Guide · Updated September 2026 · 7 min read
How to sella house in Miami,step by step.
From your home’s real value to the day you hand over the keys: what to do first, what Florida requires and what it costs.
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In this guide
Selling in Miami in eight steps.
Selling a house in Miami comes down to a few decisions made in order: the price, the timing, what to fix and which offer to accept. Here they are, with the Florida rules and costs that apply. Questions along the way? Ask Bilal.
Step 1
Know your number first.
An online estimate is a starting point, not a price: the software cannot see your new kitchen or the roof you replaced. Buyers and appraisers rely on recent comparable sales, meaning similar homes nearby that actually sold, adjusted for size, condition and upgrades. A Brickell condo is measured against similar units, a Pinecrest house against homes on similar lots.
That number also shows what you would take home after the mortgage payoff and closing costs, which is what really decides when to sell. Request a free home value and Bilal will study the recent sales around you and call you within 24 hours.
Step 2
Pick your timing.
The right time usually depends more on your next move than on the calendar: where you are going, if you need the proceeds to buy, and how long you need to move out. Selling and buying at once? Line up the sale with your next purchase, or agree on a short rent-back after closing.
Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. During a tropical storm or hurricane watch or warning, insurers such as Citizens Property Insurance can stop writing new policies, which can delay a financed buyer’s closing. Leave a few spare days in the closing date.
Step 3
Get the house ready to show.
Repairs worth doing
Fix what an inspector would flag: leaks, water stains, broken fixtures, sticking doors and windows. Then clean deeply, clear the rooms and let the light in. Large renovations right before a sale often do not pay for themselves.
Roof age and permits
Buyers and their insurers will ask how old the roof is, so find the roof permit or invoice, and the permits for other work such as windows or air conditioning. If work was done without a permit, or a permit was never closed, sort it out with the building department before you list.
Reports buyers will ask for
Insurers often want a four-point inspection (roof, electrical, plumbing and HVAC) for older homes and a wind mitigation report, which can lower the premium. Recent reports and receipts for a new roof, water heater or air conditioner help a buyer get insurance quotes fast.
Step 4
What Florida asks of sellers.
Known defects
Florida sellers must disclose known facts that materially affect the home’s value and that a buyer could not readily see. Selling as-is does not remove that duty. Unsure whether something counts? Ask a real estate attorney.
Flood history
Since October 1, 2025, sellers of residential property give buyers a flood disclosure at or before signing the contract: flood damage you know of during your ownership, flood insurance claims and any assistance received for flood damage.
Condo and HOA documents
Condo buyers receive the association’s documents, including the budget, the rules and any milestone inspection summary and reserve study. At the time of writing, a resale buyer can cancel within 7 days of signing and receiving them, not counting weekends and legal holidays, so order the package early. HOA homes come with documents too.
Homes built before 1978
Federal law adds a lead-based paint disclosure: share what you know and any reports, give the buyer an EPA pamphlet and allow 10 days for a lead inspection.
Step 5
Pricing and marketing.
Your list price comes from the comparable sales and the homes buyers can choose from today. A home priced right from day one tends to draw its strongest interest in its first weeks on the market; one that starts too high can sit.
Then the launch: professional photography and video, a description written for Miami buyers in English and Spanish, and showings arranged around your schedule. See how Bilal sells homes.
Step 6
Read the offer, not just the price.
The highest price is not always the strongest offer. Compare each one on these terms:
- FinancingCash or a mortgage, and how solid the buyer’s pre-approval is.
- Escrow depositHow much the buyer puts in escrow, and when.
- Inspection periodHow many days the buyer has to inspect and decide.
- AppraisalWhat happens if the lender’s appraisal comes in below the price.
- Closing dateWhether it fits your move, or you need a rent-back.
A counteroffer can change any of them. Bilal reviews every offer with you, term by term, before you sign.
Step 7
Inspections and the appraisal.
Once you accept, the buyer usually orders a general home inspection, often with a four-point inspection, a wind mitigation report and a WDO (termite) inspection. Expect requests. You can repair, give a credit, adjust the price or say no, within what your contract allows.
If the buyer is financing, the lender orders an appraisal. If it comes in low, the usual options are to renegotiate, for the buyer to cover the gap in cash or, depending on the contract, to cancel.
Step 8
Closing costs and closing day.
Documentary stamp tax
The seller customarily pays the documentary stamp tax on the deed. At the time of writing, it is $0.60 per $100 of the price in Miami-Dade, plus a $0.45 surtax per $100 when the property is not a single-family residence; a condo unit counts as one, a commercial building does not. In Broward, including Fort Lauderdale, and the rest of Florida, it is $0.70 per $100.
Title, commission and taxes
In Miami-Dade and Broward, the buyer customarily pays for the owner’s title insurance policy, though the contract decides. Your commission is set in the listing agreement and is negotiable. Property tax bills go out in November for the current year, so the year’s taxes are usually prorated to the closing date.
Closing day
Closing often comes 30 to 45 days after the contract with a financed buyer, sooner with cash. A title company or a real estate attorney handles it, usually pays off your mortgage from the proceeds and sends you the rest. Florida allows remote online notarization, so ask if you can sign from out of town.
01How long does it take to sell a house in Miami?
It depends on price, condition, location and time of year, so no one can promise a date. Once you accept an offer, closing often takes 30 to 45 days with a financed buyer, less with cash.
02Who pays closing costs in Florida, the buyer or the seller?
Both pay some. The seller customarily pays the documentary stamp tax on the deed and the listing commission; in Miami-Dade and Broward, the buyer customarily pays for the owner’s title insurance policy. The contract has the final word.
03Do I have to disclose flood damage when I sell in Florida?
Yes. Since October 1, 2025, sellers of residential property give buyers a flood disclosure at or before signing the contract: flood damage they know of during their ownership, flood insurance claims and assistance received for flood damage.
04Can I sell my house as-is in Florida?
Yes. Selling as-is means you are not offering repairs. It does not remove your duty to disclose known problems, and buyers usually still inspect.
05Do I pay capital gains tax when I sell my home in Florida?
Florida has no state personal income tax, but federal tax can apply. If you owned and lived in the home for at least two of the five years before the sale, you may be able to exclude up to $250,000 of gain, or $500,000 on a joint return. Foreign sellers should also ask about FIRPTA withholding at closing. Talk to a tax professional early.
Next steps
When it is time to sell.
Start with the number, then decide the rest together.
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