Guides
Southwest Florida New-Home Buyer Guides
The six community sites carry the detail for each community. These are the questions that come before that — the ones that are the same whether you end up in Punta Gorda, Alva, Estero, Fort Myers or Naples. Everything here is sourced; where a figure changes annually, the year it applies to is stated.
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What It Costs to Insure a New House in Southwest Florida
Average premiums for Charlotte, Lee and Collier, why new construction prices better, the wind mitigation form to get at closing, and the flood rule that catches buyers.
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What a Lot Premium Buys, and What It Doesn’t
Flood zones, preserve lots and conservation easements, afternoon sun, and why a premium is a price rather than a valuation. How to read a homesite before you pay for it.
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What You Can Actually Change After You Sign
Design centre or Everything's Included, which decisions lock at contract, and the one test that tells you what to pay for during the build rather than after.
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From Contract to Keys: How a New-Construction Purchase Actually Runs
What actually happens between signing a builder's contract and getting the keys — the selections cutoff, pre-drywall, the orientation walk and closing.
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Florida’s One-Year Builder Warranty, in Plain English
Since 1 July 2025 Florida requires a one-year builder warranty on every new home, and it transfers with the house. What section 553.837 covers, and what it does not.
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Your First Florida Tax Bill Won’t Be the One You Budgeted For
A new home that is not finished by 1 January is taxed on the land alone. Why your first Florida tax bill misleads, and the two homestead dates that decide everything.
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Should You Inspect a Brand-New House?
Municipal inspections check code, not your house. The four points where a private inspection earns its fee — and why month eleven is the one buyers miss.
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CDD or HOA: What Those Line Items Actually Are
An HOA is a private corporation. A CDD is a unit of government whose lien ranks alongside your property taxes. How to read both before you sign a contract.
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Charlotte, Lee or Collier: Choosing the County Before the Community
Charlotte, Lee and Collier compared on price, density, growth, insurance cost and airports — and which of the six communities we cover sits in each.