Florida Real Estate & Lifestyle Blog

    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

    Before buying a home, save for more than the down payment. A practical savings target should cover your selected down payment, estimated closing costs, inspections and other pre-closing expenses, moving and immediate home expenses, plus savings you intend to keep after closing. The Consumer Fina

    There is no single credit score required to buy a house in Florida. The answer depends on the mortgage program, underwriting method, lender and your complete financial profile. FHA rules can permit qualified borrowers with a 580 or higher decision credit score to use the program's 3.5% minimum d

    Parkview East is a 27-unit condominium community at 409 Manatee Court on Venice Island in Venice, Florida. Built in 1972, this two-story property surrounds a central swimming pool and offers compact condominium residences in an established residential setting near historic Downtown Venice, publi

    Palmetto Park is an established residential area on Venice Island in Venice, Florida, where buyers can find detached homes along with a separate, very small condominium enclave at 448 Palmetto Court. Its appeal is closely tied to location: historic Downtown Venice, neighborhood parks, Venice Bea

    Parkdale West is an 18-unit condominium community at 504 Narvaezi Street on Venice Island in Venice, Florida. Built in 1973, this two-story community offers compact one-, two- and selected three-bedroom residences surrounding a shared heated pool. Its defining advantage is location rather than d

    The Sentinel is an established 40-unit condominium community along Base Avenue East on Venice Island in Venice, Florida. Built in 1973, its two-story buildings offer compact two-bedroom residences as well as larger three-bedroom floor plans, with documented 2026 units ranging from approximately

    Sutton Place is a small townhouse-style condominium community at 744 Cadiz Road on Venice Island in Venice, Florida. Built in 1983, the community offers multilevel residences with private outdoor areas, assigned or reserved parking and a residential setting convenient to both Venice Beach and hi

    Ravinia is an established condominium community along Ravinia Circle in Venice, Florida, near the Capri Isles Boulevard golf corridor. Built primarily in 2004 and 2005, the community combines low-rise condominium ownership with a villa or coach-home feel, including screened lanais, detached one-

    Sweetwater Villas at Southwood is an established gated villa neighborhood in Venice, Florida, offering single-story, fee-simple residences with attached garages, mature landscaping and shared recreation. Developed primarily during the mid-1990s, the community includes a clubhouse and heated swim

    Parkdale East is a small 24-unit condominium community at Parkdale Mews on Venice Island in Venice, Florida. Built in 1978, the community offers compact one-bedroom and two-bedroom residences in a low-rise, cluster-villa setting rather than a traditional condominium tower. Its strongest advantag

    Before looking at homes for sale, establish a comfortable total housing budget, prepare your financing if you will use a mortgage, define your must-have property features and choose the real estate professional you want to work with. You should also understand the written buyer agreement before

    The Beachcomber in Venice is an 18-unit Gulf-front condominium community at 720 Golden Beach Boulevard on Venice Island in Venice, Florida. Built in 1968, this low-rise beachfront property combines direct Gulf access with an Old Florida resort atmosphere, a heated swimming pool, Gulf views from

    Start the Florida home buying process by defining your budget and priorities, speaking with a qualified mortgage lender if you plan to finance, and choosing a real estate professional who can explain the local market and buyer-representation process. Before touring seriously, understand the writ

    Plantation Golf & Country Club is one of the largest established golf-community environments in the Venice area, combining more than 2,400 residences with access through optional private-club membership to two 18-hole championship golf courses. The broader Plantation community includes condomini

    Panacea of Venice is a small gated condominium community along Isola Bella Circle in Venice, Florida, offering 38 villa-style residences, a community swimming pool, clubhouse and association-managed common areas. Although the homes look and function more like villas than apartments, Panacea is l

    Tarpon Center Villas is a small 11-unit waterfront condominium community on Gibbs Road near the northern end of Venice Island in Venice, Florida. Built in 1964, its single-story residences sit beside a saltwater canal or inlet, with documented boat dockage and beach-access rights associated with

    Rapalo is a gated single-family home community in the Venice, Florida 34293 area, offering relatively recent construction, landscaped streets, interior lakes, a community swimming pool and clubhouse. Developed primarily during the late 2010s, Rapalo consists of detached homes with attached garag

    San Marco is an established Gulf-front condominium community at 1255 Tarpon Center Drive on Venice Island in Venice, Florida. Although it is convenient to Venice Beach, San Marco is more than simply a condo near the beach. The property sits directly along the Gulf of Mexico and provides beach ac

    The money needed to buy a house in Florida is usually more than the down payment. Buyers should plan for four separate cash categories: the contract deposit, down payment, closing and transaction costs, and savings remaining after closing. Qualified buyers do not universally need 20% down. Some