Buying on the Treasure Coast
Buying a Home on the Treasure Coast, Step by Step
The five steps to buying a home in Vero Beach, Port St. Lucie or Fort Pierce, from the buyer agreement and pre-approval to inspections and closing.
Buying here comes with its own set of questions: flood zones, insurance, HOAs, CDDs, and how property taxes reset when a home sells. This guide walks through the five steps we follow with every buyer, whether the home is a resale or brand new.
Step 1: Talk with us first
We start by learning what you need, your budget and your timeline. Florida requires a written buyer agreement before an agent shows you homes. We'll walk you through it in plain English so you know exactly what it covers before you sign.
Step 2: Get pre-approved
A pre-approval tells you your real budget before you fall in love with a house, and it makes your offer stronger. If you don't have a lender, we can connect you with local ones. Ask your lender to include estimated taxes, insurance and any HOA or CDD costs in your monthly payment so there are no surprises.
Step 3: Tour neighborhoods and homes
Use our neighborhood and city guides to narrow down areas first. Then we tour homes that fit. While touring, look up the flood zone for each address, ask about the roof age and wind mitigation features, and find out whether the neighborhood has an HOA, a CDD or both.
Step 4: Make a strong offer
We show you recent sales so you can see what similar homes actually sold for. We explain every part of the contract, including deposit amounts, inspection periods and financing deadlines, and then negotiate on your behalf.
Step 5: Inspections to closing
We coordinate the home inspection, plus any wind mitigation or four-point inspections your insurer needs. We keep track of every deadline, work with your lender and the title company, and stay with you through the final walk-through and closing.
Thinking about new construction?
If you're considering a brand-new home, contact us before you visit any model or builder website. Most builders require your agent to register you on your first visit, or you lose the right to have someone negotiating for you. Our builder registration page explains how it works.
After you close: file for homestead
If the home is your primary residence on January 1, file for the homestead exemption with the county property appraiser by March 1. Remember that the assessed value resets when a home sells, so your tax bill may be higher than the previous owner's. Our property tax guide explains why.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to sign a buyer agreement before touring homes?
Yes. Florida requires a written agreement with your agent before they show you homes. We'll go over it with you in plain English first.
Will my property taxes be the same as the seller's?
Usually not. The assessed value resets to market value when a home sells, so budget using an estimate from the county property appraiser, not the seller's current bill.
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Talk with Pete & Kate about how this applies to your move, whether you are buying, selling, or building new.
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