Buying a Home in St. Augustine From Out of State
Relocating to Northeast Florida? Tour, buy and close without flying back and forth.
Many of Tanya's clients are relocating from other states. Buying a home in St. Augustine from out of state is common and very doable with the right process: live video tours, local inspectors you can trust and a remote closing. Plan your move with Tanya.
Can I Buy a Home in St. Augustine Without Seeing It in Person? Quick Answer
Yes. Out-of-state buyers regularly purchase in St. Augustine using live video tours with their agent, detailed neighborhood guidance, professional inspections they attend by video, and remote closing through a mobile notary or remote online notarization. The keys are a local agent who will show you the drawbacks as well as the highlights, a pre-approval from a lender licensed in Florida, and confirming wire instructions by phone before sending money.
How Remote Buying Works
- Strategy call: budget, commute, schools, lifestyle and timing.
- Area shortlist: Tanya narrows St. Augustine, Nocatee, Ponte Vedra and nearby areas to two or three that fit. See moving to St. Augustine.
- Live video tours: real-time walk-throughs, including the street, noise, smells and neighbors' homes.
- Offer and inspections: inspections, wind mitigation and insurance quotes during the inspection period, with photos and video.
- Remote closing: sign with a mobile notary near you or by remote online notarization.
Out-of-State Buyer Checklist for St. Augustine
- Get homeowners and flood insurance quotes early; coastal Florida insurance works differently than in many states.
- Ask about HOA rules, CDD assessments and short-term rental limits.
- Check St. Johns County school zones for the exact address.
- File for the Florida homestead exemption after you move in. See St. Johns County property taxes after you buy.
- Never wire funds based on an email alone. Call the title company at a known number first.
Where Relocating Buyers Often Look
Nocatee for amenities and schools, Palencia and World Golf Village for golf communities, St. Augustine Beach and Anastasia Island for the coast, and 55+ communities for active adults.
Plan Your Move to St. Augustine
Tell Tanya where you are moving from, your timeline and what you want, and she will send a relocation plan and matching homes.
How Can We Help You?
We would love to hear from you! Please fill out this form and we will get in touch with you shortly.
Why Buyers and Sellers Work With Tanya Cosmini
Tanya Cosmini is the Broker/Owner of Realty ONE Group Elevate, with offices in Jacksonville and St. Augustine. She has helped clients buy and sell more than 500 homes representing over $400 million in Northeast Florida real estate, and she holds the Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist (CLHMS), Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR) and Military Relocation Professional (MRP) designations. Call or text Tanya at (904) 439-9842.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to come to Florida to close?
No. Most out-of-state buyers close remotely with a mobile notary or online notarization.
How do I know the neighborhood is right?
Tanya shares honest pros and cons, drive-time checks and video of the surrounding streets, not just the house.
Can I sell my current home and buy here at the same time?
Yes. Tanya can coordinate timing and refer an agent in your current city through her network.
Related Pages
Information is general and believed reliable but not guaranteed; confirm details such as fees, school assignments and programs with the provider. Affiliated companies are owned within the same family; you are free to choose other providers. Equal Housing Opportunity.
Our Family of Companies
- Realty ONE Group Elevate, a full-service real estate brokerage with offices in Jacksonville and St. Augustine
- Title Company of Florida, title insurance, escrow, and closings statewide, with a $299 settlement fee for veterans, active duty military and first responders
- Rental Property Partners, property management in Jacksonville, St. Augustine, and Ponte Vedra
Affiliated business disclosure: Realty ONE Group Elevate is owned by Tanya Cosmini. Title Company of Florida is owned by her husband, Sam Gorniak, and Rental Property Partners is owned within the same family. Because of these family relationships, the owners may benefit when you use more than one of these companies. You are not required to use any of them and are free to choose other providers.