The Home Buying Process in Florida
Thinking about buying a property in Florida? You’ve come to the right place. To help you become more familiar with what’s involved in the sale process, we’ve created this handy guide to buying a home in the Sunshine State:
Look for an experienced and trustworthy Florida realtor
Hiring a realtor is one of the best moves you can make when buying a home in Florida. An experienced realtor will make sure you have all the important information you need during your home search, and will guide you through every step in the property purchase process, navigating you past potential roadblocks and pitfalls along the way.
Start Your Search
You can begin your search by looking at homes online and talking to your realtor about your requirements and preferences. He or she will have access to the Multiple Listings Service or MLS, and will provide you with listings that fit your lifestyle and any of the requirements you may have.
Make sure you take note of all the potential properties the fit your criteria, so you’ll be able to gain more insight on price points and the types of homes that fit your budget. During your search, make sure you listen to any advice or feedback from your realtor regarding neighborhoods, as he or she will have the experience and knowledge to determine if a home is overpriced or in a location that isn’t suitable for your needs. Your realtor’s expertise on a local area is something you can count on.
Secure Financing
Another important step in the home buying process is to have financing in place. Before starting your search, it’s a good idea to get preapproved for a mortgage, so you’ll be prepared in case you come upon a house you really like. If you’re not preapproved, the seller will prioritize other offers above yours in case there are multiple offers, and there’s no way for you to find out whether or not you can get a mortgage or afford the property.
Placing an Offer
Once you’ve found the ideal property and have reviewed the seller’s disclosure thoroughly, it’s time to place an offer. The state of Florida requires a formal contract that includes specific terms and requirements for both buyer and seller.
Acceptance of an Offer
Learning that your offer has been accepted by the seller is one of the most exciting parts about home buying. However, it’s important for you to stay levelheaded, as there may still be problems on issues on either side.
After the seller has accepted your offer, you will be expected to put down earnest money, in case you haven’t done so. Keep in mind that earnest money can potentially be at risk in the event that the seller fulfills all the requirements in the contract and you do not.
Closing
A closing meeting will be arranged, which will involve you, your realtor (he or she can choose to be present on your behalf), a closing agent, or a real estate attorney. You will be asked to go through and sign all required paperwork while a lawyer or your realtor checks if everything’s in order. Funds will then be transferred from escrow before you can get the keys to your new home.