{"id":21751,"date":"2025-03-23T19:04:29","date_gmt":"2025-03-23T18:04:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/nicht-kategorisiert\/haus-kaufen-verkaufen\/"},"modified":"2025-07-04T15:51:51","modified_gmt":"2025-07-04T13:51:51","slug":"buy-sell-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/en\/real-estate-us\/buy-sell-home\/","title":{"rendered":"Buying a house: Frequently asked questions and answers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uag-hide-mob uagb-block-c9b0e361 alignfull uagb-is-root-container\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-white-color has-cool-to-warm-spectrum-gradient-background has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-3e3cd9e0aa8ae5efc79a1653fdae62b6 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);font-size:48px;letter-spacing:10px;text-transform:none\"><strong>REAL ESTATE<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<nav aria-label=\"breadcrumbs\" class=\"rank-math-breadcrumb\"><p><span class=\"last\">Home<\/span><\/p><\/nav>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uag-hide-desktop uag-hide-tab uagb-block-5c09895b alignfull uagb-is-root-container\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-white-color has-cool-to-warm-spectrum-gradient-background has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-80fa20169db17232691569eb50508bba wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);font-size:18px;letter-spacing:2px;text-transform:none\"><strong>REAL ESTATE<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uagb-block-924cd09b alignfull uagb-is-root-container\"><div class=\"uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uag-hide-mob uagb-layout-flex uagb-block-f09640b8\"><div id=\"tocer-1\" class=\"tocer\"><nav class=\"tocer-toc\"><header class=\"tocer-header\"><h2 class=\"tocer-title\">Inhalt<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<ul class=\"tocer-list tocer-adv tocer-sp-os-bf tocer-st-sym-sq tocer-lvl1\"><li><div><a href=\"#tocer-heading-2\">What costs are incurred by the buyer when buying a house in the USA?<\/a><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div><a href=\"#tocer-heading-3\">What about old debts or legacy burdens?<\/a><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div><a href=\"#tocer-heading-4\">What costs are incurred when selling a property in the USA?<\/a><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div><a href=\"#tocer-heading-5\">How do I find a suitable property?<\/a><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div><a href=\"#tocer-heading-6\">Which is better: house, apartment, gated community?<\/a><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div><a href=\"#tocer-heading-7\">Which search engines are the best?<\/a><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div><a href=\"#tocer-heading-8\">How do I find a good estate agent?<\/a><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div><a href=\"#tocer-heading-9\">How does the real estate system work in the USA &#8211; What is different?<\/a><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div><a href=\"#tocer-heading-10\">What are the individual steps involved in buying a property?<\/a><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div><a href=\"#tocer-heading-11\">What about property taxes and other taxes?<\/a><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div><a href=\"#tocer-heading-12\">Can I buy a property in the USA without a visa?<\/a><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div><a href=\"#tocer-heading-13\">Can I finance a property in the USA as a foreigner (without a visa)?<\/a><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div><a href=\"#tocer-heading-14\">Can I rent out the property?<\/a><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div><a href=\"#tocer-heading-15\">How do I find a good administrator?<\/a><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div><a href=\"#tocer-heading-16\">How do I know if the property is a good investment?<\/a><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div><a href=\"#tocer-heading-17\">How much can I negotiate the offer price?<\/a><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div><a href=\"#tocer-heading-18\">How do bank foreclosures work?<\/a><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div><a href=\"#tocer-heading-19\">How do short sales work?<\/a><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div><a href=\"#tocer-heading-20\">What are my running costs?<\/a><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div><a href=\"#tocer-heading-21\">Can I open a USA Bank account (as a foreigner without a visa)?<\/a><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div><a href=\"#tocer-heading-22\">How do I find out what the neighborhood is like?<\/a><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div><a href=\"#tocer-heading-23\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><\/div><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/nav><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uagb-block-941507ad\">\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Buying a house in Florida: frequently asked questions and answers<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"571\" src=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Immobilien-kaufen.jpg\" alt=\"Buying a house\" class=\"wp-image-6626\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Immobilien-kaufen.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Immobilien-kaufen-340x194.jpg 340w, https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Immobilien-kaufen-768x439.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">When buying a house in Florida, there are a few things to bear in mind to avoid unpleasant surprises.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"line-height:1.6\">Be honest: haven&#8217;t you ever thought about buying a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/en\/real-estate\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"6612\">property<\/a> in Florida and fulfilling your <strong>dream of owning your own vacation home<\/strong>? Such thoughts raise many questions, many more of which you don&#8217;t even ask yourself and end up with nasty surprises. Below, Monika Wilson from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.century21.com\/real-estate\/cape-coral-fl\/LCFLCAPECORAL\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.century21.com\/real-estate\/cape-coral-fl\/LCFLCAPECORAL\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Century21<\/a> has put together a <strong>question-and-answer catalog<\/strong> on <strong>buying a house in Florida<\/strong> based on her experience with my \u201cforeign\u201d clients. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uag-hide-desktop uag-hide-tab uagb-block-912033ed\"><div id=\"tocer-2\" class=\"tocer\"><nav class=\"tocer-toc\"><header class=\"tocer-header\"><h2 class=\"tocer-title\">Inhalt<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<ul class=\"tocer-list tocer-adv tocer-sp-os-bf tocer-st-sym-sq tocer-lvl1\"><li><div><a href=\"#tocer-heading-2\">What costs are incurred by the buyer when buying a house in the USA?<\/a><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div><a href=\"#tocer-heading-3\">What about old debts or legacy burdens?