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Our Office

When you are in Orlando, pay a visit to our office. It will be a pleasure to welcome you.

Pointon Realty logo

Pointon Realty

751 S. Main St. Winter Garden, FL 34787

Andrea Pointon service

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the most frequently asked questions related to buying and selling real estate in the USA.

1.

Who can buy real estate in the USA?

There are no restrictions, and you don't need to be a resident or a US citizen to purchase a property. You will need a valid visa and will need to open a bank account at some point in the buying process.

Access this page to better understand everything we offer you when buying your property in the Orlando region.

2.

Does purchasing a property grant the right to legally reside in the USA?

No, purchasing one or more properties does not grant you the right to legally reside in the United States, regardless of the value. For that, we recommend speaking with an immigration lawyer who can guide you on the best path for your specific case.

3.

Do I need to pay a commission to the real estate agent?

No. When you are buying, the commission to the real estate agent is paid by the construction company if it's a new property, or by the owner in the case of a pre-owned property. By purchasing with us, you will receive comprehensive assistance.

4.

Is it true that real estate agencies have the same properties?

YES. Here, there is no exclusivity (or it is very rare). Brokers use a unique system known as MLS, and when you list a property for sale, all brokers will have access to it and can sell it.

Although brokers have access to the same pool of properties, not all of them have the market experience, knowledge of the culture, areas, and negotiation practices that can truly make a difference in a purchase or sale.

Therefore, there is no need to talk to multiple brokers at the same time. Make a good choice at the beginning and be loyal to the professional, working together.

5.

Can anyone finance a house?

YES. Purchasing with financing for foreigners is quite common here, and there are several banks and credit lines available. We have partners in this area (Mortgage Brokers)), and they can conduct a personal analysis for you, present options, and even issue a pre-qualification letter for financing. These letters are essential for submitting any purchase offers for pre-owned properties.

This process is not time-consuming, it is not bureaucratic, there is no cost to you, and there is no commitment to purchase.

6.

How to send money for the house purchase?

One of the most commonly used methods to send money to the USA is through a currency exchange company. We have partners in this area that we can recommend to you.

If you already have a bank account in the USA, you can send money directly from your bank in Brazil. In this case, we recommend contacting your bank manager beforehand to ensure that your bank is familiar with international transfers.

It is extremely important to be mindful of and adhere to the transfer deadlines, especially if you have already signed a purchase contract for a property. Therefore, make sure in advance that your bank knows how to proceed.

7.

How does the market for pre-owned properties work?

It is worth emphasizing that there is no exclusivity in the American real estate market. As mentioned before, all brokers use the same system and have access to any property listed for sale in the market.

Firstly, we have a conversation with you to understand what might work best. If you are financing, we assist you with the pre-qualification process, and once you have your pre-approval letter in hand, we can submit purchase offers.

After your offer is accepted, we have a timeframe of approximately 7-10 days to conduct an inspection on the property through a specialized company, which will test everything and provide a report. This inspection is not mandatory but recommended.

With the inspection report in hand, you decide whether to proceed with the transaction or not, without any financial loss if you choose to withdraw. The inspection period is the legal timeframe for you to receive the earnest money deposit back in case of withdrawal. After that, you would forfeit the earnest money deposit if you decide not to proceed with the purchase.

8.

Do I need to be in the USA to buy my property?

NO. The entire process can be done remotely, from choosing the property to receiving the keys, whether it is purchased outright or through financing.

We have been handling remote purchases for many years, and we will guide you through each step of the buying process.

9.

If I make an investment, how do I take care of my property?

If your property is a vacation rental home, we will recommend partner companies that will take care of everything, from property maintenance to listing on portals, managing reservations, and providing guest services.

If your property is purely a residential investment, Pointon Realty has a sister company called Orlando Point Management. We handle everything from property acquisition to rental, maintenance routines, and tenant management, ensuring that your only concern is the return on your invested capital.

If your property is for personal use a few times a year, we also take care of everything to ensure that the house is clean and organized whenever you arrive in town, so you don't have to deal with any headaches.

1.

Is there exclusivity to list my property?

YES. In fact, you can only "list" your property for sale with a real estate agent or agency. There cannot be duplication in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), the system used by all brokers. That's why it's essential to choose an excellent professional when putting your property on the market.

The real estate agent who lists the property in the system is known as the "Listing Agent."

Please access this page to better understand everything we offer when it comes to selling your property in the Orlando area.

2.

Is there exclusivity to sell my property?

Although there is exclusivity to represent you, the property owner, and list your property on the MLS, there is no exclusivity to sell the property. In other words, any properly licensed broker can present the property to a buyer and submit an offer. The purchase offers will be forwarded to the owner by the broker representing them.

The real estate agent who sells the property, meaning the one who presents the buyer, is known as the "Selling Agent."

3.

What is the typical commission?

The typical commission rate is usually 6% of the sale value. It's important to note that due to the absence of exclusivity in the sale process, in the majority of transactions, an external broker presents the buyer. In this case, the commission is shared among the parties involved (Listing and Selling agents).

4.

Do I need to pay off a financed property in order to sell it?

It is not necessary to pay off the property. The outstanding balance will be automatically settled at the time of closing, which is the signing of the deed. The owner will receive the net amount, already deducting the outstanding balance, commission, taxes, and fees.

5.

Do I need to be in the US to sell my property?

NO. Everything can be done remotely, just like in the case of buying a property. If you intend to sell your property, we will conduct a market analysis and negotiate the received offers, providing support throughout the process until its completion.

6.

What is FIRPTA?

The FIRPTA (Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act) is a US tax law that imposes income tax on foreign individuals who have ownership interests in real estate in the United States.

Generally, FIRPTA imposes a withholding tax at a rate of 15% on the amount realized in a transaction. However, if the amount realized is less than $1 million, the withholding rate is reduced to 10%.

It is possible to be exempt from this tax in the case of a sale and purchase within a certain timeframe.