This guide covers the Florida Housing Market. The state of Florida and the Florida housing market has been on the news recently. With hurricanes being more common than before, high homeowners insurance, skyrocketing property taxes, and increasing homeowners association premiums have dwarfed the escalating home prices in Florida. Many homeowners can no longer afford their homes and are fleeing Florida to other affordable states. In the following paragraphs, we will cover the Florida housing market and the mortgage options for homebuyers looking to buy in the Sunshine State.
Florida Housing Market: How I Succeeded Against All Odds
The Florida housing market is bustling and offers almost everything, from waterfront sighting properties to hidden treasures in suburban areas. So whether you are a first-time home buyer or have a specific budget as an investor, searching for the right home is always fun but tiring. Here, let us see how one home buyer went out of his way to ensure his clients got a short-sold house of their dreams regardless of the market’s struggles and the difficulties of the house being on short sale.
Making Dreams Come True in the Florida Housing Market
While buying a first house in Florida, couples face problems like the high cost of living, extremely stringent credit history rates, and expensive real estate. One such couple looking to buy their first house ran into similar issues but did their best to find an affordable yet beautiful property. Their journey began with limited options due to excessive debt-to-income ratios and credit restrictions. However, their realtor never gave up on them and ensured they could explore the Florida Housing Market. Sooner or later, the home buyers discovered a short-sold house, giving rise to its challengers.
How to Handle and Master Short Sale Challenges.
A primary sale of a particular short sale property required much time and persistence, with the purchase contract taking up to five months before negotiations. The purchase was approved during the negotiations; however, the approval came with strict terms: a 30-day period to wrap up a deal, with the lender’s major asks being no extensions allowed.
Despite many obstacles, the real estate agent handled the problem efficiently and met the lender’s deadline, even with all the buyers’ employment issues. Problems with employment verification caused massive delays and made the buyers’ approval process slow and painful.
Sailing Through Less Than Helpful Moments in the Industry
Short sale deals can quickly become tense and problematic, which was certainly the case here. With each threat to cancel the negotiation the sellers made, the panic among the parties involved in the deal only grew stronger. The buyers’ agent managed to remain calm throughout and, with the help of the title company and mortgage banker, breathed professionalism into the situation.
Their hard work and effort paid off, as the buyers received their CTC quickly. Their dedication, expertise, and mental strength helped the couple get the keys to their dream home. The deal was finalized, and the loan was funded, making this achievement possible.
Customs Curve Flordia Housing Guidelines
The article covers the complexity of seeking a home in Florida. This success story depicts how hard detailed professionals work to make even the most complex transactions work. Having a supporting network makes undertaking Florida’s housing market much easier.
Consider these pieces of advice when buying or renting a home in Florida:
Familiarize Yourself With the Neighborhood
A home is an investment; thus, it will require some level of detailing to ensure everything meets your standards.
Consider Securing A Pre-Approved Mortgage
Before going out to scope a house, knowing whether it fits your budget is important. Pre-approved mortgages show sellers that you are serious about undertaking tough negotiations. Learning and Acquisition are a Step-by-step Process. Short sales and foreclosures are examples of complex transactions that require an individual’s adaptability.
Outsource To A Professional
- Florida has its own set of housing rules; thus, enlisting a person’s services that specialize in them goes a long way.
- A person’s hope of owning a home in Florida is not daunting. Every homeowner has an opportunity, be it a condo or an apartment unit. A great, dedicated team knows how to mold every challenge into a success story.
- If you wish to invest in Florida Real Estate, you have great opportunities, from knowing market trends to managing diverse loan programs. With the right motivation and effort, homeownership in the Sunshine State will not remain a dream.
- Please read below as we tackle the most commonly asked questions about the real estate industry in Florida.
Common Queries On Florida’s Housing Market
How is the housing market doing in Florida nowadays?
The Florida housing market continues to thrive due to fierce competition coupled with an ever-increasing demand spurred by the growth in population and economic and climatic conditions. Home prices differ depending on the region; some places show impressive appreciation rates.
Florida is a good real estate investment option.
Florida is definitely among the leading states for real estate investment. The solid rental market, rising property values, and the never-ending interest of retirees and tourists make Florida ideal for long-term investment and short-term rental properties.
What properties can you get in Florida?
There is a huge variety of properties offered in Florida, from single-family residential houses to luxury estates, waterfronts, and even multi-family units and condominiums. Townhouses used for investment or vacation rentals are also available.
How much do houses in Florida cost?
