Mortgage Companies in Florida

Budget: When budgeting for the house don't just calculate the principal, interest, taxes and insurance. Add in the utilities, cost of travel to and from work, and any upgrades you want. Ask about water, sewer, and electric bills so you get an idea of what to expect. Budget all these expenses to see if you really can afford the house.

Make Sure to Look Over Any HOA Documents: Always look over homeowner association documents before even considering a purchase. They may have rules and regulations that you can't live with, so check first.

Research Grants & Other Sources of Funding: When you are researching mortgage options, be sure to check into any grants and other funding sources. You may be pleasantly surprised that you qualify for additional money from a grant etc. For example, if you are a teacher or farmer etc., or due to the location of the home, you may be eligible.

Learn About Neighborhood Demographics: If you end up buying a house in a neighborhood full of renters or bad landlords, the neighborhood may not be desirable for resale purposes.

Look Beyond the Staging: Pay more attention to the layout of the house and the structure itself. Staging is meant to sell a house and it does work, so look beyond the staging. Mentally, try to remove the staging and look past ugly wallpaper and garish paint. That can always be easily fixed.

Old Advice Still Holds True: For example, have an emergency fund, have at least 20% for your down payment, get your credit in good shape and don't buy more than you can afford.