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Buying a home in South Florida means preparing for more than sunshine and coastal living. It also means understanding one of the region’s most important—and often misunderstood—aspects of homeownership: property insurance. Unlike many parts of the country, protecting a home here often requires two separate types of coverage—windstorm insurance and flood insurance. Understanding how they work together can help you avoid costly surprises and better protect your investment. The Golden Rule: Wind and Flood Are Not the Same The single most critical concept to grasp in South Florida is the…

2026 Hurricane Preparedness Guide The 2026 hurricane season is fast approaching. NOAA’s outlook for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, which runs June 1 to November 30, predicts a 35% chance of a near-normal season, a 10% chance of an above-normal season, and a 55% chance of…

Real estate scams, including wire fraud, title theft, and fake listings, are increasingly common. Scammers impersonate professionals to steal funds or personal information, often using phishing or spoofed emails to steal closing costs or forge ownership documents. Protect yourself by independently verifying all wire instructions via phone and watching for urgent requests or too-good-to-be-true deals. Scammers might use deepfake-generated audio or video to impersonate buyers, sellers, real estate agents, real estate lawyers, title agents or other professionals. Common Real Estate Scams Wire Fraud: Fraudsters hack emails or spoof agents/title companies to send fake wiring instructions for closing costs and down payments. Title/Deed Fraud: Scammers forge…

Homeownership comes with several tax benefits that can help reduce your federal income tax bill. Some of the key 2025 homeowner tax advantages (deductions and credits) available to homeowners include: Mortgage Interest Deduction – You can deduct interest paid on your mortgage for your primary residence (and sometimes a second home) up to a limit ($750,000 for loans taken after Dec. 15, 2017; $1 million for older loans). You will find a summary of your mortgage interest payments on Form 1098, which lenders send out around the end of January. Property Tax Deduction – Increased SALT…

Buying a fixer-upper offers pros like lower purchase prices, less competition, and total customization for building equity, but comes with significant cons including hidden costs, major time commitments, unexpected problems (like bad wiring), and lifestyle disruptions from living through renovations, requiring deep pockets and patience to succeed. It’s a great investment if planned well but can become a “money pit” if you underestimate the work or skip due diligence like inspections. A fixer-upper is best for those with patience, a strong budget buffer, DIY skills (or money for contractors), and a clear vision,…

The National Association of REALTORS® is forecasting a 14% increase in existing home sales in 2026, driven by higher inventory, modest affordability improvements, and a more accommodative Federal Reserve policy. NAR 2026 Housing Forecast South Florida ended 2025 with improving momentum but mixed pricing trends. Year-end market reports showed rising sales activity in the second half of 2025, with average sale prices increasing approximately 4%–5% year-over-year to roughly $770,000. New listings and pending sales also increased, while the condominium market experienced softer conditions due to higher inventory and insurance costs. MIAMI Realtors® 2025…

To ensure holiday home safety, focus on fire prevention by keeping decorations away from heat sources, inspecting electrical lights, and watering Christmas trees. Additionally, boost security by locking all doors and windows, not displaying gifts in plain sight, and making your home appear occupied when you’re away. Fire and Decoration Safety: Electrical: Inspect all holiday lights and electrical cords for damage. Replace any broken lights, and never overload circuits. Decorations: Keep all decorations, especially those made of fabric, away from heat sources like fireplaces, heaters, and candles. Whenever possible, choose those made with flame-resistant, flame-retardant and non-combustible materials. Avoid trimmings that resemble candy and…

When purchasing a home with smart home technology, it is import for your Realtor to include a list of every item that conveys with the sale of the property in the sales contract. This includes everything from motorized shades to pool equipment and everything in between. Brand and models should be identified and any exclusions listed in detail to avoid any unexpected surprises at walk-through. Some common devices include: Motorized shades/blinds (confirm number of units) Smart thermostats (e.g., Nest, Ecobee) Smart lighting systems (e.g., Philips Hue, Contol4, Lutron) Smart speakers (e.g., Sonos, Amazon Echo, Google Home) Smart doorbells (e.g., Ring,…

Florida Consumer Sentiment Climbs Again Economic sentiment rose 3.1 points to 84.1 in June, with all five index components improving. The biggest gains were in views of personal finances. Two New Property Insurers Approved Two more property insurers have been approved to operate in Florida, bringing the total to 14 since recent reforms. Officials say the market is stabilizing. Florida Sees Surge in Commercial Real Estate Fueled by population gains, tax advantages…