I had the pleasure of working with a recent couple who are relocating from Miami to Broward County or Boca Raton due to commute times. They love their current house in Miami especially because its on a lake with a beautiful view. (stay tuned for the listing pictures soon) However , they decided to take the plunge in the Broward County market. Their criteria was fairly simple. They wanted a 3/2 house or villa,with a pool, 1800 square feet minimum, single-story turn-key (no major interior work), gated community, low HOA, pet friendly, 2 car garage , large driveway, close to some things-to-do, and a backyard where they can let their dogs free to roam. They were also open to Boca. 
What I did first is have them come to my office for a 20 min buyer presentation. I explained to them the process, what was needed from them ( pre qualification etc), and why I am the right agent for them. It was a great meeting and I was able to get to know them a bit, and understand their must-haves and what they can do without . Later on that evening I sent them a list of properties that I felt fit the description of the house they wanted. Within 2 days I had 5 properties set up for the day between east and west boca. Each house we arrived at, I took notes of what they liked, what they didn’t. I like to do this because at the end of the day if it doesn’t work out I normally know them much better and the second attempt is normally successful. The first 4 properties were not a fit for some reason or another, however, the 5th property was actually what they were looking for. It was listed for $450,000 in an area where closed comps are showing between $375- $425k. I will say that the house was renovated very nicely and I can see the house being on the higher end of that spectrum.
They really liked the house, and wanted to me to find out what type of negotiating room there was. I didn’t have the best feeling about it because when I asked the seller why he wanted to move , his answer was ” I want a 3rd garage for my car”. To me that is called an “Unmotivated seller”. I spoke to the agent and he basically said they will not negotiate the price at all. My client agreed to move to someone who wants to move or has an vacant property.
The second day I set up 5 appointments in west Broward where we can get some “bang for our buck”. Within these group of properties I had found a 3/2 Villa with a 2 car garage, fully renovated, in a gated community with a pool and a fenced in backyard. Its was listed for 375k which seemed priced to sell. The last closed sales was 369k without a pool. The villa turned out to be a good fit, they really liked it. YAY. My client originally wanted to put down 150k and finance the rest. However , they had mentioned they could go cash if needed. I suggested a 340k all cash offer. The seller countered at 369k. I told the other agent that if they are not going to give us a good deal we will finance, but we won’t pay 369k , the property is 2 months on and we can walk. We countered back 350 cash offer and the seller countered back at 360k cash! DONE DEAL! I found out there was an appraisal recently before us and it came back at 368k. Saved my client 8k and it was 15k off the listing price. Everyone is happy. The inspection was clean, all contracts and disclosures signed and the HOA has approved already. The closing is set and there is nothing to stop us now. I even checked with Allstate to make sure the house is insurable and not in a flood zone. On to a happy closing !