<\/a><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div><a href=\"#tocer-heading-4\">What costs are incurred when selling a property in the USA?<\/a><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div><a href=\"#tocer-heading-5\">How do I find a suitable property?<\/a><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div><a href=\"#tocer-heading-6\">Which is better: house, apartment, gated community?<\/a><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div><a href=\"#tocer-heading-7\">Which search engines are the best?<\/a><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div><a href=\"#tocer-heading-8\">How do I find a good estate agent?<\/a><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div><a href=\"#tocer-heading-9\">How does the real estate system work in the USA &#8211; What is different?<\/a><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div><a href=\"#tocer-heading-10\">What are the individual steps involved in buying a property?<\/a><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div><a href=\"#tocer-heading-11\">What about property taxes and other taxes?<\/a><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div><a href=\"#tocer-heading-12\">Can I buy a property in the USA without a visa?<\/a><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div><a href=\"#tocer-heading-13\">Can I finance a property in the USA as a foreigner (without a visa)?<\/a><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div><a href=\"#tocer-heading-14\">Can I rent out the property?<\/a><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div><a href=\"#tocer-heading-15\">How do I find a good administrator?<\/a><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div><a href=\"#tocer-heading-16\">How do I know if the property is a good investment?<\/a><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div><a href=\"#tocer-heading-17\">How much can I negotiate the offer price?<\/a><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div><a href=\"#tocer-heading-18\">How do bank foreclosures work?<\/a><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div><a href=\"#tocer-heading-19\">How do short sales work?<\/a><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div><a href=\"#tocer-heading-20\">What are my running costs?<\/a><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div><a href=\"#tocer-heading-21\">Can I open a USA Bank account (as a foreigner without a visa)?<\/a><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div><a href=\"#tocer-heading-22\">How do I find out what the neighborhood is like?<\/a><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div><a href=\"#tocer-heading-23\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><\/div><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/nav><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:15% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"405\" src=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Florido-Tipp-1.jpg\" alt=\"Florida Tip 1\" class=\"wp-image-6136 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Florido-Tipp-1.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Florido-Tipp-1-198x200.jpg 198w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What costs are incurred by the buyer when buying a house in the USA?<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When buying a property in the USA, there are <strong>only minor costs<\/strong> for the buyer. As a rule, the seller pays the closing fees. He pays the registration fees, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/en\/house-construction-report\/title-company\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"6704\">title company<\/a> (notary&#8217;s office) and the title insurance. The buyer then only pays a small closing fee, usually less than USD 500. The property tax is paid by the seller until the closing date, then by the new owner. If the buyer takes out a mortgage, the closing fees for the mortgage are payable by the buyer.     <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:15% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"405\" src=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Florido-Tipp-2.jpg\" alt=\"Florida Tip 2\" class=\"wp-image-6148 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Florido-Tipp-2.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Florido-Tipp-2-198x200.jpg 198w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What about old debts or legacy burdens?<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Title Search searches for old debts and encumbrances. As a rule, these must be paid or cleared by the seller before the contract is concluded. The<strong> title company<\/strong> will not conclude a real estate sale with old debts or encumbrances. In addition, the seller takes out title insurance for the buyer, which &#8211; should the title search have overlooked something &#8211; pays for the damage.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:15% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"405\" src=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Florido-Tipp-3.jpg\" alt=\"Florida Tip 3\" class=\"wp-image-6147 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Florido-Tipp-3.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Florido-Tipp-3-198x200.jpg 198w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What costs are incurred when selling a property in the USA?<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In principle, the above-mentioned costs are incurred when <strong>selling <\/strong>the property. The seller pays Title Insurance, Title Search, Doc Stamp and the commission for both the seller&#8217;s and the buyer&#8217;s estate agent. In addition, there is a ten percent levy for foreign sellers, but this is usually refunded to the foreign seller after a few months.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:15% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"405\" src=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Florido-Tipp-4.jpg\" alt=\"Florida Tip 2\" class=\"wp-image-6146 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Florido-Tipp-4.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Florido-Tipp-4-198x200.jpg 198w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How do I find a suitable property?<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">The more information the buyer gives the estate agent, the easier it is to find a suitable property. The following considerations are helpful for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/en\/real-estate-us\/broker-system\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"6659\">estate agent <\/a>in advance: What kind of property should it be? <strong>House or apartment<\/strong>, with or without a pool, on the water or not, near a golf course, in a gated community or not, the desired age of the property, the infrastructure and &#8211; of course &#8211; the purchase price. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">As everywhere else in the world, the most important rule for the ideal property is: <strong>location, location, location<\/strong>. The estate agent then searches for current real estate offers according to your criteria that come closest to your ideal expectations. The most difficult thing for us estate agents is when a prospective buyer comes with the idea: \u201cI want to buy a property, but I&#8217;m not sure whether it&#8217;s a house or an apartment, I don&#8217;t have an asking price, send me something.