When Should I Tell My Landlord I'm Buying a Home in Pensacola?

Carefully, and with a plan. Closing dates can move because of financing, the appraisal, repairs, title or insurance. Look at your lease terms and how far along your purchase is before you commit to anything you can't take back, and hold off on nonrefundable moving costs until we're further along.

Vivian Corwin is a bilingual Realtor and Military Relocation Professional with IXL Real Estate Florida in Pensacola, FL, helping military and relocating families buy and sell homes across Pensacola, Pace, Milton, Gulf Breeze, and Navarre.

• Financing. The loan has to be ready.
• The appraisal. It has to come in, and any required repairs addressed.
• Repairs. Anything agreed after the inspection.
• Title. The title side has to be clear.
• Insurance. Your lender confirms the home has the coverage the loan requires.

1. Read your lease before you shop. Know how much notice it requires and what ending early would cost.
2. Share your lease dates with me. We plan your offer's closing date with them in mind.
3. Wait for milestones. The inspection, the appraisal and the loan moving forward.
4. Watch for the Closing Disclosure. Federal law requires your lender to give it to you at least three business days before closing, with your final numbers.
5. Then lock in the move. Once we're further along, book movers and give notice on the timeline your lease requires.

Not always the moment you sign. Signing the documents and the sale actually closing and funding aren't always the same moment. Once the closing and title company confirm everything is complete and cleared to release, the keys are yours. Plan your move-out with that in mind.

Your report date and your lease both matter, so we plan them together from the start. If you're stationed somewhere else at closing, there may be a remote or mail-away signing option, depending on your lender and closing company. My post on buying a home before you arrive on base covers that. My page for VA and military buyers has more.

• Giving notice the day the offer is accepted. A lot still has to happen before closing.
• Booking nonrefundable movers too early. Dates can move.
• Not reading the lease. Notice periods and early-termination terms vary.
• Forgetting insurance. Start on homeowners insurance as soon as you're under contract. My post on the home inspection covers the next steps after an accepted offer.

Here's an example of how I lay out the steps. It shows the process, and it isn't a real client's story.

• Buyer consultation. Your lease dates go on the plan with everything else.
• The offer. A closing date chosen with your lease in mind.
• Under contract. I tell you when we've cleared each milestone.
• The home stretch. Movers booked and notice given once the closing date is steady.

See how I help buyers, step by step.

When should I tell my landlord I'm buying a home?

After you've checked your lease terms and your purchase is further along. Closing dates can move, so don't commit to anything you can't take back too early.

When should I book movers?

Hold off on nonrefundable moving costs until we're further along and the closing date is steady.

Why would my closing date change?

Financing, the appraisal, repairs, title or insurance can all move a closing date.

When will I know my final numbers?

Your lender must give you the Closing Disclosure at least three business days before closing.

Vivian Corwin is a bilingual Realtor and Military Relocation Professional with IXL Real Estate Florida in Pensacola, FL, helping military and relocating families buy and sell homes across Pensacola, Pace, Milton, Gulf Breeze, and Navarre. Let's talk about your goals and your timeline. I'll walk you through it before you decide anything.

Schedule a time to talk with Vivian.