Buying a Home
Tax Benefits of Florida Homeownership
Florida attracts residents from all over the world with a warm subtropical climate and breathtaking beaches. Aside from the lifestyle perks, there are significant tax benefits of Florida homeownership. Establishing Florida residency offers ...
Buying For Sale By Owner
If you are buying a home that is a for sale by owner (FSBO), you will need some professional assistance. Your offer will need to be submitted on a contract that is approved by the Florida Bar. Don't get taken advantage of. Protect yours...
Budgeting for a Home Purchase
Do your Homework: Budgeting for a home purchase requires calculating your monthly income and expenses to determine how much can you comfortably afford. You will need to assess your savings to ensure you have enough to cover your down payment...
Getting Pre-approved for a Mortgage
PRE-QUALIFICATION VS PRE-APPROVAL A lender can pre-qualify you to buy a house after a quick conversation about your income, assets, and down payment. Unfortunately, a prequalification has no value to sellers and little value to you. Getting pr...
Finding a Great Lender
The Mortgage Shopping Guide How to Shop for A Mortgage: Types of Lenders & Key Questions to Ask: You have 45 Days to shop for a mortgage without affecting your credit. Costs vary, lenders offer different products, and there are so many d...
Building your Home Buying Team
Find a Real Estate Agent The first step in the home buying process is to find a real estate agent. Your advocate and team leader. Your agent will organize your entire home buying experience, ensuring a smooth transaction. They might make it lo...
Online Shopping, Real Estate Apps & Sales Pitches
Avoid Gimmicks & Real Estate Scams Be weary of real estate websites that offer deals that seem too good to be true. Here are a few common real estate scams to look out for: Your Home Sold, Guaranteed- or we will buy it Yup, for ...
Property Types: fee-simple, condominium concepts, villas & more
So you've decided to make a home purchase. Now it's time to do your research. There are quite a few property types to choose from. The property type you choose will impact what type of financing you can qualify for, how much you will need...
Location: Cities, Neighborhoods, Schools and Lifestyle Choices
Do your city and neighborhood research. You are not just buying a house, you’re buying a neighborhood, a city, schools, amenities, conveniences, and inconveniences too. And that is likely the most important element of seeing a property in per...
Touring Homes & Open Houses
Open House Tips for Buyers Open houses are incredible learning experiences. They provide a chance to get familiar with different layouts (outside of pictures) and see some neighborhoods! Planning ahead makes all the difference. Here ...