\u201d  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">We have about <strong>5000 properties on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/en\/real-estate-us\/real-estate-trends\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"10091\">market<\/a><\/strong> here in Southwest Florida and can&#8217;t just send out offers without a more specific idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:15% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"405\" src=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Florido-Tipp-5.jpg\" alt=\"Florida Tip 5\" class=\"wp-image-6145 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Florido-Tipp-5.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Florido-Tipp-5-198x200.jpg 198w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Which is better: house, apartment, gated community?<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">This is <strong>difficult to answer<\/strong> and also depends on your ideas. Apartments and gated communities have the advantage that you don&#8217;t have to worry about almost anything and when you leave, you close the door and the issue is taken care of. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">However, closed residential complexes and apartments incur <strong>monthly housing allowances<\/strong>. If there are many bank foreclosures or short sales in this complex, the affected owners naturally do not pay this housing allowance. This increases the burden on the remaining owners and thus the housing benefit for them. The communal areas still have to be looked after and maintained. Gated communities or apartments also have certain rules:    <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">For example, some do not allow <strong>short-term rentals<\/strong>, BBQs, pets and so on. For a \u201cnormal\u201d house (not a gated community), you usually need a garden service and\/or pool service and, if you rent out, a caretaker to look after the property while you are away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:15% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"405\" src=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Florido-Tipp-6.jpg\" alt=\"Florida Tip 6\" class=\"wp-image-6144 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Florido-Tipp-6.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Florido-Tipp-6-198x200.jpg 198w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Which search engines are the best?<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">There are some good search engines that import their information directly from our <strong>MLS<\/strong> (central database of estate agents). Some of them make a comparison with the MLS several times a day and are therefore always up to date. One of the best search engines from my point of view is \u201cListingbook\u201d. There you can enter criteria and save favorites.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\"><strong>Listingbook<\/strong> sends a daily email with new listings that match your criteria as well as price changes and sales. Unfortunately, Listingbook is not yet available everywhere. <strong>Realtor<\/strong>.com is also pretty good, but they don&#8217;t do the results matching as often, so some properties are already out of date. (sold or out of date) <strong>Zillow<\/strong> and <strong>Trulia <\/strong>are even worse, some of their listings are years old.    <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:15% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"405\" src=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Florido-Tipp-7.jpg\" alt=\"Florida Tips 7\" class=\"wp-image-6143 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Florido-Tipp-7.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Florido-Tipp-7-198x200.jpg 198w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How do I find a good estate agent?<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">The best way to find a good estate agent is <strong>through recommendations<\/strong> from people who have already worked with them. Another way is to look at the brokers&#8217; websites &#8211; how much information is given &#8211; the more the better. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:15% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"405\" src=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Florido-Tipp-8.jpg\" alt=\"Florida Tip 8\" class=\"wp-image-6142 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Florido-Tipp-8.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Florido-Tipp-8-198x200.jpg 198w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How does the real estate system work in the USA &#8211; What is different?<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">Here, every estate agent has <strong>access to all properties<\/strong> on the market. Every estate agent throws their offers into a big pot, the database. Every estate agent working in the relevant area can then take properties from this database and sell them. This gives us the opportunity to serve our customers optimally and the buyer only needs to work with one estate agent. The commission for both agents (buyer and seller) is paid by the seller.    <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:15% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"405\" src=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Florido-Tipp-9.jpg\" alt=\"Florida Tip 9\" class=\"wp-image-6150 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Florido-Tipp-9.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Florido-Tipp-9-198x200.jpg 198w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are the individual steps involved in buying a property?<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">After selecting the property, a <strong>written offer<\/strong> is submitted by the buyer broker to the seller broker. Attention! This offer becomes a legally binding purchase contract if the seller accepts it without any changes. However, if the seller submits a counter-offer, it is only a counter-offer and not a contract. If the seller accepts the offer, a down payment is due, the amount of which is specified in the contract. This deposit is paid into an escrow account and remains there either until the purchase is completed or until the contract is terminated.     <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">As a rule, the buyer&#8217;s agent will always make an offer contingent on a <strong>home inspection<\/strong>. During this inspection, the home is \u201cinspected\u201d for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/en\/house-construction-report\/roof-decking\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"7021\">roof structure<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/en\/house-construction-report\/dual-zone-ac\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"7070\">air conditioning<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/en\/house-construction-report\/plumbing-installation\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"7079\">electrical<\/a>, plumbing, Chinese\/defective drywall, construction, termites, mold, &#8230; as well as the functionality of all appliances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">Normally, the buyer has <strong>10 days<\/strong> after the offer has been accepted by both parties to have such an inspection carried out. If the home inspector finds a defect &#8211; no matter how big or small &#8211; the buyer can withdraw from the contract without any problems and free of charge. In this case, the deposit paid will be returned to the buyer in full. The home inspection, however, is paid for by the buyer.