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Frequently Asked Questions

“Real answers to the questions Central Florida buyers and sellers ask me most, in plain language. No pressure, ever.”

Efrain Reyes, Orlando Realtor Efrain Reyes Realtor · Coldwell Banker Realty · Orlando, FL

These are the questions I hear every week before someone calls: how much they can afford, whether to wait on rates, what their home is worth, how to price it, whether now is the time, whether to renovate or move, who pays the buyer's agent, whether they can buy before they sell, why a listing is sitting on the market, what closing costs actually run, and what happens if you sell before you have found your next home. Each answer below links to the full breakdown, with the data where the facts belong and the decision left where it belongs, with you.

Question 01 How much house can I afford? Your affordability is driven by your income, debts, down payment, and today’s rate, not by the price of the home you like. Get pre-approved first, then shop. Question 02 Should I wait for mortgage rates to drop? You can’t time rates perfectly, and waiting has a cost. If you can afford the payment today, buying today builds equity now. Question 03 What is my home really worth right now? Your home is worth what a ready, able buyer will pay today, and that’s best measured with current comparable sales, not a website estimate. Question 04 How should I price my home? Price it from the data: recent comparable sales, current competition, and condition, not from what you need or hope to get. Overpricing costs you time and leverage. Question 05 Is now a good time to buy or sell in Central Florida? For most families, the best time is when your finances and life are ready, not when headlines say. Right now the market favors buyers with negotiating power, and prepared sellers still win with sharp pricing. Question 06 Should I renovate my house or just move? Start with the reason you want to move. If the house itself is the problem, a targeted renovation often costs far less than a move. If the neighborhood, the commute, or the schools are the problem, no remodel fixes that. Question 07 Who pays the buyer's agent commission in Florida now? Since the 2024 NAR settlement, buyer-agent compensation is negotiated directly with you before you tour and no longer advertised in the MLS. Most Central Florida sellers still cover it, but it is now a term you negotiate. Question 08 Can I buy another home before I sell this one? Yes, if the numbers work. A contingent offer, a HELOC or bridge loan on your current home, or selling first with a short leaseback can all make the timing work; the right option depends on your equity and your timeline. Question 09 Why isn't my house selling? In today's market, if showings have stalled, the first thing to check is price against current sold data, then condition, then how the listing is presented. The fix is usually one clear, honest adjustment. Question 10 How much are closing costs when buying or selling in Florida? Budget 2 to 5 percent of the price on top of your down payment, plus Florida documentary stamp taxes and title insurance. Sellers usually carry the bigger share, and I can itemize your exact numbers before you commit. Question 11 What if I sell my home and can't find a new place in time? A short leaseback lets you stay in your sold home as a renter, usually up to 60 days, while you find your next place. It is a normal, negotiable term that protects you from closing with nowhere to go.

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Prefer to talk now? Call (407) 575-4226 or email Efrain.Reyes@CBRealty.com.