Paradise has
paperwork.
The sunshine is easy. Buying, selling, and making the numbers work? Let's talk about that.
Real answers, useful tools, and the questions I want you asking before you fall in love with the view. No matter where you're from, you've got someone in your corner—and boots on the ground right here.
Boca Raton · Delray Beach · Deerfield Beach
What's your next move?
You don't have to figure out the entire process today. Start with the part keeping you up at night. We can work through the rest together.
Before I fall in love.
What to check before a pretty listing becomes a very expensive surprise.
02 / I'M SELLINGWhat do I keep?
Start with your likely proceeds, then build a plan around the numbers.
03 / I'M DOING BOTHPlease, no moving limbo.
Coordinate the sale, the purchase, and the place you sleep in between.
04 / I'M RELOCATINGFind my kind of Florida.
Compare the everyday details that a vacation doesn't show you.
Your sale price isn't your take-home number.
Try a few scenarios below. The mortgage payoff, negotiated fees, and other expenses all matter. This gives us a starting point for a more personal conversation.
After the payoffs, fees, and expenses you entered.
- Expected Sale Price
- $600,000
- Loan Payoffs
- $300,000
- Listing Brokerage Fee
- $15,000
- Seller-Paid Buyer Brokerage
- $15,000
- Other Closing Costs & Credits
- $9,000
- Repairs, Moving & Other Expenses
- $5,000
Want to use your actual numbers? Let's talk: 954-993-5591
Book a Seller Strategy CallMethod: Sale price minus loan payoffs, percentage-based brokerage amounts, other closing costs, buyer credits, and planned expenses. Brokerage compensation is fully negotiable and not set by law. The example amounts are illustrative, not required fees or market averages. This is a planning estimate, not a closing statement or tax calculation. Avoid counting an expense twice.
What are you paying for? Good question.
A percentage by itself doesn't tell you the whole story. Let's look at the services, terms, and what the agreement actually says.
There's no one-size-fits-all fee.
Compensation is negotiable. Your written agreement should explain the services, amount or calculation, and when payment is due. Ask about additional fees, agreement duration, and termination provisions.
NAR's Listing Agreement GuideKnow the arrangement before the tour.
When applicable NAR MLS rules require a written buyer agreement, it must be in place before touring with an agent you're working with. Discuss services, duration, and compensation before signing.
Read NAR's GuideCommission isn't the entire budget.
Ask for estimates for title and settlement services, applicable taxes, prorations, association charges, loan-related expenses, and any negotiated credits. Repairs, moving, storage, and a possible gap between homes belong in your planning budget, too.
Ask how your home will be priced, presented, marketed, and negotiated—and who will handle the details when things get complicated. You deserve to understand the value before you agree to the fee.
The moving truck needs a destination.
Picture this: your old home is sold, your life is in boxes, and the new closing gets delayed. Nobody wants that plot twist. We plan for the overlap—and what happens if the dates move.
Lender first. Dream kitchen next.
If you're financing, find out whether you need to sell first, how much cash must be available, and what two homes would cost while they overlap.
Price the sale. Scout the purchase.
We look at your current home's likely proceeds and your next home's realistic options together. Your timeline should fit both sides.
Dates deserve as much attention as price.
Discuss appropriate contingencies, closing dates, and possession. A written temporary occupancy arrangement may help if the parties, lender, and insurer allow it.
A backup bed. Not a cardboard box.
Identify short-term lodging, storage, and moving flexibility before you need them. Confirm funds and possession before assuming the keys are yours.
The right sequence depends on your financing, contracts, and comfort level. Selling first may clarify your budget. Buying first may reduce moving pressure if you can carry both homes.
Before you fall in love with the kitchen...
Let's make sure the rest of the home works for you, too. Check these off as you go. Your progress lasts while this page stays open. Print a copy to keep your notes.
The view is gorgeous.
What do the documents say?
Two homes with the same asking price can have very different ownership costs. And a community can be lovely without being the right fit for the way you live.
What do the dues cover? What is being saved for future work? What could you be asked to pay separately?
For applicable condominiums, structural inspections and reserve studies answer different questions. Review both alongside the association's financial information.
