To buy a house in Miami, Florida, follow these steps: secure pre-approval for a mortgage, hire a local real estate agent, research neighborhoods and properties, make a competitive offer, complete inspections and appraisals, and close with a licensed attorney. Prioritize areas like South Beach, Coral Gables, or the suburbs based on budget and lifestyle. Understand Miami’s property taxes (average 1.2%) and hurricane insurance requirements.

The process is structured this way due to Miami’s dynamic real estate market. From 2020 to 2023, median home prices rose 30% (Miami Association of Realtors), driven by low inventory (1.2 months of supply in Q3 2023) and high demand. Pre-approval is critical as sellers favor serious buyers, and 68% of Miami purchases in 2023 involved pre-approved buyers (National Association of Realtors). Local agents provide insights into emerging neighborhoods like Edgewater or Little Havana, where prices are 15-20% below downtown areas. Negotiation leverage increases with cash offers, which accounted for 22% of Miami purchases in 2023 (Zillow). Post-offer, hurricane-prone zones require separate wind mitigation inspections, adding 5-10% to closing costs (Florida Office of Insurance Regulation). Finally, closing attorneys handle Florida-specific paperwork, ensuring compliance with homestead laws and title transfers. This structured approach mitigates risks in a high-demand market while optimizing financial and legal outcomes.