How to buy a home in Polk County, step by step
Short answer
Get preapproved by a lender, sign an agreement with your agent, find a home and make an offer, inspect it during the inspection period, line up insurance, and close at a title company. With a loan, it usually takes 30 to 45 days from accepted offer to closing.
1. Know what you can afford
Talk to one or two lenders and get a preapproval. They'll ask for recent pay stubs, two years of tax returns and bank statements. A preapproval tells you how much you can borrow and makes sellers take your offer seriously.
Look at the full monthly payment, not just the mortgage: property taxes, homeowners insurance and any HOA dues. Insurance is a big part of the payment in Florida, so get quotes early.
In Polk County, the typical single-family home sold for $310,000 in the 12 months through September 2026, according to public records. See each area's prices on Prices by ZIP.
2. Sign an agreement with your agent
Before touring homes with an agent, you now sign a written agreement that explains what the agent will do and how they're paid. Read it carefully and ask about anything unclear.
3. Search and compare
List what you need and what would just be nice. Compare each home's price per square foot with its ZIP's to see whether the price makes sense.
4. Make an offer
Florida uses standard contracts. The offer sets the price, the escrow deposit held by a title company or attorney, the closing date, and deadlines for inspections and financing.
5. Inspect the home
During the inspection period (often 10 to 15 days), hire a general inspector. For older homes, insurers usually want a 4-point inspection (roof, electrical, plumbing, HVAC), and a wind mitigation report can lower your premium. If problems turn up, you can negotiate repairs or a credit, or walk away within the deadline.
6. Appraisal, title and insurance
The lender orders an appraisal. The title company checks for unpaid liens. Buy homeowners insurance, plus flood insurance if needed, before closing.
7. Closing
You should receive the final cost statement (Closing Disclosure) at least three business days before closing. Review it with your agent.
Watch for wire fraud: never send money based on emailed instructions without first calling the title company at a number you already know. Scammers fake those emails.