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">If necessary, the contract is made dependent on <strong>financing <\/strong>. If the buyer does not receive this financing, the contract can also be terminated and the down payment is returned to the buyer in full. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">If the home inspection is satisfactory to the buyer, the contract goes to the title company, which, like a <strong>notary&#8217;s office <\/strong>in Germany, carries out the purchase in trust. The title company then conducts the aforementioned title search. It prepares the closing documents, which are signed by the buyer and seller on the closing date. The agency then arranges the necessary entries in the land registry.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:15% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"405\" src=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Florido-Tipp-10.jpg\" alt=\"Florida Tip 10\" class=\"wp-image-6149 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Florido-Tipp-10.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Florido-Tipp-10-198x200.jpg 198w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What about property taxes and other taxes?<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">Property tax is <strong>paid retroactively<\/strong>. The sales of similar properties in the same area serve as the basis for assessing property tax. Unless the property has homestead exemption (here in Florida, homestead exemption is given if the property is the primary residence) the property tax is equalized to these prior year sales.    <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">If the value of the property rises or falls, the property tax goes up or down accordingly. With <strong>Homestead Exemption<\/strong> and Save our homes, the property tax (or the value of the house) is frozen and the tax can only increase by 3% &#8211; regardless of whether the value of the house increases. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:15% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"405\" src=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Florido-Tipp-11.jpg\" alt=\"Florida Tip 11\" class=\"wp-image-6636 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Florido-Tipp-11.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Florido-Tipp-11-198x200.jpg 198w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can I buy a property in the USA without a visa?<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\"><strong>Yes<\/strong>, there is no difference whether you have a visa or not. A foreigner can buy a house in the USA even without a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/en\/emigrate-usa\/visa\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"6528\">visa<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/en\/emigrate-usa\/green-card\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"6470\">green card<\/a> and is officially entered in the land register as the owner. However, the purchase of a house has no influence on possible immigration or the receipt of a visa. The \u201cnormal\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/en\/entry-in-the-usa\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"3252\">entry requirements<\/a> for the USA still apply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:15% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"405\" src=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Florido-Tipp-12.jpg\" alt=\"Florido tip 12\" class=\"wp-image-6635 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Florido-Tipp-12.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Florido-Tipp-12-198x200.jpg 198w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can I finance a property in the USA as a foreigner (without a visa)?<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\"><strong>Yes, but<\/strong> the conditions are somewhat more difficult. Banks require an equity capital of 25 to 35 % for financing real estate for foreigners, usually with higher interest rates. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:15% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"405\" src=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Florido-Tipp-13.jpg\" alt=\"Florido tip 13\" class=\"wp-image-6634 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Florido-Tipp-13.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Florido-Tipp-13-198x200.jpg 198w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can I rent out the property?<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">Short and long-term <strong>rentals <\/strong>are possible. However, in the case of apartments or houses in closed residential complexes, you should ask the association whether they allow rentals. For all other properties, short and\/or long-term rentals are possible without further ado.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:15% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"405\" src=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Florido-Tipp-14.jpg\" alt=\"Florido tip 14\" class=\"wp-image-6633 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Florido-Tipp-14.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Florido-Tipp-14-198x200.jpg 198w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How do I find a good administrator?<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">There are good and bad managers and here is my best tip: Talk to other clients of the manager or real estate agents. As estate agents, we usually know which property managers keep their managed <strong>properties in good condition<\/strong> and which ones do not. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:15% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"405\" src=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Florido-Tipp-15.jpg\" alt=\"Florido tip 15\" class=\"wp-image-6632 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Florido-Tipp-15.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Florido-Tipp-15-198x200.jpg 198w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How do I know if the property is a good investment?<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">A good estate agent will be happy to provide the buyer with <strong>sales figures for similar houses<\/strong> in the same area. A comparison will show whether the price offered is justified. Also, it is always better to buy the ugliest house in a good neighborhood than the other way around. Of course, you should not buy real estate in a high-price market but rather in a low-price market.