Buying Our First Home in Florida – The Miraculous Journey

Have you ever done something completely scared?

Well, that’s exactly how Adam and I felt throughout the entire process of buying our first home in Florida.

It was a nerve-wracking, miraculous, tear-filled journey that taught us to trust in God and leave the results in His capable hands.

In this blog post, I want to share with you the incredible story of how we found our dream home and the valuable lessons we learned along the way.

Our Vision for a Country Home

At the beginning of the year, Adam and I sat down to discuss our vision for the next five years of our lives.

Surprise!! At the top of our list was owning a home. We longed for the peaceful country home dream, complete with egg-laying chickens, protective dogs, cuddly cats, luscious gardens, and barefoot children.

Both of us had experienced very frequent moves while growing up, never really having a place to call home. We yearned for a place where we could set down roots and build a true home for our children.

Praying and Exploring the Home Buying Process

In February, we started praying and looking into the process of buying a house in Florida.

We were somewhat skeptical about whether we could make it happen this year or if we would have to wait another year or so.

Being an entrepreneur, and full-time Florida wedding photographer, added another layer of challenge to the home-buying process. However, we were fortunate to have my sister, who happens to be the best real estate agent ever, guiding us through every step of the way.

The process felt like learning a different language, which was both exciting and nerve-wracking. It was amazing to have Nicole explain everything along the way. She showed us what to do and when, and shared her phenomenal expertise with us.

The Role of Trustworthy Professionals

One of the best things my sister did for us while buying our first home in Florida, was to introduce us to Edgardo, a reputable lender with NEO Mortgages.

Having worked with Edgardo previously for his branding photos, and knowing of his expertise through my Realtor, I knew I could trust him to navigate us through the confusing process.

His outstanding communication, level of excellence, and thoughtful customer care put us at ease and assured us that we were in good hands.

Trusting the professionals involved in the home-buying process was crucial for us, and it made a significant difference in our overall experience.

Praying for a New Home

Every night before bed, my kiddos and I have a tradition of praying together.

We started intentionally praying together for our new home. We wanted to find a place that would be perfect for our family if it was in God’s will for us to buy a home.

For four months, we prayed together over this one request, and it filled my heart with gratitude to see my children’s faith and excitement.

I cherished listening to my little Ella Bella, who’s only two years old, pray for her “house” and sing “Trust in You” by Lauren Daigle”

We made that song our anthem, and it became the cutest thing ever to hear Ella running around the house singing it. It felt like a little glimpse into how our Heavenly Father must be smiling down on her.

Timidly Exploring Houses and Unplanned Changes

Initially, we dipped our toes into looking at houses, trying hard not to fall in love with any particular location.

Ideally, we wanted to wait until the end of the year so we could save for the down payment and get out of our rental lease. However, as they say, God had other plans for us.

We looked at three homes and put down reasonable offers on each, but none of them truly captured our hearts.

Adam and I had already decided that we wanted a fixer-upper, a place we could make our own while saving some money. We were looking for a home with some land, three or four bedrooms, and a location close to our home church.

Unfortunately, all of our offers were denied, and so we continued our search with hope in our hearts.

Coping with Loss and Finding the Perfect Home

Life can throw unexpected curveballs, and during this house-hunting process, we experienced one of the most challenging moments of our lives.

I was working at a beautiful wedding when I received heartbreaking news. My beloved Grandpa had suffered a stroke and didn’t have much time left.

I finished my wedding commitment that weekend and immediately drove the 14 hours to Tennessee to say my final goodbyes and support my family.

It was one of the hardest things I had ever done, saying goodbye to someone who had been a pillar of strength and love in my life. My grandparents’ house had always been our home, a place we returned to between our frequent moves, and they always welcomed us with open arms.

The week we lost my Grandpa, something remarkable happened. We stumbled upon a home in the perfect location, with plenty of land and four bedrooms, all within the right price range.

Our offer was accepted, and the process of purchasing the house began. I knew deep in my heart that my Grandpa would be excited for us and cheering us on. He had always been our biggest supporter.

Overcoming Hurdles and Testing Faith

As with any home-buying process, there were hurdles along the way that could have derailed our dreams.

