Buying a home in Florida comes with plenty of assumptions. Some believe that their homeowners insurance will protect them from hurricane losses while others believe all property taxes in the state are set at a high rate.
These ideas can lead buyers in the wrong direction or hold them back from becoming a homeowner. Here’s a look at the biggest myths about buying a home in Florida, and the expert insights that dispel them.
Check Out: 3 Best Florida Cities To Buy Property in the Next 5 Years, According To Real Estate Agents
Read Next: How To Start Investing In Real Estate – Even If You’re Not Rich
A Homeowners Insurance Policy Is Enough
Jennifer Gambill, an independent insurance broker with World Insurance in South Florida, said that one misconception by future homeowners is that their homeowner’s policy will include coverage for flood losses that result from storms or hurricanes, which, she said, is almost never the case.
“As we learned from hurricanes Helene and Milton, just this year, nearly every home in Florida is susceptible to flood — even when its location is considered ‘low-risk‘ — and the purchase of flood insurance is not required by their mortgage company.
“After Helene and Milton, homeowners who did not purchase separate flood insurance were faced with thousands of dollars of uninsured flood losses and many looked to FEMA and other government funding to make repairs. It is so important for future homeowners to understand that flood insurance is almost always a separate policy from the homeowner’s policy and that they assess their home’s flood risk and purchase coverage if necessary.”
See More: Why Florida’s Retirees Are Fleeing — and Where They’re Going Instead
Weather Risks Make Owning a Home in Florida Unwise
David Milo, real estate expert and lender of Independent Lending, a mortgage company based in Florida, said that it’s widely believed owning a residential property in Florida is unwise because of the hurricanes and intense weather that the state experiences.
“Even though natural disasters are a concern, there are several effective measures, like inexpensive flood insurance and home mitigation techniques, which are overlooked that can minimize the premiums,” he suggested.
First-Timers Can’t Purchase a House in Florida
According to Milo, many people believe that buying property in Florida is difficult or out of reach. However, he explained that with mortgages and other first-time buyer programs paving the way, a large number of people can now afford to buy their dream house.
“With the help of local services, first-time property buyers will be able to make the investment at a reasonable rate,” he said.
HOAs and Property Taxes Tend To Be on the Higher Side
“Many people believe that the property taxes along with the HOA fees in Florida are set at a higher rate, which is not the case,” Milo said. “In fact, it differs from county to county and community to community. It would be beneficial for real estate buyers to look for neighborhoods with lower property taxes as well as comparatively lower HOA fees so that they can save money.”
More From GOBankingRates
- 7 Winter Clothing Items You Should Buy at Costco Now
- 5 2025 SUVs the Middle Class Should Consider Buying
- 25 Places To Buy a Home If You Want It To Gain Value
- How Far $750K Plus Social Security Goes in Retirement in Every US Region
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 4 Biggest Myths of Buying a Home in Florida in 2025 — Dispelled by Experts
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
