Building Resilience: How Homes in Southwest Florida Withstand Wind, Storms, and Flooding

Nicholas NolanUncategorized Leave a Comment

Southwest Florida, with its stunning coastline, vibrant communities, and lush landscapes, is not only a sought-after destination for tourists but also a place many call home. However, living in paradise comes with its own set of challenges, particularly when it comes to weathering the frequent hurricanes and flooding that characterize the region. In response to these natural threats, builders and engineers have developed innovative techniques and stringent building codes to construct homes that can withstand the fury of nature. This article explores the history of building codes in Southwest Florida, the evolution of home construction practices, and the resilience of …

Current Community Development District Map

CDDs explained and how it affects your monthly housing expenses

Nicholas NolanHome Buying, SW Florida Real Estate Leave a Comment

What is a CDD? Community Development Districts (CDDs) in Collier County, FL are quasi-governmental entities that borrow money by issuing bonds and selling them to investors to fund the infrastructure and amenities of new communities. The CDD bonds are paid back over 20-30 years through a CDD Fee collected by the local tax collector. CDDs were created to provide a mechanism for new development beneficiaries to bear the burden of growth instead of existing taxpayers. The Chapter 190 of the Florida Statutes defines a CDD as a local unit of special-purpose government created for managing and financing infrastructure to support …

Existing Single-Family Home Sales: SW Florida Coastal Counties Experience a Mixed Bag of Results

Nicholas NolanMarket Trends Leave a Comment

The housing market has been on a roller-coaster ride in recent times, with the effects of the pandemic being felt in every industry. The real estate market, in particular, has experienced its share of ups and downs, with some areas seeing a decline in sales, while others have witnessed an increase. According to the latest data released on March 21st, 2023, the coastal counties (Lee, Collier, Charlotte) had a total of 1,681 single-family home sales in February 2023. This represents a decrease of 21 percent from February 2022 but is up 19 percent from January 2023. Among the coastal counties, …

sold home

Home prices up for first time in eight months – February 2023

Nicholas NolanHome Buying, Market Trends Leave a Comment

The Black Knight Home Price Index reported that February’s decrease in 30-year interest rates resulted in an increase in home prices, halting seven consecutive months of negative growth. This increase was noted in 39 of the 50 largest markets in the United States, marking a significant shift in home price trends. Black Knight’s daily transaction information showed that the purchase market increased as borrowers took advantage of the limited inventory caused by low-interest rates, leading to an uptick in home prices. However, the U.S. annualized home price growth rate continued to slide, falling to 1.94% in February. Despite the widespread …

7 Mistakes To Avoid When Selling Your Home

Nicholas NolanGuides, Selling

1. Overpricing Setting an unrealistic asking price for your home can turn off potential buyers and cause your home to sit on the market for an extended period of time. Work with your real estate agent to price your home appropriately based on its location, condition, and comparable sales in the area. Overpricing a property can have negative consequences on real estate sales in several ways: 2. Neglecting curb appeal Curb appeal is important when selling a home because it sets the tone for potential buyers before they even enter the property. A well-maintained and visually appealing exterior can create …

The Best Time of Year to Buy or Sell a Home in South Florida?

Nicholas NolanMarket Trends, SW Florida Real Estate

In South Florida, the real estate market typically experiences its busiest season during the winter months, particularly from November to April. This is the time when many people from colder climates come to visit or spend their winter in South Florida, which increases the demand for homes. Therefore, if you are looking to sell your home in South Florida, listing it during the winter months may increase your chances of finding a buyer quickly and at a higher price. On the other hand, if you are looking to buy a home in South Florida, the best time may be during …

How to Know If Your Naples Home Has a Problematic Septic System

Nicholas NolanHome Inspections

Golden Gates Estates, located in Naples, FL, is known for homes with large lot sizes and spacious rooms. Some homes even come with a pool! However, septic can be a challenge in this place, especially if you move into an older home. So, having your Golden Gates Estates home’s septic system inspected and checked first is important to know what you should and should not do. And if you’ve been residing in your home for quite some time now, it is also a good idea to schedule a regular sewer cleaning service and look around for signs of issues. Notice …

Roof Maintenance Tips for New Homeowners

Nicholas NolanHome Buying, Home Maintenance Tips

As a new homeowner, you may be wondering how to properly maintain your roof. Thankfully, there are a few easy tips that can help keep your roof in great condition for years to come. Keep reading to learn more! #1. Inspect your roof for any damage or missing barrel or tiles It’s important to inspect your roof regularly for any missing barrel or tiles. This can help prevent water damage to your home. You can check for missing barrels or tiles by looking for gaps in the roofing material. If you see any gaps, you should replace the missing barrel …

Hurricane Ian 2022 Radar Map

HOW WILL HURRICANE IAN IMPACT THE SOUTHWEST FL REAL ESTATE MARKET

Nicholas NolanHome Buying, Market Trends, SW Florida Real Estate

As most know, Southwest Florida has been significantly impacted by Hurricane Ian. People nation wide have been watching the news during/post Hurricane Ian and the devastation & loss is heartbreaking. We know you are feeling it too so we wanted to reach out and say, we are here, we are rebuilding and as always available to help and serve those who need us. Families have lost everything but our community is strong and the compassion and generosity we are seeing is a very bright light in a very dark moment. Our primary focus right now beyond helping those in immediate need …

How to test your Florida home for Radon – FREE test kit!

Nicholas NolanHome Inspections

Do you need to hire a home inspector to find out if you house contains unsafe levels or radon? The answer is not necessarily, there are many good home testing kits available from your local hardware store or Amazon.com for $15-20 dollars. Radon Testing What about a free radon test? Free radon testing home kits can be obtained in Florida for free from the Florida Health Department here. I ordered a free radon test kit for my new construction home and here were the results. The kit took approximately 7 days to arrive via USPS. Here is what it looks …