Buying Waterfront Property in South Florida: What to Know in 2026

Key Takeaways

• Waterfront is not one market: Oceanfront, Intracoastal, deep-water canal, fixed-bridge canal, and lakefront properties carry very different values, insurance costs, and buyer pools.
• Access must be verified, not assumed: Bridge clearance, water depth at mean low tide, shoaling, and the route to the inlet determine whether a boat can actually use the property.
• The shoreline is part of the purchase: The seawall, dock, lift, flood zone, insurance, and permits deserve their own due diligence before removing contingencies.

Waterfront homes in South Florida offer something few other properties can match: a daily connection to the water, direct access to boating, and a limited supply of homes in highly desirable locations.…

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Celebrities Living in South Florida: The A-List Homes Reshaping Luxury Real Estate

Key Takeaways:

• South Florida continues to attract A-list celebrities, athletes, and billionaires seeking privacy, tax advantages, and unparalleled luxury living.
• Recent high-profile real estate transactions include Mark Wahlberg's $37 million Delray Beach estate, Kevin James's $17.15 million Boca Raton home, and Mark Zuckerberg's $170 million Indian Creek Island purchase.
• The influx of celebrity buyers is setting new price benchmarks and elevating the prestige of exclusive communities across Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties.

South Florida has long been a magnet for the world's most successful individuals, but the recent wave of celebrities living in South Florida has reached unprecedented levels. From the pristine…

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Palm Beach County Property Taxes: What Happens When You Buy a Home?

Understanding property taxes is crucial when buying a home in Palm Beach County, as taxes can increase significantly after a sale and vary based on the property’s location. This guide explains how taxes are reassessed upon property transfers, when those changes take effect, and how tax rates differ between properties inside and outside city limits.

How Property Taxes Are Assessed When a Property Transfers Ownership

When a property is sold, the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser resets its assessed value to just (market) value, which is typically close to the purchase price. The new owner’s taxable value is then determined based on Florida’s property tax rules.

1. When Does the Reassessment Happen?

• The Palm Beach County Property…

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An Overview of the Palm Beach County Real Estate Market: Q1 2023

Palm Beach County Real Estate Market

Palm Beach County, one of the most picturesque regions of Florida, is known for its year-round warm weather, beautiful beaches, upscale shopping districts, and dynamic real estate market. But how did the Palm Beach County real estate market fare in the first quarter of 2023? Let's take a deep dive to understand the trends, forces, and numbers that have shaped this market segment.

A Dynamic Start to the Year

Despite the turbulence experienced in the real estate market in 2022 due to global economic uncertainties, the Palm Beach County market showed remarkable resilience. Entering 2023, the market showed a robust start with median home prices and sales volumes continuing their upward trajectory.

The first…

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Five Reasons We Won’t See A Housing Crash in 2022

It may be hard to believe, but the South Florida real estate market is quickly approaching the conclusion of its second full calendar year of record-shattering pace. Homes and condos are still selling nearly as quickly as they were at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and setting new highs along the way. 

With respect to Mr. Gordon Gekko, many real estate experts and economists—not to mention home buyers and sellers—aren’t convinced that all this greed is good. Headlines abound regarding a potential housing crash which would rival that of the late ‘00s. While it’s true that some cherry-picked data trends could cause concern, the fact of the matter is we find ourselves in a far different climate; one that could actually turn out positively for…

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South Florida Real Estate Market Report - Q3 2021

South Florida 3rd Quarter Real Estate Market Report

How's the South Florida real estate market?

The Recipe for our 3rd Quarter 2021 Florida Housing Market

Here’s the Recipe for Our 3rd Quarter 2021 Florida Housing Market: Take one large housing-supply shortage; add a global pandemic, economic shutdown, and supply chain shortages; mix in rapid population growth, and you will yield today’s residential real estate market.

At a national level, we’re seeing record gaps in housing supply and demand. The US Census reveals 12.3 million households were established between January 2012 and June 2021. Compare this to the 7 million new single-family homes constructed during that time.

Florida Realtors reports a robust pace and high absorption rate…

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South Florida’s Rental Market Must Be Addressed

South Florida’s rental market has long been less-than-ideal for non-homeowners.

Landlords operated happily within the free market, raising their rates and easily finding plenty of takers ready to bask in the temperate weather and vibrant culture that our region offers. Those whose bank accounts couldn’t keep up were hastily left behind.

The past year seems to have accelerated the trend even more as too few new apartments have been built, and affordable housing has become even more scarce. Renters seemingly have little to no control of the market, making Florida one of the worst locations in the country to rent in. This reality has re-started the conversation over rent control—a proposal that has always failed in the past; but with examples set…

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Could Mandatory Inspections Prevent Future Condo Tragedies in Boca Raton?

In the wake of the tragic collapse of the Champlain Towers South in Surfside, more questions and concerns regarding the safety of buildings throughout South Florida have emerged seemingly every day. Now, a coalition under Palm Beach County’s League of Cities has proposed an inspection of many condos, apartment buildings, hotels, and offices both east and west of I-95.

The proposal targets buildings a minimum of 25 years old east of the highway, and 35 years old on the western side, regardless of height. This surpasses the standard of 40 years of age in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. While one and two-family homes, government buildings, and schools are excluded, this would result in a massive undertaking, as 90% of the condominiums stretching from…

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South Florida Real Estate Market Report - Q2 2021

South Florida Real Estate Market Report

How's the South Florida real estate market?

Reflection...  Looking back and looking ahead

To sum up Florida’s real estate market for the first half of 2021, one word comes to mind: unexpected. Florida has long enjoyed an influx of residents migrating from across the country, and around the world, to call the Sunshine State home. With remote work becoming a permanent option, over 900 people per day are moving to Florida, according to the Palm Beach County Business Development Board. Reasons for this explosive growth in Florida can point to fair weather, a business-friendly climate, and the lack of state income and estate tax.

Low-interest rates continue to fuel affordability and drive high absorption…

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South Florida Real Estate Market Report - Q1 2021

South Florida Real Estate Market Report

How's the South Florida real estate market?

Reflection...  Looking back and looking ahead

After wrapping up a year to remember in 2020, Compass is proud to share our first Florida market report of the year, showcasing data from Q1 for South Florida, North Florida, Southwest Florida, Central Florida, and the Greater Tampa Bay. While not all facets of life have returned to prepandemic norms, especially as it relates to the international travel that injects additional movement in the housing market, real estate nationwide has benefited from signs of recovery including an increase in consumer expenditure, vaccination distribution, a decrease in unemployment from 14.7% to 6% (BLS.GOV), and an acceleration of…

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