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Buyer Representation · ABR®

Know who represents you, before you tour.

In Florida, the agent marketing a home may represent the seller and may not owe you any fiduciary duties. As your dedicated Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®), Capt. Jon C. Schmitt works only for you, from the first showing through closing.

One transaction, two different interests

The seller wants the highest price and the most favorable terms. You need someone focused on your money, your contingencies, your deadlines, your inspection rights, and your negotiating leverage. Those goals rarely line up, so it matters who is actually on your side.

The agent who listed a home may represent the seller, or may act as a limited transaction broker. Either way, you should never assume the person marketing a home is looking out for you.

What you can expect from me as your ABR®

Buying a home may be the largest and most complex purchase you ever make. The ABR® designation reflects advanced training in representing buyers, and here is what that looks like for you day to day:

  • Understand your goals and find homes that truly fit
  • Help you set a realistic budget before you fall for the wrong house
  • Preview listings and go with you to every showing
  • Advise you on a smart, competitive offer
  • Build a negotiating strategy around your priorities
  • Connect you with trusted lenders, inspectors, and attorneys
  • Point out the strengths and weaknesses of every home you consider
  • Track every deadline and detail through closing and beyond

The home-buying process, step by step

Buying a home is more than finding a house and signing papers. My job is to guide each step so you get the right home, at the right price and terms, all the way to the closing table.

  1. Clarify your goalsWe start with your wants, needs, timeline, and price range.
  2. Get pre-approvedA trusted lender confirms exactly what you can afford.
  3. Start the searchWe tour homes that fit and refine as we go.
  4. Catch new listings earlyI watch the market so you see the right homes first.
  5. Set a smart offer priceWe review real market data before you commit.
  6. Write a winning offerStructured to get accepted and to protect you.
  7. Negotiate on your behalfBest price, terms, and conditions for the current market.
  8. Coordinate inspectionsHome, and any survey, well, septic, or termite checks.
  9. Resolve inspection and appraisal issuesWe handle whatever comes up.
  10. Close with confidenceI manage every party and deadline to a clean closing.

Get pre-approved, not just pre-qualified

A pre-approval is one of the most valuable things you can do before you shop. It shows exactly what you can afford, strengthens your offer in the seller’s eyes, and surfaces any credit issues early, while there is still time to fix them. A pre-qualification is a lighter estimate and does not carry the same weight. Here is the difference:

Pre-qualification
  • Income and savings you report yourself
  • Informal look at your credit
  • Employment usually not verified
  • Often done in a day or less
  • A rough loan estimate
Pre-approval
  • Income verified with pay stubs and W-2s
  • Formal credit check with credit reports
  • Employment verified
  • Takes a few days, sometimes longer
  • The exact loan amount you qualify for

If a home is listed at $325,000 and your ceiling is $300,000, a pre-approval keeps you focused on homes you can actually buy, and ready to move fast when the right one appears.

Budget beyond the purchase price

The sticker price is only part of the picture. Planning for the full cost of ownership up front means no surprises later. I will walk you through realistic numbers for your price range and market before you write an offer.

Ongoing costs of owning

  • Property taxes
  • Homeowner’s insurance
  • HOA or community fees, where they apply
  • Routine maintenance and repairs

Typical costs to close

  • Earnest-money deposit
  • Loan origination and application fees
  • Home and specialty inspections
  • Survey, title, and escrow fees
  • Attorney fees, where used
  • Buyer-agent compensation

How representation works in Florida

Transaction broker

The default in Florida. Limited, non-fiduciary help provided to both sides of the deal.

Single agent

Full fiduciary duties, including loyalty, confidentiality, obedience, and full disclosure, owed to one party.

No brokerage relationship

No representation duties are owed to you at all.

When you engage us as your buyer’s single agent, those fiduciary duties are owed to you. We explain your options and put your representation in writing before you begin your search.

This is general information about real estate brokerage relationships in Florida, not legal advice.

Buying new construction?

The builder’s on-site agent works for the builder. Have us represent you before you register at a sales center. It protects your interests on price, upgrades, and contract terms, typically at no added cost to you when builder compensation is offered.

Compensation, made clear

Buyer-agent compensation is negotiable and spelled out in your written buyer agreement. In many transactions the seller or listing broker may offer to cover some or all of it, but that is not guaranteed. We walk you through it up front, so there are no surprises.

Understand your representation, responsibilities, and compensation in writing, before your first showing.

    ⚓ Buyer tip: have True Patriot Realty Group represent you before you register at the sales center.
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