Thinking About Buying Florida Real Estate?

Here are a few resources to help you decide.

Buying Orlando Fl real estate is a complex matter and can be especially confusing for the first-time homebuyer. Do yourself a favor and learn as much about the process as you can before you begin. There are plenty of resources on the Internet, and most real estate offices will have pamphlets to explain things in plain language. You may also be able to research the real estate process by attending community-sponsored classes, or you can take a look at books like Home Buying Kit For Dummies

Figure out Your Finances: This means determining how much money you can raise for your down payment and how much you can afford to pay on a monthly basis. Go to a lender to find out the size mortgage you qualify for to get pre-approved. Better yet, use a mortgage broker to find you the best mortgage rate possible. When calculating the costs of Florida home ownership, remember to plan for Florida homeowner’s insurance, property taxes, private mortgage insurance (if required), utilities, repairs, and maintenance. See our list of mortgage lenders.

Determine Your Housing Needs: How long do you intend to live in your new Central Florida home? Will you be starting or adding to your family? Do you have any special requirements such as proximity to stores, public transportation, recreation facilities, etc.? These are the sort of things you should consider when deciding what kind of housing you will need–not just now, but also five years from now. See our list of home improvements

Identify A Suitable Neighborhood: If it’s not located in a Florida neighborhood you like, your new house will never feel like home no matter how nice it is. There are several factors that go into making a “good” Florida neighborhood for most people. It should be safe, close to things that are important to you, and should offer the services you depend on, such as healthcare and convenient shopping. Ambiance and curb appeal may be particularly important to you. Whatever your criteria, once you have a better idea of the areas you are interested in, find out as much as you can about each area’s demographics, crime rate, schools, traffic, etc. Check out the county and state records for this information, or you can use Yahoo!’s “Get Local” online service. You can even try the local Florida Chambers of Commerce that offer neighborhood resource information. See our list of Central Florida Neighborhoods

Expectations: It’s up to you to tell your agent what you want and how you want to be involved in the search process. Some buyers prefer their agents to select properties for their consideration; others want to receive property listings by email on a daily basis so; they can explore themselves. You should listen to your Realtor’s advice, but remember you make the final decision. It’s a good idea for ALL decision-makers to visit the properties your Realtor shows you.

Patience: If you don’t like the first house you see, keep looking. You will LOVE your new home!

PH: 407-420-8351
PH: 800-630-1990
FAX: 407-641-9315

ADDRESS:
1858 N. Alafaya Trail
Suite 205
Orlando, FL 32826