Free downloadable guide
Buying in Florida has a few twists people from other states don't see coming, including insurance that can cost more than the property taxes, an as-is contract and fees nobody mentioned until the lender asked for them. The 2026 Florida Buyer's Guide takes you through the purchase in order.
It flags the decisions that work differently in Florida and lists the common mistakes so you can avoid them before closing day. Twelve pages, free.
Under contract already? The Home Inspection Checklist is the one to have on inspection day. Want someone on your side of the table? Talk to a Vreeland Real Estate buyer's agent, or see all of our free guides.
General information from a Florida real estate brokerage, not legal, tax, insurance or lending advice. Your contract, lender and county decide what applies to your purchase.
Questions first-time Florida buyers ask
Is the Florida buyer's guide free?
Yes. Fill in your name and email on this page and the guide opens right away.
Who is the guide for?
Anyone buying a home in Florida for the first time, and anyone buying here after owning somewhere else. The parts that trip people up are the Florida-specific ones, and the guide is built around them.
Do I need a buyer's agent in Florida?
You can buy without one, but a buyer's agent runs the search, the offer strategy, the inspection negotiation and the closing timeline on your side of the table. Florida buyers sign a buyer broker agreement before touring that spells out the agent's role and compensation. What a buyer's agent does.
What should I read next?
Once you're under contract, the Home Inspection Checklist. Before that, closing costs in Florida, explained and the affordability calculator.