Florida sells a few things—mainly oranges and sunshine. It sells a mentality. A freedom. A place to enjoy yourself in your youth or the twilight of your life. One of the most lucrative industries in Florida is the real estate market. Between the natural beauty of the state and the demand in places like Miami, so many people want to buy a home in Florida. Whether you are trying to make the right investment or are looking for a place to spend the rest of your life, real estate in Florida remains dynamic. Continue below for some of the steps for buying a home in the Sunshine State.

Buying a Home: Determine Location

Perhaps the most important thing to start out with is where you will buy a property. Determining the location is a huge part of the rest of your purchase. It will have an impact on the price, resale value, and your general enjoyment of living there. Will you buy a property in an expensive area like Miami or Key West? Or will you go for something more reasonable in Gainesville? Whatever your goal, it is vital to spend some time thinking about where you should move in Florida. If you do the research and put in a good amount of effort, you will be rewarded for it.

Figure Out Price Range

The next thing you should do is figure out how much you can afford for a house. This decision affects the location of the property and the location will impact the amount of land you are able to buy. If the location is good, the home will be more expensive. However, a property in the middle of nowhere could be in beautiful surroundings but since it’s far from things it will be more affordable. What is a comfortable price range for you? What can you afford? The answer to these questions is dependent upon how much cash you have and what your credit is like. Before you make any big moves, you should know exactly how much you can afford to spend.

Loans, Mortgages, Refinancing

You will also need to find out whether you will take out a loan, a mortgage, or refinancing options later. A mortgage loan pays off the home and you make payments monthly to eventually own the home. Or you can take out a different type of loan to buy the house immediately and pay off what you owe gradually. Do you plan on refinancing later? If you are a veteran of the United States military, you could really benefit from refinancing options. The VA Cash-Out Refinance plan, for example, can give you money back every month so you can live your life and have a better handle on your bills. Before you make a move to buy a home in Florida, you should have a plan for how you will pay off the property.

Decide If You Will Work with an Agent

When you have an idea of how much you can spend and how you will pay for it, you should also decide if you will work with a real estate agent. An agent will take a cut, but they can also help you find the place you are looking for. With the right real estate professional, you could discover a deal that you wouldn’t know about otherwise. In Florida, where property is a big business, a real estate agent could be quite helpful. If you know the property you want to buy already, there’s no reason to work with an agent. When you have no idea, they could really help.

Pull the Trigger

After you have found the right place in the right location for the right price and payment method, it will be time to pull the trigger. This is the last step of the process. While you shouldn’t buy a property in Florida—or anywhere—on a whim, you also shouldn’t wait too long. Florida’s real estate market is dynamic. Someone could swoop in and buy the house before you do. Buying a house is a detailed process, but don’t lose out on an opportunity.

Florida is a great place to live for many different types of people. Depending on where you are in your life, it is one of the most sought-after states to buy property. Whether you’re buying a home first or the last one of your life, Florida could be the place for you.