Crystal Rose Sauls - FL Real Estate Agent

01/27/2026

HOA fees are climbing, and Florida homeowners are paying the most.

In 2025, 43.6% of homes for sale have HOA fees, and the median dues rose to $135/month (up 8% YoY). With mortgage rates above 6%, insurance, and taxes, these added costs are squeezing affordability.

7 of the 10 metros where HOA fees take the biggest share of home costs are in Florida, Miami ranks No. 1. A typical $425K Miami home comes with $617/month in HOA dues, equal to 26.9% of a mortgage payment.

05/27/2024

Praying for those who have already died & for those whose life will be cut short due to service-induced trauma & the on-going health complications that follow…

The battle is real: physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually 🪖

04/29/2024

Shout out to Attic Queen 💚 for a quick response and easy inspection scheduling!
Omar was very friendly and thorough 💯💪🏡

04/07/2024

Investment firms, like Tricon Residential, are quietly buying a substantial number of homes for sale in high-migration areas of the U.S. These firms are rece...

03/26/2024

Always Learning ♾️ ®️🏡 🔐

🙋🏻‍♀️ Crystal Rose Sauls - FL Real Estate Agent

03/23/2024

I, too, love a good DIY project - but some things should really just be left to the professionals…

In light 💡 of the recent misinformation floating around via inaccurate News 📰 Headlines from voices OUTSIDE of the industry, here is some clarification on the costs && value a good REALTOR is responsible for 💪✨

1st - We have a lot of upfront expenses that must be paid out BEFORE or IF we get a paycheck 🤪:

Broker Splits and Fees
Office rent and utilities
MLS Fees
NAR Fees
Local Association Fees
E&O Business Insurance
Extended Auto Insurance
Self-Employment Tax
State Licensing Fees
Advertising Fees
Showing Service Fees
Website Fees
Assistant's Salaries
Showing partners
Transaction coordinator
Yard Signs
Photographers
Videographers
Office Supplies
Business Cards
Property Flyers
Electronic Lockboxes
Continued RE Education
Legal Fees
Gas

*keep in mind, that income taxes are not taken out, so we must put that aside (around 25-30%)
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As a LISTING AGENT, we have tasks far more than just selling a home:

