Florida’s temperatures are balmy year-round, making for mild winters. But it can be hot and humid during the summers, plus there is harsh weather at times. So when you are shopping for a home, it helps to keep these things in mind. Below are some tips to help you choose a home that can stand up to Florida’s climate while staying comfortable and affordable.
- Shop for a home that can stand up to harsh weather. Check if you are buying in a flood or hurricane zone. If you are, make sure the home you are interested in is built to code. It should include features that help it stand up to destructive weather events.
- Avoid flood plains. Also pay attention to where the home is located. Many buyers prefer to steer clear of flood plains altogether. If you don’t, you may want to pick a home that is on stilts, or has some slight elevation (up on a hill, for example). Be wary of houses that are located at low points where water may pool.
- Check carefully for mold. The hot, humid climate of Florida is notoriously conducive to mold and mildew. When you tour and inspect homes, make sure that they do not have any hidden mold or wood rot. Be sure to look inside cabinets and crawlspaces, basements, attics, and other areas of the house that you might easily overlook. Pay attention to how the floorboards feel, and examine the roof. Mold and wood rot can be incredibly expensive problems to fix, so, ideally, you should buy a home without them. A house that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop these issues.
- Pick a home built to stay cool. Florida summers can get to be stifling and overwhelming. The temperatures can get into the 90s. That isn’t as bad as some places, of course but it can be a lot when combined with the humidity. For your own personal comfort, as well as to prevent the growth of mold, you are going to want to choose a house that will help you keep cool. Look for building materials that do a good job keeping heat out, a well-designed attic, excellent insulation, and windows that you can open to form a cross-breeze.
- Choose a home with eco-friendly features. The features listed above have another advantage that goes beyond comfort and the prevention of mold, and that is that they reduce the amount of time you need to run your air conditioner. You also might be able to use it at a lower setting than you otherwise would. This makes it more eco-friendly, since your carbon footprint is smaller. That is a good way to help fight climate change on an individual level. Plus, it saves you money on your electric bills, making for yet another win. You might want to consider other eco-friendly features as well. For example, a solar system can make good use of the ample sunlight in Florida, saving you even more money and making your home extra green.
Buy a Safe and Sustainable Home with a Competitive Mortgage
You now know some considerations for shopping for a home in Florida with respect to the climate and environment. PLC is based in Cooper City, and can help you buy a home or refinance anywhere in Florida. To get started, please give us a call at 954-840-8811 to schedule your mortgage consultation. We look forward to matching you with a suitable home loan with competitive mortgage rates.
