Cynthia Ann Corogin

Good Morning, Brenda,

The more educated you are, the smoother the process will be.

I am working with a Canadian couple right now and inquired how the process is different. There are some unique steps but otherwise not too different.

Florida has quite an assortment of properties and certainly more than a few that will interest you and your son.

Without understanding your price range, should you decide to be close to or on the water you will most probably be looking at condominiums. These properties share common areas; swimming pool, community areas, lobby, etc. With these common elements there is a fee which can be charged monthly, quarterly or sem-annually. Some properties will have their home owners association fees include the water, sewer and sanitation, and cable costs of the unit as well as the overall exterior maintenance of the community. This is just as important as a mortgage for if unpaid, the association can legally put a lien on your property.

A community can also have a recreation fee or master association fee which helps with the costs of special amenities (spas, dining facilities, har-true tennis courts, golf course, etc.)

Tax records are easily obtainable from government records and multiple listing documentation.
Today it is extremely important that you work with a professional real estate agent who will know the financial health of a community. If in a community many of the home-owners are delinquent in their fees to the association, should you want to secure a mortgage, you may not be able to get financing.

There are many safeguards in place for the buyer of real estate in Florida and elsewhere in the United States. For this reason, plus our wonderful sunshine and lifestyle options, we have an incredible number of foreign investors in our real estate.

Another point which I feel is very important is to purchase a quality structure. In 2005 many communities insisted upon buildings which would better withstand higher hurriacane and high wind conditions. The cost of insurance is certainly a significant number. Even though it's not very romantic to select a home based on one which will help keep your insurance premiums in line, I believe you need to understand the impact of living on the water, on the first floor, in a pre-2005 structure made of wood construction (ouch).

I sincerely hope some of these points help you. I work with a terrific real estate agent in the Ft. Lauderdale area. Please let me know if you need an introduction.

Good luck in your search and welcome to Florida!

Cynthia Ann Corogin
Amerivest Realty South LLC
Marco Island and Naples, FL - Earlier today