Retirees Should Think Twice About Buying a Condo in Florida Right Now

A looming deadline has condo listings in Florida flooding into the market, with owners desperate to sell. There are 20,293 listings this quarter, compared to 8,353 in the same time frame last year. Nearly 90% of those buildings are over 30 years old — which means they are subject to a new regulation starting after Dec. 31 of this year.

The bill, SB 4-D, mandates that all buildings over 30 years old must have inspections to ensure they are structurally sound and have not had major repairs postponed that would put the residents in danger. The new regulation was passed after the Champlain Towers collapse in Surfside in 2021.

Owners of these older buildings do not want to pay for the necessary repairs, maintenance, and updates required to pass the inspection — and they're hoping to pass the bill along to buyers. After the deadline, these buildings will have to prove they have the funds for any repairs the inspection says are needed, but many don't.

If they fail the inspection and don't have the money for the repairs, they'll be forced to sell or have a lien placed against the property. If this happens to scale with the sale listings, it would cause chaos in the market.

This is a terrible deal for folks planning a stress-free retirement on a fixed income, but it could pique interest from younger buyers willing to invest in a home they plan to live in for years to come. If you're considering moving to the Sunshine State, look at some things you should know about living there before you finalize any plans.

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1. Florida is full of people

You might feel like the only person in the world on your 5 a.m. beach run, but there are millions of people living in Florida. In fact, around 22 million people call the Sunshine State home, making it one of the most populous states in the U.S.

However, it doesn’t stop there: Millions of tourists visit Florida every year, to the tune of more than 120 million — yes, really. So, by 8 a.m., that seemingly private beach will be chock-full of people, as will every other place in the state.

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2. There is a lot of traffic

In addition to brimming with people, Florida is also full of traffic. Whether it’s a bottleneck at the I-4 and I-75 interchange, regular theme park congestion in Orlando, or rush hour in Miami-Dade — the latter having some of the worst traffic in the country — you’re sure to spend time at a standstill on the highway.

This is partly due to the size of the population, but Florida also lacks adequate public transportation infrastructure, meaning roads are often the only way to get around. It’s not Los Angeles, but it’s bad.

3. Home prices have risen significantly

Home prices have risen around the country in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and that includes in Florida. The state has seen some seriously sharp price increases thanks to the warm climate, outdoor activities, beaches, and more.

With approximately 800 people moving to the state every day, it’s not surprising that the rising price of homes is an issue.

The Tampa Bay and Miami metropolitan areas are so popular that real estate costs have jumped there — a compelling reason not to move.

Rents are also rising rapidly in Florida, so if you plan to move there, make sure you check out some of the clever ways to pay your rent .

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4. It's really hot and humid in the summer

It’s always nice to escape the cold temps and spend a week or two in Florida during the winter. That’s when the weather in the Sunshine State is at its best: warm with occasional cool snaps, sunny skies, and low humidity.

However, Florida is a different kettle of fish during the summertime, which some argue runs from May through October. That’s when you can expect temps in the 80s and 90s, with high humidity and frequent thunderstorms that soak the ground.

It’s muggy, sticky, and uncomfortable. And your A/C bill will reflect that reality.

5. Florida has natural disasters like hurricanes

From June 1 to Nov. 30, Florida is in its annual hurricane season. This is the time of year when the tropics are the most active, and when you have a higher likelihood of a tropical storm, tornado, or hurricane heading your way.

These storms can cause quite a bit of damage to both property and people, making them a scary prospect.

To be fair, different parts of the country have other natural disasters, such as wildfires, landslides, or earthquakes, to name a few. Plus, hurricanes give you time to evacuate, thanks to adept meteorologists. Still, being stuck in a hurricane is not fun.

6. It's home to many dangerous animals

Florida is a special place with plenty of critters you won’t find in many other locales. Most notable is the American alligator, which you can find in any body of fresh water in Florida.

That will give you pause before jumping into a lake.

There are also crocodiles, bears, a variety of snakes, large birds of prey, and many things with sharp teeth that swim in the ocean off Florida’s coast. Oh, and don’t forget the iguanas you’ll find in South Florida. They can fall frozen from the trees during the cold winter months, so watch your head.

7. Florida has irritating insects

Just as the Sunshine State is home to dangerous animals, there are also irritating insects that can drive you bonkers.

Take, for example, no-see-ums. These tiny pests can jump onto your body and cause nonstop itching that lasts for days. There’s also your garden-variety mosquito, which can swarm you if you go too close to standing, stagnant water. Oh, and you haven’t lived until you’ve stepped on a fire ant mound.

If you’re not bugged out already, don’t forget there are black widows and other venomous spiders, scorpions, bees, wasps, and giant cockroaches awaiting you in Florida.

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8. Climate change is happening in real time

It’s all too easy to see just how much of an impact climate change is having on Florida, according to the science. The temps are going up, water levels are rising, and flooding is more and more of an issue than ever before.

Some say climate change is fueling more intense storms as well — not the best news for Floridians.

This not only is impacting the environment but also housing and building, thanks to the sinking landmass and increased flooding. Some mitigation is possible, but climate change is a doozie of a reason not to move to Florida.

9. There are sinkholes

We know, a sinkhole sounds like something out of a bad movie. But sinkholes are real.

Sinkholes are basically giant holes in the ground that can swallow up land. They get worse when it rains. This often isn’t a huge problem — more of a nuisance to your home’s foundation. But sinkholes can and have sucked people into them, never to be found again. You can’t make this up.

10. Red tide can happen in the summer

We saved the super-gruesome stuff for last, if you can believe it. What’s worse than falling iguanas and flying cockroaches combined? Red tide.

In a nutshell, a red tide is an event that happens when algae blooms get out of control in the Gulf of Mexico. This can in turn kill off huge amounts of sea life.

That’s bad enough, but what makes red tide even worse is when all of that marine life washes up on the beach and sits for days decomposing in the hot Florida sun. We’re not joking, you can smell it for miles.

Suddenly, winter in the Northeast doesn’t seem so bad.

Bottom line

Florida is full of attractive amenities, like pristine beaches and springs, a warm climate, lots of greenery, and thriving metropolises.

But the state also has a dizzying array of drawbacks, each of which seems crazier than the last.

So, instead of moving to Florida, maybe you can scratch the itch by visiting once in a while. That way you get more of the good and less of the bad.

However, if you cannot resist the temptation to move, give it a whirl. Look around now for ways to make a little extra cash , start planning the move, and once you feel financially ready, head on down to what the locals call paradise.

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