Florida's active adult communities continue to attract thousands of buyers each year, and it's easy to understand why. Resort-style pools, state-of-the-art fitness centers, pickleball courts, walking trails, social clubs, and maintenance-free living create an appealing vision for retirement and the next stage of life.

For many homeowners, these communities deliver exactly what they promise.

What buyers often don't realize, however, is that the purchase price and monthly HOA dues may only tell part of the financial story.

I am currently helping a homeowner sell in a Florida 55+ community after they were surprised by a special assessment exceeding $20,000 shortly after the builder turned control of the community over to the residents. The…

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For decades, the formula for buying a home was relatively straightforward. Buyers focused on price, location, school districts, commute times, and monthly mortgage payments. Insurance was often treated as an afterthought — a line item handled somewhere between the appraisal and the closing table.

In Florida, those days are over.

Today, insurance has become one of the most important factors influencing home buying decisions, often ranking alongside price and location as a primary consideration. In some cases, insurance costs can determine whether a buyer can qualify for financing at all. In others, insurance availability can influence which neighborhoods buyers consider, the age of homes they pursue, and even whether they decide to move to Florida in…

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