Frequently Asked Questions

Homebuyer FAQs

What is the average cost of a house in this area?
The average cost of a house in this area depends on a variety of factors, such as the size and location of the property, the condition of the home, and the current market value.
Are there any additional costs associated with buying a home?
Yes, there are additional costs associated with buying a home, such as closing costs, moving costs, and home inspection costs.
What is the process for making an offer on a house?
The process for making an offer on a house typically involves submitting a written offer to the seller and their real estate agent. The seller will then review the offer and decide whether to accept or reject it.
What should I consider when selecting a real estate agent?
When selecting a real estate agent, you should consider their experience, qualifications, and customer service. You should also make sure they have a good understanding of the local real estate market.
What is the difference between a buyer's agent and a listing agent?
A buyer's agent represents the interests of the buyer, while a listing agent represents the interests of the seller.
How long does the home-buying process take?
The home-buying process typically takes anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, depending on the complexity of the transaction and the availability of the parties involved.
What documents do I need to provide when applying for a mortgage?
When applying for a mortgage, you generally need to provide documents such as proof of income, tax returns, bank statements, and credit reports.
What fees are associated with closing on a house?
Fees associated with closing on a house may include title insurance, closing costs, appraisal fees, and attorney fees.
What is the difference between pre-qualification and pre-approval?
Pre-qualification is an estimate of how much money you may be able to borrow from a lender, while pre-approval is a conditional approval that you have met the lender's criteria for a loan.
What should I look for when inspecting a house?
When inspecting a house, you should look for signs of damage or wear and tear, such as cracks in the walls or ceilings, water damage, and signs of pest infestations. You should also check the condition of the appliances, fixtures, and any other features of the home.

Home Seller FAQs

What is the best way to market my home?
The best way to market a home is to create a comprehensive and multi-channel marketing strategy that includes things like professional photography, online listing services, social media, print advertising, and open houses.
What can I do to increase the value of my home?
To increase the value of your home, you can look into making renovations or updates that will appeal to potential buyers, such as replacing kitchen appliances, repainting, or updating fixtures.
How long does it typically take to sell a home?
The length of time it takes to sell a home can vary depending on a number of factors, such as the condition of the home, the market, and the asking price. On average, it can take anywhere from two to six months.
What are the benefits of working with a real estate agent?
Real estate agents have the experience and expertise to guide you through the home-selling process. They can help you price your home competitively, market your home effectively, negotiate with buyers, and manage all the paperwork and legalities.
What paperwork do I need to prepare to list my home?
You will need to provide the real estate agent with proof of ownership of the home, such as the deed, as well as disclosure forms that list any potential issues with the home, such as any repairs that have been done. You may also need to provide additional paperwork, depending on your situation.
What is a competitive asking price for my home?
The best way to determine a competitive asking price is to look at recent sales of comparable homes in the area. Your realtor will also be able to provide you with a comparative market analysis that will help you determine a realistic asking price. You can submit an online request to us here.
How can I make my home more attractive to potential buyers?
Making your home more attractive to potential buyers can involve a variety of things, such as decluttering and staging, making minor repairs, and sprucing up the landscaping.
How can I reduce the stress of selling my home?
The best way to reduce stress when selling your home is to work with a realtor who can help you navigate the process. Additionally, it can be helpful to keep in mind that the current market conditions may be out of your control and that you will eventually find the right buyer.
What should I expect at the closing?
At the closing, you will sign all the paperwork that legally transfers ownership of the home to the buyer. You will also receive a closing statement showing the final costs associated with the sale of the home.
Are there any tax implications to selling my home?
Yes, there may be tax implications when selling your home. You should consult a tax professional to discuss your particular situation and any potential tax implications that may arise.
What do I need to do to my home to make it ready for showings?
We recommend that our clients 
(1) have the home professionally cleaned, 
(2) have the carpets professionally cleaned, 
(3) have the yard manicured, 
(4) de-clutter the home, 
(5) remove any valuables, 
(6) touch up or fully paint walls depending on their color and condition, 
(7) address any deferred maintenance, 
(8) use pest control service, 
(9) make sure pool is well maintained, 
(10) and do not be present at the home when a potential renter comes to see the house.

