Out-of-state and Canadian owners
SELLING FROM
OUT OF STATE
You own in Venice, North Port, Punta Gorda or Port Charlotte, and you live 1,200 miles away. You can sell without flying down — most of our snowbird and Canadian sellers never come back for closing.
Short answer
A Florida sale can be run entirely remotely: e-signed contract, remote online notarization, and wired proceeds. You do not need to be here.
The parts that need a body on the ground — access, photos, inspection, lockbox, final walkthrough, hauling what is left — are handled locally. What you do from home is read numbers and sign.
How the remote sale actually runs
- Week 1 — we walk the property, photograph condition, and send you both numbers: cash offer and expected market price.
- Week 1–2 — contract signed electronically. No printing, no notary yet.
- Week 2–5 — access for inspection or appraisal; we meet everyone at the door.
- Closing — Florida permits remote online notarization, or the title company mails a package to a notary near you.
- Funds — wired the same day the deed records.
If you are a Canadian or other non-US owner: FIRPTA
Under FIRPTA, a buyer must generally withhold a percentage of the gross sale price — commonly 15% — when the seller is a foreign person. That is withholding, not a tax bill: you file a US return and typically recover most or all of it, and a reduced-withholding certificate can lower the amount held at closing.
Two things save Canadian sellers money here: telling the title company early so the withholding certificate is filed in time, and using a CPA who handles cross-border returns. We will introduce you to both.
The costs of holding it another season
Owners who wait usually underestimate carry. In this market that is typically insurance, HOA or CDD dues, taxes, electric to keep the humidity down, lawn service, and a caretaker check-in. Add hurricane-season risk and one deferred roof, and "we'll deal with it next winter" is rarely the cheapest option.
Run the number for your own property before you decide — we will build the carry-cost sheet with you on the call.
Questions sellers actually ask
Do I have to fly to Florida to close?
No. Between e-signature, remote online notarization and mail-away packages, we close out-of-state and Canadian sellers without a trip.
Who has the keys and who lets people in?
We do. Access for inspections, appraisals and the final walkthrough is coordinated locally so you are not calling a neighbor.
How does FIRPTA withholding work for Canadians?
The buyer withholds a portion of the gross price when the seller is a foreign person, commonly 15%. A reduced-withholding application filed before closing can lower it, and you reconcile on a US tax return.
Can you sell it furnished?
Yes, and in this market furnished often helps. On a cash sale you can leave the contents entirely.
Keep reading
Tell us the situation, we will tell you the options
One conversation, two numbers: what a cash offer looks like and what the open market should bring. No obligation either way.