Florida Home Buyer FAQ: 10 Questions You Should Always Ask

Before you fall in love with a home, fall in love with the facts.

Smart buyers ask the right questions up front—and save time, money, and frustration.

Here are 10 questions every Florida buyer should ask before making an offer.

1. Is the home in a flood zone?

Florida has thousands of flood zones. Ask for the FEMA zone, flood history, and current insurance costs.

Flood zones affect financing, insurance, and resale value.

2. What are the HOA or condo rules?

If the home is in a managed community, ask:

• Are there pet, rental, or vehicle restrictions?
• What are the monthly dues?
• Are there upcoming assessments?

Review the documents before committing.

3. How old is the roof, HVAC, and water heater?

These are your most expensive future repairs.

• Roofs: Lifespan of 15–25 years (depending on material)
• HVAC: 10–15 years
• Water heater: 8–12 years

Ask for age and warranty info.

4. What do the taxes look like?

Florida taxes reset on sale. Ask for a realistic post-purchase estimate, not the seller’s current tax bill.

Your agent can provide a property tax projection.

5. Are there any insurance issues?

Ask about:

• Wind mitigation reports
• Prior claims
• Policy restrictions or costs

Some older homes may be tough (or expensive) to insure.

6. Has the home had major repairs or renovations?

Ask:

• Were permits pulled?
• Was work done by licensed contractors?
• Are warranties transferable?

Unpermitted work can delay or derail closing.

7. Are there CDD fees?

Community Development District (CDD) fees are common in newer Florida communities.

They can add hundreds per year to your tax bill.

8. What’s the resale outlook?

Ask about:

• School district
• Neighborhood trends
• Comparable recent sales

Even if you’re buying for life, resale value matters.

9. What contingencies can I include?

Florida contracts allow for:

• Inspection periods
• Financing and appraisal contingencies
• HOA/Condo doc review

A good agent knows how to tailor these to protect you.

10. Why is the seller moving?

Sometimes it doesn’t matter. Sometimes it tells you everything.

Use this to guide your negotiations and expectations.

Final Thought

Don’t just ask questions—ask the right questions.

📞 Call Michael Renick at 941.400.8735 to schedule a no-obligation buyer consultation and get the clarity you need before touring homes.

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