How to Buy a House in Florida
Do you have a dream of becoming a homeowner in Florida but feel overwhelmed by getting to grips with the process? This step-by-step guide will help you purchase a Sunshine State property.
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Key Steps to Know How to Buy a House in Florida
Save for a down payment: Save a down payment of 20% to avoid private mortgage insurance and save money over the life of your lone.
Find an agent: Go and pick an experienced agent who’s familiar with the Florida housing market.
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Get approved for a mortgage loan: Preapproval may benefit you over other competing offers by showing Florida homeowners that you’re a serious buyer.
Find a location:
- Find a great location with a price that fits your budget.
- Access to amenities.
- Raise your home value.
Go house hunting: Work with an agent and find listings for homes that meet your preferences.
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Make an offer: Get a seller’s attention by writing a strong offer with the agent’s help.
Get an inspection & appraisal: Consult with a licensed professional to find potential issues regarding the property. Your lender will get an appraiser to determine its worth and finalize the loan amount.
Close: Complete a walk-through of the property to make sure it’s in the expected condition. After this, review and sign the necessary paperwork, then pay your closing costs.
How to Buy a House in Florida: A Checklist
Decide where to live in Florida.
The Sunshine State covers more than 65,000 square miles, so you must think about what you’re looking for in a location.
Are you interested in the Gulf? Or want to be close to the Atlantic? Or do you prefer somewhere further inland? Do you like the cosmopolitan energy of Miami or a calmer, retirement-style vibe?
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If you’re not bound to a particular location for work, you must look at the entire state to compare a range of lifestyles and price points.
The trips to Florida may inspire your home ownership dream. Sand, sea, Cuban food, and Universal Studios reign in your memories.
But remember, staying in a hotel or villa is distinct from owning a property here. The average house price in Florida is $377,706.
Masaryk town, a Florida city, offers the most affordable housing, which is $221,38. But this town is sleepy and small, with a population of nearly 1,000, according to the 2020 census.
Choosing an area isn’t just about property prices but also a chance to define what you’re looking for in Florida property.
While moving with children, search for nearby schools. Moving to the US means using your car more than you do here, but try to work out how long a drive you’re willing to put up with for things.
How far do you want to be from the airport? The supermarket? Indeed, the Disney world? Make a few visits to Florida in order to find which slice of it speaks to you the most.
Cost of living
While thinking about Florida housing, consider other necessities, such as food, transportation, and utilities, which will affect your budget.
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Use Bankrate’s Cost of Living Calculator to get a sense of the money you need to enjoy life in Florida.
Set Your Budget
While looking for a suitable area, you must consider your budget. There are a few other payments that you need to budget for as well.
Down Payment: This is how much you’ll pay upfront for the house, and usually between 20-30%.
Maintenance Costs: This payment is an extra home ownership cost, which is usually 1% of the total cost of the property a year.
Closing Costs: Once you’ve put a deposit down, these are payable and can be up to 5% of the total costs of the home.
Additional costs include agency fees, inspection costs, and moving here.
Contact a Currency Exchange Specialist
It goes hand in hand with budgeting for a home in Florida. Currencies fluctuate by the second, making it difficult to budget for purchasing a home in the Sunshine State.
If you’re trying to set aside money and the exchange rates move, your savings can not be as useful as they once were.
You’re at the risk of it coming to the payment time; suddenly, the exchange rates increase, and you’re forced to dig deep in your pockets for money you don’t have.
Find a Reputable State Agent
Find a good quality estate agent who’ll be your ally in the home-buying process. Their guidance is more valuable because you can’t simply drive to Florida and check things out yourself.
If you’re facing trouble narrowing down on a specific location, your estate agent will tell you where the best schools and beaches are.
Moreover, your estate agent will also help you find lawyers and mortgage lenders. So look for an experienced real estate agent, especially one who has already worked in your price range and has helped British buyers.
Preapproval & Getting a Mortgage Lender
There are no restrictions on a British citizen purchasing property in America. But it doesn’t grant you residency.
If you don’t apply for a visa or residency, you will be restricted by how long you can stay in your Florida home. Most mortgage lenders work with a British buyer, even with little credit history in the USA.
They will find an alternative way to work with you. There’s always the option of finding a British lender based in Florida, which may make the process more genial.
Getting preapproval before you begin your property hunt is highly recommended. It’s a written conditional commitment from a lender for an exact loan amount, giving you the freedom to search for a home at that price.
In Florida, mortgage lenders typically require a 20-30% deposit from foreign buyers. Most buyers opt for this with a fixed rate of 5.5-6.5%.
Going for a down payment of less than 20% is possible, but borrowing more money means you will have more to pay back monthly and higher interest rates.
Your loan company can require private mortgage insurance if your down payment is less than 20%.
Begin Searching for your Florida Home
After you’ve ironed out the logistics, it’s time to find a property in Florida that matches your preferences. Like choosing an area, it’s time to work out your ‘must-have’ and ‘wants.’ How many bedrooms and bathrooms do you want?
Book your Viewing Trip
As delightful as gawking at homes online, as useful as the intel from your reputable estate agent, there’s nothing quite like visiting a property in person to get a real feel for it.
We suggest visiting at a time of year when you’ve never been to see a different side of Florida.
Prefer to stay in a property like the ones you’re looking for, rather than a hotel. Choose the same area will give you a chance to imagine living there, beyond the gloss of holiday.
Submit Offers
In the Sunshine State, properties do not tend to stay on the market for over 70 days. March is the fastest time for home buying in Florida, while December is the slowest.
If you fall in love, don’t hesitate to make an offer. In the Sunshine State, 13.5% of properties go for over the sale list price.
Inspections & Appraisals
Must hire a licensed inspector to check the quality of your home. They should consider the roof, foundation, electrical system, and plumbing.
Separate inspection of the property isn’t recommended. An appraisal will find out that the property is worth what you’ve offered and the seller isn’t taking advantage of you.
Closing on your Florida Home
Make sure that all your documents are in order, pay your closing costs, and now the keys to your Florida home can slip into your hand!
Conclusion
Becoming a homeowner in Florida is no longer a dream. From saving for a down payment to getting an inspection and appraisal, this comprehensive guide will guide you, making your buying process easier. Take a look at the information mentioned above, which will help you to get a home that meets your preferences.
