Florida Home Buyer Checklist · Resale

Your Complete Guide to Buying a Home in Tampa Bay

Every step from pre-approval to closing — organized around the B.R.I.D.G.E. process so you always know what comes next and what's needed.

Joshua Patterson, REALTOR®

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices · FL #SL3632100 · FAA Certified Remote Pilot · U.S. Air Force Veteran

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About the documents in this checklist

Every document in Dotloop is listed as Optional — that's a system setting, not a reflection of whether the document is actually needed. Documents in this checklist are labeled by how they function in your transaction:

Requiredmust be completed to close Situationalrequired only if a condition applies Optionalcollected for the file — shown at the bottom of each phase

Buying a Home in Florida · Step by Step

Your Complete Florida Home Buyer Checklist

This Florida home buyer checklist walks you through every step of purchasing a resale home in Tampa Bay — from choosing a lender and signing your buyer brokerage agreement to final walkthrough and closing day. Built around the B.R.I.D.G.E. process, it ensures you always know exactly where you are and what comes next.

Buying a home in Florida involves steps unique to our state — the AS-IS FAR/BAR residential contract, mandatory Affiliated Business Disclosure, the signed HOA disclosure requirement under FL Statute 720, and the Florida Homestead Exemption filing deadline. This home buying checklist for Florida keeps all of those requirements in one place so nothing falls through the cracks.

The B.R.I.D.G.E. Process · 6 Phases

What This Home Buyer Checklist Covers

The steps to buying a home in Florida are organized into six phases. Each phase has an estimated timeline so you can plan ahead. Tap any step in the checklist above to mark it complete — your progress saves automatically.

Blueprint — Prep & Pre-Approval · 1–2 weeks

Define your goals, choose a buyer’s agent, and secure mortgage pre-approval. In Florida, the Exclusive Buyer Brokerage Agreement is required before your agent can show homes — mandatory since August 2024. Your Pre-Approval Letter is essential for making competitive offers in Tampa Bay’s market.

Research — Search & Due Diligence · 2–6 weeks

Search active MLS listings, tour homes, and review HOA documents before making an offer. Understanding a community’s restrictions, fees, and reserve fund health is critical in northwest Hillsborough County, where most neighborhoods carry deed restrictions and mandatory HOA membership.

Interaction — Offer & Negotiation · 1–5 days

Submit your offer on Florida’s AS-IS FAR/BAR contract, negotiate terms, and pay your earnest money deposit — typically 1–3% of the purchase price. A Comparative Market Analysis guides your offer price. Earnest money is due within 3 business days and held in escrow by the title company.

Dialogue — Inspections & Contingencies · 7–10 days

Complete your home inspection, wind mitigation report, and WDO termite inspection during the inspection period. You can cancel for any reason during this window. A wind mitigation report can lower your homeowner’s insurance premium significantly in Florida.

Guarantee — Clear to Close · 2–3 weeks

Obtain homeowner’s and flood insurance, satisfy all lender conditions, and review your Closing Disclosure — which must arrive at least 3 business days before closing by federal law. Confirm wire instructions by phone with the title company before transferring any funds. Wire fraud targeting real estate transactions is the most common form of financial fraud in Florida.

Exchange — Closing Day & Beyond · Closing day +

Complete the final walkthrough within 24 hours of closing, sign all documents at the title company, and receive your keys. Florida ownership transfers at recording — typically same day. File for your Florida Homestead Exemption with the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser by March 1 of the following year. Most homeowners save $500–$1,000+ annually.

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Buyer alert: Florida’s AS-IS contract does not mean the seller discloses nothing. Sellers are still legally required to disclose all known material defects. “AS-IS” means they won’t make repairs — not that you waive your right to know. Always review the Seller’s Property Disclosure carefully before removing your inspection contingency. Source: Florida Realtors.

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Using This First Time Home Buyer Checklist

Whether this is your first purchase or your fifth, the buying a home in Tampa FL process has enough moving parts that a checklist pays off every time. Tap or click each step to mark it complete — your progress saves automatically so you can return at any point from any device.

Use the Print / Save PDF button at the top of the page to keep a copy for your records or bring it to your buyer consultation. The Share button copies a link you can text to a spouse, family member, or co-buyer so everyone stays on the same page.

This home buyer checklist 2026 covers residential resale transactions in Hillsborough County. If you are purchasing a condo, new construction, vacant land, or an REO property, the process differs — each transaction type has its own checklist. Call or text (813) 803-0040 and I will walk you through the right process for your situation.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions — Buying a Home in Florida

How long does it take to buy a home in Tampa FL?+

Most resale transactions in Tampa Bay close in 30–45 days from accepted offer. The pre-approval and home search phase before that varies — some buyers are ready in a week, others take several months to find the right home. The median days to pending in Hillsborough County is approximately 44 days. Source: Zillow, early 2026.

Do I need a buyer’s agent to buy a home in Florida?+

You are not legally required to use a buyer’s agent in Florida, but it is strongly recommended. As of August 2024, Florida requires a written Exclusive Buyer Brokerage Agreement before an agent can show you homes or represent your interests. Your agent’s compensation is negotiated as part of the transaction — in most cases, the seller’s proceeds cover the buyer’s agent fee.

What is the AS-IS contract in Florida?+

The FAR/BAR AS-IS Residential Contract for Sale and Purchase is Florida’s standard residential purchase contract. “AS-IS” means the seller is not obligated to make repairs — but the buyer retains the right to inspect and cancel during the inspection period for any reason, with full return of the earnest money deposit. Source: Florida Realtors.

What is the Florida Homestead Exemption and how do I apply?+

Florida’s Homestead Exemption reduces the assessed value of your primary residence by up to $50,000 for property tax purposes, saving most homeowners $500–$1,000+ per year. You must file with the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser by March 1 of the year following your purchase. Apply online at hcpafl.org. The exemption does not transfer from the seller — your tax bill will reset to full market value after closing.

How much earnest money do I need in Florida?+

Earnest money in Tampa Bay typically ranges from 1% to 3% of the purchase price, though it is negotiable. It is held in escrow by the title company and applied toward your closing costs or down payment at closing. It is due within 3 business days of contract execution. If you cancel during the inspection period, your earnest money is returned in full.

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Buyer alert: If the seller has a Homestead Exemption applied, your tax bill will reset to full market value after closing — potentially $1,500–$4,000+ higher annually than the seller’s current bill. I model this for every buyer before we make an offer so there are no surprises at the first tax bill. Source: FL Dept. of Revenue.

Joshua Patterson · REALTOR® · Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Properties Group · FL License #SL3632100 · FAA Certified Remote Pilot · U.S. Air Force Veteran
This checklist covers residential resale transactions. Steps and timelines differ for condo, new construction, vacant land, and REO purchases. Source: Hillsborough County MLS, March 2026.

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