If you’re planning to buy a house in Florida in 2025, especially as a first-time home buyer, it helps to know exactly what the process looks like. That’s why we’ve put together an overview of the steps to buying a house in Florida, including a breakdown of the home buying process and the benefits of investing in Florida residential property.
Whether you’re a first-time Florida homebuyer or have purchased in the state before, here’s the step-by-step guide to help you move forward with confidence.
Who is Considered a “First-Time Home Buyer” in Florida?
Buying a property as a first-time home buyer in Florida tends to work a bit differently than it does for a seasoned buyer. That’s largely due to how the state’s home buying programs work, with certain grants and subsidies available only to people who are buying their first residential property.
So, who is considered a first-time home buyer under Florida’s rules? While the designation generally applies to someone who has never bought a home before, you may still qualify for one or more home buying programs if you don’t have a large down payment or if you haven’t owned a home in the past three years.
Other factors that impact whether someone qualifies for a home buying grant in Florida include income, credit history, and, for many grants, willingness to participate in a mandatory home buyer education course.
Benefits to Buying a House in Florida for the First Time
First-time home buyers account for 20% of real estate purchasers in Florida. And 95% of these buyers rely on financing in order to do it.
While it’s a big investment, buying a home in Florida comes with a lot of perks. And thanks to Florida home buying grants, those perks extend to financing, with qualifying first-time home buyers able to take advantage of things like lower down payments, reduced credit score requirements, and closing cost assistance. Tax programs may be available as well, such as federal tax savings or Florida property tax reductions.
By addressing some of the biggest barriers to homeownership, Florida grants for first-time buyers make it easier for buyers to enter the market, opening the door to not just a new home but all of the long-term financial benefits that come with owning one. This includes the ability to save year-over-year on housing expenses compared to renting.
Beyond finances, Florida first-time home buyers also benefit from things like heavy state investments in new construction and sustainability-driven building practices. Altogether, these benefits highlight Florida as a great place for new buyers to consider – especially if they’re planning to stay for a while.
What Do I Need to Buy a House in Florida for the First Time?
We’ll cover how to buy in Florida as a first-time home buyer below, but before we get to the specifics, let’s consider the basics that every buyer should have in place before embarking on a home purchase:
- Solid credit score
- The ability to afford a down payment and closing costs
- Low debt-to-income ratio
- Savings set aside for maintenance
Of course, there are exceptions. For example, the FHA Loan Program accepts credit scores as low as 550 and requires a minimum of just 3.5% down on your purchase.
Home Buying Process Checklist: 9 Steps to Becoming a Florida Homeowner
Welcome to the only home buying process checklist you need as a buyer in Florida. Check out the process, step by step, a first time home buyer undertakes when buying a house in Florida, with helpful tips for keeping things moving along smoothly.
Step 1: Assess Finances and Budget
No matter where you’re buying, the first step is always going to be assessing your finances and figuring out a budget. This should be done prior to seeking out mortgage pre-approval, since the goal is to determine what monthly expenses you can afford, rather than how much you can borrow.
Step 2: Research Available Loan Options
There are a variety of lenders, mortgage programs, and grants open to first-time home buyers in Florida. You’ll need to figure out what makes the most sense for your current situation and future financial goals, as well as take full advantage of any Florida home buying programs that you’re eligible for.
Feeling overwhelmed? Working with a mortgage broker is an easy way to compare available mortgage options and home buying grant programs in Florida, and takes the guesswork out of ensuring you get the best deal.
Step 3: Get Multiple Mortgage Quotes
We recommend getting at least three mortgage quotes before deciding on your final lender. Your monthly costs can vary quite a bit depending on the terms of your loan, so getting multiple quotes is a must to ensure you don’t spend more than you have to.
Step 4: Apply for a Mortgage Pre-Approval
Getting pre-approved for a mortgage makes you a much more competitive buyer, since sellers can see that you already have financing lined up. Your pre-approved loan amount should be valid for a few months, though some expire sooner or later. Talk to your broker about any unclear details in your pre-approval letter.
Step 5: Hire a Real Estate Agent
A local real estate agent is one of your best resources for buying a home and staying on budget. Find an agent with proven expertise in the area you’re looking to buy (even better if they’ve worked with lots of first-time home buyers), and be as clear as you can about your needs, wants, and dealbreakers so they can hit the ground running on your home search.
Step 6: Find a Home You Love
The average Florida home buyer spends 10 weeks looking for a house to purchase. To avoid buyer’s remorse, stay true to your must-have list while you search, and choose a home that checks off all the right boxes, including price, location, size, and nearby amenities.
Step 7: Make an Offer
Buying a home in 2025, in Florida or elsewhere, usually requires that buyers act fast, putting in an offer as soon as possible to get ahead of others who may be interested. With your pre-approval in hand, make an offer that aligns with your budget, and work with your agent to decide what contingencies are worth tacking on.
Step 8: Negotiate with the Seller
Negotiations are extremely common in Florida real estate, so don’t be surprised if you end up doing a bit of back-and-forth with the seller. Key is to keep emotion out of it and not give up more than you can afford to. Things you may want to negotiate with the seller include who covers closing costs or requesting certain improvement be made ahead of sale.
Step 9: Close and Move
It usually takes about one to two months to close on a home purchase. Use this time to get things in order like your moving plans, homeowners’ insurance, and utility set-ups. Before you know it, it’ll be time to move and settle into your new house!
Learn More About Mortgages in Florida
Now that you know the steps to buying a house in Florida, you’re well on your way to one of the most important steps of all: financing your purchase.
The Doce Group works closely with Florida home buyers to make sure they get the best loans at the best rates. Reach out today for a free mortgage quote or for answers to additional questions about buying a home in Florida as a first-time or previous homeowner.
