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7 min read Mar 08, 2024

7 Steps to Selling a House in Florida 2024

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Carol Coutinho

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Edited By

Carol Coutinho

Editor, Houzeo
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Carol is a versatile content editor and writer, crafting riveting narratives with precision and finesse. When not reading a novel, she is immersed in the enthralling world of the theater.

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Want to sell your Florida house in 2024? You’re in luck. 12.5% of Florida homes sold above the list price last month, with a median home price of $400,000. From Tallahassee to Miami, home prices have increased in several markets across the Sunshine State.

Skyrocketing home prices also mean you pay hefty commissions. Floridians spend $24,000 in commissions on an average home. Buyer agent commissions are typically 2.5% to 3% and are not very negotiable.

It’s 2024! There are high-tech home-selling platforms, like Houzeo, that help skip the 3% listing agent commission almost entirely! And with technology, you’ll also have more access to information and be in control of your transaction.

7 Steps to Selling a House in Florida

While selling your house in America can be a complex process, we have listed down 7 simple steps for you to navigate through your real estate transaction:

Step 1: Price Your Home Correctly

The market price at which your home will be sold is called fair market value. You can calculate this yourself by taking a look at comparable sales in your neighborhood.

If you need assistance you can opt for a Broker’s Price Opinion or a CMA Report. This can help you price your home competitively. Keep in mind any known defects when pricing your home.

You can also opt for a home inspection to understand what property defect might lower your profit. It will cost between $325 and $425 in Florida. Based on the home inspection report, you can choose which repairs to make for a lucrative sale.

» Fair Market Value: Check how much you can sell your home for.

Step 2: Choose the Best Way to Sell Your Home in Florida

There are 4 options for you to sell your home. The time taken to sell a home and the amount you receive differs based on each option.

  1. List Your Home on the MLS for a Flat Fee: Florida Flat Fee MLS companies get you listed fast, typically within 24 to 48 hours on your local MLS. This is your best chance to get top dollar for your house.
  2. List With a Discount Real Estate Broker: The best discount real estate brokers in Florida offer all the services that traditional Realtors do but at discounted rates. They usually charge 1.5% to 3% commissions to list your home.
  3. List With a Full-Service Realtor: We do not recommend a full-service agent as they can charge you nearly 5% to 6% of the closing cost. This will cost you thousands of dollars.
  4. Sell to an iBuyer or Cash Buyer: A cash buyer can make a cash offer instantly and help you sell your house fast in Florida. iBuyers have strict purchase criteria but can make cash offers as high as 100% of the Fair Market Value.
    🏡 Have a Distressed Property? Sell to Florida cash home buyers. They majorly deal in distressed and rental properties. Florida cash home buyers typically offer 50% to 70% of the property’s fair market value.

Step 3: Stage and List Your Home on the MLS

Staging a home to sell can help you get up to $40,000 over the listing price. Additionally, professional photos help you sell your home 32% faster. You can hire a home stager and a photographer to showcase your home’s best aspects on the MLS.

Your next step is to list on the MLS in Florida. If you opt for a Florida Realtor, they charge a 2% to 3% commission. However, with Houzeo you can sell your house for a flat fee and skip the commissions.

Step 4: Complete Your Listing Paperwork

The paperwork would mainly consist of the listing agreement and the Florida seller’s disclosure.

  • Listing Agreement: A listing agreement will be signed between you and your local MLS agent. It will allow them to list your property on your local Florida MLS.
  • Florida Seller’s Disclosure: Florida seller’s disclosure statement is a standard checklist form. It allows you to disclose material defects and features of the property that may negatively affect the house’s value.

» Paperwork for Selling a House: Here is a list of paperwork you need when selling a house in Florida.

Step 5: Manage Showings

Once you list on the MLS, get ready for the offers to pour in. Traditionally, agents host open houses or arrange private showings. If you are selling your house in Florida by owner, you can use online tools to manage showings.

Step 6: Review and Negotiate Offers

The next step would be to compare the offers. Most house sellers go with the highest bid. But, here are additional factors you must consider before settling:

  • Is the buyer making a cash offer on your house?
  • Has the buyer applied for a mortgage? Are they pre-approved or pre-qualified?
  • Is the buyer willing to waive off some contingencies like home appraisal?
  • Are buyers offering to negotiate the closing costs?

