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Buyer's Guide·7 min read
First-Time Homebuyer Checklist for South Florida
Buying your first home in South Florida comes with unique considerations — from hurricane preparedness to insurance requirements. This checklist covers what every first-time buyer should know.
TL;DR
- •Pre-approve early — Florida insurance costs change what you can afford.
- •Bundle home + wind mitigation + 4-point in one inspection week.
- •Bind insurance early; the market is tight in South Florida.
South Florida is one of the most rewarding — and most demanding — markets to buy in. Use this checklist to avoid the most common first-time-buyer surprises.
Before you make an offer
- Get pre-approved with a lender who knows Florida insurance costs
- Research the flood zone (and budget for flood insurance)
- Check the roof age — anything over 15 years may complicate insurance
- Look up permit history with the city or county
- Confirm HOA fees, special assessments, and rental restrictions
During inspection week
- Schedule a full home inspection with a licensed, InterNACHI-certified inspector
- Add a wind mitigation report (for insurance savings)
- Add a 4-point report if the home is over 20 years old
- Consider a termite/WDO inspection — drywood termites are common here
- Walk the home with your inspector and ask questions
Before closing
- Bind homeowners insurance early (the market is tight)
- Confirm clear title and any open permits
- Do a final walk-through after the seller moves out
- Change locks, garage codes, and Wi-Fi on day one
