Pre-Sale Services for Real Estate Professionals

Buyer uncertainty is costing you closings.

That's where we come in. Our real estate partners are important to us, and we know that your success depends on giving your buyers confidence. That's why we offer free Pre-Sale Evaluations that answer your buyers' toughest questions with professional architectural expertise—helping you close more deals. Below are examples of how we support your sales.

Why We Partner with Real Estate Professionals

You're not just showing properties—you're answering dozens of feasibility questions that determine whether your buyers will sign a contract. When you can't answer those questions with confidence, deals fall apart.

That's the problem we solve. By providing free architectural evaluations, we give you the expert answers that keep your deals moving forward:

1. You close deals that would otherwise die from uncertainty. When your buyers get professional answers about renovation costs, zoning allowances, and site buildability, they commit. When they're guessing, they walk.

2. You differentiate yourself from other agents. Most agents can't offer expert architectural consultation. You can—and that sets you apart in a competitive market.

3. You build lasting client relationships. When you connect buyers with valuable professional resources before closing, they remember you. They refer friends. They come back for their next transaction.

The True Value We Provide to Your Business

What we offer—site analysis, programming assessment, zoning research, preliminary cost estimating—typically costs buyers $2,000 or more. We provide it free to your clients because we know it helps you close deals.

Here's what that means for you: When your buyer asks, "Can we actually build what we want on this lot?" or "How much will it really cost to renovate this house?"—you don't have to guess. You pick up the phone, call us, and get them professional answers. Your buyer gains confidence. You keep the deal alive. Everyone wins.

How This Helps You Close More Deals

Turn "Maybe" into "Yes"

You've seen it happen: Your buyers love a property during the showing, but doubt creeps in. "It's small... I don't know if we can make it work."

That's where we help. A 1,200-square-foot Riverside bungalow looks cramped until you can tell your buyers, "I had our architect look at this. You can add 1,100 square feet within the setback requirements and stay in character with the neighborhood. Here's roughly what it'll cost."

Suddenly that "maybe" becomes a "yes"—and you've got a signed contract.

Protect Your Reputation and Your Commission

Here's a nightmare scenario: Your buyers close on a property believing they can add a second story. Two months later, they discover zoning restrictions make it impossible. They're furious. They blame you. Your reputation takes a hit.

Our free pre-sale evaluations prevent this. We surface zoning restrictions, site constraints, and feasibility issues before your buyers commit—protecting both their investment and your professional reputation.

Stand Out from Other Agents

Most agents show properties and hope for the best. You offer something different: access to professional architectural consultation that answers the hard questions.

When competing agents are saying "I think you can probably do that, but you should check with a contractor," you're saying "I already had our architect review it—here's what's possible and what it costs."

That's the difference between agents who get referrals and agents who don't.

Programming

Establishing a list of spaces and features a project must have and diagramming their initial relationships to ensure all Client needs are accounted for.

How this helps you sell: When your buyer says, "We need four bedrooms, a home office, and a separate in-law suite—will this 1,800-square-foot house work?" you need a real answer, not a guess. We provide spatial analysis that tells you whether their needs fit the existing structure or if additions are needed—and whether those additions are feasible. You can confidently tell your buyer "yes, here's how" or "no, let's look at other properties"—either way, you're moving the transaction forward.

Establishing a list of spaces and features a project must have and diagramming their initial relationships to ensure all Client needs are accounted for.

Site Analysis

Examining the physical characteristics and constraints of a site, including topography, access, utilities, and surrounding context.

How this helps you sell: Your buyers are asking questions you can't answer from an MLS listing: "Can we build on this?" "Where can an addition go?" "Are there wetlands?" We assess the critical factors that determine whether your listing is buildable:

Examining the physical characteristics and constraints of a site, including topography, access, utilities, and surrounding context.

How this helps your deals: Site constraints can make or break a property's development potential. We assess factors like:

• Buildable area after accounting for setbacks, easements, and buffers

• Topography and drainage patterns (critical in Jacksonville's flat, flood-prone terrain)

• Wetland delineations and environmental restrictions

• Access points and driveway feasibility

• Utility connections and capacity

• Solar orientation and prevailing wind patterns (important for coastal design)

Jacksonville-specific value: Many desirable properties in Jacksonville come with challenges—riverfront lots with wetland buffers, Beaches properties in coastal high hazard areas, Northside lots with drainage issues, historic neighborhoods with mature tree protection requirements. We help buyers understand these constraints upfront so they can make informed offers and plan realistic budgets.

Zoning Research

Researching and ensuring compliance with building codes, zoning regulations, and other legal requirements.

