Florida is one of the most populated states in the country due to the gorgeous coastline and the fact that the homeowners are never far from the beach. Buying your first home in Florida is a huge achievement, but it can also be overwhelming. Buying a house is a big process, and there are many decisions to make, tons of paperwork to do, and many steps to carry out. As a first-time homebuyer, you might be anxious about making an expensive mistake. To help you out, we put together a first-time home buying guide.
Hire a good real estate agent
Before you start looking at homes on sale, you need to hire an experienced and knowledgeable real estate agent. If you are new to the area or Florida in general, a real estate agent is the one who will give you all the information you need about your search area and help you find your accessible house. Before you hire an agent, make sure you ask him the following questions during the job interview:
- Are you full-time or part-time? - The answer to this question is very important because you want an agent who will be available whenever you need them. Many people in Florida get into real estate because they needed something to do in retirement, and that is fine, but you need someone who doesn't have other priorities besides helping you find a great house.
- How long have you lived in the area? - You will be better off with a real estate agent who has lived in the area for longer than 10 years. The longer an agent has been in an area, the better they will know the houses, their quality, and the local builders.
- Ask for a reference - Ask the agent to refer you to some of their previous customers. If the agent is hesitant and doesn't want to give you references, find another agent.
When buying your first home in Florida, don't be afraid to negotiate
Thousands of people use the services of moving companies like instamove.com to relocate to Florida. Therefore, the competition is certainly tough, and that's why it may seem to you that you may lose the house if you ask for a lower listing price. However, many sellers are open to negotiation and are ready to lower the price. If you see that the cabinets are not up to date or if you notice a crack in the foundation, don't be afraid to negotiate and ask the seller to either reduce the price or repair these items.
Request a home inspection
Once you have found the right home for you in Florida, make sure you get a thorough home inspection. You should hire a licensed inspector who will look for hidden problems with the house before you purchase it. He knows what to look when buying a property and the inspection can save you thousands of dollars in repairs later on. Plus, you can negotiate for a lower price if you know that the house needs major repairs. Since most homes in South Florida are newer construction, many people think that home inspection is not necessary. However, damage can happen at any time, which is why it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Before finalizing the sale, check everything once again
Before finalizing the sale, you should re-walk the property once more to have a smooth close. Take a copy of the inspection report with you to make sure that the issues have received professional attention. If the house is empty, look for signs of mold, pests, and water leaks. Don't forget to check the appliances, electrical outlets, and plumbing. Also, take a copy of the purchase agreement and make sure every item included in the contract is still present.
Close the deal and purchase homeowner's insurance
If the inspection went well and if you managed to work out the deal with the seller, you should be ready to close. On a closing day, you should sign a ton of paperwork and pray that nothing falls through at the last minute. Also, don't forget to purchase homeowner's insurance. As you look for insurance, make sure you are investing in the right plan that adequately covers your home and possessions if the natural disaster or other unfortunate event damages your home. Notice that if your new home is in a flood-prone area, you may need to buy separate flood insurance since flood damage is not covered by homeowner's insurance.
Before moving in, complete major renovations
If you want a moving process that is stress-free, we suggest you tend to the major renovations like replacing the floors, refinishing ceiling, or remodeling room before the moving-in day. It may be exciting to start decorating and begin living in your new home in Florida immediately, but it is better to complete these projects when the house is empty, so you don't have to worry about damaging your possessions.
Buying your first home in Florida can be an intimidating process. However, if you follow these guidelines, you will go through this experience smoothly and you will soon become a homeowner in Florida. After the process of purchasing all you have to do is sit back and enjoy your new life.
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