1. Prepare Listing Presentation for Sellers
2. Research Sellers Property Tax Info
3. Research Comparable Sold Properties for Sellers
4. Determine Average Days on Market
5. Gather Info from Sellers About Their Home
6. Meet with Sellers at Their Home
7. Get to Know Their Home
8. Present Listing Presentation
9. Advise on Repairs and/or Upgrades
10. Provide Home Seller To-Do Checklist
11. Explain Current Market Conditions
12. Discuss Seller’s Goals
13. Share Your Value Proposition
14. Explain Benefits of Your Brokerage
15. Present Your Marketing Options
16. Explain Video Marketing Strategies
17. Demonstrate 3D Tour Marketing
18. Explain Buyer & Seller Agency Relationships
19. Describe the Buyer Pre-Screening Process
20. Create Internal File for Transaction
21. Get Listing Agreement & Disclosures Signed
22. Provide Sellers Disclosure Form to Sellers
23. Verify Interior Room Sizes
24. Obtain Current Mortgage Loan Info
25. Confirm Lot Size from County Tax Records
26. Investigate Any Unrecorded Property Easements
27. Establish Showing Instructions for Buyers
28. Agree on Showing Times with Sellers
29. Discuss Different Types of Buyer Financing
30. Explain Appraisal Process and Pitfalls
31. Verify Homeowners Association Fees
32. Obtain a Copy of HOA By-laws
33. Gather Transferable Warranties
34. Determine Need for Lead-Based Paint Disclosure
35. Verify Security System Ownership
36. Discuss Video Recording Devices & Showings
37. Determine Property Inclusions & Exclusions
38. Agree on Repairs to be Made Before Listing
39. Schedule Staging Consultation
40. Schedule House Cleaners
41. Install Electronic Lockbox & Yard Sign
42. Set-Up Photo/Video Shoot
43. Meet Photographer at Property
44. Prepare Home for Photographer
45. Schedule Drone & 3D Tour Shoot
46. Get Seller’s Approval of All Marketing Materials
47. Input Property Listing into the MLS
48. Create Virtual Tour Page
49. Verify Listing Data on 3rd Party Websites
50. Have Listing Proofread
51. Create Property Flyer
52. Have Extra Keys Made for Lockbox
53. Set-Up Showing Services
54. Help Owners Coordinate Showings
55. Gather Feedback After Each Showing
56. Keep track of Showing Activity
57. Update MLS Listing as Needed
58. Schedule Weekly Update Calls with Seller
59. Prepare “Net Sheet” For All Offers
60. Present All Offers to Seller
61. Obtain Pre-Approval Letter from Buyer’s Agent
62. Examine & Verify Buyer’s Qualifications
63. Examine & Verify Buyer’s Lender
64. Negotiate All Offers
65. Once Under Contract, Send to Title Company
66. Check Buyer’s Agent Has Received Copies
67. Change Property Status in MLS
68. Deliver Copies of Contact/Addendum to Seller
69. Keep Track of Copies for Office File
70. Coordinate Inspections with Sellers
71. Explain Buyer’s Inspection Objections to Sellers
72. Determine Seller’s Inspection Resolution
73. Get All Repair Agreements in Writing
74. Refer Trustworthy Contractors to Sellers
75. Meet Appraiser at the Property
76. Negotiate Any Unsatisfactory Appraisals
77. Confirm Clear-to-Close
78. Coordinate Closing Times & Location
79. Verify Title Company Has All Docs
80. Remind Sellers to Transfer Utilities
81. Make Sure All Parties Are Notified of Closing Time
82. Resolve Any Title Issues Before Closing
83. Receive and Carefully Review Closing Docs
84. Review Closing Figures with Seller
85. Confirm Repairs Have Been Made
86. Resolve Any Last-Minute Issues
87. Attend Seller’s Closing
88. Pick Up Sign & Lock Box
89. Change Status in MLS to “Sold.”
90. Close Out Seller’s File with Brokerage

As a BUYERS AGENT, we also have many tasks:

