Buying a house in Florida – step-by-step

Image of a house in Florida.

Buying a house in Florida or anywhere else can be challenging task to take on. Calculating, planning, searching, negotiating, … It requires all kinds of skills and a lot of patience. This big step of yours can put you under a lot of pressure in no time, even if you are well experienced in this field. It doesn’t matter if you are moving home to Florida for the first time or if you are well acquainted with this process, you will need some assistance. And that is where we step in. We will provide you with a step-by-step guide that will help you get through this process.

You will need to get ready before buying a house in Florida

Buying a property can be the biggest investment of your life. It causes a large amount of stress, anxiety, panic, and fear. That is the main reason why you need to come prepared. If you get acquainted with this process ahead of time, it will be much easier for you to make the right decisions when the time comes.

Image of 100$ bills.
How much can you afford?

Create a budget

Ask yourself – how much can you actually afford? Check your credit score and debt history. Every detail matters. You will need to think about your life after buying a house in Florida. How will this purchase affect your quality of life? If you aren’t paying with cash, this is the moment when you should make a call to your bank and schedule a meeting with your lending officer. The best move you can make at this moment is to get pre-qualified, and then re-approved. Getting pre-qualified means you’ve given a lender your income details and financial commitments and they’ve estimated what you can afford. Pre-approved means that your lender has properly analyzed your financial situation by checking your credit report, and your debt to income ratio. Having a pre-approval letter in advance will speed up the following process, so make sure to come prepared!

Find a real estate agent that will represent you

This step plays a huge role in the home-buying process. A real estate agent is the person you can rely on when buying a house in Florida. This person knows what to look for when viewing houses, and what are the red flags. A buyers agent also understands the local real estate market as well as the laws and regulations. If you are buying a house for the first time this is the person you should turn to. A real estate agent will handle this whole process with ease, and believe us, that is exactly what you are looking for.

Image of a real estate agent that will help you when buying a house in Florida.
Hiring a real estate agent is the best way to make the process of buying a house in Florida easier.

Think about what fits you the best

What features are must-haves in your new house? Are you looking for a swimming pool, four bedrooms or a large balcony? It is really your choice, but make sure that your wishes are in check with your budget. Create a list of features that you require and start your search. Make sure to take advantage of all the available options on the market. Our advice is to look for houses whose full potential has yet to be realized. A house makeover can take a lot of your time, but it can save you a lot of money in the long run.

House hunting can start!

Once you’ve found some listings which may work for you and your family, make sure to check them out in person. Attend a few open houses, get to know the neighborhood and check out your potential investment. Take your time when house hunting. Think about all the aspects. Buying a house in Florida in a hurry isn’t a good idea. Make sure you know what exactly are you getting into. The wrong choice can cost you a lot.

Make an offer

When you find a property that meets all of your needs and wants, and it’s within your price range – make an offer! It is very important to talk to your realtor before making any moves. You want to land on the ideal number. Don’t insult the seller with the low offer, but you don’t want to spend more than necessary either. Look at the market. Consider how long the house has been on the market and how incentivized the house owner is to sell.

Obtain a home inspection

Even if the house appears to be flawless, there’s no substitute for having a professional inspect it for the quality, safety and overall condition of your investment. You don’t want to get stuck with a money pit, serious defects, and costly repairs. If the inspection shows some hidden features, you will be able to get your deposit back or to start the negotiation all over again.

Close the deal

It is time to close the deal.

  • You will need to have your new house appraised. This is required by mortgage companies, to protect their interests.
  • Don’t forget to do a title search when buying a house in Florida. It will ensure that no one other than the seller has a claim to the property.
  • If your down payment is less than 20% you will need to obtain a private mortgage insurance, and your loan paperwork will need to be completed by now.
  • Some other closing costs are title insurance, taxes, credit-report changes and loan-origination fees.
Picture of a house.
Right after buying a house in Florida, you will need to think about moving. And what better way than with the assistance of the professional and well-experienced moving company?

It is time to move!

After buying a house in Florida, your next step is moving to your new home. Our advice is to look for professional moving assistance in Sunshine State. A professional moving company can handle your relocation for you. There is no need for you to get anxious again. Moving houses isn’t easy, and the best way to do it to let the professionals take care of everything. This way your belongings will be in safe hands, and everything will go as smoothly as possible.

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    Get A Free Moving Estimate