Buying a Home in Florida
Florida Homebuyer Checklist
A practical step-by-step checklist to help you stay organized from the beginning of your home search through closing day and your first steps as a Florida homeowner.
Your Roadmap to Closing
Keep Your Home Purchase on Track
Buying a home requires coordination among you, your real estate professional, lender, insurance provider and closing team.
Use this checklist to keep track of common milestones throughout a Florida real estate transaction. Not every item will apply to every purchase, so always follow the requirements of your contract and the instructions provided by the professionals assisting with your transaction.
Take It With You Print a clean copy of this checklist and mark off each item as you move toward closing.
Step by Step
Your Homebuying Checklist
Check off each applicable item as you move from homebuyer to homeowner.
1
Get Financially Prepared
Know your buying power before you begin.
Determine your comfortable monthly housing budget.
Review your credit and overall financial position.
Obtain mortgage pre-approval if financing your purchase.
Estimate your down payment and anticipated closing costs.
Consider property taxes, homeowners insurance, association fees, utilities and maintenance expenses.
Avoid opening new credit accounts or making major financial changes without speaking with your lender.
2
Find the Right Property
Evaluate the home and the cost of ownership.
Select a knowledgeable real estate professional.
Research neighborhoods and communities that meet your needs.
Review property taxes and understand that taxes may change following a sale.
Investigate condominium or homeowners association fees and restrictions when applicable.
Begin evaluating homeowners insurance availability and estimated premiums.
3
Once You’re Under Contract
The closing timeline is now underway.
Keep a complete copy of your signed purchase contract.
Review all important contract dates and deadlines.
Submit your escrow deposit as required by the contract.
Provide the contract to your lender when applicable.
Respond promptly to requests for information from The Closing Agent.
Confirm your full legal name, contact information and lender information with your closing team.
4
Inspect the Property
Understand what you are purchasing.
Schedule your home inspection within the timeframe allowed by your contract.
Review the inspection report carefully.
Consider additional inspections appropriate for the property.
Review the condition and age of major systems such as the roof, HVAC, electrical and plumbing.
Discuss inspection findings and contract options with your real estate professional.
5
Secure Homeowners Insurance
Address Florida insurance requirements early.
Obtain homeowners insurance quotes.
Confirm coverage will be available for the property.
Review windstorm and hurricane deductibles.
Determine whether wind mitigation or four-point inspections may be required or beneficial.
Review the property’s flood risk.
Consider separate flood insurance when appropriate.
Provide required insurance information to your lender.
6
Complete Your Financing
Stay responsive throughout underwriting.
Complete all mortgage application requirements.
Submit requested income, employment and asset documentation promptly.
Confirm the appraisal has been completed when required.
Respond promptly to additional underwriting requests.
Confirm your loan is progressing toward final approval.
Avoid major purchases, new debts or unexplained financial transfers before closing.
7
Title & Closing Preparation
Your closing team is preparing the transaction.
Review communications from The Closing Agent.
Complete secure information requests from your closing team.
Review title information provided for your transaction.
Ask questions about title matters you do not understand.
Review information regarding owner’s title insurance.
Confirm how you intend to take ownership of the property.
Notify your closing team promptly if your lender, marital status or ownership information changes.
Protect Your Closing Funds
Real estate transactions are frequently targeted by sophisticated wire fraud schemes.
Never rely solely on wiring instructions received by email.
Never accept a change to wiring instructions without independently verifying it.
Contact The Closing Agent using a trusted telephone number before sending your wire.
Independently verify the bank information and amount before transmitting funds.
Always verify before you wire.
8
One Week Before Closing
Confirm the final details.
Confirm your scheduled closing date, time and location.
Confirm whether closing will be in person or through another approved signing arrangement.
Confirm your lender has everything needed to close.
Arrange for utilities to be transferred or activated.
Schedule your final walk-through.
Confirm the final funds required for closing.
9
Before Closing Day
Review everything before you sign.
Review your Closing Disclosure when your purchase is financed.
Compare final loan terms and closing costs with what you expected.
Ask questions about unexpected charges or changes.
Complete your final walk-through.
Confirm agreed-upon repairs have been completed when applicable.
Bring acceptable government-issued identification.
10
Closing Day
The final step toward homeownership.
Arrive for your scheduled closing appointment.
Review documents before signing.
Ask questions about anything you do not understand.
Sign required closing and loan documents.
Complete any remaining funding requirements.
Confirm possession and key arrangements.
Keep copies of your closing documents.
Welcome Home
After Closing
A few important tasks remain after you receive the keys.
🏠 Homestead Exemption
Determine whether your new home qualifies as your permanent Florida residence.
Apply for Homestead Exemption through your county property appraiser when eligible.
Confirm your exemption appears on future tax notices.
🔐 Property Fraud Alerts
Determine whether your county offers a free property fraud notification service.
Register your name and contact information.
Review future recording alerts promptly.
📬 Update Your Information
Update your mailing address where appropriate.
Update your driver’s license and vehicle registration when required.
Update voter registration when appropriate.
🏡 Protect Your New Home
Keep your homeowners insurance current.
Register with your condominium or homeowners association when applicable.
Review your first property tax bill carefully.
Your Homeownership File
Keep These Important Documents
Maintain a secure permanent file containing important information about your property and purchase.
Purchase contract and amendments.
Closing Disclosure or settlement statement.
Recorded deed.
Owner’s title insurance policy.
Property survey.
Home inspection reports.
Homeowners insurance policy.
Association documents when applicable.
Home warranty information.
Appliance and equipment warranties.
Renovation and permit records.
Property tax and homestead records.
We’re Here for the Closing
For generations, The Closing Agent has helped Florida homebuyers navigate the journey from contract to closing. Our experienced title and settlement professionals work behind the scenes to help protect your transaction and keep your closing moving forward.
CONTACT THE CLOSING AGENT TRUSTED. COMMITTED. ACCURATE.
Important Information: This checklist is provided for general educational and informational purposes only. Every real estate transaction is different, and requirements may vary depending on the contract, property, lender and circumstances. The information provided is not intended to constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. You should not act on or refrain from acting based on the information provided without first consulting with your legal and/or tax counsel.