Top 3 Mistakes Made by Florida Home Buyers

Buying a home in Florida is an exciting time! Many people only buy a handful of homes in their lifetime, if not just one! With that, buying a home is also one of the most expensive and biggest purchases that a person will make, so it is important to take caution and avoid mistakes when possible. 

These are the top three mistakes that home buyers make when buying a home in Florida, so that you can make sure to avoid them when purchasing your own home! 

1. Buying a Fixer-Upper

A lot of people buy a home that is a little bit of a project, not only is this popular because it can save money, but it is also a good way to add personal elements to the home that the buyer wants. 

However, a fixer-upper usually means a lot of work, and a lot of surprises in the process. Homes that need work and renovations likely have been neglected when it comes to regular maintenance – or they are so old that they need everything to be replaced for it to function efficiently. 

Fixer-uppers can be a good thing, but it is important to make sure that you – as the buyer – either knows how to do contractor work, or are willing to hire contractors to do the work for you. Keep in mind that these projects can be a long, time-consuming project as well, and they may not be safe to live in for a while during renovations. 

2. Not Getting a Home Inspection

Not getting a home inspection might be the biggest mistake that home buyers make. A home inspection is an important step in the home buying process, and one that should not be skipped. 

Home inspections are to help the buyer, to give them peace of mind that the home that they are purchasing is a safe place to live for them and their family. While it may seem like just another added expense to the already steep price of purchasing a home, it is super important. 

The results from a home inspection can also be used to negotiate the price of a home. Most buyers don’t realize that if a home inspector finds defects in a home, their report is made to be able to give to the seller’s agent. 

Showing defects from a home inspection to the seller’s agent can either persuade them to lower the price of the home and accept a lower offer, or do the repairs themselves before the sale is final. 

Another reason to not skip the home inspection is because you can never really know what you are getting into unless it has been tested. A home may look perfect on the outside and inside, but inside of the beautiful walls there are thousands of termites eating away at the structure of the home, and the house will be unsafe to be inside in 5 years from now. 

Getting a home inspection will only last for about 2-3 hours on average, and typically costs 300 to 400 dollars depending on the house. 

Choosing to spend this extra couple hundred dollars can save you thousands, plus give you peace of mind that you are purchasing a safe home without any major surprises. 

3. Waiting to Make an Offer

Homes in Florida go quickly because there are people moving to and around the state all the time, making it a seller’s market. Especially with the increasing housing shortage, homes go quickly. 

This is why it is important to not procrastinate making an offer on a home that you have fallen in love with. 

It is recommended to not leave the property after you have done a viewing without making an offer. If you wait to make an offer, someone else could make one before you and swipe the house out from under you! 

Be proactive and decisive, if you find a home that fits your needs and checks most of the boxes on your list, don’t wait! That being said, there is likely not many houses that check off every single thing on your wishlist, and it is important to remember that when you find a home that is close to perfect!