Buying a home in Florida follows ten steps: set a budget around the full monthly cost, get pre-approved, narrow your areas, choose new construction or resale, sign a buyer agreement and tour, make an offer, inspect and secure insurance, complete appraisal and loan approval, close, and file for homestead by March 1. Insurance, CDD fees and the post-sale property tax reset are the Florida-specific costs to check before you make an offer.
The whole process at a glance
- Set a budget around the full monthly cost
- Get pre-approved and check programs
- Narrow the areas
- Decide: new construction or resale
- Sign a buyer agreement and start touring
- Write a strong, protected offer
- Inspect and lock in insurance
- Appraisal, loan approval and title
- Review the numbers and close
- After closing: file for homestead by March 1
For a typical financed resale purchase, steps 6 through 9 usually take about 30 to 45 days once a contract is signed. New construction can take several months, depending on the build stage. Cash purchases can close faster.
1 Set a budget around the full monthly cost
In Florida, the list price tells you less than the payment. Property taxes reset after a sale, insurance varies widely by roof age and flood zone, and many newer communities carry both HOA dues and CDD assessments. Build the budget around principal, interest, taxes, insurance, HOA and CDD — then decide how much cash you want left after closing.
2 Get pre-approved and check programs
A real pre-approval — credit, income and assets reviewed — tells you what you can borrow and makes your offer credible. This is also the time to ask about Florida Housing down-payment programs, VA eligibility or Homes for Heroes savings.
3 Narrow the areas
Compare two or three areas on commute, schools, flood exposure, HOA/CDD structure and resale competition. Drive them at rush hour and on a weekend before deciding.
4 Decide: new construction or resale
New construction brings builder incentives, warranties and newer systems, but often CDD fees, lot premiums and longer timelines. Resale offers established neighborhoods and negotiation room on condition. Bring your own agent to the first model-home visit — registration rules can affect representation.
5 Sign a buyer agreement and start touring
Before touring, you'll sign a written buyer agreement that spells out services and compensation. Then tour with a checklist: roof age, HVAC age, flood zone, insurance quotes, HOA rules and the CDD disclosure.
6 Write a strong, protected offer
Base the price on recent comparable sales, not the list price. Decide the deposit, inspection period, financing terms and whether to ask for seller concessions or a rate buydown instead of a lower price.
7 Inspect and lock in insurance
Order the home inspection right away, plus four-point and wind mitigation reports if the insurer needs them. Get a binding insurance quote during the inspection period — in Florida, insurance can change whether a home still works for you.
8 Appraisal, loan approval and title
The lender orders the appraisal and finalizes underwriting while the title company searches title, orders the survey and requests HOA estoppel letters. Respond quickly to lender requests and avoid new credit.
9 Review the numbers and close
You'll receive the Closing Disclosure at least three business days before closing. Compare it to your Loan Estimate, confirm wiring instructions by phone with the title company, and do the final walk-through.
10 After closing: file for homestead by March 1
If the home is your permanent residence on January 1, file for the homestead exemption with the county property appraiser by March 1. It lowers taxable value and starts the Save Our Homes cap that limits future assessment increases.
What is different about buying in Tampa Bay and the Gulf Coast
Three things change more Florida purchases than buyers expect: insurance (roof age, wind mitigation and flood zone drive the quote), CDD assessments in newer master-planned communities, and the property tax reset after a sale. Checking all three before writing an offer — not after — is the biggest single way to avoid a surprise at closing.
Common questions
How long does it take to buy a house in Florida?
A financed resale purchase usually closes about 30 to 45 days after the contract is signed; the search before that varies. New construction can take several months depending on build stage.
When should I file for homestead exemption in Florida?
File with your county property appraiser by March 1 of the year after you own and live in the home as your permanent residence on January 1.
Do I need a Realtor to buy new construction in Florida?
It is not required, but the builder's sales team represents the builder. Many builders require your agent to register you at or before the first visit for representation to apply.
Official sources & where to verify
- CFPB — Buying a house tools and resources — Loan Estimate & Closing Disclosure explainers
- Florida Housing Finance Corporation — Homebuyers — state down-payment programs
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs — VA home loans
- FEMA Flood Map Service Center — look up a property's flood zone
- Florida Department of Revenue — Property Tax
Links go to government, regulatory or program sources so you can confirm current rules directly. Rules and figures change; the source controls.