Anyone thinking about buying a home these days knows it’s a very robust and competitive real estate market. In Tampa Bay, single-family home sales in particular are booming as people from all over the United States move to Pasco County to pursue their dream home in a less-crowded region that boasts great weather and healthier lifestyles.
Many new homebuyers are selecting ICI Homes as their builder because they are able to customize their home and have it ready in as little as eight months — the same length it takes most national production builders to complete a home.
Here are some tips from ICI Homes to help streamline home-buying goals, especially amid so much competition from other hopeful buyers.
Build rather than buy
This is the best way to get the new custom Florida home. If you’ve begun researching existing homes for sale, you probably know it’s a seller’s market, which means there are more buyers than there is home inventory.
Don’t get trapped in bidding wars! Instead, buy a homesite and build the customized floor plan that’s right for your household, and avoid the uncertainty and hassles that come with a seller’s market.
Of course, there will be a wait while your home is being built. But that gives you more time to sell your current home, de-clutter all that stuff you’ve been putting off, and prepare and plan for the move to your new home.
Building a new home gives you control — you can choose the community, homesite and floor plan best for you, rather than settling for someone else’s tastes. Plus, every prospective ICI Homes customer can take advantage of a complimentary customization consultation with a talented floor plan designer.
Get pre-approved for a mortgage
Before you do anything else, get pre-approved for a mortgage. Unless you’re a cash buyer, this is where you should always begin.
Being pre-approved determines what priced home you can afford, so you don’t waste time with homes that aren’t a match. When you find an inventory home or homesite that’s perfect, you’ll be all set with your pre-approval to make an offer, before a cash buyer swoops in with an instant sale.
Do your research
Once you’re pre-approved, decide which community is best for your family. In Pasco County, ICI Homes has homes in three master-planned communities: Asturia in Odessa, Persimmon Park in Wesley Chapel, and Lake Jovita Golf and Country Club in Dade City. There are inventory homes and beautiful lots available in all three communities.
Start your search on the ICI Homes website, which is stocked with 3D virtual tours, photo galleries, interactive floor plans and much more. Online sales staff can answer your questions, get you the information you need and connect you with an ICI Homes community sales associates.
Much like a mortgage pre-approval, know what floor plan you want, the community you prefer, your purchase budget, and key information about the surrounding area. And then, there will be have much less hemming, hawing and debating when it’s time to move forward with a contract.
Don’t be afraid to make quick decisions
In today’s market, the home or homesite you were touring today might not be there tomorrow. You may have to decide quickly to go into contract once you find the perfect inventory home or homesite. But, if you’re prepared, it makes the decision that much easier.
Homes are selling quickly, so you should be prepared to make a quick decision when you find a move-in ready home. Fortunately, ICI Homes has inventory homes available, and is building more homes daily. So even though it is a seller’s market, your odds of finding a new home you love are much higher than finding a resale you love! And, you get the peace of mind of having a quality-built, brand new home.
Model homes in Asturia and Persimmon Park are open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m., on Sunday. All COVID-19 safety restrictions are in place. The Asturia model is at 2112 Secret Cove in Odessa, and the Persimmon Park model is at 3793 Lajuana Blvd., Wesley Chapel.
Call 813-252-1108, or go to ICIHomes.com, to schedule a VIP appointment for a new homesite in the Lake Jovita Golf and Country Club in Dade City. The sales center there at 12330 Lake Jovita Blvd., in Dade City, and its model home will open this summer.
Published April 28, 2021
