Buy a Home in Key West

BUYers Checklist and other Resources

We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of necessary resources to help navigate the buying process including what to expect, forms and documents, a list of trusted professionals and more.

For more information about any of the resources listed below, please use the form on this page, or click here to contact us.

Loan Programs to Suit Your Needs

If you are planning to finance the purchase of your new home, your very first step is to find out what is available to you in terms of loan programs that best fit your unique needs, how much of a loan you will be able to obtain based upon your household income and expenses, the percentage of cash required for down payment and the additional money needed for closing costs, renovations, furnishings, etc. Under the Financing category below, you will find some reputable local lenders or perhaps you have a strong relationship with your own lender. Whomever you choose, this is your first step before beginning your search. Our Financing page is a good place to start.

Buyer’s Disclosure Form

Time Frame: Review, initial, sign and date upon your decision to work with us in finding your new home.

The Buyer’s Disclosure clarifies important information regulations and programs related to home ownership in Monroe County. It describes your relationship to your agent as a transaction broker (the default agency in Florida) or as a buyer’s or seller’s broker. It is chocked full of information to help the buyer understand the home buying process and much of what it entails.

Download and Review or Print Purchase Contract Home Inspection

“AS IS” Residential Contract For Sale and Purchase

All contracts used by Truman & Co. are created by attorneys for Florida Realtors to ensure that all parties are treated equitably. Here is a copy of the Florida Realtors sale and purchase agreement for residential real estate. Please take your time reviewing and ask us any questions that arise. We are here to help make the home buying process as easy and painless as possible.

Download and Review or Print Purchase Contract

Home Inspection

Time Frame: Initiate immediately after property is under contract. Inspection period is a fixed time stipulated in the contract (usually 10-15 days after the Effective Date of the contract). Inspections, requests for repair, and/or contract cancellation must be completed within this time frame.

Required for Insurance: 4 Point Letter (Covers Electrical, Plumbing, Roof, & A/C-Heat) and Mitigation Forms for Windstorm Insurance Discounts

Highly Recommended: Full Home Inspection

May be Required (if full home inspection warrants further investigation): Mold, Roofing, Wood-Eating Insects, Swimming Pool, and/or any other inspection that may be necessary or desired.

Home Inspectors:

Latitude 24 — Omar Fernandez

Associated Home Inspectors — Rick Gegorick

Island Life Inspections — Bob Branchau

Termite Inspectors:

Orkin

Hammerhead

Seller’s Disclosure Form

Time Frame: Review, initial, sign and date early in the inspection period. To protect all parties, the Seller must complete, initial and sign the Seller’s Disclosure form. This multi-page form discloses everything that the seller knows about the house and that which conveys with the house. Obviously, the seller cannot disclose what they do not know, but by disclosing what they do know, any current issues can be addressed in the inspection and in negotiations and/or the buyer can accept the property “as is.” By signing the seller’s disclosure, the buyer is simply acknowledging that they have reviewed the document. Download and Review or Print Seller’s Disclosure

Financing

Time Frame: Application is to be made immediately upon acceptance of offer. The contract default is within 5 days. A “strong” offer will be accompanied with a prequalification letter and funds verification for buyer’s cash responsibility. Written loan commitment is due within the time frame per the terms of the contract. If you have not already, visit our Financing page.

Trusted Lenders:

South Atlantic Financial — Jorge Rosabal

Iberia Bank — Heather Roberts

Centennial Bank — Dan Blagriff

First State Bank — Kurt Lewin

Energy Efficiency Brochure and Lead Based Paint Pamphlet

As your Realtor, we are required by the purchase agreement to provide to you the Energy Efficiency Brochure and Lead Based Paint Pamphlet (if the home was built prior to 1978). Download and review or print the Energy Efficiency Brochure and the Lead Based Paint Pamphlet.

Insurance Agents

Time Frame: Contact upon completion of inspection period.

United Atlantic Insurance

Key West Insurance

Porter Allen

Question for Insurance Agents:

What deductibles are available and what are the premiums for each? (Some lenders set lower limits on the deductible.)
What credits are available for windstorm insurance on the home?
Is there a current flood policy of this property that can be transferred at closing?
Is an Elevation Certificate recommended or necessary in order to get the discounted flood insurance rate?
What is the insured value of the home that the agent is quoting?

Surveyors & Elevation Certificates

Time Frame: Closing Agent should call for the survey upon completion of inspection period in order to ensure a timely closing. If a fairly recent survey is available, a new survey may not be required. Consult with closing agent and lender for requirements. If a previous survey is available, contacting the same surveyor may result in cost savings.

J Lynn O’Flynn, Inc.

Reese & White Land Surveying

Island Surveying, Inc.

Moving Companies

DRN Moving, Inc.

Sunset Moving & Storage

Tropical Movers

Utilities

What deductibles are available and what are the premiums for each? (Some lenders set lower limits on the deductible.)
What credits are available for windstorm insurance on the home?
Is there a current flood policy of this property that can be transferred at closing?
Is an Elevation Certificate recommended or necessary in order to get the discounted flood insurance rate?
What is the insured value of the home that the agent is quoting?

Time Frame: Contact after all contingencies are met and prior to closing. As a courtesy to the buyer, it is customary for the seller to extend utilities one day past closing so that there is a seamless transition for the buyer.

Electric:

Keys Energy Services

Solar:

Benson Green Technologies

Water:

Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority

Cable Internet/TV/Phone Options:

Comcast

AT&T

Propane Options:

Suburban Propane

Amerigas

Como Keys Gas

Title/Closing Procedures

Ask closing agent for the method of forwarding funds.
Get wiring instructions to forward funds to closing agent.
Closing agent will order survey and elevation certificate if needed, which is customarily at the buyer’s expense.
Review mortgage documents with lender.
Review HUD statement for accuracy.
Do a final walk-through of the property on the day of closing or as soon as possible.
Have photo ID readily available at closing.

Architects and Engineers

Time Frame: As needed.

Haven Burkee & David Salay of Bender & Associates

William Rowan Architecture

M Stratton Architecture

Rob Delaune Architect, PA

Artibus Design

Contractors

Time Frame: As needed.

Bird Construction — Rick Bird

Holtkamp Construction — Jordan Holtkamp

J J Fairbank Construction — Jay Fairbank

Furnishings and Accessories

Debra Butler Design Studio

Half Buck Freddie’s

Restaurant Store

Royal Furniture

Your House History

Now that you have settled into your wonderful new home, let local historian, artist and long-time Key West resident, Sharon Wells, create your house history. Each Gingerbread Biography pulls together Wells’ expertise in history, archival research, art and architectural photography. Each individual commission, is exclusively compiled for the Homeowner. Combining historic & contemporary photographs, deeds, wills, maps and plats, genealogy, with archival research focused on one individual Historic House, Each Gingerbread Biography represents over 100 hours of work.

Swimming Pool Maintenance

The Pool Man — Danny & Paulette Rezendes

Aqua Doc — Steve Prior

Keys Pool Service

Landscape Maintenance

Kenny Weschler

Native Landscape Design — Scott Montgomery

*We know these contractors and vendors to be reputable from our past experience; this does not constitute any guarantees, warranties, or promises on our part for their future products or services.

Find Your Dream Home:

Enter some basic details about your ideal property and yourself below to get started. Completion of this form is for informational purposes only and there is no obligation to you.

What type of property are you looking for?

What areas are you interested in?

What is your desired price range?

Minimum number of bedrooms?

Minimum number of bathrooms?

Tell us more about any home or neighborhood features that are important to you and your family

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

Phone Number

When are you looking to move in?

What is your main reason for buying?