Eaton Realty
TAMPA BUYERS' AGENTS

Buying Simplified

It's no secret Buying a home can be intense.

You’re house shopping, and (for most) it’s exciting—scrolling real estate apps, getting a rush from new listings, and imagining life in each new space! Dreaming is fun; it’s everything else that tends to rain on a buyer’s parade. Securing financing, decoding disclosures, interpreting inspection reports, estimating repair costs, navigating contingencies, negotiating terms... there are lots of potential pitfalls between “favoriting” a home on an app and closing on it in real life.

More than an agent... Our entire team has your back.

At Eaton Realty, we believe: You deserve a team that handles the messy middle of moving for you. Why? Because buying a home can get messy. Real estate apps are a fine place to search, but they only tell a portion of the story. They are missing the layers upon layers of checks and balances to ensure that the house you think you’re getting is what you actually get. That’s why we back buyers.

Proud to be trusted by:

Featured homes Browse these beauties.

What you can expect Finding a home is the easy part.

With 250+ combined years of real estate experience and a process proven to win more homes, we help conquer everything else, too.

Prepare

To lay a solid foundation, we start by learning about your goals, sharing realistic possibilities, and getting you positioned to make your most competitive offer.

HOW WE GET YOUR BEST OFFER READY

Once we know the end goal, we can help you understand the current real estate landscape in our area. This allows us to set realistic expectations about the buying process.

Understanding your budget and financing options is also crucial during this phase. If you're considering specialized loans, like VA or FHA, for example, we'll know which properties meet those requirements from the start.

HOW WE GET YOUR BEST OFFER READY

Our first step is to listen carefully to all your goals and priorities for buying a home. Whether it's your urgent timeline, list of must-have features, special needs, or non-negotiable location, your input guides our search.

Once we know the end goal, we can help you understand the current real estate landscape in our area. This allows us to set realistic expectations about the buying process.

Understanding your budget and financing options is also crucial during this phase. If you're considering specialized loans, like VA or FHA, for example, we'll know which properties meet those requirements from the start.

Next is the fun part! You get to tour homes cherry-picked for your needs. Whether you're after a big yard, a gourmet kitchen, a great school, or all of the above, we go beyond real estate apps to show you what's really available.

HOW WE FIND "THE ONE"

When we tour homes together, we'll be looking out for issues that could cause you money and headaches down the road, including those things that most others miss. In fact, we have decades of experience "reading between the lines," so we'll help you spot red flags in disclosures, too.

That way, when it's time to make an offer on the right house, you can be sure it's a smart one.

HOW WE FIND "THE ONE"

When you find the one you can't live without, we go all in with an irresistible offer. Then, we negotiate your best possible deal so you close with confidence.

HOW WE SEAL THE DEAL

Once your offer is accepted, we'll coordinate an inspection and decode the report. Some things will matter a lot, while others won't; we'll help you know the difference and then negotiate repairs or credits as needed.

Our transaction coordinator works behind the scenes to keep hundreds of details organized and moving forward in order to meet important deadlines and protect your deposit.

Finally, on closing day, we'll be there to make sure everything goes smoothly. And if you need help settling in, we'll connect you with trusted local vendors, like cleaners and painters, or social groups to help you start building community.

HOW WE SEAL THE DEAL

Our transaction coordinator works behind the scenes to keep hundreds of details organized and moving forward in order to meet important deadlines and protect your deposit.

EVEN IF YOU'RE BUYING IN THE FUTURE Start the conversation today.

Free ebook: Get Your Offer Accepted

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Frequently asked questions Let's talk specifics.

If you’re thinking, “Sounds helpful, but what does it cost?” We get it! In fact, there is often misunderstanding about how buyers’ agents are paid. We believe you deserve complete transparency, so we break it down for you in these FAQ.

Far more important than what’s spent, though, is what our clients save: hundreds of hours of time, thousands of dollars on money-pits or lousy terms, and the worry that they might be missing out on something better. We’d like to help you save, too.

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How much will it cost me to work with a Realtor to buy a house?

Realtor fees are most commonly based on a percentage of the purchase price of the home. Sellers pay their Realtor for all of the work to list the home, and Buyers pay their Realtor to represent their interests when buying a home, including services like offering guidance for securing financing, decoding disclosures, interpreting inspection reports, estimating repair costs, navigating contingencies, and negotiating terms. As a buyer, your Realtor’s fees can often be negotiated into the deal so that the seller pays them for you.

If you choose to work with us, we’ll agree to our fees in a written Buyer Broker Agreement that clearly explains how much our services cost before we start touring homes.

Should I talk to my bank before looking for a home to buy?

It’s always a great idea to talk to your bank if you’re considering buying a home; we recommend doing so before even looking at any homes. Your bank can get you pre-approved for a mortgage, which will help you determine how much you can afford to spend on a home and help you set a realistic budget. A mortgage expert from your bank can also help you understand all your financial options and fees associated with buying a home so that you can be financially ready when the time comes to make an offer on a house.

While your bank is a great place to start, it’s also wise to talk to a mortgage broker who can shop among many banks and lenders to find the best terms. We’ll provide recommendations to make sure you cover your bases.

What’s the difference between pre-qualification and pre-approval?

