Thomas D. Moffett, P.A., CRS

Thomas D. Moffett, P.A., CRS I’m an Orlando Realtor specializing in seamless relocations into and out of Central Florida, guiding clients with clarity and confidence.

A Realtor since 1999 (25+ years) with decades of successful closed sales and a CRS designation.

09/25/2026

🏠 Who Holds Your Escrow Deposit When Buying a Home?

When you make an offer on a home, an escrow deposit—often called earnest money—is typically placed with a neutral third party, such as a title company, escrow agent, or attorney, depending on the contract and state requirements.

But what happens to that money if the deal goes smoothly—or falls apart?

Your purchase contract determines how the escrow deposit is handled. If the transaction closes, the deposit is generally applied toward your closing costs or purchase funds. However, if the contract is terminated, the reason for the termination and the specific terms of the contract can determine whether the buyer receives the deposit back or whether the seller may have a claim to it.

⚠️ Important: Missing deadlines, failing to meet contractual obligations, financing issues, inspection findings, appraisal concerns, or other circumstances can affect the disposition of escrow funds. The consequences can vary significantly based on the contract and applicable Florida law.

Before making an offer, make sure you understand who holds your deposit, how much is being deposited, what deadlines apply, and what circumstances could put those funds at risk.

Understanding your escrow deposit can help you avoid expensive surprises during the home-buying process!

09/24/2026

🏠 What Type of Plumbing Is in Your Home?

Not all plumbing materials are created equal, and knowing what’s behind your walls can help you understand potential problems before they become expensive repairs.

Common plumbing materials include copper, PVC, CPVC, PEX, galvanized steel, and cast iron. Each material has different strengths, weaknesses, and expected service life.

🔎 What should you look out for?
• Corrosion, rust, or discoloration
• Leaking or deteriorating connections
• Low water pressure
• Polybutylene or other older plumbing systems that may warrant further evaluation
• Galvanized pipes showing significant corrosion or restricted flow
• Aging supply or drain lines
• Improper repairs or mixed plumbing materials
• Signs of previous leaks or water damage

Some older plumbing materials may need to be repaired, replaced, or evaluated by a licensed plumber, depending on their condition and local requirements.

Whether you're buying a new construction home or an older resale property, understanding the plumbing system is an important part of protecting your investment. 🚰🔧

09/23/2026

Knowing when and how to submit an offer can make a major difference in a home purchase. From offer terms and timing to financing options and loan requirements, understanding how financing affects both the buyer and seller can help create a smoother transaction and avoid costly surprises. 🏡💰

09/08/2026

🏡 Thinking About Selling Your Home? Timing Matters!

One of the biggest mistakes homeowners can make is waiting until the last minute to put their home on the market. Selling a home involves much more than putting up a sign and waiting for a buyer.

From preparing the property, making necessary repairs, professional photography and marketing, showings, negotiations, inspections, appraisals, financing, and closing — there are a lot of moving pieces that take time.

Giving yourself enough time and breathing room allows your REALTOR® to properly market your home, attract the right buyers, negotiate the best possible terms, and help keep the transaction moving smoothly.

It also gives YOU time to prepare for your next move without feeling rushed or pressured. Whether you're purchasing another home, relocating, or simply transitioning to your next chapter, having a realistic timeline can make the entire process much less stressful.

⏰ The goal isn't just to sell your home — it's to sell it at the right time and give everyone involved the opportunity to do their job properly.

Before putting your home on the market, talk with an experienced real estate professional and create a timeline that works for your goals, your property, and the current market.

🏠 Plan ahead. Prepare properly. Sell confidently.

08/31/2026

🏡 Pre-Occupancy vs. Post-Occupancy & New vs. Resale Homes — What’s the Difference?

Buying a home involves more than just choosing the right property! Understanding the difference between pre-occupancy and post-occupancy, as well as new construction and resale homes, can help you avoid surprises.

🔑 Pre-Occupancy means the buyer has not yet taken possession of the home. This is when inspections, walkthroughs, repairs, and final preparations are typically addressed before closing or move-in.

🏠 Post-Occupancy means the buyer has already taken possession. Any issues discovered afterward may be handled differently depending on the contract and circumstances.

🆕 New Construction is a newly built home, often involving builder contracts, design selections, inspections, and warranties.

🏡 Resale Homes have previously been owned and may come with existing wear, upgrades, repairs, and a different set of contract considerations.

Knowing these differences—and having an experienced professional guide you—can make your home-buying experience much smoother!

08/27/2026

🏠 NEW HOME OR RESALE HOME — GET THE INSPECTION! 🔍

Whether you’re buying a brand-new construction home or a pre-owned/resale property, a professional home inspection is one of the most important steps in the home-buying process.

Many buyers assume that a new construction home doesn’t need an inspection because everything is brand new. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. New homes can still have construction defects, incomplete work, improper installations, drainage issues, electrical concerns, plumbing problems, or HVAC and roofing issues. Having an independent inspection can help identify problems before you close and potentially save you from expensive repairs later.

