Buying a Home on the Treasure Coast of Florida

The price on a listing is only part of what a home here will cost you. HOA fees, insurance, flood zones, and community assessments all change the real number, and they can vary a lot from one street to the next. I’ll help you sort that out before you fall in love with a house.

Let’s Start With a Conversation

A lot of buyers call me before they’re ready to look at homes, and that’s the best time to call. We can talk about what you want, what you can afford once insurance and HOA fees are figured in, and which parts of the Treasure Coast make sense for how you live.

I’ve been selling homes here since 2003. I know which communities have assessments coming, which HOAs are run well, and how flood zones and waterway access affect what a home is worth. If a house has problems, or the price doesn’t make sense, I’ll tell you. My job is to help you buy the right home.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re buying your first home, moving up, relocating from out of state, or adding a rental property. The first conversation is free and comes with no pressure.

Michele Scherger, CSSE, NRBA, GRI
Pinnacle Real Estate Group

Finding the right neighborhood

Tradition, St. Lucie West, Tesoro, and the older neighborhoods of Port St. Lucie each come with different HOA rules, fees, and insurance costs. Then there’s Fort Pierce, Stuart, and Vero Beach, and each of those has its own feel. Browsing listings can only tell you so much.

Tell me what you’re looking for and where you’re thinking of living. I’ll send you homes that match, along with what I know about each community that the listing won’t tell you.

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How we help you buy in Florida

1. Figure Out the Real Budget

Before we look at homes, we’ll talk with a lender and get insurance estimates, so you know your full monthly cost. That includes HOA or CDD fees and flood insurance if you need it.

2. Narrow Down Where to Look

We’ll match your list to communities that fit your budget and lifestyle. I’ll also point out the ones with pending assessments or HOA issues you’d want to know about.

3. Tour Homes and Size Them Up

When we see a home, I’ll tell you what I notice, good and bad. I’ll pull the permit history and the roof age, and I’ll check the flood zone before you make an offer.

4. Write a Strong Offer

We’ll base the price on recent sales, not just the asking price. We’ll also set inspection and financing terms that protect you without scaring off the seller.

5. Inspections Through Closing

I’ll coordinate the inspections, appraisal, insurance, and title work with your lender. I’ve worked with the same trusted inspectors and title companies for years, and I stay on it until you have your keys.

Questions Treasure Coast Buyers Ask

Homeowners insurance in Florida can cost much more than buyers from other states expect, and it varies with the home’s age, roof, and location. A home with a newer roof and a good wind mitigation report can cost a lot less to insure than one next door. I’ll help you get quotes early, before you commit.

Many communities here have an HOA, and some also have a CDD, which is a special district that pays for community infrastructure through a fee on your tax bill. That’s common in Tradition and other newer developments. Both affect your monthly cost, so we’ll look at the fees and HOA documents for any home you’re serious about.

If the home is in a high-risk flood zone and you have a mortgage, your lender will likely require it. Even outside those zones, it’s worth pricing out. Florida sellers must now disclose past flood insurance claims and federal flood assistance, so you’ll have more history to work with than you would have a few years ago.

Yes. Buyers now sign a written agreement with their agent before touring homes. It spells out what I’ll do for you and how I get paid. I’ll walk you through it before you sign, and you can ask me anything about it.

Florida passed new condo safety laws after the Surfside collapse. Many buildings now need structural inspections and fully funded reserves, and that has led to large special assessments in some associations. Before you buy a condo, we’ll review the association’s financials, inspection reports, and any assessments that have been approved or are being discussed.

Probably not. Florida’s homestead exemption and its cap on assessment increases apply to the current owner. After you buy, the home is reassessed, so your tax bill may be higher than the seller’s. If it’s your primary residence, you can apply for your own homestead exemption. The deadline is March 1 of the year after you buy.

Yes. Many of my buyers do much of the process remotely with video tours, electronic signatures, and a title company that can handle a mail-away closing. I’ll be your eyes on the ground and tell you what the video doesn’t show.

Let’s Talk About What You’re Looking For

Tell me a little about what you want and when you’re hoping to move. I’ll follow up to set up a time to talk, whether that’s by phone, video, or over coffee if you’re already here.

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Interested in our properties? Call us with any questions.