Your Custom Guide to Finding the Perfect Home
“Buying a home is one of the most important investments you can make. You can always count on our team to assist every step of the way. Our mission is to make moving a seamless process. We will ensure your experience is personalized for your wants and needs. Welcome Home.”
-Rob Rahter
THE STRATEGIC SUPPORT I PROVIDE TO ENSURE A SUCCESSFUL HOME PURCHASE... associations, and other key lifestyle enhancers.
• Set up a customized search portal to provide immediate and updated access to the Stellar MLS
• Email you directly listed homes that match your search parameters. You will be the first to
• Provide a comprehensive market valuation of all homes of interest to you. My experience and
“on the streets” knowledge will help determine the right price in today’s changing market.
• Craft a winning offer that you will be confident in presenting.
• Expertly negotiate the right deal with the right terms.
• Provide recommendations on preferred vendors including lenders, inspectors, home insurance
• Guide you through the entire process from offer, acceptance, transactional timelines, and all
• Make introductions to decision makers at local private schools, country clubs, homeowner’ system. You can review listed properties I send you directly or through an automated search system, which I will set up specific to your criteria. You will be able to mark your favorites, write notes to me, and discard the rest. You will also be able to perform your own searches using real-time MLS, which is updated every few minutes – unlike other sites like Zillow or Realtor.com.
know about new listings and price changes with matched properties. providers, builders, contractors, and other related service providers. insurance providers, builders, contractors, and other related service providers.
DO THIS FIRST, RIGHT FROM THE START.
You would not start searching for a new car without knowing how you’d pay for it. The same is true with a house. If you are not paying cash, you will need to talk to a lender BEFORE you step foot in a house. There is nothing more disappointing than to test drive a car only to find out afterwards it is out of your budget.
QUESTIONS TO ASK WHILE SHOPPING FOR YOUR LENDER
• What is his/her reputation within the community?
• How many loans do they close each year?
• Is the company well known in the area?
• How long has the company been in business?
• Does the lender have access to a wide variety of loan packages?
• Can the interest rates be locked in and for how long?
• Does the lender offer your loan product (FHA, VA, Specialty, etc.)
THINGS TO BE AWARE OF WHEN SHOPPING FOR A LENDER…
Quoted rates over the phone are rarely locked prices. Rates can be subjected to change unless they are predetermined for a specific period of time.
Interest rates can change daily. A quote you receive today may not be the quote you receive tomorrow.The interest rate you are quoted over the phone may not be a program that will fit your needs or situation. Many lenders will discount their posted rates for well qualified customers.
THE FUN PART. BUT NO, IT’S NOT AS EASY AS IT LOOKS ON TV.
We all love to watch the home buying process on TV.Buyers walk through three pre-selected homes that are vastly different and seemingly nothing like what the buyer wanted to see, then pick one of them to buy in less than 30 minutes. If only it were that easy.
Finding the right home requires more than just listings—it takes local knowledge, thoughtful guidance, and deep community insight. Having lived in this area for over 20 years, I’m familiar with the neighborhoods, schools, country clubs, restaurants, commute patterns, and even many of the builders who’ve shaped the landscape. My role is to help you navigate more than just a transaction. I’m here to offer a full-service experience that supports your transition into a new home and lifestyle, with confidence and ease.
We’ve all heard the old adage: the three most important factors in real estate are location, location, and location. Which is why neighborhoods are so important in my search process. In our buyer consultation, you shared with me what’s important to you in your future home. Some things can be added or changed in a home, but some things, like the location, cannot.
What can be often changed or added:
• Paint, wallpaper
• Kitchen & Bathrooms
• Bedroom Count
• Summer Kitchens
• Swimming Pools
• Structural Expansions (If space permits and if permitted by HOA, County)
Since the location cannot be changed, the focus for a new home needs to be primarily driven by location. Location also includes school zoning - even if schools are not important now, they certainly matter when it comes to the value of the home and the re-sale potential.
• Photo ID
• Social Security Number
• Date of Birth
• Home addresses lived at as a primary residence for the past two years
• Addresses for any rental properties including mortgage statements and home owners association bill
• Work address, phone numbers and employment position for the past two years
• Checking and savings account statements for the past two months (6 months for child support/alimony)
• 401K/IRA statement last quarter
• Four most recent pay stubs. If you have received a recent raise please let the lender know
• Federal income tax returns for the past two years for both personal and business (if applicable)
• Divorce settlement papers if receiving child support, alimony, or if e-spouse pays a debt
• Gift letters if you are using gifts from parents, relatives or organizations to help cover the purchase costs
• Social Security/Disability Award Letter
• Pension Letter from Employer
• Home Owners Insurance binder when a contract for purchase is fully executed
• Many homeowners prefer 24 hours notice prior to showings
• No more than 5 properties in 1 day
Weekends are prime time for Open Houses. Feel free to visit as many as you’d like, just be sure to tell the agent hosting the open house you are working with me. If they ask you to fill out a registration form and you agree, know you have given that agent permission to contact you. I suggest simply giving your name and write my name and contact information next to yours.
In your new home search, you may consider buying a new home from a builder. Certainly you’ve seen the signs for Model Homes and on-site Sales Centers. These can be great opportunities to look at homes where you can pick your floorplan, select your lot, and choose all the options – from kitchen and bathroom cabinetry, to flooring, added rooms, and even a sparkling pool!
