Buying a Home in Palm Beach County

South Florida is a go-to haven for retiring and relocating northerners, myself included. But on a practical level there are a few items you should be aware of when looking for your new home.

There are No Basements

Okay, I realize that is self-evident, but think about the implications when you are searching for a home. Northernbasements house a lot of activities, from laundry rooms to workshops to family entertainment centers to storage.  You’ll need to accommodate for those uses when considering the size and floor plan in your new home.

Learn About Flood Zones

The news has been full of stories about once in a lifetime flood events all over the country in the last few years. In south Florida, the thing to remember is that you don’t have to be on the beach to be in a flood zone.

We have 47 miles of Atlantic coastline and over 100 miles of freshwater canals, rivers and lakes, which makes it a great place to live. And we can also have some fast and furious rainstorms. So when considering a house, ask questions about the flood map designation for the location and find out what that really means.

Attics Are Very Hot in Summer

Attic storage can be a bit problematic here. Attics can definitely be used for storage, but consider the summer heat when you are choosing which items to store. If it’s 90 degrees outside, you can bet it’s a whole lot hotter in your attic so don’t store items that are subject to heat damage. In northern climates, the issue is damage from attic cold, but don’t assume everything from one attic can safely move to the next one.

Landscaping with Native Plants is Your Best Bet

South Florida has a wonderful variety of native plants and trees and it’s a good idea to use them wherever possible. For those folks who are gardeners, be aware that Palm Beach County is large enough to have several different climate zonesdepending on your location within the county. We also have some great resources (e.g., the Mounts Botanical Garden) where you can enjoy and learn about our wide range of beautiful native plant options.

Native plants can handle our climate and many are drought tolerant. The latter item is important as a water conservation technique and also reduces upkeep. And the Palm Beach County landscape isn’t just about palm trees and coastal dunes, so you’ll have many options for creating a lovely outdoor environment.

via:http://askconnyrealestate.com/2014/02/buying-home-palm-beach-county/