So, you’re planning a move to Florida. Perhaps you’re thinking about buying a winter home in the sun, or maybe you are going to become a full-time resident. What do you do first?
People often find out that moving without a concrete strategy can yield sub-optimal results.
We’ve been helping Buyers move to Florida for many years and there are some things you can do that will allow you to make better decisions while eliminating stress. Here are the top five:
- Are you buying with cash or do you require a mortgage? Know what you can afford. If you are going to use cash, decide in advance what your top dollar will be. If you will need financing, get prequalified by a mortgage professional of your choice. In either case, bring proof of funds with you. This can be a print-out of your account balance showing cash available, or a letter from a lender that states you are pre-approved for a specific amount. This proof will be required to accompany any purchase offer you make.
- Do your homework. Study the city you are targeting. Is there an area you’d prefer, or are there places you wouldn’t consider? Once you arrive in town, drive around and look at the area. Consider commutes, if necessary. Consider shopping, entertainment amenities, and medical services. This will help you become at ease with the area.
- Do you have a real estate agent helping you? If not, why not? A local agent can provide tons of insight into the area and will be able to guide you through the purchase process. They can also recommend area professionals that you’ll need for a variety of services. Generally, an agent will be worthwhile. A word to the wise: You should narrow down your choices of price range and locations before asking your agent to randomly select homes all over the area to view. They’ll appreciate your diligence, and you will find that it is a better use of your time.
- Consider going to as many Open Houses as you can find. This helps you learn about the types of housing available in the area and also gives you some insight into how much house your available funds can buy.
- Now that you’ve narrowed things down a bit, get with your agent and arrange for them to show you homes in your price range and in the area you’ve selected. Once you’ve created a short-list of three of the most desirable properties, allow your agent to guide you in making an offer.
Follow these steps and, while we can’t guarantee your success, you’ll find that your search begins to make sense and becomes less stressful.
Should you need help in Venice, we’re always happy to discuss our services. Just call to see what we can do.
Namaste!
Questions? Contact Sally and Eric Martell – Medway Realty, Inc.
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