Buying a Home in Oviedo

Are you considering buying a home in Oviedo, Florida, and wondering how to get started? Are you unsure if Oviedo is even right for your lifestyle? A small city located just a short drive away from Orlando, Oviedo offers the perfect rural lifestyle for those seeking to escape the big cities. Read on to find out if Oviedo would be right for you and other things that you need to know, whether it is your first or tenth time buying a home.

Voted as one of the best places in Florida for families with kids, Oviedo is a quaint community twenty miles outside Orlando.  In this small town of 41,403 residents, you will experience a tight-knit community with top-rated schools. It is also not uncommon to find chickens wandering around the historic downtown area, so much so that Ovideo has become famous for its large population of chickens.

There are many neighborhoods in Oviedo, each with its distinct vibe and culture. Here are three of the most exclusive and upscale areas in Oviedo!

Located north of the prestigious University of Central Florida and close to Carillon Elementary and Hagerty High School is the Brighton Park neighborhood. There are many custom-built homes of varying styles and sizes along tree-lined streets.

Seminole Woods is a 1550-acre guard-gated and prestigious neighborhood with 262 custom homes on five-acre lots. Seminole Woods has tranquil lakes, expansive parks, and interactive play areas. There are private slips to support boating enthusiasts and equestrian trails for horse lovers. With so much to do, there is something for everyone in this picturesque, quiet, and rural community.

You might want to consider Cardinal Glen, which is another private and exclusive community. This gated neighborhood consists of various ranch-style and two-story custom homes on picturesque tree-lined streets.

When buying a home in Oviedo, you need to know the financial costs so that you can prepare.

In Oviedo, the median price for all types of homes is $439,166, with many priced well above that figure. It is also important to note that home prices have increased by nearly 15% year-to-date. However, fewer homes are selling than they were a month ago, and many are selling for less than the asking price, indicating that many are waiting to list their homes. This means that buyers will likely face less competition and might even have more purchasing power!

If you plan on financing your Oviedo home, you need to know what closing costs you would be expected to pay. Generally, buyers pay anywhere from 3% to 4% of the total purchase price, which usually includes the loan origination fees and taxes.

When buying a house in Oviedo, you would have to pay a property tax rate of .76%, which is lower than in many other parts of Florida. The average homeowner in Seminole County pays $1,303 in property taxes every year.

If you plan on financing your home, many options are available depending on your circumstances. You can apply for a conventional loan, an FHA loan, or a VA loan. Continue reading to find out what they are and how you would qualify!

Many home buyers opt for the conventional loan, a conforming loan that the federal government backs. Another type of mortgage loan that is quite popular is the jumbo mortgage loan, which is a loan type that exceeds the amount of a traditional loan. To qualify for a conventional loan, home buyers need a credit score of at least 620 and a debt-to-income ratio of less than 50%. In addition, many home buyers must put down at least 20%, or they will have to opt for Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) to protect the lender.

Another type of loan that has less stringent requirements is the FHA loan. An FHA loan is backed by the federal government and offers a more lenient option for buyers to purchase a home. Buyers interested in using an FHA loan can only use it for a primary residence. Furthermore, the house needs to be appraised and inspected to ensure it is safe and livable.

Those home buyers affiliated with the military (active-duty, veteran, or spouse) might be able to apply for a VA loan. Backed by the federal government, a VA loan offers numerous benefits, such as no down payment requirements, low-interest rates, no Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI), and minimal closing costs.

Buying a house can be a massive financial undertaking. Consider these four tips that can help you maximize your budget!

When buying a home, you get a specific time frame to apply to as many mortgage lenders as you want without being adversely penalized on your credit report. You can then review each of these offers to determine which one would be the best fit for you. By shopping around, you are more likely to get a better rate and loan term to get the most for your money.

Although experts recommend putting down a 20% down payment on purchasing a house to avoid Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI), you can certainly pay more. By putting down a bigger down payment, you will be able to reduce the total cost of the loan and the length of time it takes you to pay it off. You will ultimately be able to spend less time paying off the mortgage loan so that you can focus on living the lifestyle of your dreams!

Another way that you can save money when buying a home in Oviedo is by increasing your credit score. Generally, a higher credit score means you will have better rates for your mortgage loan. If you want to improve your credit score, you must focus on paying down your debts and keeping your debt-to-income ratio at a minimum.

When buying a home in Florida, you can ask your real estate agent if they offer a commission rebate. This means you will get a certain percentage of the realtor’s commission back, which you can use toward the closing costs or even receive as a lump sum. The commission rate you would get varies, so you would have to ask your real estate agent how much they would be willing to offer you as a rebate.

Interested in buying a home in Oviedo, FL? Then, schedule a consultation with real estate agent Florence Zimmerman, who can provide expert guidance on everything from neighborhood insights to the real estate market. Florence can help you find the perfect home that aligns with all your must-haves!