Property Management & Rental FAQs

How can I figure out what my home will rent for?
We use recent historical data taken from the local MLS database to determine what your home will rent for. You can submit a rental appraisal estimate here.
Do you charge lease renewal fees?
No; visit this page to see the costs of our property management plans or contact us to discuss our pricing.
Do you markup the cost of repair and maintenance charges?
No! Owners receive an electronic copy of every invoice—with no markup fee. Visit this page to see the costs of our property management plans or contact us to discuss our pricing.
What do you charge to evict an existing tenant?
We hire expert companies who get in charge of doing the whole eviction process from the 3-day notice to the completion and eviction of the tenant from the property. We pass the costs to the owner as for any other contractor and present invoices.
What do you do if a tenant needs to break a lease?
When a tenant needs to break a lease, we inform them that they are responsible for all costs that our owner would not have otherwise incurred if the tenant did not break the lease. This means that the current tenant will be responsible for 
(1) the lease commission of one month’s rent 
(2) the rent, lawn care, and utilities until the day the new tenant moves in 
(3) all make-ready costs to get the home ready for the new tenant and 
(4) the cost of rekeying the home. If the tenant pays all of these costs we will release them from the lease contract.
Should I buy a home warranty?
We don’t expressly recommend having a home warranty company, but many of the owners do have warranty companies in an attempt to reduce their risk of loss.

The most popular warranty companies are: American Home Shield, First American Home Buyers Protection, Home Warranty of America, and Old Republic Home Protection.

It is important to read the policies very carefully so that you understand the exclusions, the maximum coverage amounts, any maintenance requirements, etc.

Most of our clients get the maximum coverage policies and add the extras as needed.

There are certain home repairs that tenants rightfully expect to be resolved ASAP. The most common example is an HVAC system breaks down when it is 95 degrees outside.

It can take between 3 – 10 business days for Warranty Companies to fix HVAC problems. The delays are usually a result of a warranty company going to the home within 2-3 business days to diagnose the issue and then having to order additional parts to fix the HVAC system which adds additional delays. We have also experienced these types of delays with plumbing repairs.
These delays frustrate the tenant and can lead to the tenant not wanting to renew a lease if they feel significant issues are not going to be addressed in a timely manner.

We recommend that if you do purchase a Home Warranty for your rental property, you should use a separate contractor to handle time-sensitive issues such as HVAC breakdowns and other repairs that the Warranty Company is not able to address in a timely manner. A happy tenant can save you money in the long run. You may think you are saving money by always using the home warranty company, but if the tenant does not renew their lease because of Home warranty Company delays, you will end up spending more money to make your rental property ready to rent again as well as additional leasing and vacancy costs.
Do I need to buy special insurance as a Landlord?
Yes, to use our property management services, you need to make sure you have a landlord property insurance policy which includes a minimum of $300,000 of public liability insurance. You will need to name US Interamerican Realty as an interested party.
Why name US Interamerican Realty as an interested party on my Landlord’s insurance policy?
This simply means that we are interested to know that you are maintaining an active landlord property insurance policy with public liability coverage. This does NOT mean that we have any type of insurable interest in your home.
When will I receive a distribution each month?
We submit an ACH file to our bank on the 10th of every month with rent distributions, assuming the 10th does not fall on a weekend or holiday. It takes most banks 1-2 business days to process the distribution into your account after we have submitted the ACH file to the bank.
What kind of accounting statement will I receive each month?
Every month you will receive a statement that includes all income and expenses for the reporting period. We also provide electronic copies of any invoices incurred during the reporting period.
Are your repair & maintenance personnel employees or contractors?
All our repair & maintenance personnel are contractors NOT employees. You are not required to use our contractors if you have established relationships with contractors you would like us to use.
We are a licensed real estate brokerage. We are members in good standing of The National Association of REALTORS® and Florida REALTORS®. We speak English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
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