Buying your home
Buying a home can be one of the most exciting experiences of your life. This can be true whether you’ve purchased several homes or you’re preparing to buy for the first time. With the right support system and the help of a trusted, professional REALTOR, you can make the most informed decisions. My guide breaks down the steps of buying a home so you can start the process feeling confident and prepared. From developing your budget to signing your name on the dotted line, you’ll find helpful tips right here. Plus, I am here to help every step of the way.
Define Your Goals
Before you start looking, consider why you want to buy a home. Are you tired of renting? Do you want to buy an investment property? Figuring out why you want to purchase a home will help you make important decisions down the road. Considering what you want and need out of your home will help you narrow down your home search as well. What neighborhood do you want to live in? How many bedrooms do you need? Knowing your preferences can help with filtering out homes that don’t fit your criteria.
Finances
Knowing your budget upfront helps focus our search and prevents wasting time or added stress. Talk to an expert mortgage professional to determine your buying power. They can help you determine how much you can afford, an estimated down-payment and can walk you through loan options and fees. My lender partner is Josh Goodwin of Gershman Mortgage. For Josh's contact info or to apply online visit: Josh Goodwin – Goodwin Mortgage Group (goodwinmg.com)
Make An Offer!
Once you find a home that you are interested in, we will negotiate an offer based on comparable sales in the area. Once an offer is submitted, we are under contract. The next steps are to make your deposit and conduct a home inspection.
Closing!
The final step is closing on your home. Closing is the official transfer of ownership from the seller to the buyer. At closing, you will sign paperwork (including mortgage paperwork if applicable). From there, you officially become a homeowner and will be handed the keys to your new home.
St. petersburg / tampa bay utilities information
Schedule utilities transfer of service prior to your closing day. This should be scheduled to occur the day of
closing. If you forget this step, you may not be able to get electric turned on you moving day!
Electric
Duke Energy (800) 700-8744 www.duke-energy.com
Water
Pinellas County (727) 464-4000
City of St. Pete (727) 893-7341
City of Clearwater (727) 562-4600
City of Pinellas Park (727) 541-0711
City of Gulfport (727) 893-1000
Cable/Wifi
Frontier (877) 480-4369 Phone: www.frontier.com
Spectrum (888) 289-8988 Spectrum - Internet, Mobile, Cable TV and Home Phone
Wow WOW! Internet, Cable & Phone | Bundles, Offers & Support
Water, Trash & Sewer
Pinellas County (727) 464-4000
City of St. Pete (727) 893-7341
City of Clearwater (727) 562-4600
City of Pinellas Park (727) 541-0711
City of Gulfport (727) 893-1000.
Gas
TECO (Peoples Gas) (727) 826-3333
Suburban Propane (727 )584-1127
Clearwater Gas (727) 562-4980
Florida Homestead exemption
A homestead exemption reduces the taxable value of real property by up to $25,000.
File online by December 31. Welcome | Pinellas County Property Appraiser
If you are moving within Florida, Homestead Portability allows you to retain homestead exemptions from your current home and port (move) them to your new Florida home. Portability | Pinellas County Property Appraiser
Use the Tax Estimator to find out what your taxes will be on your new home: Tax Estimator | Pinellas County Property Appraiser