First-Time Home Buyer Checklist

How much do you really need saved?

More than the down payment, and that catches people off guard. Beyond the down payment you will have closing costs, which in Florida include lender fees, title work, and the state documentary stamp and intangible taxes on the loan. Then there is the inspection, the first insurance payment, and a cushion for the moving truck and the things you will want the first month. A little breathing room after closing beats scraping the bottom of the account on move-in day.

What should a first-time buyer check in a Florida home?

Two systems age faster here than up north: the roof and the air conditioner. Insurers care a lot about both, and a roof near the end of its life can affect what you pay or whether you can get covered at all. Ask when each was replaced. Ask whether the home is in a flood zone and what flood insurance would run. In newer communities, ask whether the fee is an HOA, a CDD, or both. None of these are deal breakers on their own, they are just numbers you want before you commit, not after.

Ready to start looking?

The checklist gets you organized. A conversation gets you moving. When you are ready to talk budget, neighborhoods, or your first tour, send me a note and we will map out a plan that fits where you are right now.