Guides & Checklists
Your roadmap, step by step.
Interactive checklists that remember your progress on this device, plus honest answers to the questions everyone asks.
Buying a Home
- ✓Check your creditPull your free reports; dispute errors early — scores drive your rate.
- ✓Get pre-approvedA lender letter tells you your real budget and makes offers credible.
- ✓Define your must-havesCities, schools, beds, commute — and what you'd trade away.
- ✓Tour homes with LenditaShe'll flag the things listings don't mention — HOAs, flood zones, roof age.
- ✓Make a smart offerComparable sales set the number; terms and contingencies win the deal.
- ✓Inspect everythingGeneral inspection plus wind mitigation and 4-point for Florida insurance.
- ✓Lock your rate & insuranceFlorida homeowners insurance takes time — start quotes immediately.
- ✓Final walkthrough & closeVerify repairs, wire funds safely (call to confirm wiring instructions!), get keys.
Selling Your Home
- ✓Get a real valuationA comparative market analysis from Lendita — not a website guess.
- ✓Handle small repairsFix what an inspector will flag anyway; small fixes protect big value.
- ✓Declutter & stageBuyers pay for space and light. Less furniture, brighter rooms.
- ✓Professional photos90% of buyers see photos first. This is not the place to save money.
- ✓Launch on the MLSPrice + presentation + first weekend = your negotiating leverage.
- ✓Review offers on meritHighest price isn't always strongest — financing and terms matter.
- ✓Navigate inspection & appraisalWhere deals wobble — and where a sharp negotiator earns their keep.
- ✓Close & hand over keysReview your settlement statement; know your net before signing day.
Questions Everyone Asks
Straight answers.
How much do I need for a down payment?
Less than most people think. Conventional loans go as low as 3% down, FHA 3.5%, and VA loans can be 0% for eligible veterans. 20% avoids mortgage insurance but is not a requirement. The bigger surprise for buyers is usually closing costs — use the estimator on the Tools page.
What does it cost me to work with a buyer's agent?
Compensation is negotiable and discussed upfront in your buyer agreement — in many transactions the seller's side offers compensation to the buyer's agent, but structures vary by deal. Lendita will walk you through exactly how it works before you sign anything.
How long does buying a home take?
From accepted offer to keys is typically 30–45 days with financing, or as little as 2 weeks for cash. The home search itself is the variable — some clients find their home the first weekend, others take months. Both are normal.
What should I know about insurance in Florida?
Start quotes early — Florida homeowners insurance can be the biggest surprise in a budget. Wind mitigation inspections often earn meaningful discounts, roof age matters enormously, and flood insurance is separate from homeowners coverage. Lendita can point you to agents who quote quickly.
Is now a good time to buy or sell?
The honest answer: it depends on your situation, not the headlines. Rates, inventory, and prices matter less than your timeline, stability, and the specific neighborhood. Bring your situation to Lendita and you'll get an honest read — including "wait" if waiting is right.
What is earnest money?
A good-faith deposit (commonly 1–3% in South Florida) held in escrow when your offer is accepted. It applies toward your purchase at closing and is protected by the contingencies in your contract — which is why the contract terms matter as much as the price.