Buyers
Buy in South Florida with someone negotiating on your side
Buying well is not finding the prettiest house: it is paying the right price for the right property, with the association, the insurance and the inspection resolved before you sign. I guide you through the whole process, in English or Spanish, from pre-approval to keys.
Ilkania Baez · Realtor® since 2008 · RE/MAX Hall of Fame · Florida License 3207105 · English · Español
How I work with buyers
- We define a real budget, area and priorities before seeing a single property.
- Search on the MLS and in my database, with in-person or video showings.
- Analysis of each property: comparable sales, association, insurance and history.
- Offer, contingency negotiation, inspection and a closing without surprises.
Primary home, second home or investment
Each goal changes the search. A primary home is bought for daily life, schools and commutes; a second home for use and ease of management; an investment for return. I help you keep them apart.
Buyers coming from outside Florida
Many of my clients buy from another state or from abroad. I arrange video showings, coordinate with your lender and attorney, and explain what is different in Florida: insurance, associations, property taxes and closing with a title company.
And if your next chapter is in the Caribbean?
If you are looking for a villa in Punta Cana or Samaná, I guide you with the same rigor: verified title, contract reviewed by an attorney and real showings. See the Dominican Republic section.
The steps of a Florida purchase
- Mortgage pre-approval or proof of funds, to know your real budget and make a strong offer.
- Search on the MLS and in my database, with in-person or video showings.
- Offer and negotiation: price, timeline, inspection, appraisal and financing contingencies.
- Property inspection and, where applicable, review of association documents.
- Lender appraisal, homeowner’s insurance and title search.
- Closing with the title company or attorney, and keys.
Buyer closing costs
Beyond price and down payment, a Florida buyer usually pays the appraisal, the inspection, the lender’s title policy, taxes on the mortgage, the first homeowner’s insurance premium and, in condos and communities, application fees and initial association contributions. I give you an estimate before you make an offer so there are no surprises at the closing table.
Homeowner’s insurance in Florida: what is different
Insurance weighs more here than in most states. The insurer will ask about roof age, wind protection and the four-point inspection, and in flood zones will require a separate policy. We quote insurance before you sign, because an old roof can change the real monthly cost of a home.
Buying from another state or from abroad
More and more buyers arrive from New York, Texas, Puerto Rico or Latin America. I arrange full video showings, coordinate with your lender and attorney, and prepare a remote closing with electronic or notarized signatures when the title company allows it. I also explain what changes for a foreign buyer: financing, bank account, taxes and withholding.
How I negotiate for you
Before you offer, I analyze the property’s history, days on market and comparable sales to know how much real room there is. The offer includes timelines and contingencies designed to protect you without weakening it against other buyers. At inspection I negotiate repairs or credits with judgment, and at appraisal I defend the value with data if the lender falls short.
House or condo
A single-family home gives control and usually appreciates better, in exchange for more maintenance. A condo offers amenities and less upkeep, in exchange for fees, rules and, in older buildings, structural inspections and reserves that lenders now review. We analyze the association documents before you offer.
Frequently asked questions
What does it cost to work with Ilkania as a buyer?
Buyer-agent compensation is agreed in writing before we start, in line with current Florida rules. I explain it clearly in our first conversation.
Do I need pre-approval before searching?
It is strongly recommended. It defines your real budget and strengthens your offer against other buyers.
Can I buy from outside the United States?
Yes. I coordinate video showings, documentation and a remote closing with your attorney and the title company.
Do you work with first-time buyers?
Yes. I explain every step, the financing programs available and the real costs, without rushing.
How long does it take to buy a home in South Florida?
From pre-approval to keys, a financed purchase usually takes six to ten weeks: a few weeks of search and offers, then thirty to forty-five days from contract to closing. A cash purchase can close in two to three weeks once the title search is clear.
Should I get an inspection on a new-construction home?
Yes. New homes have defects too, and the builder’s warranty is easier to invoke with a written inspection report. I recommend a full inspection before closing and, when possible, a pre-drywall inspection during construction.
Can I buy a property to rent out?
Yes. I handle that as an investment, with a return analysis and management afterwards if you want it.
Professional valuation at no cost