Moving to Destin-Fort Walton Beach, FL - 7 Steps to Make It Easy!

The Whittemore Group at eXp Realty is a real estate team based out of Fort Walton Beach, FL. We help people from all around the world find homes on the Emerald Coast and we love it! We especially love helping members of our military who are PCSing to the area, as our team owner, Tim Whittemore, is a Veteran himself.

We have developed a smooth and fun 7-step process to help anyone who is thinking of moving to the Destin-Fort Walton Beach, FL area find the home of their dreams.

Step 1: Reach out to us!

We are available any time, day or night, to answer any questions you may have. Let us know what type of home you are looking for and when you plan to move so we can give you all of the information you need to get the home buying process started. Even if you are a year out from purchasing a home, we can get you started on the right path. Contact us here!

Step 2: Schedule a Zoom Call

Let's set up a buyer's consultation via Zoom.

Zoom is a video conferencing system that allows us to see each other over a webcam, and we can share our computer screen with you.

A buyer's consultation allows us to discuss everything there is to know about you and your situation. You can ask us any questions you may have. We will talk about the best places to live for families, the best places for singles, or whatever is important to you. We will explain our local real estate market, the process from where you are now to getting keys in hand for a new home, and everything in between.

Step 3: Build a custom search for you

We can set you up on a search alert system that will show you homes that fit your criteria so that you can have an idea of what types of homes are out there prior to moving here.

Step 4: Set you up with a lender

We will work with whichever lender you choose, however, we will offer suggestions on lenders that we know and trust and who are familiar with our market and the nuances of Florida real estate, such as hurricanes and flood zones.

Getting a lender is very important in our market because our market is very competitive. If you have a letter of pre-qualification or pre-approval and you put in the same offer on a house as someone else who isn't pre-qualified or pre-approved, who do you think the seller is more likely to choose? Probably the person who can prove that they can purchase the house.

Additionally, we don't want to go out and look at houses before talking with a lender because we don't want you to fall in love with a house, then find out that a lender won't approve you to receive a loan for that amount.

Step 5: Schedule a time to tour homes and check out the area

Be aware that is takes 30-45 days to close on a house, so we like to start the process of actively looking for homes about 60 days out. We will go through the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and together pick out the best homes to go preview. Our team is very knowledgeable of the areas and neighborhoods surrounding the Destin-Fort Walton Beach area, so we can give you recommendations based on what you are looking for in a home.

Step 6: We will guide you through the entire home buying process

We value education and transparency, so we will guide you through the entire process of buying a home, and provide you with updates every step of the way, informing you of everything you can anticipate as we go along. Moving is stressful enough, so let us take the demands of buying a new home off of your hands.

Step 7: Start enjoying life here on the beautiful Emerald Coast!

Once you close on your house, you can kick back, relax, and enjoy life here in the Destin-Fort Walton Beach area.

If you are ready to get the home buying process started, contact us here!

Want to start searching through all of the beautiful homes we have to offer in the Destin-Fort Walton Beach area? Start your search here!

Also check out Things to Know Before Purchasing a Home in Florida!