1. Schedule Time to Meet Buyers
2. Prepare Buyers Guide & Presentation
3. Meet Buyers and Discuss Their Goals
4. Explain Buyer & Seller Agency Relationships
5. Discuss Different Types of Financing Options
6. Help Buyers Find a Mortgage Lender
7. Obtain Pre-Approval Letter from Their Lender
8. Explain What You Do for Buyers as A Realtor
9. Provide Overview of Current Market Conditions
10. Explain Your Company’s Value to Buyers
11. Discuss Earnest Money Deposits
12. Explain Home Inspection Process
13. Educate Buyers About Local Neighborhoods
14. Discuss Foreclosures & Short Sales
15. Gather Needs & Wants of Their Next Home
16. Explain School Districts Effect on Home Values
17. Explain Recording Devices During Showings
18. Learn All Buyer Goals & Make A Plan
19. Create Internal File for Buyers Records
20. Send Buyers Homes Within Their Criteria
21. Start Showing Buyers Home That They Request
22. Schedule & Organize All Showings
23. Gather Showing Instructions for Each Listing
24. Send Showing Schedule to Buyers
25. Show Up Early and Prepare First Showing
26. Look for Possible Repair Issues While Showing
27. Gather Buyer Feedback After Each Showing
28. Update Buyers When New Homes Hit the Market
29. Share Knowledge & Insight About Homes
30. Guide Buyers Through Their Emotional Journey
31. Listen & Learn from Buyers at Each Showing
32. Keep Records of All Showings
33. Update Listing Agents with Buyer’s Feedback
34. Discuss Homeowner’s Associations
35. Estimate Expected Utility Usage Costs
36. Confirm Water Source and Status
37. Discuss Transferable Warranties
38. Explain Property Appraisal Process
39. Discuss Multiple Offer Situations
40. Create Practice Offer to Help Buyers Prepare
41. Provide Updated Housing Market Data to Buyers
42. Inform Buyers of Their Showing Activity Weekly
43. Update Buyers on Any Price Drops
44. Discuss MLS Data with Buyers at Showings
45. Find the Right Home for Buyers
46. Determine Property Inclusions & Exclusions
47. Prepare Sales Contract When Buyers are Ready
48. Educate Buyer’s on Sales Contract Options
49. Determine Need for Lead-Based Paint Disclosure
50. Explain Home Warranty Options
51. Update Buyer’s Pre-Approval Letter
52. Discuss Loan Objection Deadlines
53. Choose a Closing Date
54. Verify Listing Data Is Correct
55. Review Comps with Buyers to Determine Value
56. Prepare & Submit Buyer’s Offer to Listing Agent
57. Negotiate Buyers Offer with Listing Agent
58. Execute A Sales Contract & Disclosures
59. Once Under Contract, Send to Title Company
60. Coordinate Earnest Money Drop Off
61. Deliver Copies to Mortgage Lender
62. Obtain Copy of Sellers Disclosure for Buyers
63. Deliver Copies of Contract/Addendum to Buyers
64. Obtain A Copy of HOA Bylaws
65. Keep Track of Copies for Office File
66. Coordinate Inspections with Buyers
67. Meet Inspector at The Property
68. Review Home Inspection with Buyers
69. Negotiate Inspection Objections
70. Get All Agreed Upon Repair Items in Writing
71. Verify any Existing Lease Agreements
72. Check in With Lender to Verify Loan Status
73. Check on the Appraisal Date
74. Negotiate Any Unsatisfactory Appraisals
75. Coordinate Closing Times & Location
76. Make Sure All Documents Are Fully Signed
77. Verify Title Company Has Everything Needed
78. Remind Buyers to Schedule Utilities
79. Make Sure All Parties Are Notified of Closing Time
80. Solve Any Title Problems Before Closing
81. Receive and Review Closing Documents
82. Review Closing Figures with Buyers
83. Confirm Repairs Have Been Made by Sellers
84. Perform Final Walk-Through with Buyers
85. Resolve Any Last-Minute Issues
86. Get CDA Signed by Brokerage
87. Attend Closing with Buyers
88. Provide Home Warranty Paperwork
89. Give Keys and Accessories to Buyers
90. Close Out Buyer’s File Brokerage

✨You don't need to buy or sell a home to your local agents real estate business – here are just a few simple ways to show your support!⁣

-share one of our listings 🏡
-refer a friend or family member their way 🫂
-let them connect you with agents outside their area for a broker to broker referral fee 🗺️
-leave them a positive comment or review 📝

♥️ Crystal Rose Sauls - FL Real Estate Agent

02/01/2024

Across the U.S., single women own 2.71 million more than single men 🚺🚹🏡

“A LendingTree analysis of the latest U.S. Census Bureau data finds that single women who live by themselves are more likely than single men who live by themselves to own a home in 47 of 50 states.”

, and are the only states where single men own a higher share of homes than single women.

A LendingTree analysis finds that single women who live by themselves are more likely than single men to own a home in 47 of 50 states.

11/10/2023

Happy early Veteran’s Day to my fellow Vets ♥️

10/21/2023

🏡 ALWAYS OPEN 11-5:00 ✨🔐

08/08/2023

Touring 2083 SQFT in less than 1.5 mins is challenging! Beautiful in Seminole, FL by 💛 - This is our “A” floor-plan (3 bd, 3.5 bath, 2 car garage). This community will have 34 units total and it is NOT in a *flood zone* ✨ Come check us out - 3 different floor plans with customizable options - High ceilings with tons of natural light 🌞 Starting at $400k!