How this helps you sell: Nothing kills deals faster than discovering zoning problems after your buyers are emotionally invested. We research the regulations before they make an offer, so you know exactly what's allowed:

• Allowable uses (residential, home occupation, short-term rental)

• Lot coverage and impervious surface limits

• Setback requirements (front, side, rear, corner)

• Height restrictions and floor area ratio (FAR)

• Parking requirements

• Historic district regulations (where applicable)

• Planned Unit Development (PUD) restrictions

Jacksonville-specific value: Jacksonville has multiple zoning overlays and special districts that affect development potential—historic districts in Riverside and Springfield, beach community overlays, river setback requirements, urban core mixed-use zones. We navigate these regulations daily and can quickly identify opportunities and constraints that affect property value.

Common scenarios we address:

• Can this single-family home be converted to a duplex? (Zoning classification determines this)

• Can we build an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) for rental income? (Allowed in some Jacksonville zones, not others)

• Can we operate a home-based business? (Home occupation rules vary by zoning)

• Can we build right up to the setback line, or are there additional buffers? (Historic districts often have stricter requirements)

Engineering Coordination

Collaborating with other consultants, such as structural engineers or mechanical engineers to assess any existing systems.

How this helps your deals: Some properties require specialized engineering assessment before buyers can make informed decisions. While we don't provide formal structural reports, we coordinate with engineers when needed to help answer critical feasibility questions:

• "Can this roof structure support a second-story addition?"

• "Is this foundation adequate for the proposed renovation?"

• "Can the existing HVAC system handle additional square footage?"

• "Are there visible structural issues that warrant further investigation?"

Our role is to identify when engineering input is needed and facilitate that conversation so your buyers have complete information.

Jacksonville-specific value: Older homes in Jacksonville often have unique structural considerations—historic masonry construction, coastal wind load requirements, elevated flood-compliant foundations, termite damage in older wood-frame structures. When these issues affect renovation feasibility, we help coordinate the right experts to provide answers.

Cost Estimating

Generating preliminary construction budgets based on industry unit costs.

How this helps you sell: The question that kills most deals: "How much will this renovation cost?" When you can't answer with confidence, your buyers walk. We provide realistic construction budgets using Jacksonville market data—not final bids, but accurate enough for your buyers to make informed decisions and move forward.

Our estimating approach:

• We use local Jacksonville cost data and current market conditions

• We account for typical project contingencies (10-15% for renovations)

• We break down costs by major category (site work, foundation, framing, mechanical, finishes)

• We identify potential cost drivers (flood elevation requirements, historic material matching, soil conditions)

• We provide range estimates (not single numbers) to account for material and finish choices

Example scenarios:

• A buyer is considering a historic Riverside bungalow listed at $350,000. They want to add 800 square feet and renovate the existing 1,200 square feet. We provide a preliminary budget ($250,000-$325,000) so they can determine if the total investment aligns with neighborhood values and their financial capacity.

• A buyer is evaluating a San Marco lot listed at $185,000. They want to build a 2,500-square-foot home. We provide a construction budget estimate ($625,000-$750,000) so they can compare total project cost to buying an existing home in the same neighborhood.

What we don't provide: Formal appraisals, contractor bids, or guaranteed maximum prices. Our estimates are informed architectural opinions based on experience and market data, intended to guide decision-making during the pre-purchase phase.

Real Estate Professional Success Stories

Riverside Renovation Decision

A residential agent contacted us about a 1920s Craftsman bungalow her clients were considering. The house was charming but small—only 1,100 square feet—and the buyers needed at least 2,200 square feet for their growing family. The agent wanted to know if expansion was feasible before her clients made an offer.

We conducted a site analysis and zoning review and discovered that the lot's dimensions, setback requirements, and local historic district regulations would allow a thoughtful 1,100-square-foot addition while preserving the home's street-facing character. We provided a preliminary cost estimate ($185,000-$225,000 for the addition) and a conceptual diagram showing how the new spaces could integrate with the original structure.

The buyers moved forward with the purchase, confident they could create the home they needed. Two years later, they hired us to design the addition. The agent has since referred three additional clients to us.

San Marco Lot Feasibility

A broker was marketing a vacant lot in San Marco with river views. Several buyers had expressed interest but backed out during due diligence, concerned about wetland restrictions and buildable area. The broker asked us to conduct a pre-sale evaluation to help market the property more effectively.

Our site analysis revealed that while wetland buffers did affect the lot, a well-designed 2,800-square-foot home could still be positioned to capture river views while meeting all setback and environmental requirements. We provided a site diagram and preliminary development plan that the broker used in marketing materials.

The property sold within 30 days to a buyer who understood exactly what could be built. That buyer is now our client for the home design.

