Tips for Buying a Home in South Florida
If you are in the process of searching for a new home in the South Florida area, you will soon find that there are an almost overwhelming number of listings that might interest you.
A qualified expert such as a South Florida residential real estate attorney can help you sort through the listings to filter out the ones that may not be ideal for any number of reasons. Your attorney can also help you with arranging inspections, negotiating and drafting your purchase agreement, representing you at closing, handling title searches and more.
Below are some tips to help you find your perfect new residence:
Be prepared for your additional costs
The main costs you are likely considering when shopping for a home in South Florida are your mortgage payments and the price of the home. However, there are several additional costs, and you should also consider the cost of maintenance, property taxes, utilities, homeowner dues if there are any, repairs, and the potential for tax increases.
Other expected costs including closing fees such as settlement, title and loan origination fees. Be sure to have an extra budget available for these hidden costs, and a residential real estate lawyer in South Florida can help you figure out what to expect in terms of additional costs.
Research the neighborhoods
Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, you should take the time to head over to the neighborhoods that interest you and spend some time there. Try to attend any open houses in the area, talk to residents, drive around the area, and get a general feel of what the neighborhood is like.
Figure out how far it is from important services and determine the quality of schools in the area if you have children or are planning on having them. The neighborhood has a significant effect on the future value of your home, especially when it comes to safety, convenience of location, and school quality.
Be sure to schedule a home inspection
It won’t cost you much, but be sure to hire a home inspector before you close on any property you are interested in. The inspection can catch potentially costly problems such as issues with the foundation, siding, doors, decks, porches, railings, roof, venting, water supply and others. A good home inspection will catch even the smallest of problems which you can then use to renegotiate the price of your home.
There are many other things to plan for and think about when you are searching for a home in South Florida. Leah Mayersohn at Schecter Law has decades of experience helping buyers of all backgrounds find the perfect home and can certainly assist you no matter where you are in the process.
Call Mayersohn Law Group today at (954)-779-7009 for a consultation or to ask any questions that you may have.
