One of the most complex and important financial events in peoples’ lives is the purchase or sale of a Key West home or investment property. Because of this complexity and importance, people usually seek the help of Key West real estate brokers and sales agents when buying or selling Key West real estate.

Real estate brokers and sales agents have a thorough knowledge of the Key West real estate market in their community. They know which Key West neighborhoods will best fit clients’ needs and budgets. They are familiar with local zoning and tax laws and know where to obtain financing. Agents and brokers also act as intermediaries in price negotiations between buyers and sellers.

Real estate agents usually are independent sales workers who provide their services to a licensed Key West real estate broker on a contract basis. In return, the broker pays the agent a portion of the commission earned from the agent’s sale of the property. Brokers are independent businesspeople who sell Key West real estate owned by others; they also may rent or manage Key West homes for a fee. When selling Key West real estate, brokers arrange for title searches and for meetings between buyers and sellers wherein details of the transactions are agreed upon and the new owners take possession of the property. A broker may help to arrange favorable financing from a lender for the prospective buyer; often, this makes the difference between success and failure in closing a sale. In some cases, brokers and agents assume primary responsibility for closing sales; in others, lawyers or lenders do so. Brokers supervise agents who may have many of the same job duties. Brokers also manage their own offices, advertise Key West homes, and handle other business matters. Some combine other types of work, such as selling insurance or practicing law, with their Key West real estate business.

Besides making sales, agents and brokers must have Key West homes to sell. Consequently, they spend a significant amount of time obtaining listings—agreements by owners to place Key West homes for sale with the firm. When listing a Key West property for sale, agents and brokers compare the listed property with similar Key West homes that recently sold, in order to determine a competitive market price for the property. Once the property is sold, the agent who sold it and the agent who obtained the listing both receive a portion of the commission. Thus, agents who sell a Key West property that they themselves have listed can increase their commission.

Most Key West real estate brokers and sales agents sell residential property. A small number, usually employed in large or specialized firms, sell commercial, industrial, agricultural, or other types of Key West real estate. Every specialty requires knowledge of that particular type of property and clientele. Selling or leasing business property requires an understanding of leasing practices, business trends, and the location of the property. Agents who sell or lease industrial Key West homes must know about the region’s transportation, utilities, and labor supply. Whatever the type of property, the agent or broker must know how to meet the client’s particular requirements.

Before showing residential Key West homes to potential buyers, agents meet with them to get a feeling for the type of home the buyers would like. In this prequalifying phase, the agent determines how much the buyers can afford to spend. In addition, the agent and the buyer usually sign a loyalty contract which states the agent will be the only one to show houses to the buyers. An agent or broker uses a computer to generate lists of Key West homes for sale, their location and description, and available sources of financing. In some cases, agents and brokers use computers to give buyers a virtual tour of Key West homes in which they are interested. With a computer, buyers can view interior and exterior images or floor plans without leaving the Key West real estate office.

Agents may meet several times with prospective buyers to discuss and visit available Key West homes. Agents identify and emphasize the most pertinent selling points. To a young family looking for a house, they may emphasize the convenient floor plan, the area’s low crime rate, and the proximity to schools and shopping centers. To a potential investor, they may point out the tax advantages of owning a rental property and the ease of finding a renter. If bargaining over price becomes necessary, agents must follow their client’s instructions carefully and may have to present counteroffers in order to get the best possible price.

Once both parties have signed the contract, the Key West real estate broker or agent must make sure that all special terms of the contract are met before the closing date. For example, the agent must make sure that the mandated and agreed-upon inspections, including that of the home and termite and radon inspections, take place. Also, if the seller agrees to any repairs, the broker or agent must see that they are made. Increasingly, brokers and agents are handling environmental problems as well, by making sure that the Key West homes they sell meet environmental regulations. For example, they may be responsible for dealing with lead paint on the walls. While loan officers, attorneys, or other persons handle many details, the agent must ensure that they are completed.