— Topic
First-Time Buyer
Posts for first-time Florida home buyers — credit, down payment, Hometown Heroes, FHA, and the rookie mistakes to avoid.
Buying Your First Home in Florida: A Week-by-Week Timeline
In Florida, buying your first home takes 90 to 120 days from pre-approval to keys. This is the week-by-week breakdown — including Florida-specific steps most national guides leave out: insurance shopping, homestead exemption filing, HOA estoppel, and doc stamps.
Closing Costs for First-Time Buyers in Florida: What to Expect
First-time buyers in Florida typically pay 2–5% of the purchase price in closing costs — on a $350,000 home that's $7,000–$17,500. The largest line items are lender fees, title insurance, prepaids, and doc stamps. Seller concessions and assistance programs can offset most of it.
How Much House Can I Afford in Florida?
The 28/36 rule gives you a starting number, but Florida's insurance premiums ($3,000–$8,000/year), HOA dues ($150–$600/month), and state-specific taxes add costs that national mortgage calculators routinely miss. A Tampa household at $80K/year qualifies for less house than the same income in Ohio — here's the real math.
First-Time Home Buyer Guide to Florida Real Estate
Buying your first home in Florida is different from anywhere else — flood zones, wind insurance, CDDs, and Hometown Heroes grants are all part of the deal. Here's the plain-English breakdown, from credit score to closing day.
LGBTQ+ Homebuyer Guide for Florida: Rights, Protections, and What to Watch For
Florida has no statewide housing non-discrimination law protecting LGBTQ+ buyers. But federal Fair Housing Act protections do apply — and knowing where the gaps are helps you shop smarter, vet your agent, and title a home correctly as an unmarried couple.