Depending on the city and suburb, houses in Florida range from an average price of $200,000 in lower-income areas to over a million in higher-income areas like Miami and Naples.
Does Florida have programs for first-time home buyers?
FHA and USDA loans are often the preferred option for new buyers, and the Florida Housing Finance Corporation offers numerous government-funded grants and assistance programs to help with first-time down payments.
Loan programs in Florida
Florida has a multitude of loan options available to first-time buyers, including:
- FHA Loans
- VA Loans
- USDA Loans
- Conventional Loans
- Non-QM (for distinct financial situations) Loans
What can you say about Florida property taxes?
Florida’s property taxes are mid-ranged compared to most states. To decrease blocked value, the state provides primary residents with a homestead exclusion.
Is the cost of living in Florida’s housing market low compared to other states?
Certain places in Florida are pricey, but compared to other popular states, such as California and New York, they are generally relatively cheaper. The absence of a state income tax also enhances the appeal.
Where is the best city in Florida to purchase a house?
Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, Miami, Naples, and Fort Lauderdale are popular Florida cities suitable for homebuyers. Each city offers unique perks, from vibrant urban living to family-friendly suburbs.
What are the obstacles to buying a house in Florida?
Some struggles for Florida homebuyers include tackling high home prices, lacking availability in sought-after markets, and difficulty dealing with transactions such as short sales and foreclosures.
Is purchasing seaside properties in Florida a wise choice?
Florida waterfront properties are sought after and tend to keep their value or become even more valuable. Rental vacation homes also add to their desirability, making them a great investment choice.
How do I get ready to buy a house in Florida?
- Assess your credit score to ensure everything is okay. Then, set aside enough funds for the down payment and closing costs.
- Consider getting pre-approved for a mortgage so you know your budget. This way, you can also secure your budget accordingly.
- That said, you can assess the right location for you in Florida by determining the neighborhoods and market trends.
What do I need to know regarding hurricane insurance in Florida?
Remember to include Hurricane Insurance in the budget when comparing homes in Florida or between states since it’s necessary in coastal neighborhoods.
Can I still buy a home in Florida if I have a poor credit score?
There’s an opportunity to seal the deal, such as an FHA offer. If you have more complex financials, non-QM loans are also available.
How long does it take to finalize a home in Florida?
Once again, depending on your offer, you can close them in as little as 21 days or as much as 45.
Can I profit from a house now in Florida?
It might be an excellent time for you if you feel like Florida has ample demand and a strengthening economy!
Do Florida homeowners prefer taxes?
Indeed, Florida Homeowners benefit from the reduction in property tariff fees thanks to Homestead and Exemption taxes. Aside from that, there is no income tax on Floridians. It is truly a financial marvel!
Which regions of Florida are the most suitable for family living?
Friendly neighborhoods to raise children include Windermere in Orlando and Weston in South Florida. The area also has parks, community features, and great schools.
How long will an average house in Florida be on sale?
On average, homes in Florida sell within a month to two, depending on the market’s location, pricing, and demand. Competitive areas usually have very high demand, leading to faster sales.
Can I Buy a Rental in Florida with no documentation credit portfolio? be bought
Definitely, unlike a regular loan, non-QM loans, such as DSCR loans, do not require an extensive amount of documents. Investors can use rental income rather than their earnings to qualify. This is a very sought-after option by investors in the state of Florida.
Case Scenario: Short Sale Experts
Gustan Cho Associates work with many realtors in the Florida housing market. Here is a case scenario that happened recently. The house was a short sale, with Chase being the lien holder.
- It took almost 5 months for Chase Bank to approve the real estate purchase contract
- Once we got the signed real estate purchase contract from Chase Bank after five months, the terms of the purchase contract from Chase Bank was a 30-day close with NO EXTENSIONS
- By NO EXTENSIONS, I mean NO EXTENSIONS
- I started to go to work in processing and underwriting my borrower’s loan application, knowing that I was playing with fire here
- There are always hiccups with the mortgage approval process and delays happen all the time
- Long story short, we were a time crunch
- The employer of one of the borrowers kept on sending the verification of employment filled out incorrectly
- Finally, just this past Wednesday, we got verification of employment from the employer that was completely filled out
- Closing was supposed to happen in two days, Friday
- All the conditions were not submitted because we needed to wait for the verification of employment
We finally got everything submitted to underwriting by 5 p.m. Wednesday afternoon.
Florida Realtors You Should Know: Making Deals Happen
The team at Gustan Cho Associates has a huge presence in the Florida housing market.