Top 10 tips for first time home buyers in Jacksonville, Fl

  1. GET APPROVED FOR FINANCING! I can't stress this enough, talking to a mortgage company is your first step. Before even logging to this website or zillow or whichever search tool you choose. You need to know how much you can afford and if there are any small or big steps you can make to help you get a better rate for a mortgage.

  2. See if you can get down payment assistance or qualify for a special financing program. Tell you a secret... most mortgage people don't like doing FHA bond money in Jacksonville, they don't like doing anything other than conventional mortgages, some VA loans and Jumbo loans $$$. You may qualify for bond money or USDA loan or The Florida Housing Mortgage Credit Certificate. Make sure you talk to a few different mortgage companies and see if you qualify

  3. Don't Buy Anything on Credit! Your mortage person will probably stress this but if you're planning on buying a home in the next few months. Don't buy a new car, get a new credit card or add any new debt, this may mess up you're debt to income ratio and stop you from buying a house. True story: My clients bought a bunch of furniture for their new home before closing on a new credit line, they ended up not buying a home because of it.

  4. Have reserve money. There I said it now I feel better :)
    Roofs leak, A/C units break, life happens. But if, you're still determined in buying without any reserves. Make sure you get a home with a roof with at least 10 years life left on it and a good home warranty that covers the AC and water heater that may help insure against major cash out of pocket. If you have no reserve money, PLEASE DON'T BUY A POOL HOME. Remember when you buy a house there's not a lemon law... At closing it's yours to take care of.
  5. Don't buy a foreclosure or short sale or auction home. If this is you're first time buying a home don't add the "what if's" There are some exceptions to this, Jacksonville fannie mae properties can be easier, if you have large cash reserves etc. but most of these homes will not be turn key ready and you'll need extra capital to make the properties work. I'm not saying never, I'm saying don't concentrate on distress properties. If the home you love happens to be a foreclosure, we can make it work just be prepared for more headaches.
  6. Get a home inspection &   WDO inspection, a septic inspection, a pool inspection etc. Get every possible inspection you can afford, ask the seller to fix what's wrong, don't shrug the stuff off as "I can fix that later". For your first house you want it to be turn key ready. (Home inspections are generally done after acceptance of contract)
  7. Ask the seller or your Realtor to have the home cleaned by a professional before closing.
  8. Get to know the neighbors, either before you make the offer or during the inspection time period. Talk to at least 2 different people in the community ask them what they like and what they don't like about the neighborhood.
  9. Buy the area not the house. like the house love the area. if you can love both, make a full price offer :)
  10. Pick a good Realtor who knows the area and is experienced. Don't drive around calling on signs, or calling every agent off of zillow.