Recent Articles
How to Protect Your Deal If Your Florida Home Appraises Low
Quick answer: When a Florida home appraises below your contract price, you're facing an appraisal gap. Your choices are to renegotiate the price, ask for seller credits, split the difference, adjust how much cash you bring in, or appeal the appraisal. The right move depends on your numbers, the strength of the appraisal, and how motivated both sides are to close.
Florida Property Insurance Guide: What Every Buyer Should Know in 2025
In Florida's ever-changing insurance market, understanding how your policy works can make all the difference between a smooth closing and an unexpected setback. Whether you're buying your first home or navigating a competitive offer situation, knowing what drives your premium—and which homes will be easier to insure—gives you a powerful advantage.
How to Compete With Investors and Cash Offers in South Florida
In Miramar, Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, Weston, Davie, Plantation, and across Broward and Miami-Dade, first-time buyers don't have to out‑cash investors. You win when you show up fully prepared, write clean, confident offers, and make it easy and low‑stress for the seller to say yes, even if you're using financing. This guide is purely strategy-based, not rate-based.
What Credit Score Do You Need to Buy a Home in South Florida (2025 Guide)
Quick answer: Many South Florida buyers can qualify for a mortgage with a credit score as low as 580 for FHA and VA loans, and 620 for most conventional loans. Your score is important, but it's not everything. Strong income, stable employment, and smart credit habits can help you qualify sooner than you think.
10 Mistakes First-Time Buyers Make in South Florida (And How to Avoid Them)
Quick answer: The biggest mistakes first-time buyers make in South Florida include underestimating insurance costs, skipping flood zone research, ignoring HOA special assessments, waiving inspections, and not budgeting for hurricane prep. Working with an experienced local team helps you avoid these costly missteps and buy with confidence.
The True Cost of Homeownership in South Florida (2025 Edition)
In South Florida, the mortgage is only part of the story. Once you add insurance, HOA fees, utilities, property taxes, and maintenance, many buyers see $800–$1,500+ per month on top of principal and interest depending on the home and community.
Miami-Dade vs. Broward: Where Should First-Time Buyers Look in 2025?
Quick answer: Miami-Dade offers more big-city energy, transit options, and nightlife, while Broward generally gives first-time buyers more space, quieter neighborhoods, and better affordability—typically 10–15% lower on comparable homes. The "best" choice really comes down to your lifestyle, commute, and budget as a Florida first-time homebuyer.
Stronger Data Last Week Caused a Slight Rate Bump
Stronger jobless-claims and durable-goods data from last week pushed the average 30-year fixed slightly higher, but mortgage rates are still near recent lows. Here’s what that means for buyers and homeowners
Why Florida Home Insurance Is So High and How Buyers Can Navigate It
Florida home insurance is high due to hurricane exposure, rising construction costs, and a history of litigation that increases claim expenses. Fewer private insurers and stricter underwriting also force many buyers into higher premiums or Citizens coverage.
Top 7 Affordable Neighborhoods in Broward County for First-Time Buyers (2025 Guide)
Many first-time homebuyers in Broward County are finding the best mix of price, safety, schools, and amenities in neighborhoods across Miramar, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Lauderhill, Cooper City, Plantation, and Davie. Entry-level homes typically range from the mid-$300s in Lauderhill to the low-$500s in Cooper City, with townhomes and condos offering the most budget-friendly entry points for Florida first-time homebuyers.
Property Taxes in South Florida: What Buyers Need to Know Before Closing
Learn how South Florida property taxes work and how they impact your mortgage payment. Discover Homestead Exemption benefits and county-by-county insights before closing.
How Much Cash Do You Really Need to Buy a Home in Florida?
Buying a home in Florida? Learn how much cash you really need for down payment, closing costs, inspections, and moving expenses in South Florida and beyond.
Is Homeownership Still Possible in South Florida? A 2025 Reality Check
Is buying a home in South Florida still possible in 2025? Discover what’s changed, and how smart strategies and flexible programs are helping buyers succeed.
Pending Home Sales Are Up: What This Means for Florida Homebuyers in 2026
Pending home sales are up and rates are stabilizing. See what this means for Florida first-time homebuyers in 2026 and how to plan your next move.
Want a Lower Utility Bill and a Better Mortgage? Explore Energy-Efficient Loans in Florida.
Discover how green mortgages and energy-efficient loans can help South Florida homebuyers save on utilities while financing eco-friendly upgrades. Learn about FHA Energy Efficient Mortgages and Fannie Mae HomeStyle Energy programs in Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties.
Have Student Loans? You Can Still Buy a Home in South Florida. Here's How to Qualify for a Mortgage in Miami-Dade, Broward & Palm Beach Counties.
Student loans and homeownership in South Florida? It’s possible! Learn how income-driven repayment plans and debt-to-income strategies help you qualify for a mortgage in Broward, Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, and beyond.
Pre-Qualified or Pre-Approved? The Difference Could Cost You a Home in South Florida | EZ Funding Group, Inc.
Pre-qualified vs. pre-approved: Why verified pre-approval wins offers in competitive Florida markets. Get pre-approved in 24-48 hours with EZ Funding Group, Inc.
Florida Condo Financing: Your 2025 Guide to SB 154, SIRS & Mortgage Approval | EZ Funding Group, Inc.
Learn how Florida's SB 154 condo laws impact your mortgage approval. Get our checklist for SIRS compliance, reserve requirements, and what lenders require for Hollywood, Aventura, Sunny Isles Beach high‑rises, Downtown Fort Lauderdale towers, Coral Gables condos, and South Florida markets.
HELOC vs. Cash‑Out Refinance in Florida: Which Is Better for Renovations and Debt Consolidation? | EZ Funding Group, Inc.
Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa & Miami homeowners: discover when to use a HELOC vs. cash-out refinance for renovations, debt consolidation, and home equity access.
You Can Now Close on Your Miami Home from Your Couch. Here's How. | EZ Funding Group, Inc.
Miami & South Florida buyers: discover how remote online notarization (RON) and eClosings make buying a home faster, easier, and more convenient.