Feel free to tour as many Model Homes as you’d like on your own and even ask the on-site sales representatives any questions you may have about the house and the community. However, you MUST tell the sales agent ON YOUR FIRST VISIT you are working with me. Otherwise, builders do not allow buyers to add representation after your first visit. I suggest not even discussing pricing or incentives with the sales agent – let me handle those discussions.
If you fill out a registration form, please make sure you write my name on the form so there is no misunderstanding – even better, give them one of my business cards if you have one. Keep in mind, on-site sales agents work for the builder, not for you. My job is to negotiate the best deal plus incentives for you and provide full representation through all steps of the transaction.
Sometimes at new home communities, buyers feel they will get a better deal if they don’t use a Realtor®, but this is simply not true. In fact, in my experience, you may miss out on incentives or deals that I may know about that can save you several thousands of dollars in the price of the home or in closing costs. Builders keep real estate commissions separate from Buyer incentives so it’s not possible for the buyer to collect the money if they do not use a Realtor. In fact, just the opposite may happen; you will likely pay more and have no one watching out for you.
No two home purchases are ever the same so think of this checklist as a broad overview of the closing process. Don’t worry or feel overwhelmed I’m here to help you every step of the way.
Starts the day after an executed contract is delivered
Deposit due
Inspection
Inspection period _____ days
Schedule Inspection
Appraisal
Your lender will order appraisal
Shop for your coverage
Go over closing statement and wire funds
Schedule closing time/place
Schedule final walk through
Move in to your new home!!
407.497.4526
rob@stockworth.com
Rob Rahter is not only the Managing Broker for Stockworth Realty Group, he is also a top-producing sales agent, reaching the pinnacle of sales success in 2024 earning the distinguished title Orlando’s #1 Individual Agent (out of 24,000+ Realtors®!). He has consistently ranked among the top 1% of high-performing real estate practitioners in the entire Country and remains one of the most decorated and accomplished agents in Florida. Rob has also been honored with Orlando Business Journal’s “Gamechanger in Residential Real Estate” Award, repeat winner “Best Realtor in Southwest Orlando” by Southwest Orlando Bulletin, and consistently named to Orlando Magazine’s “Hot 100 Realtors” list. He’s also been on Orlando Real Producers Top 50 List and recipient of the coveted MClub Award for average transaction sales over $1M. Routinely quoted as an industry expert in the local media: frequently appearing on WKMG Local 6 (CBS) and WOFL Fox 35; and cited regularly in the Orlando Business Journal. Specializing in the luxury market, Rob is known as an expert in many of the area’s most exclusive neighborhoods.
Rob moved to Orlando in 1997 when he was working as a broadcast news producer for the CBS affiliate WKMG (formerly WCPX). Aside from a brief stint at The Today Show at NBC News in New York, Rob’s roots were primarily in the West Coast – growing up mostly in California but attending and graduating from college at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. He came to Florida from Las Vegas where he was a producer for the CBS station KLASTV. Rob’s unique background in mass media, with an emphasis on marketing, has helped him deliver a competitive edge to his clients. Rob understands and values the relationship of presentation and professionalism and is able to apply those important qualities to achieve the highest possible results for his clients. Rob and his wife Elizabeth live in Windermere with their four incredibly awesome children and are very active in the local community. Elizabeth, an attorney, is the former chairperson of Orange County’s “Week of the Family” Foundation and donates many hours and resources to local charities. The Rahter family enjoys playing tennis and cheering on their favorite teams: BYU Football and Orlando City Soccer. Go City!
Stockworth advocates for our clients, guiding them through real estate transactions with extraordinary service, uncompromising ethics, and exceptional knowledge. Our group of outstanding practitioners and their support team have a strong commitment to service, integrity, and professionalism. We build lifelong relationships by providing unparalleled experiences for our clients.
Tony & Stacy T.
“Rob Rahter is simply the best in the area. Always there to help no matter the time or the day. He didn’t care how many showings we went on, he wanted to make sure we were happy and found the home we wanted. He found our first home, then sold it, then found our second home.”
Mark & Carmen S.
“Until meeting Rob we thought we had met and dealt with great realtors. After our first interactions it quickly became apparent that we were flying first class with Rob and were going to receive an entirely new level of service and expertise. Rob has a phenomenal business mind and willing to share his knowledge, connections, and experience to your advantage. Listen to his advice. We found him to be focused, creative, and always looking out for us. We can’t say enough favorable things.”
Tara H.
“I’m VERY picky with realtors. I did some research and chose him. Top notch realtor with integrity, and sold our home quickly. You won’t find another realtor of his caliber.”
Jeff H.
“Rob is an excellent choice to buy or sell your home. He listed and sold our home in days and for more than we ever expected! He knows the market well and will guide you through the process with class and professionalism”
Dave & Cindy K.
“Rob went out of his way every time, all the time. It was a pleasure working with him and knowing you could count on him for a showing, or even just answering a question. Rob’s passion and his local knowledge were incredibly helpful. He was able to set our house at a high market price and sell it at that point. We were both impressed with the outcome and had our doubts that it would sell that high. However, Rob said not to worry and he was right. We sold the house in 3 days.”
Jim & Ann K.
“Rob is very knowledgeable, professional and patient. He really listens and is responsive to your needs. Wouldn’t think of working with anyone else.”
