Use this as a working checklist before you write an offer. It is general information, not legal, tax, insurance, or lending advice.
1. Pick the area first
Rank work commute, airport access, boating, yard, and beach time. Compare homes and areas only across Titusville, Merritt Island, Cocoa, Rockledge, Viera, Melbourne, Palm Bay, and beachside.
- Write your must-haves vs nice-to-haves
- Circle two or three areas that fit before you fall for one listing
- Note HOA or CDD costs in each area you keep
2. Commute check
- Drive or request timed runs at rush hour
- Include bridges on the route
- Test I-95 and US 1 alternatives
- Check the drive to Orlando International if you fly often
3. Video showing checklist
Ask for video that shows more than the listing photos.
- Street and approach
- Neighbors' frontage (homes and areas only)
- Back fence and rear outlook
- Lot grade and drainage clues
- Short pause for ambient sound
4. Insurance and flood before the offer
- Send the insurer: address, year built, roof age, square footage, updates
- Ask for any wind mitigation report and four-point inspection early
- Price flood insurance with zone and elevation info before you offer
5. Contract timing
Many Florida contracts are as-is with a limited inspection period. Plan to finish insurance, inspections, and major questions inside that window.
- Calendar the inspection deadline the day you go under contract
- Order inspections immediately
- Do not wait until the last day for insurance quotes
6. Timeline cushion
- Avoid stacking job start, lease end, sale, and closing on one date
- Consider a short-term rental for a month or two after you land
- Build slack for appraisal, repairs, and insurance underwriting
7. Wire fraud protection
- Never trust wiring instructions that arrive only by email
- Call the title company at a number you look up yourself
- Confirm the account before you send any funds
- Tell everyone on your team you will only verify by phone
8. After the move
- File homestead with the Brevard County Property Appraiser by March 1 for the next tax year
- Florida driver license: update within 30 days after you become a resident (s. 322.031)
- Vehicle registration: register within 10 days after you become a resident (s. 320.38)
- Learn your hurricane evacuation zone and sign up for AlertBrevard
Next step
Want help walking this checklist on a specific home or canal? Call Carrie at 256.479.2800 or book a 30 minute call.