Simple Process for Buying a Home in Brevard County FL

Ready to buy your first home? Or maybe you’re relocating to the coast at retirement?

Either way, I’m thrilled that you’ve landed here.

There are several steps in the process for buying a home in Florida, and the exact steps you will take will vary depending on your situation. Rest assured though, there is help along the way.

1. Retain a REALTOR®

When you choose to work with a REALTOR® (like me!), you can expect help from the moment you start just thinking about looking for a home to the day you get the keys to your new place.

2. Check Your Credit

If you’ll be applying for a mortgage to finance the purchase of a home, you’ll want to keep tabs on your credit report and credit score.

The only sources for free credit reports from all three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and Transunion) is AnnualCreditReport.com. Through this website, you can obtain copies of all of your reports.

Scour your reports for any and all errors, which you can dispute with each credit bureau using the instructions they provide.

Sign up for Experian Boost, which is a free tool that might help you increase your credit score based on your payment history for things like rent and utilities. Experian will also send you alerts as your credit score changes, for free — no subscription required.

3. Obtain a Preapproval Letter for Financing

If you will be applying for a mortgage, expect that you will have to put up some cash as a down payment for the purchase — how much you will require depends on a lot of factors, so get in touch with a mortgage company sooner rather than later to discuss your options for financing.

First-time Buyer Resources

Buying your first home? Congratulations!! Start here to see what programs are available to help you with the costs associated with buying a home like your down payment.

Local Mortgage Lenders

I would be more than happy to share with you a list of local mortgage lenders when you’re ready to apply (and nope, I’m not paid anything for these recommendations — I just want you to find someone reliable!). Contact me for the list.

Check Mortgage Rates

Check Your Mortgage Payment

Calculator courtesy of MortgageCalculator.org

4. Start Searching for Your Home

Where do you need or want to live? Inland or beachside? Condo or house?

You might have some idea in mind today. Check out the homes and condos for sale today.

Also, contact the REALTOR® you’ve retained to help you start and then refine your search to help you find just the right home. Your REALTOR® should be digging into the list of homes for sale today and those coming on the market soon for you.

5. Seeing Homes

When you’ve found a home you like, contact your REALTOR® right away to schedule a showing. You and your REALTOR® will meet at the home and together where you’ll have ample time to explore and see how it feels.

6. Make an Offer

Found just the right home for you? What an amazing feeling it is!

Making an offer is a critical step and one of the key reasons why you retain a REALTOR®.

Your REALTOR® should be negotiated on your behalf as if they were negotiating for themselves.

Your REALTOR® should help you fully understand what’s involved in making an offer, including the contract you’ll be signing, your earnest money deposit, the inspection period, the title search, and much more. (Don’t know what all of this means yet? Don’t worry — that’s why you have a REALTOR® working on your side.)

Your REALTOR® should be doing all of this and more for you to help you get to closing.

7. Closing Time

Closing is when you sign all the documents required to complete the purchase of your home and get your keys. It’s a day to celebrate, and celebrate we will!