- Decide how you'll use the home. Short-term rental, long-term rental, personal second home, or a mix. This decides which areas and loans fit.
- Create your wish list. Bedrooms, private pool, game room, distance to Disney, resort amenities like water parks or golf, and HOA budget.
- Get pre-approved. A pre-approval letter shows sellers you're serious and tells you exactly what you can afford. Second-home and investment loans have different rules.
- Work with an agent who knows vacation homes. Zoning, rental rules, HOA restrictions and rental income potential are specialized topics many residential agents don't cover.
- Tour condos, townhomes and single-family homes. Compare product types in resorts and residential areas. Many out-of-state buyers tour virtually.
- Talk to property managers. Ask for realistic rental projections, fees, and occupancy for comparable homes before making an offer.
- Make an offer and negotiate. On new construction, negotiate closing costs and builder concessions. On resales, ask whether furniture and future bookings convey.
- Inspections, appraisal and escrow. Inspect the home, pool, roof and A/C. The title company holds your deposit in escrow until closing.
- Furnish and set up. Furniture packages, themed rooms, licensing, and registering for Florida and county tourist taxes.
- Close and start booking. Closings can be completed remotely; your manager can often list the home immediately.
Why work with an agent?
A specialist agent can connect you with lenders, property managers, decorators and inspectors, and chase down open items before closing — saving out-of-state buyers extra trips to Florida.
Loan application checklist
- Two years of tax returns and W-2s or 1099s
- Recent pay stubs and bank statements
- Photo ID and, for foreign buyers, passport and visa
- Documentation for any other real estate owned
Next: understand closing costs and escrow.