Buyers
Buy a Miami condo
People comparing rent vs buy, touring buildings, and writing offers. Budget with HOA in the payment, pick a building that can be financed, then contract, inspect, and close without skipping the docs.
1. Getting started
Usually 1–3 weeksKnow your payment stack — mortgage, HOA, tax, insurance — before you fall for a view. Pre-approval for a Miami condo is about the building as much as your credit.
- Run affordability with a real HOA number, not a national average.
- Compare rent vs buy if you are not sure you will stay five-plus years.
- Get a condo-aware pre-approval; tell the lender the building name early.
Articles
Pre-approval is essential in Miami's condo market, and financing rules have gotten stricter recently. Here's how to get …
Financing a Miami condo means the lender evaluates the condo association's finances, not just yours. Here's what's requi…
The rent-vs-buy decision in Miami depends heavily on current mortgage rates and a specific building's costs, not a gener…
2. Searching
As long as you needTour units, then underwrite the association. SIRS, reserves, rental caps, and insurance are why two similar-looking Brickell towers are not the same purchase.
- Ask for SIRS, milestone, budget, and pending assessments before you offer.
- Read rental restrictions if you might lease later.
- Walk the building at night and on a weekend — noise and operations show up then.
Articles
Touring Miami condos goes faster with a pre-approval in hand and a clear list of must-haves. Here's what to expect at a …
Structural Integrity Reserve Studies are now mandatory for most Miami condos, with reserve waivers eliminated since Janu…
Milestone inspections, county recertification, and SIRS are three different requirements often confused. Here's the curr…
3. Under contract
Usually 30–45 daysOffer, earnest money, inspection, financing, and the HOA application. Use the cancellation window after you actually receive the condo documents.
- Write the offer with a condo rider, inspection period, and a realistic close date.
- Inspect the unit and read association docs in parallel.
- Submit the board package the same week you go under contract.
Articles
Making an offer on a Miami condo means more than agreeing on price -- financing and inspection contingencies, a 7-day co…
An earnest money deposit protects both buyer and seller in a Miami real estate transaction. Here's how much to expect, w…
The period between offer and signed contract is critical. Here's what to expect in a Miami condo purchase contract, when…
4. Closing
Last 7–10 daysClear to close, HO-6 insurance, cash to close, and the final walkthrough. Confirm the wire. Then homestead if this is your primary home.
- Bind HO-6 (and flood if required) before the lender’s deadline.
- Review the closing disclosure against your affordability worksheet.
- Walk the unit the day of or day before closing; keys come after funding.
Articles
Closing on a Miami condo takes a few hours and requires photo ID, proof of insurance, and a cashier's check or wire tran…
The final walkthrough is your last chance to confirm a Miami condo's condition before closing. Here's what to inspect, w…
A title company confirms clean title, holds escrow, and issues title insurance at a fixed state-set rate that's the same…