The Complete HUD Home Buying Timeline, Start to Finish

Step 1: Get ready before you search

Line up a HUD-registered broker (see our broker guide) and get genuinely pre-approved, not just pre-qualified (see our pre-approval guide), before you start seriously searching. This groundwork is what lets you move quickly once you find a property worth bidding on.

Step 2: Search and shortlist

Search HUD Home Store, ideally with your broker setting up saved alerts for your target Florida counties (see our finding listings guide), and build a shortlist based on status code, price, and location rather than photos alone.

Step 3: Tour and evaluate

Tour properties that interest you (see our touring guide), and for anything you're seriously considering, get a professional inspection or contractor walkthrough if the status code suggests repair needs (see our renovation budgeting guide).

Step 4: Bid

Your broker calculates and submits a net bid — price minus any closing cost credit request (see our bid calculation guide) — along with your pre-approval or proof of funds documentation. If you're an owner-occupant, this typically happens during the exclusive bidding window described in our exclusive period guide.

Step 5: Wait for a decision

HUD reviews bids on its own schedule, typically delivering a decision within one to three business days of the relevant review date (see our bid timeline guide). An accepted bid moves to a HUD-9548 contract; a rejected bid simply frees you to bid elsewhere (see our rejected bid guide).

Step 6: Close

From contract to closing, financed buyers have 45 calendar days and cash buyers have 30 (see our closing timeline guide), filled with appraisal, underwriting, title work, and insurance binding (see our Florida insurance guide).

Step 7: Move in and follow up

After closing, handle the practical move-in steps — locks, utilities, homestead exemption if applicable, and any repair follow-through (see our move-in checklist). From here, the process is complete, and if you're an owner-occupant planning ahead, remember the 24-month rule before bidding as an owner-occupant on a second HUD home.