runs well? Or would you take it to your mechanic just to be sure?
Weather Report:
Here in Central Florida during the month of October the weather really is a spin of the roulette wheel. These are the averages:
- Average High Temperature: 83.1 Degrees
- Average Low Temperature: 68.5 Degrees
- Average Rainfall: 2.8 Inches
- Average Humidity: 75%
- Average Amount of Daylight: 11.5 Hours
Road Reporter app
I saw this in the South Lake Tablet and I thought I would share. Lake County has announced a GPS App that residents can use to report things such as infrastructure issues like signs, potholes, streetlights, and flooding. Users can then view the status map to verify if an issue has already been reported and get status updates on their existing reports. The application can be accessed from any computer or smartphone device.
The App can be found here: Road Reporter App
34714 SALES STATS
In August of 2021 (September stats were not available at the time of press) we saw 36 houses close and 54 new listings. The average sales price was $353,149 (up from $295,044 this time last year!) and on average it took 5 days to get a new listing under contract!
Dates to Remember:
- Every Friday in October-Cagan’s Crossings Farmers Market
- Every Saturday and Sunday in October Weekends at the Winery
- Every Sunday in October-Clermont Farmer’s Market
- October 5th District 1 County Commissioner Meeting at Cagan Crossings Library
- October 11th Lake County School Board Meeting
- October 12th Board of Lake County Commissioners Meeting
- October 15th-17th Pig on the Pond
- October 25th Lake County School Board Meeting
- October 26th Board of Lake County Commissioners Meeting
- October 30th Clermont Harvest Festival
Did you know?
Did you know that people are turning to dating apps for companionship, not romance? Friendships have an impact on our mental health and happiness. When you move to a new city it may be hard to build up your social network.
In a recent survey 35% of members of Generation Z admitted to using dating apps such as Tinder, Bumble, or Match to make platonic friends. We are all running at full speed and sometimes it is hard to slow down long enough to make and develop new friendships.
Some apps are embracing this new phenomenon and adding friend-finding features. In many cases, meaningful friendships have been formed this way. Is this something you would be willing to try?
Final Phase of serenoa Retail and apartments
Phase 4 of The Serenoa Lakes Planned Unit Development has received all of the necessary approvals and construction will begin soon. The project includes a grocery store and shopping center along with 300 apartments and should take about 2 years to complete.
Just past the Palms of Serenoa (highlighted in yellow on the map) will be 350,000 square feet of retail, commercial, and office space. The space will be anchored by a 30,000 square foot grocery store and also includes three one acre outparcels.
In addition to the retail plans, highlighted in pink on the map will be apartments. The plans include ten 5 story buildings and 300 units. The development includes 120 one-bedroom units, 150 two-bedroom units and 30 three-bedroom units along Sawgrass Bay Parkway.
A 9,500 sq.ft. clubhouse and a pool will be located in the new residential area. Kolter Multifamily is listed as the developer on the site plan.
Does anyone want to take bets to see if the extension of Sawgrass Bay Blvd to Orange County will open before this is finished?