The Florida Home Selling Process: From Listing to Closing

Seller Guides · Sea to Sky Realty

Step 1 — Choose Your Agent and Sign a Listing Agreement

The process begins when you sign a Listing Agreement with your chosen brokerage. This agreement defines the listing price, commission structure, listing period (typically 3–6 months), and the agent’s marketing obligations. In Florida, listing agreements are typically exclusive right-to-sell agreements — meaning your agent earns a commission regardless of who brings the buyer.

Step 2 — Prepare and Photograph the Property

Before going live on the MLS, the property must be prepared, staged if needed, and professionally photographed. We coordinate professional photography, aerial imagery, and any virtual tour content as part of our standard listing service. No listing goes live before it is photo-ready.

Step 3 — List on the MLS and Begin Marketing

Once live on Stellar MLS, your listing is automatically syndicated to Zillow, Realtor.com, Homes.com, and dozens of additional portals. Sea to Sky Realty supplements MLS exposure with targeted digital marketing, social media promotion, and direct outreach to buyer agents active in your price range and area.

Step 4 — Showings and Open Houses

Qualified buyers and their agents will schedule showings through the MLS showing system. We coordinate all showings, provide you with feedback after each visit, and keep you informed of market response. Open houses are used selectively based on property type and market conditions.

Step 5 — Receiving and Negotiating Offers

When an offer arrives, we present it to you in full and advise on price, contingencies, financing terms, closing timeline, and any special conditions. You have three options: accept, reject, or counter. Most transactions involve at least one round of negotiation before reaching a mutually agreed contract.

Step 6 — Under Contract: The Inspection Period

Once a contract is signed, the buyer typically has 10–15 days to conduct inspections. The buyer may then request repairs or credits based on inspection findings. We represent your interests in this negotiation — pushing back on unreasonable requests and advising on what to concede and what to hold firm on.

Step 7 — Appraisal (Financed Offers)

If the buyer is financing the purchase, their lender will order an appraisal. If the property appraises at or above the contract price, the transaction proceeds. If it appraises below, the parties must negotiate — the buyer can make up the difference in cash, the seller can reduce the price, or the contract can be cancelled.

Step 8 — Closing

Closing in Florida typically takes place 30–45 days after contract execution. A title company handles the closing — verifying clear title, preparing all documents, and coordinating the transfer of funds. As the seller, you will sign a relatively small number of documents compared to the buyer.

Sellers who are foreign nationals must address FIRPTA withholding obligations prior to closing. Sea to Sky Realty coordinates this with your tax advisor and the title company well in advance of the closing date. Additionally, Bea Weiss is a Florida-certified Remote Online Notary — enabling sellers to complete any required notarized documents remotely if they are out of state or abroad.

Typical Seller Closing Costs in Florida

• Real estate commission: negotiated (paid from sale proceeds)
• Documentary stamp tax on deed: $0.70 per $100 of sale price
• Title insurance (owner’s policy): typically paid by seller in Manatee and Sarasota counties
• Prorated property taxes: seller pays through closing date
• HOA estoppel fee: $100–$500 depending on the association
• Recording fees and miscellaneous title charges