Springfield Addition Assessment

An agent's clients had a property under contract—a 1,400-square-foot Springfield home—but were concerned about resale value if they invested in renovations. They wanted to add 600 square feet and update the interior but didn't want to over-improve for the neighborhood.

We provided a programming analysis showing how the addition could be designed to match the home's existing character, plus a cost estimate ($145,000-$175,000 total project budget). We also researched comparable sales and advised that the post-renovation value ($375,000-$400,000) would align well with recent neighborhood sales, making it a sound investment.

The buyers closed on the property and completed the renovation. The home recently appraised at $395,000—exactly within our predicted range.

The Process: How Pre-Sale Evaluations Work

1. Initial Contact

Contact us by phone (904-352-1203) or email (info@zinn.ai) with basic property information:

• Address or location

• Property type (vacant lot, existing home, historic building, etc.)

• Your client's general goals (addition, renovation, new construction, etc.)

• Specific questions or concerns driving the evaluation

You can also use our contact form to provide details.

2. Property Review

We'll conduct preliminary research using publicly available information:

• Duval County Property Appraiser records

• Jacksonville GIS mapping and zoning data

• Flood maps and environmental databases

• Historic district boundary maps (if applicable)

If a site visit is warranted, we'll coordinate with you to access the property.

3. Evaluation & Consultation

We'll compile our findings and schedule a phone or in-person consultation to discuss:

• Feasibility of your client's goals

• Key opportunities and constraints

• Preliminary cost expectations

• Regulatory requirements (zoning, permits, historic review, etc.)

• Recommended next steps

This consultation is conversational and practical—we're here to help you advise your clients, not to generate formal reports.

4. Follow-Up Support

After the initial evaluation, we remain available for follow-up questions as your deal progresses. If your clients purchase the property and decide to move forward with design services, we're ready to begin formal architectural work. If they don't, there's no obligation—we value the relationship and trust we've built with you, regardless of the outcome.

Frequently Asked Questions (Real Estate Professionals)

How quickly can you provide a pre-sale evaluation?

For straightforward properties, we can often provide initial feedback within 24-48 hours. More complex sites (wetland issues, historic districts, unusual zoning) may require 3-5 business days for thorough research. If your client is making a time-sensitive offer, let us know and we'll prioritize accordingly.

What information do you need from me to start an evaluation?

At minimum, we need the property address. Beyond that, the more you can tell us about your client's goals and concerns, the more useful our evaluation will be. If available, share:

• MLS listing information

• Survey or site plan

• Your client's general project scope (addition, renovation, new build, etc.)

• Specific questions they've asked you

Is this service really free, or will you bill my client later?

It's genuinely free. There's no invoice, no expectation of payment, no obligation to hire us for future work. We provide this service because we value relationships with real estate professionals and believe that supporting your success creates long-term partnerships.

What if my client decides not to purchase the property after your evaluation?

No problem. That's exactly why pre-sale evaluations exist—to help buyers make informed decisions before committing to a purchase. If our evaluation reveals that a property isn't a good fit for your client's goals, we've served our purpose by preventing a regrettable purchase.

Do you provide formal written reports or just verbal consultation?

We typically provide findings through phone or in-person consultation, often supplemented with simple diagrams or annotated maps. We don't generate formal written reports (those are part of fee-based architectural services), but we're happy to document our key findings in an email summary if that's helpful for your records or client communication.

Can I use your evaluation information in my listing or marketing materials?

You're welcome to share general findings from our evaluation with your clients. If you'd like to reference our analysis in marketing materials or MLS descriptions, please coordinate with us first to ensure accuracy and appropriate context. We're happy to provide language you can use.

What if my client's project is outside Jacksonville or Duval County?

We work throughout Northeast Florida, including St. Johns, Nassau, and Clay counties. If a property is within our service area but outside Jacksonville city limits, we can still help—we'll just need to research the applicable county or municipal codes for that location.

Do you work with investor clients who plan to flip properties?

Absolutely. Investor clients often have specific feasibility questions about renovation potential, cost vs. value, and resale positioning. Our pre-sale evaluations help investors make informed acquisition decisions and budget accurately for improvements.

What if my client needs specialized consultants beyond architectural evaluation (structural engineer, environmental consultant, surveyor)?

If our evaluation reveals the need for specialized input, we can provide referrals to trusted consultants in Jacksonville who work with real estate transactions. We won't coordinate or pay for those services (that's the buyer's responsibility during due diligence), but we can guide you and your client toward the right resources.

Can you provide pre-sale evaluations for commercial properties too?

Yes, we offer pre-sale evaluations for commercial properties as well. The process is similar, though commercial evaluations often involve additional complexity around use classifications, ADA compliance, parking requirements, and tenant improvement feasibility.