First time Home buyer Pembroke Pines, FL

[Eleanor Mercatoris]

My fiance and I are looking to buy a house in Pembroke Pines FL. We are planning on living in it for a few years and then renting it out. I was curious if anyone could offer any advice or recommendations on houses in Pembroke Pines. The houses we are looking at are in Pembroke Pines near the Pembroke lakes square. One of the houses has the original roof (1990s) while other roofs are more updated. Most are a 2 bed 2 bath around $420,000 and a little less than 1,600 sq feet. Little less than $300 HOA. What are some questions we should be asking when shopping around ?

[Arman Ahmed]

Quote from @Eleanor Mercatoris:

My fiance and I are looking to buy a house in Pembroke Pines FL. We are planning on living in it for a few years and then renting it out. I was curious if anyone could offer any advice or recommendations on houses in Pembroke Pines. The houses we are looking at are in Pembroke Pines near the Pembroke lakes square. One of the houses has the original roof (1990s) while other roofs are more updated. Most are a 2 bed 2 bath around $420,000 and a little less than 1,600 sq feet. Little less than $300 HOA. What are some questions we should be asking when shopping around ?

I'd pay close attention to the roof and HOA before getting too attached to any house. A 1990s roof could turn into a major expense, and with a nearly $300 monthly HOA, you'll want to understand exactly what it covers, upcoming assessments, rental restrictions, reserves, and whether there are any limits on leasing. Since you plan to rent it later, I'd also run the numbers using today's realistic rent, taxes, insurance, HOA, vacancy, and maintenance instead of assuming appreciation will bail you out. If it works as a future rental on conservative numbers, that's a much better first buy.