Guide to buying a beach house in Florida

Is there a better place than Florida for buying a beach house? Probably not! Florida has everything a person may need. Endless summer, mesmerizing beaches with enormous coastline, crystal clear water and white sand, tons of entertainment options for people of all walks of life as well as friendly and welcoming people who are always happy to see new neighbors coming. No wonder why so many people consider buying a beach house in Florida. It is great as an investment, and as a second-home vacation option. Thus, if you like what you read so far, you will be glad to hear that the process of buying a property in Florida is easy, fast and transparent. Just find a home that you like, and the keys will be in your hands in no time. So, without further ado, here is a guide to buying a beach house in Florida.

Hire a Local Florida Real Estate Agent

Hiring a realtor is of key importance when doing something as big and important as buying a beach house. And it is even more important to hire a realtor who is local, that is, who is familiar with every inch of Florida. Yes, you can try to tackle this process alone by researching the real estate market and checking all the listings. However, you will spend a lot of time, money and energy on checking each property you found. Thus, do yourself a favor and hire a real estate agent on time. These agents are trained and experienced people who will be able to find you your dream beach house, that suits both your needs and budget in no time. Your only job will be to come to the agreed address and sign the papers. Relocation is very simple in Jupiter, or pretty much anywhere in Florida, with the guidance of the right agent.

Find Your Dream Property

Start researching as soon as possible. That is, as soon as you set a budget and have a talk with your real estate agent. Your realtor will tell you which areas to check based on your needs, budget and lifestyle preferences as he or she has access to all the necessary listings. However, one thing to bear in mind when buying a property in Florida is that prices are steadily rising every single day. Thus, the price you see today, may not be the same as the one for tomorrow. So, if you find something you like online, tell your realtor, and act quickly. You can call the owner, and book a showing appointment. Or, attend an open house showing, which is very popular in Florida. If you like what you see, it is time for the next step – getting preapproved for a mortgage, or prepare your cash and make an offer.

Make an Offer

As previously mentioned, if you found a beach house that suits your needs and budget, and of course, checked it out in person, you should make an offer. Do not wait long until you do as houses in Florida tend to sell out quickly. So, together with your real estate agent, you must thoroughly read the formal contract first. This contract is used for stating out all the terms both buyers and sellers have. If everything is understood, you should make an offer. Of course, the seller has a right to accept or decline your offer. And, if you did not offer to full price, there might be some negotiating too. Usually, the seller will let you know in a day or two if your offer has been accepted. However, be aware of the fact that sellers may also refuse to accept the offer, even if you were willing to pay the full price.

Before Your Accept the Offer

At the end of the day, it all comes down to what suits your needs and preferences. So, even if your offer was accepted by the seller, do not sign the formal contract just yet. You must first thoroughly examine the property, in this case, the Florida beach house. Do a background check as soon as possible. Pay attention to every detail and see whether everything is as on the seller’s contract. For example, the seller did not mention that the pipes are leaking. Or, the seller did not do as promised in the formal contract. If this happens, the seller is obligated to do everything as agreed on in the formal contract. If he or she refuses to do so, you can decline the offer and retrieve your money. However, if everything seems fine, you can pay the rest of the deposit.

Closing and Signing the Contract

Contracts are as important to the seller as they are to you. They represent a formal agreement between the two parties. And they have the importance of a good business agreement. Yes, sometimes they can be difficult to understand, especially if this is your first time purchasing a property. Thus, as mentioned many times before, do yourself a favor and hire a real estate agent. The agent can help you understand the contract and help you avoid any hidden problems. So, if everything is as promised and as it should be, you should go ahead and sign the contract. The signing usually happens in the form of a meeting between you, your agent and the seller. After the contract has been signed, you should transfer the funds and the owner should give you the kees. Now, all you have to do is prepare for long-distance moving. That is it! Congratulations, you are now a Florida homeowner, Welcome to the Sunshine State.