When you talk to your bank or mortgage lender before looking for homes, they can give you a pre-qualification or pre-approval letter. The main difference between these is that getting pre-qualified is a shorter and less extensive process. The bank will need less information from you, but it can also be less accurate, and it does not guarantee that you will be approved when you apply for a mortgage.

Getting a pre-approval letter is essentially the same as the process you go through to apply for a mortgage, and it tells you that, when the time comes, you can take out a mortgage for the specified amount. To get pre-approved, the bank will need more information about your financial situation and to pull your credit history. Being pre-approved indicates you’re a more serious buyer when you make an offer.

How long does it take to find a house?

Home buyers typically look for the perfect house from a few weeks to a few months. The amount of time buyers spend looking for a house can vary greatly because it depends on a number of factors, such as current market conditions, budget, location, and the special features you are looking for. Eaton Realty has an established network of listings in your location, and we would love to find the perfect house for you!

How many houses should I look at before I make an offer?

It’s completely up to you! Here at Eaton Realty, our goal is to match customers to their perfect house based on price, location, and special features. After that, it’s really your decision. Remember, in a highly competitive market, you may need to make offers on multiple homes, so you’ll want to keep your options open.

How much money do I need for a downpayment?

Historically, 20% was a standard down payment, but these days, you may only need to make a down payment of 3-5%. Mortgage lenders typically require mortgage insurance with smaller down payments, so you’ll want to consider that additional expense. One of our team members here at Eaton Realty can give you some guidance for calculating a reasonable down payment for your financial situation.

What other fees do I need to be ready to pay?

Your down payment is usually the biggest upfront expense you need to worry about when buying a house, but you’ll also want to budget to have money left in your bank account for other fees. Closing costs are usually around 3-6% of the home’s total value, and they often come out of the buyer’s pocket. Other costs and fees that you may need to pay include credit report fees, appraisal fees, home inspection fees, mortgage origination fees, and your buyer’s agent compensation. If you choose to work with us, you will know what to expect from the beginning.

What is an earnest money deposit?

Earnest money is a deposit paid by the buyer when they make an offer on the home, usually between 1% and 3% of the purchase price. This money represents a serious offer because it protects the seller in case the buyer backs out on the deal for a reason that is not covered in the purchase agreement. The buyer will get the deposit back if they decide to walk away because of something covered in the purchase agreement (such as a failed inspection). If the purchase goes through, earnest money will be applied to closing costs or a down payment.

How long will it take the seller to respond to my offer?

Generally, a seller will try to respond within 24-48 hours. If a home has received multiple offers, it may take longer while the seller reviews them. If you have made a low offer, it’s possible the seller may not respond at all. We recommend setting an expiration on your offer to encourage the seller to respond promptly.

Should I have a home inspection?

We encourage you to have the home you’re considering inspected. A home inspection is a visual examination of the house's structure, and it can let you know if any potential structural problems or smaller issues need to be addressed now or down the road. Having a home inspection done before you close allows you to negotiate if there are problems you didn’t anticipate or to walk away if potential repairs are too costly. A home inspection is different from an appraisal. An appraisal is a professional estimate of the property's value based on the condition of the home and comparable homes in the area. The mortgage lender typically will order an appraisal to make sure the home is worth the amount they are lending.

When will I get to move into my new home?

After the seller accepts your offer, it usually takes 30-45 days to close. In most cases, you will get the keys to the house immediately after closing, but sometimes, the seller needs more time. This time could be from 30-90 days and will be requested when an offer is being negotiated.

Won’t I save money if I work with the listing agent?

The seller compensates the listing agent only for preparing and marketing the home for sale. If you choose to work with the listing agent and require help submitting an offer, coordinating financing, inspections, and negotiations, the agent will negotiate a fee to represent you, just like any other buyer's agent.

Is it better to rent or buy a home?

It’s really up to you, but here are a few pros and cons you can consider as you make your decision.

Renting a home

Pros

Flexibility for changing living situations
Less responsibility for maintenance and repairs
Less financial commitment, minimal down payment

Cons

Rent may increase over time
Leases may not be renewed by the landlord
There are often rental restrictions; you may not be allowed to have pets or make decorating decisions

Buying a home

Pros

Real estate is generally a good investment; values usually increase over time
Owning a home builds equity, offers tax benefits, and boosts your credit rating
You have a private space to modify and decorate as you wish

Cons

You have less flexibility to move/li>
There are higher upfront costs

If you’re considering buying or renting a home, give us a call! We can show you what’s available and give you an idea of what might work for you.

Resources for buyers Support no matter your goals.

For those just getting started.

A mortgage calculator is a sneak peek into the financial side of buying a home. By entering details like loan amount, interest rate, and term, you can instantly see estimated monthly payments. The information can help you to compare options, plan your budget effectively, and make confident decisions about which homes fit your goals.

Mortgage Calculator

For those making an offer.

For those making an offer.

There's a lot on the line when you're making an offer on a home—especially when the market is competitive, you're on a tight timeline, or you've become emotionally invested in the home of your dreams. We created a resource to help you make an offer that sellers won't want to turn down.

Go to the Guide

For those building a home.

Buying an existing home has its charms, but it can also be extremely rewarding to build a home. If that's how you're leaning, we created a guide to help. It will help you understand the process of building a home in Florida as well as the time and budget you'll need to allocate.

Top 5 Home Building Mistakes