09/15/2026
1. Shop more than one lender. Rates are important, but so are lender fees and closing costs.
2. Ask about first-time buyer programs. You may qualify for assistance even if you donāt think of yourself as a āfirst-timeā buyer.
3. Compare loan options. Conventional isnāt automatically the best choice for every buyer.
4. Donāt automatically put 20% down. Keeping some cash in reserve may make more sense than draining your savings.
5. Look beyond the purchase price. Taxes, insurance, HOA/CDD fees and utilities affect what the home really costs each month.
6. Ask about seller concessions. Depending on the home and the market, there may be room to negotiate help with closing costs.
7. Consider homes that have been sitting on the market. A seller with 60 days on market may negotiate differently than one who listed yesterday.
8. Be careful with new construction incentives. Builder incentives can be valuable, but compare the entire deal ā not just the advertised incentive.
9. Get the inspection. Saving a few hundred dollars by skipping it can become a very expensive decision later.
10. Have a plan before you start touring homes. Knowing your budget, priorities and deal-breakers makes it much easier to recognize the right opportunity when you see it.
BONUS - pay attention to the cost of homeowners insurance and flood insurance before falling in love with the house. Those numbers can change the affordability equation quickly.
š Thinking about buying in Jacksonville or Northeast Florida? Iām always happy to help you figure out the numbers before we start opening front doors.
Carrie Ann Kilpatrick, REALTORĀ®
Florida Homes Realty & Mortgage
Helping you make sweet moves in Northeast Florida.