However, I am eternally grateful that, with the help of my sister, our real estate agent, our lender, and most importantly, God, everything fell into place seamlessly.

These bumps in the road tested our faith, but they also provided us with an incredible opportunity to witness the power of God’s work and the fulfillment of our children’s prayers. It was a truly awe-inspiring experience.

Financial Struggles and Divine Provision

One of the biggest challenges we faced when buying our first home in Florida was the financial aspect.

We found a home much quicker than we had anticipated, and I was expecting to have months to prepare for buying our first home in Florida. I had a plan for saving for closing costs.

This year had been financially challenging for everyone, and we were no exception.

When the numbers hit my screen from our lender, my heart skipped a beat. It seemed impossible to gather that amount of money in less than three weeks. The hopes I had of owning our first home started feeling less and less realistic.

However, I had to swallow my panic and trust in God.

I knew that if it didn’t work out, it probably wasn’t meant to be. So, I put my head down and did everything I could to increase our income, praying for God’s blessing along the way.

And He truly did bless us by sending the most wonderful couples and clients our way. We cannot wait to capture their beautiful weddings & engagements!! Without their support, we wouldn’t have been able to make it happen. (So THANK YOU!)

A Dream Realized and Expressing Gratitude

When the day of closing finally arrived, we were overjoyed. Not only had God given us the required closing costs, but had also provided even more than we needed.

This news was particularly exciting because, as it turned out, we needed less money than initially predicted. This meant we could invest in repairs and improvements for our new home. It was a moment filled with joy, gratitude, and an overwhelming sense of being truly blessed.

The symbolism of the Address

There’s a small detail about our new home that isn’t lost on me.

Growing up, my Grandpa and Grandma’s house, the place we considered our true home, was located on Mulberry Way. Now, we own a home in the city of Mulberry.

It feels like a gentle reminder of my grandparents’ love and support. I believe my Grandpa is looking down on us, smiling, and knowing just how thankful we are for every moment we had together.

My Grandma is coming to visit soon, and I can’t wait to show her our new home and create cherished memories together.

Lessons Learned and Tips for Home Buyers

Throughout this incredible journey of buying our first home in Florida, we learned some valuable lessons!

We would love to share this with anyone who is looking to buy a home. These tips can help make your own home-buying experience smoother and more successful:

1. Hire a Real Estate Agent who is motivated, hard-working, and communicative. A trustworthy agent can guide you through the complex process, provide valuable insights, and negotiate on your behalf.
2. Find a reputable lender and trust them. Working with a reliable lender, like the team at https://balentineloans.com, is crucial. They have the expertise to navigate the financial aspects of buying a home and can help you find the best mortgage options.
3. If you have multiple offers denied, count them a blessing!! Your PERFECT home is waiting for you!
4. Put utilities in your name and set them up before your move-in date. Taking care of the necessary utility set up ahead of time ensures a smooth transition when you move into your new home.
5. Sign up for Homestead Exemption. Look into the benefits of Homestead Exemption in your area. It can provide tax savings for homeowners, so make sure to take advantage of it.
6. Change the locks immediately. For security purposes, it’s advisable to change the locks on your new home as soon as you move in. This ensures that you have full control over who has access to your property.
7. Label everything you pack. As you prepare for the move, make sure to label all your packed belongings. This will save you from the hassle of trying to figure out where things go when you start unpacking.
8. Purge the stuff you don’t need anymore. Moving into a new home is the perfect opportunity to declutter and get rid of items you no longer need or use. Donate, sell, or discard anything that doesn’t align with your vision for your new home.

Our journey of buying our first home in Florida was filled with ups and downs, challenges, and blessings.

From praying for a new home to overcoming financial struggles and witnessing God’s provision, it was a rollercoaster ride of emotions and faith.

We are immensely grateful for the opportunity to turn our vision into reality and create a true home for our family. It still doesn’t feel real, honestly!!🙌😭🥰🏡

If you’re embarking on your own home-buying journey, remember to trust in your professionals, pray for guidance & provision, and be open to unexpected opportunities. With the right mindset and a little bit of faith, I’m confident you’ll experience a life-changing adventure of your own.

Your dream home might be just around the corner, waiting to welcome you with open arms. 🙌