Buyer's guides
Know the property before you buy it.
Plain-English guides to the public records behind a Florida home: who owns it, what's recorded against it, the flood and storm risk, the real tax bill and what to ask a condo association.
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Buyer's checklist9 min read
Before you buy a house in Florida: a research checklist
What to look up before you make an offer on a Florida home: ownership and sales, taxes, flood zone, liens and permits, insurance, condo documents and storm history.
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Flood7 min read
How to read a Florida flood zone (and what it doesn't tell you)
FEMA flood zones, base flood elevation, ground elevation and elevation certificates explained for Florida home buyers, plus Florida's seller flood disclosure.
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Title and permits7 min read
Liens, judgments and open permits: what can follow a house to its new owner
What Florida home buyers should know about mortgages, construction liens, code enforcement and municipal liens, judgments, lis pendens and open or expired permits.
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Condos8 min read
Buying a Florida condo after the milestone-inspection laws
What Florida condo buyers should ask for: milestone inspections, structural integrity reserve studies, reserves, special assessments, insurance and association records.
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Taxes6 min read
Your Florida property tax will change when you buy: Save Our Homes, homestead and portability
Why the seller's Florida property tax bill isn't yours, how the Save Our Homes cap resets after a sale, and how homestead exemption and portability can lower your bill.
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Storms and insurance7 min read
Hurricanes, roofs and insurance: questions to ask before you make an offer
How roof age, wind mitigation, building code era, storm history and storm surge affect insurance on a Florida home, and what to check before your inspection period ends.