by Eric Olsen
Sales Associate Realtor

Helping people buy or sell isn’t just about houses — it’s about guiding you safely through contracts, inspections, and negotiations. Eric Olsen, Realtor and trained consumer protection professional, shares insights gathered from years of consumer protection training. Buying or selling a home is one of the most important financial decisions most people ever make. While it’s exciting, it can also be stressful — and sometimes costly — if you don’t know where or what the pitfalls may be. Connect with Eric for incredible service as well as all the details on our listings and your neighborhood. Browse through our listings near Indian Rocks Beach, Florida at Plumlee Gulf Beach Realty.

Eric’s proven tips to keep you protected…

Seasoned, professional Realtors will be your advocate when watching out for:

💸 Legal Documents – Don’t sign anything which you don’t fully understand. Ask for plain-language explanations of terms like ‘as-is’, ‘contingency’, or ‘liquidated damages’. And, always keep copies of everything you sign.

❌ Inspections – Hire your own inspector who is loyal to you (not just one ‘recommended’ by the seller). Review the full report — don’t just rely on a summary. There are important details in the full report. Note that the inspector will only report on findings which are readily seen and not hidden or accessible. An exceptional Realtor will help you use findings as leverage in negotiations (credits, repairs, or price adjustments).

📈 Bottom line – Protecting yourself in real estate isn’t about mistrust — it’s about confidence. The more informed you are, the smoother your transaction will be; a great Realtor should help you with these things.

Local Market Snapshot – Tampa Bay (Q 2 2025)

Snapshot: Homes are moving steadily. Buyers are prepared and know the market favors them. Sellers of exceptional properties can still expect strong activity, but buyers are negotiating hard. :

✅ Average Home Sales Price – $509,773

🏖️ Median Time to Sale/Days on Market – 75 Days.

🎨 Mortgage rates – 30-year: 6.13% – 15-year: 5.5%.

as of September 2025

💰 An outstanding Realtor will deliver – For Buyers: Local market expertise, smooth guidance through the process, negotiating help , insights on the property….And for Sellers: Marketing & exposure expertise, pricing strategies, property preparation, and Transaction management….And must-have professional skills include honesty & trustworthiness, tech-savvy, and strong negotiation & advocacy commitment.

Having an incredible Realtor by your side at every step is critical. Your Realtor will guide you to ask and confirm critical things BEFORE you sign on the dotted line. An extra question, insight, or verification today will save you thousands tomorrow. Call Eric Olsen at 727-793-4154 or visit Plumlee Gulf Beach Realty .