Selling a home on the Treasure Coast
How to price, prepare and market your home, and what to expect at closing, from Matt Walsh. It covers what matters most to buyers and their insurers here, so your home sells for the right price without surprises.
Price it right from day one
The first two weeks on the market bring the most attention. A price based on recent comparable sales gets you that attention; an aspirational price usually leads to price cuts later and a lower final number.
What online estimates missAutomated values can't see a new seawall, a 2-year-old roof, impact windows, which side of a bridge your dock is on or a recent flood-zone change. Matt's value report accounts for them.
Fix what buyers and insurers care about
On the Treasure Coast, the systems matter more than the paint. Buyers' insurers look closely at:
- Roof age and condition. An older roof can make a home hard to insure, which shrinks your buyer pool. Have your permit date ready.
- Electrical panel, plumbing and HVAC, the items in a four-point inspection.
- Wind-mitigation features like impact windows and roof straps. A current wind-mitigation report can help buyers get a lower premium, which helps your sale.
Consider a pre-listing inspection so there are no surprises in the buyer's inspection period. Cosmetic updates are worth it when they're inexpensive: paint, landscaping, lighting and decluttering.
Gather your documents early
- Survey, permits (roof, windows, additions) and warranties
- Your most recent tax bill and any homestead exemption details
- HOA or condo documents, budget, rules and any planned assessments
- For condos: the building's milestone inspection and structural reserve study, if required
- Utility costs and any solar, dock or seawall records
Market it like a property, not a listing
Matt markets homes with professional photography and his own video tours, shares them with his buyer clients and other agents, and promotes them to his YouTube and social audience. Waterfront and golf homes get the details buyers search for, like dock specs, water depth and club information.
Review offers and negotiate
The highest price isn't always the best offer. Matt will compare offers on financing strength, deposit, inspection period, appraisal risk and closing date. Because he's also a loan originator, he can tell you how solid a buyer's financing really looks.
Get to closing
After an offer is accepted come the buyer's inspections, appraisal and loan approval. Common seller costs in Florida include the brokerage commission, documentary stamp tax on the deed (in these counties, $0.70 per $100 of the sale price), the owner's title insurance policy (customarily paid by the seller in Martin, St. Lucie and Palm Beach counties, though negotiable), and paying off your mortgage and any liens. Matt will give you a net-proceeds estimate before you list.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to sell a house in Florida?
Common costs include the brokerage commission, Florida documentary stamp tax on the deed ($0.70 per $100 of the sale price outside Miami-Dade), the owner's title insurance policy (customarily a seller cost in Martin, St. Lucie and Palm Beach counties), any repairs or credits you agree to, and prorated property taxes. Ask Matt for a net-proceeds estimate for your home.
What should I fix before selling my house on the Treasure Coast?
Focus on the four-point items buyers' insurers care about: roof, electrical, plumbing and HVAC. An old roof can make a home hard to insure. Inexpensive cosmetic work like paint, lighting and landscaping is usually worth it; major remodels often aren't.
Is my online home estimate accurate?
Often not. Automated estimates can't see upgrades like a new roof, impact windows or a seawall, or details like dock depth and bridge clearance. A comparable-sales analysis from a local agent is more reliable.
This guide is general information for buyers and sellers in Martin, St. Lucie and northern Palm Beach counties. It isn't legal, tax or insurance advice, and rules change, so confirm details for your situation with Matt, your closing agent or a tax professional.