Buying a Home
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
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 look eas...
Online Shopping, Real Estate Apps & Sales Pitches
Online Shopping, Apps & Sales Pitches: Avoid Gimmicks & Real Estate Scams Real estate websites that offer something that seems too good to be true, likely isn't. Here are a few common real estate scams to look out for: Your Home S...
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 are so...
Making an Offer on a Home
After exploring all your options, you've found the perfect house. Now you'll need to know how to make an offer on a home. Offers begin on contracts, usually standardized. Your agent will explain all relevant terms and contingencies to you b...