Closing Before December 31: How Amendment 3 and Florida Homestead Rules Make Year-End Timing Matter
Quick Summary January 1 is the homestead snapshot date: Under existing Florida law, a buyer must own the home and live in it as a permanent residence on January 1 to claim homestead for that tax year, so a closing that slips into January can push a buyer's first...
Can You Close on a House During a Hurricane Warning in Florida? How a Distant Storm Can Delay a Naples Closing
Quick Summary Yes, a storm hundreds of miles away can delay a closing: Most financed purchases cannot fund without a bound homeowners insurance policy, and insurers commonly suspend binding new policies once a tropical storm or hurricane watch or warning is issued,...
What Is an Earnest Money Deposit in a Florida Real Estate Transaction?
Quick Summary An earnest money deposit is a buyer's good-faith payment — usually 5% to 10% of the purchase price — that signals a serious offer and is held by a neutral third party, not handed to the seller. In most Southwest Florida closings, the title company...
FinCEN Real Estate Reporting: What the New Federal Rule Means for Buyers, Sellers, and Agents in Southwest Florida
Quick Summary FinCEN's Residential Real Estate Rule requires reporting of certain non-financed property transfers involving legal entities or trusts — with title companies and settlement agents bearing the primary responsibility for filing those reports with the...
Are Real Estate Taxes the Same as Property Taxes? A Florida Homebuyer’s Guide
Quick Summary Yes — in most cases, real estate taxes and property taxes refer to the same thing: ad valorem taxes assessed on real property (land and structures). In Florida, these taxes are calculated annually based on assessed value and local millage rates....
What Is a Short Sale in Real Estate? A Florida Buyer and Seller Guide
Quick Summary Short Sale Defined: A short sale occurs when a homeowner sells a property for less than the amount owed on the mortgage, with lender approval. More Complex Than a Traditional Sale: Short sales require lender cooperation, additional documentation, and...
Florida’s Cooling Housing Market: What Sellers Really Need to Know in 2026
Quick Summary Florida is leading the nation in “cooling markets,” but this shift represents normalization — not collapse — and sellers still have strong opportunities. Homes sell best now when sellers prioritize condition, pricing accuracy, transparency, and...
Attorney Guarantee Letters vs. Title Insurance in Florida: What Homebuyers Need to Know
Quick Summary Attorney Guarantee Letters are legal opinions from attorneys who certify a property’s title — but they’re not backed by insurance. Title Insurance protects Florida homebuyers and lenders against undiscovered title issues long after closing. In Florida,...
What Is a CDD in Real Estate? A Complete Guide for Florida Homebuyers
Quick Summary CDD Defined: A Community Development District (CDD) is a special taxing district in Florida used to finance infrastructure and amenities in new residential communities. Impact on Homebuyers: CDD fees are added to your annual property tax bill and can...
Paradise Coast Title Receives Prestigious $5 Million Award from The Fund
Paradise Coast Title is proud to announce it has been recognized by Attorney’s Title Fund Services, LLC (“The Fund”) with the $5 Million Award, honoring the firm’s exceptional performance in title insurance policy production. This milestone is reserved for an elite...