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">You should also always bear in mind when investing that a house you buy for USD 200,000, for example, will <strong>rise <\/strong> <strong>in value<\/strong> to USD 400,000 more quickly than a house you buy for USD 400,000 will rise to USD 800,000. The same applies, of course, to a house you buy for USD 1,000,000: It will rise to USD 2,000,000 faster than a house will rise from USD 2,000,000 to USD 4,000,000. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">My advice here is once again: <strong>location, location, location<\/strong>. You can always change a house itself, but not its location. Buy in a buyer&#8217;s market rather than a seller&#8217;s market and in a falling market rather than a rising market.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:15% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"405\" src=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Florido-Tipp-16.jpg\" alt=\"Florido tip 16\" class=\"wp-image-6631 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Florido-Tipp-16.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Florido-Tipp-16-198x200.jpg 198w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How much can I negotiate the offer price?<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\"><strong>That varies<\/strong>. Sometimes you can negotiate a lot, sometimes not at all. Unfortunately, there is no rule of thumb here. Some sellers have offered their houses at or even below market price, while some sellers are completely above market value. It also depends on how motivated the seller is. However, an experienced estate agent has experience in this area and can advise you.     <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:15% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"405\" src=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Florido-Tipp-17.jpg\" alt=\"Florido tip 17\" class=\"wp-image-6630 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Florido-Tipp-17.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Florido-Tipp-17-198x200.jpg 198w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How do bank foreclosures work?<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">The purchase of a bank foreclosure is similar to the purchase of a \u201cnominal\u201d house. The only difference is that the owner of the property is not a private individual <strong>but the bank<\/strong>. It cannot generally be said that bank foreclosures are in poor condition. However, some are. Many banks have the houses cleaned and, if necessary, painted and renovated.      <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">There are bank foreclosures that you can&#8217;t tell are <strong>bank foreclosures<\/strong>. But there are also some where you first have to send the cleaning crew through and all the doors, washbasins and so on are missing. However, such houses are rather rare.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:15% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"405\" src=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Florido-Tipp-18.jpg\" alt=\"Florido tip 18\" class=\"wp-image-6641 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Florido-Tipp-18.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Florido-Tipp-18-198x200.jpg 198w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How do short sales work?<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">They are actually \u201c<strong>milking mice<\/strong>\u201d. In a short sale, the owner is still the owner, but owes more than the house is worth. The bank may settle for less money and book the rest as a loss. It reads well, but in practice this is a very cumbersome and lengthy procedure.     <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">The banks naturally want to delay <strong>reporting the loss<\/strong> for as long as possible. Just a few months ago, short sales of this kind dragged on indefinitely &#8211; 6 months was not uncommon. And during all this time, the buyer does not know whether the seller&#8217;s bank will accept the offer or not. During this waiting period, the buyer may lose out on other offers that would also have met their expectations.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">For a few months now, however, these processes have been improving, the banks are staying in contact with both brokers and they are trying to speed up the <strong>process of a short sale<\/strong> &#8211; with more or less success. Once the seller&#8217;s bank has approved the offer, a short sale proceeds like a \u201cnormal\u201d purchase. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:15% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"405\" src=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Florido-Tipp-19.jpg\" alt=\"Florido tip 19\" class=\"wp-image-6640 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Florido-Tipp-19.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Florido-Tipp-19-198x200.jpg 198w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are my running costs?<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">The <strong>running costs<\/strong> of a house <strong>are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-icon-list uagb-block-19c700dc\"><div class=\"uagb-icon-list__wrap\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child uagb-block-50e9afa3\"><span class=\"uagb-icon-list__source-wrap\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M256 0C114.6 0 0 114.6 0 256c0 141.4 114.6 256 256 256s256-114.6 256-256C512 114.6 397.4 0 256 0zM406.6 278.6l-103.1 103.1c-12.5 12.5-32.75 12.5-45.25 0s-12.5-32.75 0-45.25L306.8 288H128C110.3 288 96 273.7 96 256s14.31-32 32-32h178.8l-49.38-49.38c-12.5-12.5-12.5-32.75 0-45.25s32.75-12.5 45.25 0l103.1 103.1C414.6 241.3 416 251.1 416 256C416 260.9 414.6 270.7 406.6 278.6z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"uagb-icon-list__label\">Grundsteuer (j\u00e4hrlich, M\u00fcllabfuhr ist in Grundsteuer enthalten)<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child uagb-block-5ac8a4ae\"><span class=\"uagb-icon-list__source-wrap\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M256 0C114.6 0 0 114.6 0 256c0 141.4 114.6 256 256 256s256-114.6 256-256C512 114.6 397.4 0 256 0zM406.6 278.6l-103.1 103.1c-12.5 12.5-32.75 12.5-45.25 0s-12.5-32.75 0-45.25L306.8 288H128C110.3 288 96 273.7 96 256s14.31-32 32-32h178.8l-49.38-49.38c-12.5-12.5-12.5-32.75 0-45.25s32.75-12.5 45.25 0l103.1 103.1C414.6 241.3 416 251.1 416 256C416 260.9 414.6 270.7 406.6 278.6z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"uagb-icon-list__label\">Versicherung (hier in Florida auch Hurricane Versicherung, \u00fcbrigens nicht \u00fcberm\u00e4\u00dfig teuer zu bekommen)<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child uagb-block-47ecff57\"><span class=\"uagb-icon-list__source-wrap\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M256 0C114.6 0 0 114.6 0 256c0 141.4 114.6 256 256 256s256-114.6 256-256C512 114.6 397.4 0 256 0zM406.6 278.6l-103.1 103.1c-12.5 12.5-32.75 12.5-45.25 0s-12.5-32.75 0-45.25L306.8 288H128C110.3 288 96 273.7 96 256s14.31-32 32-32h178.8l-49.38-49.38c-12.5-12.5-12.5-32.75 0-45.25s32.75-12.5 45.25 0l103.1 103.1C414.6 241.3 416 251.1 416 256C416 260.9 414.6 270.7 406.6 278.6z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"uagb-icon-list__label\">Strom<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child uagb-block-720a2b14\"><span