Florida DBPR Inspection Resources- What will I pay every month—and upfront? Ask about dues, master-association charges, application fees, club costs, and assessments.
- What work is planned or already underway? Request applicable inspection reports, reserve studies, budgets, and recent meeting minutes.
- Are there assessments or association loans? Understand approved obligations, proposed projects, and payment schedules.
- Can I use the home the way I intend? Confirm pet, parking, rental, guest, renovation, and occupancy restrictions.
- Is the membership I want actually available? Ask about membership tiers, transfer rules, waiting lists, initiation fees, and annual costs.
- Will the lender and insurer accept it? Have your lender review project eligibility early, and confirm available insurance coverage.
Your vacation was lovely. Now let's test a Tuesday.
The best fit depends on your everyday life. Tell me what you want close by, what you don't want to maintain, and what you're happy to trade for the right location.
| What Matters | What We'll Compare | The Question to Ask |
|---|---|---|
| Daily Routes | Work, family visits, airports, groceries, and regular appointments. | Will this location work on an ordinary weekday? |
| Coastal Living | Beach access, parking, exposure, insurance quotes, and maintenance. | What am I comfortable paying to be near the water? |
| Community Life | Amenities, memberships, rules, and activities you actually use. | Am I buying amenities I'll enjoy? |
| Home Type | Condo, townhome, or single-family; maintenance and association obligations. | How much upkeep do I want? |
| Full Ownership Cost | Taxes, insurance, dues, utilities, and maintenance. | Does the full cost still fit my budget? |
A city name is a starting point. The street, building, community rules, and your daily routes tell us much more. Give me your budget and one must-have, and let's narrow the search together.
Yes, you're allowed to ask that.
Real estate has enough acronyms. Your answers shouldn't need a translator.
Ask Tiffany a QuestionIs there a standard real estate commission in Florida?
No rate is set by law. Brokerage compensation is fully negotiable. Ask what services are included and get the agreed terms in writing.
Does the seller have to pay the buyer's agent?
No. A buyer may request seller-paid compensation, and a seller or listing broker may agree to contribute. The written agreements and negotiated transaction terms determine the arrangement.
Why am I being asked to sign before touring?
Under applicable NAR MLS rules, agents working with buyers generally need a written agreement before touring a home together. The services, duration, and compensation are negotiable.
Should I sell first or buy first?
Start with your financing and cash needs. If your next purchase depends on sale proceeds, that shapes the plan. If you can carry both homes, you may have more flexibility.
Can I use the seller's property taxes as my budget?
Use them as background, not a promise of your future bill. A change of ownership and different exemptions can change the amount.
Are condo dues the only association expense?
Not necessarily. Ask about special assessments, master-association charges, club requirements, application fees, transfer charges, and planned work.
Can you help if I'm out of state?
Yes. Tell me your budget, timing, and must-haves. We can review communities, answer questions, and plan tours around your travel.
Do I need to be ready to move before I call?
No. "I'm trying to figure this out" is a perfectly good reason to start a conversation. We can talk about your next step.
Go straight to the source.
Use these official resources to dig deeper. Property-specific answers still need to come from the relevant professional, association, or agency.
- Buyer Agreements, Explained National Association of REALTORS
- Listing Agreements, Explained National Association of REALTORS
- Florida Condominium Resources Florida DBPR
- Homeowners Insurance Guidance Florida Department of Financial Services
- Palm Beach County Property Appraiser Boca Raton and Delray Beach
- Broward County Property Appraiser Deerfield Beach
- FEMA Flood Map Service Center Flood hazard information
- Mortgage & Closing Resources Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Editorial review: October 6, 2026. Rules, costs, eligibility, and availability can change. Verify current information with the appropriate source.
You bring the questions.
I'll bring the local perspective.
I'm Tiffany L. Arthur with REAL Broker LLC. I'm a native Floridian and have been helping people buy and sell since 2004. Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and Deerfield Beach are the places I know and work in.
Tell me what you're considering. We'll start there.
Your Favorite Florida Realtor
Boca Raton · Delray Beach · Deerfield Beach