Living In Florida With Hurricanes
Sandy Wilder, Buyer Specialist Realtor?
Responsive, client-centric Realtor? representing homebuyers to find/buy their desired FL home for the best possible price & terms. Specialize educating & guiding out-of-state buyers, women buyers, & first-time buyers.
Good Monday morning my newsletter readers,
I thought I’d share some facts with my readers about what’s been happening during the past couple of weeks in Southwest Florida.
Southwest Florida (SWFL) is a highly sought after location for living ?in Florida. Some of the reasons:
The Gulf of Mexico and the beautiful Beaches
Warm sunshine year-round
Quieter and more affordable that the East coast Less traffic than the East coast
No high rises allowed (3 floors/stories only in Naples downtown)
The lush vegetation and beautiful flowers
The Everglades
The Arts-Naples Artis and Barbara B Mann
Pro baseball training facilities
Terrific business?opportunities
No income taxes
I-75 access direct
Close to RSW international ?airport with direct flights
Able to visit the FL Keys with a drive or a boat ride
Great fishing
The history (Edison/Ford) and the Kentucky connection...
And the list goes on....
These following stats are only for SWFL
When you are considering Florida for your next property purchase make sure you are informed with facts:
SWFL is always at risk of hurricanes, warm waters in the Gulf of Mexico make hurricane season one to be very mindful of and very prepared.
I can give you all kinds of stats for the East Coast, the Panhandle area, the inland portions yet you are looking in SWFL at properties currently.
What you see on TV might not be here in SWFL or even where you are considering a property purchase.
If you have doubts or need true and honest information, such as: the survey and elevations on properties you are considering, just ask....
These are what matters most.
I, as the "Buyer's Agent", would never put your large investment at risk.
I know this area and while I do not know the exact storm’s path or what the next hurricane season holds for us, I know the facts of living in SWFL.
I have lived in downtown Naples during?Irma, Miromar Lakes for?Ian?and west of 41 for?Helene?and?Milton.....
I have been through them all, being smart and knowing when to evacuate and how to secure your property properly before you leave or even if you stay (which I did for all but Milton) is key.
If you are living in the Northern United States or Canada, you experience some brutal winters and sometimes spring brings treacherous rain falls...You learned to adapt and live accordingly.
Planning and facts are key.There are no basements in Florida, too much sand and prone to flooding...
领英推荐
Sump pumps are prevalent in the Northern States due to flooding in basements, right? Protection is key...
The facts are the facts....Don't let fear of "what if this happens again" keep you from your seasonal, part-time or even full-time living in SWFL.
Let the facts guide you, not fear. The worst you are seeing on the TV is not all of SWFL....
Marco Island to N Fort Myers are lower than recommended elevations and other areas of Florida in general.
Majority are outside of our area of SWFL.
Start, Stay & Be informed with the facts.I have never been flooded, lost a property or even had major damage...
Luck? No, Informed, Educated and Ready! So, please don't hesitate to ask the important questions when looking for a home here In SWFL.
Key questions that need answers:
What is the flood zone?(if any)?What is the elevation?
Is there a Survey?
Any past claims from storms or hurricanes??If there are, ?insurance companies frown on providing a reasonable quote to the next owner.
Insurance can be transferrable as well (in most cases)
What year built? New building codes happen after each named storm.
Updates and remodels? (check the years performed....)
Clear inspection reports after a named storm. These can be done for $500 by a reputable home inspection company (mold is the most important fact to know) and they should be provided by a Seller if they truly want their home sold....
I always find out these things when and before I recommend properties (I research if they were ever in a flooded zone).
Surveys are not as widely requested so it does sometimes require a little more ?time to receive.
Besides, the floodplain changes as FEMA draws information from each storm.
After?Ian, we had to disclose this information for the 1st year only. Now, there will be a new disclosure I am sure, not yet in our database though.
In conclusion, please know with the beauty of the weather comes items/things to consider (not deter) as we will always have the beaches, palm trees, lots of sun and yes the Gulf of Mexico...
Not a bad thing at all, just one too mindful of.?Yet, if I can presume, you are considering SWFL for these reasons..?
If you want a "rock bottom" deal/steal after a hurricane, please do not ask me!I DO NOT TAKE ADVANTAGE OF PEOPLE WHILE THEY ARE DOWN.....
I always negotiate a wonderful opportunity for my buyer's. Yet in times of tragedy and despair I do not take advantage of anyone.
If you need more information about SWFL living please just ask...SWFL has been my full time home for almost 20 years and I have not one regret.
Please have a great Monday, and every day!
Adding comments below appreciated!
SandyWilder SWFL Real Estate Advisor & Homebuyer's Realtor? ? ? ? ? ? ?
Call Text: 239-850-1650 ?
Emails: [email protected] [email protected]