class=\"uagb-icon-list__source-wrap\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M256 0C114.6 0 0 114.6 0 256c0 141.4 114.6 256 256 256s256-114.6 256-256C512 114.6 397.4 0 256 0zM406.6 278.6l-103.1 103.1c-12.5 12.5-32.75 12.5-45.25 0s-12.5-32.75 0-45.25L306.8 288H128C110.3 288 96 273.7 96 256s14.31-32 32-32h178.8l-49.38-49.38c-12.5-12.5-12.5-32.75 0-45.25s32.75-12.5 45.25 0l103.1 103.1C414.6 241.3 416 251.1 416 256C416 260.9 414.6 270.7 406.6 278.6z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"uagb-icon-list__label\">Wasser<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child uagb-block-b8ec0d98\"><span class=\"uagb-icon-list__source-wrap\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M256 0C114.6 0 0 114.6 0 256c0 141.4 114.6 256 256 256s256-114.6 256-256C512 114.6 397.4 0 256 0zM406.6 278.6l-103.1 103.1c-12.5 12.5-32.75 12.5-45.25 0s-12.5-32.75 0-45.25L306.8 288H128C110.3 288 96 273.7 96 256s14.31-32 32-32h178.8l-49.38-49.38c-12.5-12.5-12.5-32.75 0-45.25s32.75-12.5 45.25 0l103.1 103.1C414.6 241.3 416 251.1 416 256C416 260.9 414.6 270.7 406.6 278.6z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"uagb-icon-list__label\">Telefon<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child uagb-block-b9e82c37\"><span class=\"uagb-icon-list__source-wrap\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M256 0C114.6 0 0 114.6 0 256c0 141.4 114.6 256 256 256s256-114.6 256-256C512 114.6 397.4 0 256 0zM406.6 278.6l-103.1 103.1c-12.5 12.5-32.75 12.5-45.25 0s-12.5-32.75 0-45.25L306.8 288H128C110.3 288 96 273.7 96 256s14.31-32 32-32h178.8l-49.38-49.38c-12.5-12.5-12.5-32.75 0-45.25s32.75-12.5 45.25 0l103.1 103.1C414.6 241.3 416 251.1 416 256C416 260.9 414.6 270.7 406.6 278.6z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"uagb-icon-list__label\">Computer<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child uagb-block-6b54824e\"><span class=\"uagb-icon-list__source-wrap\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M256 0C114.6 0 0 114.6 0 256c0 141.4 114.6 256 256 256s256-114.6 256-256C512 114.6 397.4 0 256 0zM406.6 278.6l-103.1 103.1c-12.5 12.5-32.75 12.5-45.25 0s-12.5-32.75 0-45.25L306.8 288H128C110.3 288 96 273.7 96 256s14.31-32 32-32h178.8l-49.38-49.38c-12.5-12.5-12.5-32.75 0-45.25s32.75-12.5 45.25 0l103.1 103.1C414.6 241.3 416 251.1 416 256C416 260.9 414.6 270.7 406.6 278.6z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"uagb-icon-list__label\">TV\/Kable\/Satellit<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child uagb-block-bbbe69d9\"><span class=\"uagb-icon-list__source-wrap\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M256 0C114.6 0 0 114.6 0 256c0 141.4 114.6 256 256 256s256-114.6 256-256C512 114.6 397.4 0 256 0zM406.6 278.6l-103.1 103.1c-12.5 12.5-32.75 12.5-45.25 0s-12.5-32.75 0-45.25L306.8 288H128C110.3 288 96 273.7 96 256s14.31-32 32-32h178.8l-49.38-49.38c-12.5-12.5-12.5-32.75 0-45.25s32.75-12.5 45.25 0l103.1 103.1C414.6 241.3 416 251.1 416 256C416 260.9 414.6 270.7 406.6 278.6z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"uagb-icon-list__label\">gegebenenfalls Hausverwalter<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child uagb-block-1cfc192f\"><span class=\"uagb-icon-list__source-wrap\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M256 0C114.6 0 0 114.6 0 256c0 141.4 114.6 256 256 256s256-114.6 256-256C512 114.6 397.4 0 256 0zM406.6 278.6l-103.1 103.1c-12.5 12.5-32.75 12.5-45.25 0s-12.5-32.75 0-45.25L306.8 288H128C110.3 288 96 273.7 96 256s14.31-32 32-32h178.8l-49.38-49.38c-12.5-12.5-12.5-32.75 0-45.25s32.75-12.5 45.25 0l103.1 103.1C414.6 241.3 416 251.1 416 256C416 260.9 414.6 270.7 406.6 278.6z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"uagb-icon-list__label\">gegebenenfalls Poolservice<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child uagb-block-9de040c8\"><span class=\"uagb-icon-list__source-wrap\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M256 0C114.6 0 0 114.6 0 256c0 141.4 114.6 256 256 256s256-114.6 256-256C512 114.6 397.4 0 256 0zM406.6 278.6l-103.1 103.1c-12.5 12.5-32.75 12.5-45.25 0s-12.5-32.75 0-45.25L306.8 288H128C110.3 288 96 273.7 96 256s14.31-32 32-32h178.8l-49.38-49.38c-12.5-12.5-12.5-32.75 0-45.25s32.75-12.5 45.25 0l103.1 103.1C414.6 241.3 416 251.1 416 256C416 260.9 414.6 270.7 406.6 278.6z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"uagb-icon-list__label\">gegebenenfalls Gartenservice<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child uagb-block-ea307566\"><span class=\"uagb-icon-list__source-wrap\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M256 0C114.6 0 0 114.6 0 256c0 141.4 114.6 256 256 256s256-114.6 256-256C512 114.6 397.4 0 256 0zM406.6 278.6l-103.1 103.1c-12.5 12.5-32.75 12.5-45.25 0s-12.5-32.75 0-45.25L306.8 288H128C110.3 288 96 273.7 96 256s14.31-32 32-32h178.8l-49.38-49.38c-12.5-12.5-12.5-32.75 0-45.25s32.75-12.5 45.25 0l103.1 103.1C414.6 241.3 416 251.1 416 256C416 260.9 414.6 270.7 406.6 278.6z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"uagb-icon-list__label\">gegebenenfalls Pest Control (Ungeziefer-Bek\u00e4mpfung)<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child uagb-block-574bdb81\"><span class=\"uagb-icon-list__source-wrap\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M256 0C114.6 0 0 114.6 0 256c0 141.4 114.6 256 256 256s256-114.6 256-256C512 114.6 397.4 0 256 0zM406.6 278.6l-103.1 103.1c-12.5 12.5-32.75 12.5-45.25 0s-12.5-32.75 0-45.25L306.8 288H128C110.3 288 96 273.7 96 256s14.31-32 32-32h178.8l-49.38-49.38c-12.5-12.5-12.5-32.75 0-45.25s32.75-12.5 45.25 0l103.1 103.1C414.6 241.3 416 251.1 416 256C416 260.9 414.6 270.7 406.6 278.6z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"uagb-icon-list__label\">gegebenenfalls Wohngeld (bei Wohnungen oder geschlossenen Wohnanlagen)<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:15% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"405\" src=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Florido-Tipp-20.jpg\" alt=\"Florido tip 20\" class=\"wp-image-6639 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Florido-Tipp-20.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Florido-Tipp-20-198x200.jpg 198w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can I open a USA Bank account (as a foreigner without a visa)?<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\"><strong>Yes, but<\/strong> the banks require a lot of forms to be signed and a copy of your passport. There are banks that do not charge account maintenance fees. Internet banking is offered by almost all banks and this also works from abroad.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:15% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"405\" src=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Florido-Tipp-21.jpg\" alt=\"Florido tip 21\" class=\"wp-image-6638 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Florido-Tipp-21.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Florido-Tipp-21-198x200.jpg 198w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How do I find out what the neighborhood is like?<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">As estate agents, we are not allowed to provide information about a \u201c<strong>good or bad\u201d residential area<\/strong>. This is considered discrimination or steering. I recommend: Drive to the neighborhood you are interested in at different times of the day. Talk to the potential neighbors. Look at how well-kept or unkempt the houses in the neighborhood are. You can find out about crime on the local sheriff&#8217;s department website. Crime statistics are published here.      <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">All of <strong>this information pertains to Florida<\/strong>. In some other states, the rules are a little different than here &#8211; but by and large, this information should provide a guide with which to \u201cdrill\u201d your chosen broker. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">This article does not constitute legal advice, but is for general information purposes only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uagb-block-81de5f7f alignfull uagb-is-root-container\"><div class=\"uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-faq uagb-faq__outer-wrap uagb-block-8716293a uagb-faq-icon-row-reverse uagb-faq-layout-accordion uagb-faq-expand-first-false uagb-faq-inactive-other-true uagb-faq__wrap uagb-buttons-layout-wrap uagb-faq-equal-height     \" data-faqtoggle=\"true\" role=\"tablist\"><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.florida-scout.com\\\/en\\\/real-estate-us\\\/buy-sell-home\\\/\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Can a German Buy a House in Florida?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"<strong>Yes<\\\/strong>, Germans can buy a villa, a plot of land or a house in Florida without any restrictions - whether in Miami, Fort Lauderdale or in quieter regions such as Indian River County. There are no special hurdles to the purchase price, but benefits such as the homestead tax exemption do not apply to non-residents. \"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Is it cheaper to build or buy a house in Florida?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Whether it is cheaper to build or buy <strong>depends heavily on location, <a href=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/www.florida-scout.com\\\/en\\\/house-construction-report\\\/building-lot\\\/\\\" data-type=\\\"post\\\" data-id=\\\"6681\\\">land prices<\\\/a>, the desired number of rooms (e.g. 3-4 bedrooms) and proximity to the coast or beaches<\\\/strong>. In popular cities in south-east Florida such as Miami or Fort Lauderdale, building a house is usually more expensive than buying an existing home. In quieter regions with more natural views, building is more worthwhile - especially for retirees or families who want to plan individually.  \"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Where is the best place to live in Florida?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Those looking for peace, nature and <a href=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/www.florida-scout.com\\\/en\\\/beaches\\\/\\\" data-type=\\\"page\\\" data-id=\\\"3363\\\">sandy beaches <\\\/a>will find the perfect places in Indian River County or along the chain of islands west of <a href=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/www.florida-scout.com\\\/en\\\/gulf-coast\\\/fort-myers\\\/\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/www.florida-scout.com\\\/golfkueste\\\/fort-myers\\\/\\\">Fort Myers<\\\/a>. Cities such as Sarasota, <a href=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/www.florida-scout.com\\\/en\\\/gulf-coast\\\/naples\\\/\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/www.florida-scout.com\\\/golfkueste\\\/naples\\\/\\\">Naples<\\\/a> or<a href=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/www.florida-scout.com\\\/en\\\/gulf-coast\\\/cape-coral\\\/\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/www.florida-scout.com\\\/golfkueste\\\/cape-coral\\\/\\\"> Cape Coral <\\\/a>offer a good mix of infrastructure, safety and coastal location - ideal for vacationers, emigrants or investors. Those who prefer urban life are better off in <a href=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/www.florida-scout.com\\\/en\\\/miami\\\/\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/www.florida-scout.com\\\/miami\\\/\\\">Miami<\\\/a> or Fort Lauderdale.  \"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"In which month are houses in Florida cheapest?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"The best purchase prices are <strong>usually found in September and October <\\\/strong>- after the peak travel period and before the start of the high season. Demand is lower during these months, which means there is more room for negotiation - especially for properties with sea views, larger villas or properties with several rooms in prime locations. \"}}]}<\/script><div class=\"wp-block-uagb-faq-child uagb-faq-child__outer-wrap uagb-faq-item uagb-block-09849af8 \" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\"><div class=\"uagb-faq-questions-button uagb-faq-questions\">\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-icon uagb-faq-icon-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox= \"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M432 256c0 17.69-14.33 32.01-32 32.01H256v144c0 17.69-14.33 31.99-32 31.99s-32-14.3-32-31.99v-144H48c-17.67 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.33-31.99 32-31.99H192v-144c0-17.69 14.33-32.01 32-32.01s32 14.32 32 32.01v144h144C417.7 224 432 238.3 432 256z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-icon-active uagb-faq-icon-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox= \"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M400 288h-352c-17.69 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.31-31.99 32-31.99h352c17.69 0 32 14.3 32 31.99S417.7 288 400 288z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<h4 class=\"uagb-question\">Can a German Buy a House in Florida?<\/h4><\/div><div class=\"uagb-faq-content\"><p><strong>Yes<\/strong>, Germans can buy a villa, a plot of land or a house in Florida without any restrictions &#8211; whether in Miami, Fort Lauderdale or in quieter regions such as Indian River County. There are no special hurdles to the purchase price, but benefits such as the homestead tax exemption do not apply to non-residents. <\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-uagb-faq-child uagb-faq-child__outer-wrap uagb-faq-item uagb-block-caabf3bf \" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\"><div class=\"uagb-faq-questions-button uagb-faq-questions\">\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-icon uagb-faq-icon-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox= \"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M432 256c0 17.69-14.33 32.01-32 32.01H256v144c0 17.69-14.33 31.99-32 31.99s-32-14.3-32-31.99v-144H48c-17.67 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.33-31.99 32-31.99H192v-144c0-17.69 14.33-32.01 32-32.01s32 14.32 32 32.01v144h144C417.7 224 432 238.3 432 256z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-icon-active uagb-faq-icon-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox= \"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M400 288h-352c-17.69 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.31-31.99 32-31.99h352c17.69 0 32 14.3 32 31.99S417.7 288 400 288z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<h4 class=\"uagb-question\">Is it cheaper to build or buy a house in Florida?