After Closing
After Your Closing
Congratulations on your new home! Here are a few things to take care of in the weeks after closing.
Your documents and title policy
- Signed documents: everything you signed at closing is available in our e-document storage. Follow the link we send you to set up your account.
- Owner's title policy: it will be mailed to you, typically within 4-6 weeks after closing.
- Keep them safe: save your documents, username and password in a safe and secure location.
Apply for your Florida homestead exemption
If the home is your permanent residence, you may qualify for a homestead exemption that reduces the taxable value of your home by up to $50,000. It also brings the Save Our Homes cap, which limits yearly increases in your assessed value to 3% or the rate of inflation, whichever is lower.
You must own and live in the home on January 1, and apply with your county property appraiser by March 1 of that year. It isn't automatic. In Orange County, apply at ocpafl.org.
Property taxes
Florida property tax bills are mailed in November, and paying early earns a discount: 4% in November, 3% in December, 2% in January and 1% in February. Taxes are due by March 31. If your lender pays your taxes through an escrow account, they'll take care of this for you.
Protect your home
- Ignore “copy of your deed” offers. Companies mail official-looking letters offering a copy of your deed for a fee. You can get it from the county's public records for little or nothing, and we're happy to help.
- Sign up for property fraud alerts. Many Florida counties offer a free service that notifies you when a document is recorded in your name. In Orange County, it's offered by the Orange County Comptroller.
- Update your address with the post office, your bank and your insurance company, and consider changing the locks.
This information is general and may change. Please check with your county property appraiser and tax collector for the details that apply to you.
Our Office is Easy to Locate
215 East Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL 32801