With a resale home, an inspection is just as important. A home may look perfect on the surface, but there could be hidden issues involving the roof, foundation, electrical system, plumbing, HVAC, moisture, termites, or other components that aren't obvious during a walkthrough.

🔎 A home inspection gives you information and peace of mind. It can help you understand the property's current condition, identify potential safety concerns, and make more informed decisions before completing your purchase.

Remember: A home inspection isn't about finding a perfect house — it's about knowing what you're buying.

Whether it’s new construction or resale, protect your investment and get the home inspected!

08/25/2026

🏡 **SELLING YOUR HOME OR THINKING ABOUT TURNING IT INTO A RENTAL? KNOW YOUR OPTIONS BEFORE YOU SIGN!**

Whether you're selling your home or considering keeping it as an investment property, having the right Realtor to help you understand your options can make a HUGE difference!

When selling, the contract you sign involves much more than just the purchase price. Your Realtor should help you understand deposits, financing, appraisal and inspection provisions, contingencies, deadlines, closing costs, and other terms that can impact your transaction. Remember—the highest offer isn't always the best offer! The terms and strength of the overall contract matter.

But what if you don't want to sell? 🏠➡️💰 Turning your home into a long-term rental or Airbnb could potentially create another income stream, but there are important pros and cons to consider.

✅ **Potential Benefits:**
• Rental income
• Long-term property appreciation
• Additional investment opportunity
• Flexibility with your property

⚠️ **Potential Challenges:**
• Repairs and maintenance
• Vacancies
• Property management costs
• Insurance changes
• Taxes and operating expenses
• Increased wear and tear

And don't forget—you need to determine whether your property can legally be used as a rental or short-term rental. HOA and condo restrictions, local regulations, zoning, licensing, insurance, and tax requirements can all affect your plans.

Before you sell, rent, or turn your home into an Airbnb, **understand the numbers, understand the contract, and understand the rules!**

A knowledgeable Realtor can help you evaluate your options and make an informed decision that fits your goals. 🔑🏡

08/18/2026

🏡 Why Is a Home Appraisal So Important?

Buying or selling a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll make—and understanding the true value of the property is critical.

A professional home appraisal helps determine the market value of a property and can play a major role in the financing process. For buyers, it can help ensure you’re not overpaying. For sellers, it can help establish realistic expectations about what the home may be worth in today’s market.

But an appraisal is only one piece of the puzzle. Having an extremely knowledgeable and experienced Realtor guiding you through the process can make all the difference. From understanding comparable sales and market conditions to negotiating price, navigating contracts, and addressing appraisal issues, the right Realtor can help protect your interests every step of the way.

💡 Knowledge matters. Experience matters. And having the right professional in your corner matters.

Before you buy or sell, make sure you understand the numbers—and make sure you have a Realtor who knows how to interpret them and guide you through the entire process!

08/17/2026

🏡 Buying a Home in Florida? Know Your Contracts!

Not all real estate contracts are the same, and understanding what you’re signing can make a BIG difference!

🔹 Buyer Brokerage Agreement – Outlines your relationship with your real estate agent, their services, and compensation.

🔹 Purchase & Sale Contract – The main agreement between the buyer and seller. It covers price, financing, inspections, deposits, closing date, contingencies, and more.

🔹 “As-Is” Contract – Very common in Florida. The seller generally isn’t agreeing to make repairs, but the buyer may still have important inspection and contractual rights.

🔹 Addenda & Riders – Additional documents that can change or add terms to the main contract, including financing, appraisal, HOA/condo requirements, and seller concessions.

⚠️ Pay attention to deadlines! Inspection periods, financing requirements, deposits, and other contractual dates can be extremely important.

Before signing, make sure you understand what you’re agreeing to and ask questions when something isn’t clear.

Buying a Florida home is a major investment—know your contract before you sign! 🏠🌴

08/08/2026

🏡 THE CONTRACT MATTERS! 📝

Buying or selling a home involves much more than simply finding a property and signing on the dotted line. Understanding the different types of real estate contracts can make a HUGE difference in your transaction!

From listing agreements and buyer representation agreements to purchase contracts, addendums, financing contingencies, inspection periods, and repair agreements, every contract has terms, deadlines, and responsibilities that can affect your transaction.

🏠 But why isn’t your house selling?

Sometimes, it has nothing to do with the house itself! Your price, contract terms, marketing strategy, condition, photos, presentation, buyer incentives, or even the current market can all play a role.

If your home has been sitting on the market, it may be time to take a closer look at more than just the asking price. Are buyers being given enough incentive? Are the contract terms competitive? Is the home being marketed effectively? Are there issues coming up during inspections or appraisals?

On the buying side, understanding your contract can help you know what you're agreeing to, what deadlines you have, and what protections may be available to you.

⚠️ Every contract is different, and real estate laws and practices can vary by state. Always work with a qualified real estate professional and, when appropriate, a real estate attorney to understand the specific terms of your agreement.

🎥 Watch the video to learn more about real estate contracts, why they matter, and some of the reasons a home may—or may not—be selling!

Address

401 Main Street, Ste B
Windermere, FL
34786

Telephone

+14073756498

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