Brevard County · Selling
Moving to another state in Brevard County
Sell here, and a local agent where you’re going.
Free · Agents who know Brevard County · Every step in one app
Moving to another state means saying goodbye to a lot at once: a home, a routine, maybe people you love nearby. On top of that you have to sell a house, often while you are packing, starting a new job or already living somewhere else. It is a lot to carry, and it is normal to feel stretched thin.
Here is the reassuring part: you do not have to be in Brevard County for most of a sale. Showings, paperwork and even closing can often happen while you are away. What helps most is setting up a few things before you leave, so nothing waits on you being here.
Below is what to handle before you go, how remote signing and closing work in Florida, and what to know about your homestead and taxes when you leave the state.
What’s different for you
- Sell here. A local agent and every step in the app.
- Plan the move. Moving Day set around your new start.
- Buy there. A local agent where you’re going, if you’re buying.
When you start in CloseHive from this page, your plan already includes these steps, along with the usual ones for selling in Brevard County. You always see what to do next, and your agent handles the how.
What to know
You can usually sell after you move
A local agent can handle showings, lockbox access and vendor visits while you are gone. Many documents can be signed electronically. Set up a reliable way to be reached, and give your agent a clear list of who may enter the home and when.
Florida allows online notarization
Some closing papers, like the deed, need a notary. Florida law lets notaries who complete training and register with the Department of State perform remote online notarizations. Ask your title company early whether you can sign your papers online, by mail with a local notary where you live, or in person.
Your Florida homestead ends when you leave
The homestead exemption is for a Florida home you live in as your permanent residence. Once you no longer qualify, the Brevard County Property Appraiser lets you request homestead removal. A sale also triggers a new assessment for the buyer as of the next January 1.
Portability only works within Florida
Florida's portability rule moves your Save Our Homes savings to a new Florida homestead, not to a home in another state. If you think you might come back to Florida within a few years, ask the Property Appraiser how the time limit works.
Federal tax on the gain
If you sell your main home, you may exclude up to $250,000 of gain, or $500,000 if married filing jointly, when you meet the 2-out-of-5-year ownership and use tests. If you do not meet them, IRS Publication 523 explains a partial exclusion, for example when a new job's work location is at least 50 miles farther from the home than your old one. A CPA can tell you what applies.
You may need to report the sale
If you get a Form 1099-S from the closing, the IRS says you must report the sale on Form 8949 even if you owe no tax on the gain. Keep your closing statement with your tax papers.
Selling costs still come out of the price
Your take-home amount is the price minus your mortgage payoff and costs, including Florida's deed tax of 70 cents per $100 of the price. If you also need to pay for an empty home while it sells, add utilities, insurance, lawn care and HOA fees to your plan.
Your options
What to gather
- A local agent who will manage showings and access while you are away
- Spare keys, garage remotes, gate codes and alarm details for the agent
- Your latest mortgage statement for the payoff
- A plan for utilities, lawn, pool and pest service until closing
- A call to your insurance company about rules for an empty home
- Your new mailing address, given to the title company and your lender
- A note from the title company on how you will sign closing papers
- Your old homestead details, and a reminder to request homestead removal when you no longer qualify
- Copies of receipts for home improvements, for your tax records
- Your new address for the IRS and for any Form 1099-S
Mistakes to avoid
- Leaving without a signing plan. Ask the title company how you will sign before you move, so closing does not wait on mailing papers back and forth.
- Letting the home sit uncared for. Arrange lawn, cleaning and checks on the home. A neglected empty home shows poorly and can develop problems no one notices.
- Forgetting the insurance call. Some policies have rules for homes left empty. Ask your insurer before you go.
- Missing the tax paperwork. Keep your closing statement and any Form 1099-S. You may need to report the sale even if you owe nothing.
Brevard County in numbers
- The typical home in Brevard County is worth about $339,600, and 77% of homes are lived in by their owners.
- Typical rent here is about $1,556 a month, including utilities.
Free help
Questions people ask
Can I sign everything remotely?
Most documents are signed in the app; the title company explains closing options.
Can I sell my Florida home after I've moved to another state?
Yes. A local agent can handle showings, and many documents can be signed electronically. The title company explains how you will sign closing papers from where you live.
Do I have to come back to Florida for the closing?
Often not. Florida allows remote online notarization by registered notaries, and some papers can be signed with a notary where you live and mailed. Ask your title company which options work for your sale.
What happens to my homestead exemption when I move out of Florida?
The exemption is for your permanent residence in Florida, so it ends when you no longer qualify. The Brevard County Property Appraiser lets you request homestead removal.
Can I take my Florida Save Our Homes savings to another state?
No. Portability only transfers to a new Florida homestead.
Will I owe capital gains tax?
Many people can exclude up to $250,000 of gain, or $500,000 for a married couple filing jointly, if they owned and lived in the home 2 of the last 5 years. A partial exclusion may apply for some work moves. Check with a CPA or IRS Publication 523.
Should I leave the house furnished or empty?
Either can work. Empty homes are easier to clean and show; furnished ones can help buyers picture the space. Your agent can suggest what fits your home.
How do I get my sale money if I'm out of state?
The title company sends your proceeds after closing, often by wire to your bank. Confirm wire details by calling the title company at a number you already trust, never from an email.