Keep these questions in mind when comparing offers. As an FSBO seller, you can use offer management tools. With Houzeo Offers you can make counter offers, call for the best offer, and more.

» Highest and Best Offer: Make the smart choice in multiple offer situations.

Step 7: Close the Sale and Celebrate

Traditionally, Florida title companies or real estate attorneys act as closing agents. As a guide, complete these milestones for a successful closing:

Pay Taxes and Closing Costs

You will need to pay the following taxes while selling your house:

  • Transfer Tax: Transfer tax is a one-time fee (generally costs less than 1%) you pay at the time of transferring ownership.
  • Property Tax: Property tax varies by county. It will be approximately 1% of the total home sale value. You can claim a rebate if you have paid your property tax a year in advance.

You and the buyer both pay separate closing costs. Seller closing costs in Florida consist of HOA, escrow, real estate attorney, and home warranty fees.

Sign Documents Needed to Close a Sale in Florida

This is the final step in selling your house in Florida. It usually consists of signing the escrow and title documents. Additionally, you will sign the deed and the closing disclosure.

After signing all the documents, the new homeowner’s name is registered in the public record. The buyer signs a check or makes a wire transfer of the sale amount, and your home is sold.

Sell My House in Florida Near Me

#County/CitySelling a House in Florida Near You
1. JacksonvilleSell My House in Jacksonville, FL
2.MiamiSell My House in Miami, FL
3.TampaSell My House in Tampa, FL
4.OrlandoSell My House in Orlando, FL
5.Fort LauderdaleSell My House in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Tips to Sell a Home in Florida in 2024

To ensure you sell your home faster, follow these tips to guarantee a smooth sale in 2024:

  1. Improve Curb Appeal: You can create a great first impression by improving the curb appeal of your home. 97% of real estate professionals believe curb appeal is important to attract buyers.
  2. Use Advanced Tech Tools: Learn to manage the sale of your home using Showing Management and Offer Management tools. These tools will help you track the progress and stay updated on your home sale.
  3. Provide Seller Concessions: With the current high mortgage rates, home buyers are reluctant to purchase homes. As a house seller, you can offer seller concessions to tempt an interested home buyer.

» Tips for Selling Your Home: Check these 9 powerful tricks to sell your home in Florida in 2024!

Bottom Line

Selling can be daunting, but this is the best time to sell a house in Florida. It is better to sell FSBO as hiring a real estate agent will cost you a 3% commission.

If you are looking to save thousands in commissions, sell your house with Houzeo.com. Houzeo is a legitimate tech real estate platform that gives you access to tools only real estate agents have.

Eager to Know More?

We’ve got you covered. Check out the following video to understand why Houzeo is one of the best for sale by owner websites in the U.S.

What is Houzeo?

An overview of what the platform is all about

Start Your MLS Listing NOW!

» Need More Clarity? Read these exclusive Houzeo reviews and learn why it is one of the best FSBO sites in America.

FAQ’s about Selling a House in Florida

What are typical closing costs for sellers in Florida?

Home sellers in Florida typically pay closing costs that include HOA fees, escrow fees, real estate attorney fees, and home warranty fees. They can come to about 6% of the final sale price.

How to sell a house in Florida in 2024?

List your home on the Florida MLS. With Houzeo, you get maximum exposure. Additionally, you should offer a competitive price and buyer agent commission to increase the chances of selling your home.

Who pays title insurance at closing in Florida?

The home seller typically pays for the owner's title insurance, and the buyer pays for the lender's title insurance at closing in Florida.

How to sell your home yourself?

You can sell your home yourself by listing it on the MLS. You can get use a flat fee MLS listing services or or paid FSBO websites.

» How to Sell a House By Owner in Florida Here is how you can save thousands as a FSBO seller in Florida.

Can you sell a house while in probate in Florida?

Yes, you can sell a house in probate. You need to provide a petition for order authorizing the sale of real property, a copy of the sales contract, a broker letter, etc. in the court. Upon completion of the documents, the court issues an order approving the sale.

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