Are you thinking about buying a home in Florida? Knowing exactly what to avoid will save you from unexpected costs and regret. Avoiding these mistakes will make sure the buying process and residency are both better and safer.
1. Skipping Hurricane Assessment
Florida’s beautiful shoreline comes at a high cost: hurricanes. When purchasing a home, hurricane preparedness is just as important as design and cost. Every three years, on average, Florida gets hit by a hurricane—storms are common here, and residences that have not been built or renovated for wind and flood resistance pose huge risks. Always check if the house is in a flood zone and if it has impact-rated windows or a reliable roof. Skipping assessments almost guarantees costly future problems.
2. Skipping a Home Inspection (or Choosing the Wrong One)
A simple mistake many first-time homebuyers make is skipping a home inspection. In Florida, many homes are older and exposed to hot weather and humid air. A proper inspection helps you catch unknown damages like roof issues, mold, and foundation cracks—especially more common in older homes. Without an inspection, you won’t find out about expensive repairs until you’ve already bought the home. A termite and pest inspection could additionally hurt your health and be another source of property damage.
3. Careless budgeting
It’s easy to focus just on your down payment and monthly mortgage, but that’s only part of the cost. Florida homeowners need to budget for ongoing maintenance, seasonal repairs, landscaping, storm preparation, and utility bills. After closing, you may find yourself without enough savings. This can be avoided by leaving yourself a financial cushion for any planned or sudden costs.
4. Overlooking the Cost of Homeowner’s Insurance
Depending on where you live, insurance can vary dramatically. In high-risk areas (i.e., coastal regions or flood zones), you may need separate windstorm or flood coverage. Florida has the highest home insurance cost in the country, and premiums are still increasing. These high insurance costs, averaging around 200 dollars a month, often go overlooked. In turn, costs can significantly affect your affordability.
5. Improperly or Forgetting to Calculate Property Taxes
Often, homebuyers in Florida will mistakenly believe that their property tax will be the same as the previous owner’s. However, this is simply not the case. Property taxes are
reassessed based on the purchase price and usually increase the price. Exemptions like homestead or senior discounts may not transfer. This is such a simple problem to fix; make sure to calculate your expected tax rate accordingly.
6. Forgetting to Check Zoning and Deed Restrictions
Many homebuyers assume that they can use their property however they want after purchase, but Florida zoning laws and deed reactions can limit your plans. If, for example, you wanted to install a particular type of fencing, you must first verify that the local zoning and deed restrictions allow it. Failing to do so could lead to fines, complaints from neighbors, or legal action. Always confirm with the written deed, HOA documents, your title company, or a licensed real estate agent to ensure your plans are allowed before closing.
7. Not Reviewing HOA Rules
In Florida, many homes are part of a Homeowners Association, also known as a HOA. HOAs help maintain communities, but they come with rules, fees, and potential special assessments. Before buying, review all documents including HOA bylaws, financials, and rules on pets, parking, rentals, and home modifications. Many deed restrictions are also enforced by the HOA.
8. Revealing the Pre-Approval for Your Mortgage
Getting pre-approved is a smart part of the home-buying process, but sharing the full amount with the seller can hurt your negotiating power. If they know your limit, they may be less willing to lower the price. To keep your leverage, only share your pre-approval amount with your real estate agent.
9. Not Using a Real Estate Agent
Buying a home in Florida without a real estate agent means handling contracts, inspections, negotiations, and legal details on your own. This increases the risk of costly mistakes. A qualified agent helps protect your interests, avoids common errors, and provides valuable knowledge that will save you time and money.
10. Not using a good real estate agent
Working with an incompetent or unqualified real estate agent can just be as risky as not having one at all. It’s important to choose someone who has the knowledge, skill, and dedication to help you find the right home. At Epic Solutions Realty, our agents are committed to providing you with a smooth, stress-free, and rewarding home-buying experience.
Ready to buy smart in Florida? Contact us today and let our experts guide your journey!
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