Hello Terry,
I have been in the real estate industry now for six years. I believe it would be in your best interest to sell first and then rent in the location of Florida you are moving to and take your time to find the area you want to call your home. I have seen too many people buy and then wish they had waited and found an area more to their liking. If you were to choose southwest Florida I would be glad to assist you. There are a lot of great deals now on foreclosed homes. You can visit my web site at http://www.swfloridarealestatefinders.com good luck and hope all works out to your expectations..
Howard K Harville

Hello, Terry, It looks like you have many solid answers to your dilemma, and I concure. I would like to make the offer to refer you to a real estate professional in Florida, if you need one. My husband and I bought a condo in Sarasota, and I have worked with several agents (hoping I will soon have my license in Florida). Let me know by email: pam.mones@longandfoster.com

You can place an offer on a new home contingent on the sale of your home but, it weakens your offer and in my area would probably be rejected unless you already had a contract from a buyer on your existing home. The timing is very tricky when you have to sell your existing home to buy a new home. I think the best thing to do is get your home on the market and get a feel for the market. Are you getting quite a few showings a at the price you want for your home? Are you going to be willing to lower your price to get it sold? Once you have your home on the market and are getting a few showings a week, I would go ahead and start looking at the homes you may want to buy. Then, when you get an offer on your home, make the closing 60 days instead of 30 to give yourself time to find another home and get it closed. Also, you may want to include a lease agreement in your selling contract for 7-10 days to give yourself time to close on your existing home, close on your new home and then get your things moved out.

One more thing I forgot to mention, Terry. If you have never done it before, you must plan a road trip on a motorcycle or in a convertible and drive into the Keys from South FL. It is sure to thaw your blood and warm your spirits after enduring the brutal Indiana winters. Have a blast! - Ted

Thanks a Million for all of your answers! Its around 12 below zero tonight, and there's a windchill of -40. We're sooo ready!
There's a bit of finishing touches to be done on this home when the ground thaws and we'll be on our way..

Take Care, and See You Soon!

Terry and Family

Homeless, especially in Florida, is not so bad, at least until Hurricane Season. :-) Just kidding. Seriously, your best route is to try to find a rent with an option to buy in Florida, sell your current home, and then close on the new home. If you want to go that route, and need a referral to an agent (or two) to assist you, please feel free to contact me. vchrisner@kw.com

Terry,

First, congratulations on operating a growing business despite the state of our economy. Regarding your relocation plans, there are a number of ways in which to handle such a transaction. The types and terms of loans will vary from state to state. I highly recommend that you speak with family & friends in the Dade City FL area and ask for a qualified referral to a loan officer at either a bank, mortgage lender, mortgage broker or credit union.

You will also want to select a full-time professional buyer's agent or Realtor who knows the area you are considering to call your new home. An experience Realtor will know how to structure offers with a contingent on sale clause that will protect you from having to complete the purchase until your existing home goes under contract and successfully closes.

Best wishes - Ted

You have a few options, you could do a cash out refi or you can do what is called a bridge loan, which would pull the equity out of your current home, in order to purchase your new one. These are just a couple options. If you would like to further discuss or you need help finding a home, feel free to contact me

Contact a mortgage broker you can qualify for a loan, however FYI if you sale your home wait for credit reports updated your credit scores will increase you might have a better interest rate, live with family or extended stay 60 days search for a home.