<\/h4><\/div><div class=\"uagb-faq-content\"><p>Whether it is cheaper to build or buy <strong>depends heavily on location, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/en\/house-construction-report\/building-lot\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"6681\">land prices<\/a>, the desired number of rooms (e.g. 3-4 bedrooms) and proximity to the coast or beaches<\/strong>. In popular cities in south-east Florida such as Miami or Fort Lauderdale, building a house is usually more expensive than buying an existing home. In quieter regions with more natural views, building is more worthwhile &#8211; especially for retirees or families who want to plan individually.  <\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-uagb-faq-child uagb-faq-child__outer-wrap uagb-faq-item uagb-block-7fd88ac0 \" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\"><div class=\"uagb-faq-questions-button uagb-faq-questions\">\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-icon uagb-faq-icon-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox= \"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M432 256c0 17.69-14.33 32.01-32 32.01H256v144c0 17.69-14.33 31.99-32 31.99s-32-14.3-32-31.99v-144H48c-17.67 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.33-31.99 32-31.99H192v-144c0-17.69 14.33-32.01 32-32.01s32 14.32 32 32.01v144h144C417.7 224 432 238.3 432 256z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-icon-active uagb-faq-icon-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox= \"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M400 288h-352c-17.69 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.31-31.99 32-31.99h352c17.69 0 32 14.3 32 31.99S417.7 288 400 288z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<h4 class=\"uagb-question\">Where is the best place to live in Florida?<\/h4><\/div><div class=\"uagb-faq-content\"><p>Those looking for peace, nature and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/en\/beaches\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"3363\">sandy beaches <\/a>will find the perfect places in Indian River County or along the chain of islands west of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/en\/gulf-coast\/fort-myers\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/golfkueste\/fort-myers\/\">Fort Myers<\/a>. Cities such as Sarasota, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/en\/gulf-coast\/naples\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/golfkueste\/naples\/\">Naples<\/a> or<a href=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/en\/gulf-coast\/cape-coral\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/golfkueste\/cape-coral\/\"> Cape Coral <\/a>offer a good mix of infrastructure, safety and coastal location &#8211; ideal for vacationers, emigrants or investors. Those who prefer urban life are better off in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/en\/miami\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/miami\/\">Miami<\/a> or Fort Lauderdale.  <\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-uagb-faq-child uagb-faq-child__outer-wrap uagb-faq-item uagb-block-b78172a1 \" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\"><div class=\"uagb-faq-questions-button uagb-faq-questions\">\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-icon uagb-faq-icon-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox= \"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M432 256c0 17.69-14.33 32.01-32 32.01H256v144c0 17.69-14.33 31.99-32 31.99s-32-14.3-32-31.99v-144H48c-17.67 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.33-31.99 32-31.99H192v-144c0-17.69 14.33-32.01 32-32.01s32 14.32 32 32.01v144h144C417.7 224 432 238.3 432 256z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-icon-active uagb-faq-icon-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox= \"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M400 288h-352c-17.69 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.31-31.99 32-31.99h352c17.69 0 32 14.3 32 31.99S417.7 288 400 288z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<h4 class=\"uagb-question\">In which month are houses in Florida cheapest?<\/h4><\/div><div class=\"uagb-faq-content\"><p>The best purchase prices are <strong>usually found in September and October <\/strong>&#8211; after the peak travel period and before the start of the high season. Demand is lower during these months, which means there is more room for negotiation &#8211; especially for properties with sea views, larger villas or properties with several rooms in prime locations. <\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Be honest: haven&#8217;t you ever thought about buying a property in Florida and fulfilling your dream of owning your own vacation home? Such thoughts raise many questions and many more are not even asked and end up with nasty surprises. Below I have put together a catalog of questions and answers about buying a house in Florida based on my experiences with my \u201cforeign\u201d clients. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":6626,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"disabled","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[273],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-21751","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-real-estate-us"],"acf":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Immobilien-kaufen.jpg",1000,571,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Immobilien-kaufen-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Immobilien-kaufen-340x194.jpg",340,194,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Immobilien-kaufen-768x439.jpg",768,439,true],"large":["https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Immobilien-kaufen.jpg",1000,571,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Immobilien-kaufen.jpg",1000,571,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Immobilien-kaufen.jpg",1000,571,false],"crp_thumb_small":["https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Immobilien-kaufen-340x200.jpg",340,200,true],"crp_thumb_large":["https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Immobilien-kaufen.jpg",1000,571,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Monika Wilson","author_link":"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/en\/author\/wilson\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Be honest: haven't you ever thought about buying a property in Florida and fulfilling your dream of owning your own vacation home? Such thoughts raise many questions and many more are not even asked and end up with nasty surprises. Below I have put together a catalog of questions and answers about buying a house&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21751","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21751"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21751\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23278,"href":"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21751\/revisions\/23278"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6626"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21751"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21751"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.florida-scout.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21751"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}