Hi Cassandra,
I am a local realor for Prudential Tropical Realty here in Zephyrhills and can give you all the guidance and assistance you need in purchasing the right home for you. I can be reached anytime on my cell at 813-453-3624. I look forward to helping you....Sincerely, Jilian Merluse

You are using a local Realtor aren't you? They should be able to help. It's fine to offer a lower price....it can be negotiated.

When you work with a Realtor as your buyer's agent, they will provide market data for you on the value of the homes in any given area, help you obtain a good mortgage with the best rates possible and once you have chosen a property to make an offer on, you can then begin to shop insurance rates for that home. The best thing about this service is that as a buyer it is free of charge to you. The Realtor who works with you can show you any property on the market and only gets paid once the sale is completed. The sales commission is pre-determined by the listing agent who splits their commission with your agent. You really do get a lot of help and guidance by using a buyer's agent so be sure to take advantage of having someone with the experience of many home buying transactions under their belt to help you.

Because there are so many variables that determine the cost of insurance like the age of the home, the construction of the home, the location of the home, age of structural components etc., there is no way to "guesstimate" your homeowner's insurance cost. Your buyer's agent can however help you select a home that will be insurance compliant.

Zephyrhills is my mother's territory, she specializes in working with buyers there and she has lived in the community for over 20 years. Please feel free to give us a call if you would like us to work with you.

Angela Faulkner
Principal First Realty
863-709-1735

If home values are dropping it doesn't make sense to ask for a lower price - the sellers are already losing value over what they paid and what their mtg balance is. Insurance isn't all that bad unless you are on waterfront, and that is a buyer issue, no matter where you buy in FL - the insurance IS what it is.

As far as mortgages are concerned - that depends on your credit score. Call at least 3 companies and get a quote for what you can approve for, then get a good agent in Zephryrhills and talk to their mtg company. Agents tend to know the best mtg companies since they don't want to waste their time or money on those that don't close transactions.