I genuinely think I should start buying a house every two years.

Not because I love moving (I don’t), but because being back in the buyer’s seat is incredibly eye-opening.

I’ve been a mortgage lender for over 18 years. I’ve bought multiple properties. But the last home I bought for myself was about eight years ago — and I’m here to tell you, all the feelings come rushing back.

The anxiety.
The frustration.
The highs.
The lows.

And if you’re wondering, “Is it just me?” — no. It’s not. This is what being a homebuyer feels like, even when you’re an expert.

Every once in a while, we get those unicorn clients who say, “We saw four houses, found the perfect one, and our offer was accepted immediately.” Those people are blessed. That’s rare.

For most buyers, it’s emotional. And being back in it myself has reminded me of a few things that I think can really help you.

Tip #1: “Go Live It” Before You Buy

If you’re thinking about buying in an area you haven’t lived in before — and you can afford to — go live there first.

Book an Airbnb for a weekend. Or longer, if possible. I recommend an Airbnb over a hotel when you can, because it actually feels like living there.

That’s exactly what we did.

We moved from California to Miami Beach and started renting. Beautiful? Yes. Right for us long-term? No. It’s incredibly expensive, and I’m honestly terrified to drive here. Miami traffic is not for the faint of heart.

So we started exploring other areas.

Test-Driving Jacksonville & the Beaches

We did a test run in the Jacksonville area, including Amelia Island, Atlantic Beach, and Neptune Beach.

At first, I wasn’t sure about Amelia Island — until I slept there. Best night of sleep I’ve had in years. Something about that island just hits differently.

By staying locally, we:

• Went to grocery stores

• Drove through neighborhoods at different times of day

• Ruled out areas we thought we liked but didn’t

• Found areas we never would’ve chosen online

That’s the value of “living it.” Some places look perfect on Instagram and Zillow. Reality is different.

Unfortunately, when I’m filming this, there’s no inventory there that fits what we need — even with fantastic agents helping us. So the search continues.

Scouting Orlando as a Long-Term Play (and Getting a Reality Check)

Next stop: Orlando.

From an investment perspective, Orlando checks a lot of boxes:

• Strong long-term growth

• International airport

• Sustainable demand

So we went to test it out.

And wow — reality check.

Lunch in Winter Park was eye-opening. A $38 piece of fish, plus a 20% operations charge that didn’t include gratuity. By the time it was all said and done, it felt like a 40% markup just to sit down and eat.

That matters. Cost of living isn’t just housing.

Then there was Disney. I had this Instagram-fueled fantasy of evening walks and beautiful scenery. In reality? Lines. Crowds. Sticker shock. Not my lifestyle anymore.

That trip saved us from making a very expensive mistake.

Tip #2: Airbnb a Builder’s Homes Before Buying New Construction

This one is huge.

If you’re considering new construction and you can Airbnb a home built by that same builder — do it.

We did this in the Tampa area. We stayed in an Airbnb built by the same builder whose homes we were considering.

And here’s what we learned:

• The house held up well under Airbnb wear and tear

• Minor issues were fixable

• Construction quality mattered more than showroom finishes

In this case, the builder passed the test. But if it had been a disaster, that would’ve been an immediate no.

This is one of the best ways to avoid new-construction regret.

Where We’re At Now

Did we buy yet? Not yet.

One house we’re seriously considering was booked as an Airbnb when we visited — so guess what? We rented it ourselves. We’re going back to live in what might be our dream house and see how it feels.

That’s the point.

Final Takeaways

If you remember nothing else, remember this:

1. If you’re buying in an unfamiliar area, go live it first.
Instagram sells lifestyles. Reality matters.

2. If you’re buying new construction, test the builder by staying in one of their homes.

Buying a home is emotional, even when you know what you’re doing. Give yourself permission to slow down and gather real-world information.

I’ll keep you updated on what we decide.

Ready to Plan Your Own Purchase?

If you want help thinking through:

• Where to buy

• When to buy

• Or whether renting first makes sense

We do planning calls every day — and they’re always free.

Call or text: 786-933-2077
Website: https://zerostressmortgage.com 
Book a call: https://calendly.com/jennifer-beeston 

Whether you’re buying now or five years from now, we’re here to help you build a plan that actually fits your life.