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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Florida Homestead Exemption: How It Works & How to Save on Property Taxes

Understanding the Florida Homestead Exemption: A Guide for Homeowners

The Florida Homestead Exemption is a powerful tool that provides property tax relief and other legal protections to homeowners in the Sunshine State. This exemption can significantly reduce your annual property tax bill and offers benefits that extend beyond simple tax savings. If you're a Florida resident and own a primary residence in the state, understanding the homestead exemption is crucial.

What is the Florida Homestead Exemption?

The Florida Homestead Exemption is a property tax benefit available to homeowners who occupy their Florida property as their primary residence. Eligible homeowners can receive up to a $50,000 reduction in the assessed value of their home for tax…

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Housing Market Predictions for the rest of 2024

Real Estate Market Predictions for 2024: When Will Home Prices Become Affordable Again?

The real estate market has been a hot topic of conversation for several years now. The pandemic, coupled with fluctuating mortgage rates and a tight housing inventory, has led to significant price increases across the U.S. As 2024 approaches, potential buyers and sellers are asking the million-dollar question: When will home prices become affordable again? Here, we break down the housing market predictions for 2024 and 2025, discuss the factors influencing home prices, and provide expert tips to navigate this competitive market.

The State of the Housing Market: A Cooling Period?

The housing market has yet to fully heat up this year, but changes are on the…

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NAR Settlement and Real Estate Industry Changes: What Homebuyers Need to Know About Commissions

Real Estate Commissions: What You Need to Know

I'm sure you're aware of the recent changes in how real estate transactions are handled in the United States. If you're planning to buy a home after August 17, 2024, it's crucial to understand these updates. There's a lot of misinformation circulating, so let's cut through the noise and dive into the facts. Understanding these changes could save you from paying unnecessary fees to a real estate agent.

The Old Way: Understanding Traditional Real Estate Commissions

In the past, when a home seller listed a property with a real estate agent, they could choose to offer a commission to a potential buyer's agent. This commission was displayed on the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) and visible on popular real…

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Essential Questions to Ask When Hiring a Real Estate Agent to Represent You as a Home Buyer

When it comes to purchasing a home, especially in competitive markets like Boca Raton, Florida, having the right real estate agent by your side can make all the difference. An experienced agent not only helps you navigate the complexities of the home buying process but also ensures you get the best deal possible. However, not all real estate agents are created equal, and it's crucial to ask the right questions before hiring one. Here are the essential questions you should ask when hiring a real estate agent to represent you as a home buyer.

1. How Long Have You Been Working in Real Estate?
   Experience matters in real estate. An agent with several years of experience is likely to have a deep understanding of the local market, negotiation strategies, and…

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Understanding the Current Real Estate Market: The Unseen Impact of Housing Shortages

The housing shortage is affecting some people and areas harder than others

In today's real estate market, an unexpected issue has emerged, one that is directly affecting a large segment of potential homebuyers. Despite a noticeable slowdown due to increasing mortgage rates, there's an undeniable shortage in the supply of homes for sale, a sharp contrast to the state of the market in 2019.

This housing shortage is affecting some segments more than others. In particular, homebuyers with an annual income around $100,000, slightly above the national average, are feeling the squeeze. Back in May, when the 30-year fixed mortgage rate was lingering in the high-6% range, these individuals could only afford houses priced around $341,000. Unfortunately,…

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Interest Rate Increases And Their Effect on the South Florida Real Estate Market

The Federal Reserve intensified its fight against inflation in June by announcing the biggest interest rate increase in 28 years as the government's main lending institution tries to rein in skyrocketing consumer costs. 

The largest increase since 1994, the Fed increased its benchmark interest rate by three-quarters of a percentage point. That comes after increases of a quarter point in March and a half point in May. The increase is due to growing prices for rent, groceries, gasoline, and a variety of other goods and services. Higher interest rates will increase the cost of carrying a credit card bill, obtaining a vehicle loan, and purchasing a home.

Rate increases are anticipated to continue in the upcoming months. In general, Fed policymakers…

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Will Florida's Housing Market Cool Down or Crash?

Florida seemingly continues to operate in its own world—at least when it comes to real estate. While signs indicating slowing momentum are popping up more and more throughout the nation, six of the top 25 overvalued home markets are right in our backyard, and several new studies indicate a prolonged period of unaffordability.

Florida Atlantic University, Florida International University, and the University of Alabama found that the current combination of high demand and low inventory that began at the start of the pandemic is likely to continue thanks in part to future population growth projections.

Which Florida Communities Are The Most Overvalued?

Of the six Sunshine State metro areas identified, Fort Myers topped the list. Typical buyers…

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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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Ten Reasons to Move To South Florida

It’s likely you grew up with at least one family member who wouldn’t stop talking about their dream to retire to Florida. Every holiday you’d be regaled with stories of green lawns, year-round sunshine, golf courses, beaches, and no state income taxes. In fact, that person might even be yourself!

Considering all that Florida has to offer, it’s little wonder why our home state is welcoming thousands of new residents every year. This makes for a diverse culture, incredible culinary options, and plenty of tourist-pleasing attractions; but that’s certainly not all! Here are several more reasons you should pursue that dream move:

Our Welcoming Weather

There are 365 days in one year—and in Florida more than 2/3 of them are bathed in sunshine. There…

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