From San Antonio to ChampionsGate: How Two Self-Employed Buyers Sold, Bought and Moved Near Disney Without Living in Two Places
The short version: A couple in San Antonio wanted a home near Walt Disney World. They had a house to sell, two self-employed incomes to qualify with, and 1,100 miles between them and Florida. We matched them with a lender who knows 1099 income, searched remotely, toured by video and handled inspections, appraisal and closing from a distance. They closed in ChampionsGate in spring 2026 and kept more than 6% of the list price in their pocket.
By Jorge Martinez, REALTOR® | Keller Williams Classic Realty
How did this move start?
On Instagram. One of them had followed my community videos for months: the drive-time breakdowns and the “what it is really like to live here” tours. Florida had been the plan for years. When they finally reached out, the questions were specific: Can we do this from Texas? Can we qualify being self-employed? What happens to our house in San Antonio?
What made this move hard?
Three things had to line up at the same time:
- The sale. Their San Antonio home had to sell on a timeline that worked with the Florida purchase.
- The loan. Both of them earn 1099 income. Plenty of lenders get nervous with self-employed borrowers, and a nervous lender can sink a deal in the last week.
- The distance. They could not fly in every weekend to look at houses.
What did we do?
- Lender first. Before we looked at a single house, I connected them with one of my preferred lenders who works with self-employed buyers every week. They knew their real budget from day one.
- A Texas partner for the sale. Their San Antonio home was listed by a Texas agent they already knew. I stayed in touch with that agent the whole way so both closings moved together.
- A remote search. I searched, filtered and previewed homes for them. They toured the one they chose live by video, saw it in person during a one-week trip to Florida, and we wrote the offer.
- Everything else from a distance. Inspection, appraisal, repairs and paperwork were handled here. They got updates and documentation at every step, so they never had to guess where things stood.
What went wrong, and how was it fixed?
A week after their San Antonio home went under contract, the buyer walked away. That is the moment a sell-and-buy plan usually falls apart. The home went back on the market and had a new buyer in less than two days. Because the Florida side was already lined up, the purchase stayed on track.
What was the result?
They closed in spring 2026. And the best part: they are now friends of ours, and we compare park days.
Planning the same kind of move? Here is how I structure it, step by step: Sell out of state and buy near Disney at the same time.
What can you take from this if you are moving to Florida?
- Talk to a lender who knows your income type before you shop. Self-employed buyers can absolutely buy. They need the right lender.
- Plan the sale and the purchase as one project, with a backup plan for the moment a buyer walks away.
- You do not have to be here to buy here. Video tours, one trip and a local team handling the details can get you to the closing table.
FAQ
Can I buy a home in Florida while I still live in another state?
Yes. Most of this purchase happened remotely: the search, video tours, inspection, appraisal and paperwork. The buyers made one trip to Florida.
Can self-employed buyers get a mortgage?
Yes, with a lender who regularly works with 1099 and self-employed income. Talk to that lender before you start shopping so your budget is real.
What happens if my home sale falls through while I am buying in Florida?
It happened here. The San Antonio buyer backed out a week into the contract, the home went back on the market and had a new buyer in under two days. Planning both transactions together kept the Florida purchase on track.
How close is ChampionsGate to Disney?
About 15 minutes from Walt Disney World, with quick access to I-4 and US 27.
Thinking about the same move?
Give me 30 minutes. Tell me where you are coming from and what you need to sell, and I will map out the timing for both sides.
Semper Fi to your real estate needs.
Client details are kept private. Results reflect one transaction and are not a guarantee of future results. Jorge Martinez, REALTOR®, Keller Williams Classic Realty.