Florida Real Estate & Lifestyle Blog

    No. Florida law does not require you to hire a Realtor or other real estate licensee to buy a house. You can purchase property without your own real estate professional, including through a listing agent, directly from an owner or from a homebuilder. The more important question is whether you wa

    The Manors at Chestnut Creek is an established single-family neighborhood within the larger Chestnut Creek community in Venice, Florida. Centered around Deardon Drive and Whitney Drive, The Manors offers detached fee-simple homes, mature landscaping, private pools at selected residences and oppo

    Yes. Many qualified buyers can purchase a primary residence in Florida with a 5% down payment using conventional financing. In fact, some eligible conventional programs can permit even less than 5% down. On a $400,000 home, 5% equals $20,000, while on a $500,000 home it equals $25,000. The down

    Park Estates is an established, deed-restricted single-family neighborhood in Venice, Florida 34293, within the broader Lake of the Woods of Jacaranda community. Developed primarily during the 1990s, the neighborhood offers fee-simple homes, mature landscaping, sidewalks, larger residential lots

    Closing costs for Florida homebuyers are the expenses associated with completing a real estate purchase and, when financing is involved, obtaining the mortgage. They can include lender charges, appraisal costs, title and settlement services, recording charges, Florida mortgage taxes, prepaid hom

    You do not automatically need 20% down to buy a home in Florida. Qualified buyers may have conventional mortgage options requiring as little as 3% down, FHA financing can permit 3.5% down for eligible borrowers, and qualified VA or USDA borrowers may have zero-down-payment options. The right amo

    Pelican Pointe Golf & Country Club is an established gated golf community in Venice, Florida, with approximately 1,355 homesites and villas surrounding 27 holes of Ted McAnlis-designed championship golf. Residents receive social membership through the community's HOA structure, providing access

    Yes. You can potentially buy a house in Florida without putting 20% down. Qualified buyers may have conventional mortgage options requiring as little as 3% down, FHA financing can permit 3.5% down for eligible borrowers, and qualifying VA or USDA financing can potentially provide a zero-down-pay

    The Orleans is an established Gulf-front condominium at 950 Tarpon Center Drive on Venice Island in Venice, Florida. Built in 1969, the five-story beachfront building combines direct Gulf access, a community swimming pool, clubhouse, elevators, covered parking and primarily two-bedroom residence

    Park Apartments is a small, established condominium community at 220 Park Boulevard North on Venice Island in Venice, Florida. Built in 1969, the property contains 14 condominium residences and is best known for compact one-bedroom floor plans and a location between historic Downtown Venice and

    Pinebrook Lake Club is an established condominium community in Venice, Florida 34285, offering low-rise condo and villa-style residences in a landscaped setting with lake views from selected homes. Developed primarily in the early to mid-1980s, the community provides an on-site heated pool and c

    Sarasota National is an established gated golf community in Wellen Park with 1,584 residences spread across approximately 2,400 acres, including more than 1,300 acres designated for preservation, conservation and open space. The Venice community combines a private 18-hole Gordon B. Lewis-designe

    Pennington Place is an established gated community in Venice, Florida 34293, offering detached single-family homes and villa-style residences near Manasota Beach Road and State Road 776. Developed primarily from the mid-2000s into the early 2010s, the neighborhood combines single-story Florida h

    Marina Tower is a 42-residence condominium at 1233 N. Gulfstream Avenue along the Downtown Sarasota bayfront. Recorded in 2001, the building combines spacious condominium residences, Sarasota Bay and marina views from many units, 24-hour building services, a heated pool and spa, fitness faciliti

    Parkview Manor is an established 55+ condominium community at 537 Manatee Court on Venice Island in Venice, Florida. Built in 1971, the low-rise property offers compact one- and two-bedroom residences, common laundry, assigned parking and a courtyard setting directly across from Prentiss French

    If you plan to finance your home purchase, getting mortgage pre-approved before you begin seriously looking at homes is usually a practical first step. Pre-approval can help establish a realistic financing range, uncover potential mortgage issues before you find a property, and provide a letter

    Some of the best golf courses near Safety Harbor, Florida include public Chi Chi Rodriguez Golf Club and Dunedin Golf Club, private Countryside Country Club, and the championship courses at Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor. Golfers willing to travel farther through Pinellas County can also consi

    The fourth quarter is a useful time for Florida rental-property owners to review the entire investment before the calendar turns. That means reconciling 2026 income and expenses, organizing tax records, checking leases and deposits, reviewing insurance, planning maintenance, examining condo or H

    The upfront costs of buying a home in Florida can include your down payment, closing costs, earnest-money deposit, inspections, appraisal and lender charges, prepaid homeowners insurance, initial tax and insurance escrow funding, prepaid interest, association-related charges and moving or immedi

    San Marino is a small, established condominium community on Venice Island near the Gulf of Mexico. Built in 1972, the low-rise property offers compact one-bedroom and two-bedroom residences in a residential setting where beach access and island location matter more than extensive onsite amenitie