| If you have been thinking of purchasing your first | | | | online or at the county offices of your desired |
| Florida home, there has never been a better time | | | | neighborhood. If you already have an insurance |
| to do so. The current real estate conditions in | | | | carrier for your automobile, ask your agent about |
| Florida favor the buyer rather than the seller as | | | | whether the company offers home loans. |
| the market has cooled a bit during 2006. At this | | | | Companies often give multiple policy discounts, so |
| time, listings are plentiful, and there are great | | | | it pays to have all of your policies through the |
| deals to be found. | | | | same insurance provider. |
| If you are looking for a brand-new home, builders | | | | Another advantage of using the same insurance |
| throughout Florida are offering luxurious, custom | | | | provider for multiple policies is that when many |
| homes that are built to withstand Florida's tropical | | | | agencies are not writing homeowner's insurance |
| climate and summer storms. These builders also | | | | policies for new customers during hurricane |
| offer discounts if you purchase your home during | | | | season, they will write policies for existing |
| the winter months, and buy directly from the | | | | customers. |
| builder's sales office rather than using a realtor. | | | | Take advantage of federal and state first-time |
| Even though interest rates have risen slightly | | | | home buyer incentives |
| above the all-time lows seen during the real | | | | Since you have already established a relationship |
| estate boom of the last few years, rates still | | | | with your bank or private mortgage broker, you |
| remain relatively low. Added to that, as a first | | | | have a wealth of information at your disposal |
| time home buyer, there are numerous incentive | | | | when it comes to finding the best first-time buyer |
| programs and special interest rate mortgages | | | | incentive programs. Your mortgage specialist |
| designed just for you. | | | | should be able to provide you with information on |
| Preparing for your new home purchase | | | | the various federal and state programs available |
| In order to avoid some of the pitfalls that first | | | | to you, as well as first-time home buyer |
| time home buyers can sometimes experience, it | | | | programs offered by individual lenders. |
| pays to be as well-prepared as possible before | | | | You should also double check any information you |
| you begin shopping for your new home. Just | | | | receive to ensure that you are truly getting the |
| because you are new to home ownership doesn't | | | | best loan that you possibly can, with the lowest |
| mean you should be uninformed, and when it | | | | interest rates and closing costs. The internet |
| comes to home buying, knowledge of the current | | | | provides a wealth of information at your |
| market conditions and a bit of extra preparation | | | | fingertips, with checklists, program guidelines, |
| really do go a long way. | | | | common real-estate terminology and online lending |
| How much can you afford? | | | | websites that can give you valuable hints on how |
| Before you begin the search for your new Florida | | | | to find and negotiate the best loans. Taking |
| home, it is important to carefully and above all, | | | | advantage of this resource could literally save you |
| realistically, assess your financial situation and | | | | thousands of dollars. |
| home expense budget. It is often helpful to visit | | | | Finding your ideal Florida home |
| your bank or selected mortgage company to | | | | Once you have your financing options in place, |
| seek pre-approval for a loan amount before you | | | | have researched the current market conditions, |
| start shopping. | | | | and have a working knowledge of the terminology |
| When a lender completes a pre-qualification | | | | commonly used by realtors, sellers and lenders, |
| assessment, they look at how much home you | | | | you are ready to begin the search for your new |
| can afford based on your income, credit score, | | | | Florida home. |
| predicted down payment amount and | | | | Drive through several different neighborhoods |
| debt-to-income ratio, which represents how much | | | | that suit your needs. Go on a Sunday and visit |
| you owe to creditors vs. your annual income. | | | | open houses given by realtors and builders. When |
| Using this information, your lender can tell you | | | | you have your target price range and |
| what size loan you will qualify for. This allows you | | | | pre-qualification in hand, you are in an excellent |
| to narrow your Florida home search into an | | | | position to negotiate when you find the perfect |
| approximate price range and not only protects | | | | home or home builder. But don't forget to shop |
| you from making an offer on a home you can't | | | | around. Look at several homes and interview |
| afford, but also allows you to search for the | | | | several home builders. |
| Florida home that will provide the amenities you | | | | By completing your research, preparations, and |
| want at the price you can afford. | | | | pre-qualification for financing, you are setting |
| When you are calculating the monthly payment | | | | yourself up for first-time home buying success. |
| you can afford, don't forget to include insurance | | | | So don't wait; begin your journey toward Florida |
| costs and taxes. You can access tax records | | | | home ownership today! |