Choosing the Right Florida Home for the Climate

When you are buying a home in Florida, it’s worth putting some extra thought and research into making sure the property you are getting is going to be well-suited to the climate. FL is subject to a lot of heat and humidity, as well as severe weather like hurricanes and floods. Here is how to choose a home that is right for the climate.

1. Hurricane-resistant. FL homes built to code should be able to withstand hurricanes. But you should assess the quality of construction and details. Some things to look at include the doors and windows, which should be impact-resistant, reinforced concrete and steel, a continuous load path, and the angle of the roof (which should generally be steeper).
2. Energy efficiency. You want your home to be as insulated and energy efficient as possible. This is both about keeping summer heat out, and minimizing how much energy and money you need to spend on cooling. Shop for a home with good insulation, and with energy-efficient doors and windows.
3. HVAC. Florida summers without air conditioning can be thoroughly miserable due to both the heat and the humidity. Moreover, if you can’t air condition your house, it may be more susceptible to moisture build-up and mold. Repairing or replacing HVAC can be very expensive. So, you should shop for a home that already has an excellent working HVAC system.
4. Cross-breezes. There might be days when it is warm enough that you want some ventilation, but you do not necessarily need to be running your air conditioning. This can work especially well if your home is close enough to the water that you get a breeze coming off the ocean. In fact, if you can afford it, you might even choose your home based partly on its location with this in mind. You can also check the locations of windows in the house to determine whether you will be able to easily open them up and set up a cross breeze if you want one.
5. Watch out for flooding. While Florida is notorious for its hurricane season, it is not just high winds that you need to watch out for. You also need to be aware of the possibility of flooding. For starters, always check whether the house you are thinking about getting is located on a floodplain. Properties on floodplains are more susceptible to potentially being inundated. That does not mean you should never consider a home on a floodplain, just that you should do so with caution. Sometimes, you might want one because its location has other advantages such as views of the ocean. Another thing to check is the grading of the ground around the property. It is better for it to be on a hilltop then at the base of a hill. You want there to be adequate drainage away from the property, rather than water being likely to pool around the property. Regardless of the exact location of the Florida home you buy, you should make sure that its construction will be able to stand up to potential flooding. Some things to look for include raised foundations or pilings, flood vents and drainage features, and impact-resistant doors and windows.

Buy a Home in Florida with a Competitive Mortgage

Florida State Mortgage Group is based in Fort Lauderdale. If you are ready to buy a home, we can help you apply for a mortgage anywhere in the state. We can also help you refinance. To get started, please give us a call at (954) 359-3000 to schedule your mortgage consultation.